Chapter 6 - The Checkpoint
I squinted painfully against the blinding white light shining through my rearview mirror.
A police cruiser was parked directly behind us, its red and blue lights flashing silently in the dark.
"Stay completely calm," Silas whispered, sinking much lower into the passenger seat to hide.
A tall officer stepped out of the cruiser and walked slowly toward my driver's side window.
I rolled down the glass, my heart hammering fiercely against my chest.
"Is there a problem, officer?" I asked, trying to sound like a harmless, confused old man.
The officer shined his heavy tactical flashlight directly into my eyes, then panned it over to Silas.
"We got a 911 call about a stolen classic Mustang matching this exact description," the officer stated coldly.
Chloe had reported the car stolen the very moment I drove away from their apartment.
"This is my vehicle, officer," I explained quickly.
"I have the official registration right here in the glove compartment."
I reached over to open it, but the officer rested his hand heavily on his leather holster.
"Keep your hands firmly on the steering wheel, Arthur," the officer commanded.
He knew my first name without even looking at my driver's license.
I looked closer at the shiny silver badge pinned to his dark blue uniform.
The engraved nameplate read Detective Vance.
It was Chloe's older brother.
"Step out of the vehicle, you crazy old man," Vance ordered, pulling his service weapon out.
I didn't have a choice.
I slowly opened the heavy door and stepped out into the chilly night air.
Vance grabbed me roughly by the shoulder and slammed me against the side of my beloved car.
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"You are going away for a very long time," Vance hissed directly into my ear.
Before he could put the handcuffs on me, Silas kicked the passenger door open and bolted straight into the dark woods.
