Chapter 7 - The Empty Plane
Ethan drove like a maniac, weaving our car recklessly through the morning traffic.
We reached the private corporate airfield on the outskirts of the city in record time.
There were no commercial security gates to stop us from driving directly onto the tarmac.
In the distance, a sleek white Gulfstream jet was fueling up, its engines already whining loudly.
"Block the runway!" I screamed, pointing at the aircraft preparing for takeoff.
Ethan slammed the gas pedal to the floor, steering our car directly into the path of the jet.
He slammed on the brakes, stopping just inches away from the massive front landing gear.
The jet's engines whined down in angry protest as the pilot was forced to abort the departure.
I threw the car door open and sprinted toward the lowered stairs of the airplane.
Two private security guards stepped out to block me, but Ethan was right behind me.
Ethan easily disarmed the first guard and shoved the second one off the metal stairs.
I charged into the luxurious cabin of the jet, screaming the names of my children.
"Leo! Lily! Mommy is here!" I yelled frantically, searching every leather seat.
I tore through the small galley and checked the private bathroom at the back of the plane.
The entire aircraft was completely and utterly empty.
There were no children, no luggage, and absolutely no sign of Ryan.
I collapsed into one of the plush seats, my mind spiraling into a dark panic.
The pilot stepped out of the cockpit, holding his hands up in a gesture of surrender.
"I was just hired to fly an empty plane to Mexico as a distraction, lady," the pilot stammered nervously.
Ryan had sent us on a wild goose chase to buy himself more time.
My phone rang loudly, breaking the terrible silence inside the empty cabin.
I answered it immediately, my hands shaking so violently I could barely hold the device.
Diane’s cruel, victorious laughter echoed through the speaker.
"You really are a stupid, predictable girl, Maya," Diane mocked from the other end of the line.
May you like
"By the time you figure out where we actually are, your children will be completely gone."
In the background of the call, I heard a very distinct, deep chime of an antique grandfather clock.
