Chapter 99
Caroline could tell something was off from the guy's tone, even though he didn't answer right away.
"Who I am doesn't matter," the man said. "Get Sarah out of the car. You drive alone and do exactly what I say. No scenes, no cops, no telling anyone. If you try anything funny, your kids will pay."
Caroline's knees buckled at the mention of her kids.
What freaked her out even more was that he knew she was with Sarah, meaning they were being watched.
For Ryan and Sophie's sake, she had to play it cool.
"Okay, I get it," Caroline said, trying to keep her voice steady.
The man added, "Remember, no tricks, or your kids will suffer because of you."
Then he hung up.
"Who was that?" Sarah asked, curious.
"Just a teacher from school. They said things are crazy and we should take a detour. You get out, and I'll drive," Caroline lied.
"But you're not calm. It's safer that I drive," Sarah insisted.
"Just trust me for a second. I know a shortcut," Caroline said, trying to stay composed.
Knowing she was being watched, Caroline figured it was best to follow orders. Keeping Ryan and Sophie safe was the priority.
"I drive; it's safer," Sarah repeated.
"Please, just listen to me this time," Caroline said, her voice a bit shaky.
Sarah was taken aback by Caroline's sudden change in demeanor. Seeing Caroline's pale face, she decided not to push it.
To avoid making things worse, Sarah pulled over.
She got out and was about to switch seats when Caroline climbed over to the driver's seat and sped off before Sarah could get in.
"What's going on?" Sarah shouted, but Caroline was already gone.
Caroline's phone rang again. Same number.
"Now, drive to the third basement level of the nearby mall parking lot. There's a black Passat there. Park your car and take the Passat. No funny business; kids are too fragile for any trouble," the man instructed.
"Please, don't hurt my kids!" Caroline yelled.
"Calm down and follow the instructions. Nothing will happen if you do. But if you try anything, your kids will be harmed. Call the cops, and they might only find two bodies," the man threatened.
"Please, don't hurt them. I won't call the police, but I need to know my kids are safe," Caroline pleaded.
There was a pause, then some muffled struggling sounds.
After the call ended, Caroline got an MMS. It was a picture of Ryan and Sophie with their mouths taped shut, sitting in a dimly lit car.
Tears streamed down Caroline's face. The kindergarten explosion was just a distraction to kidnap Ryan and Sophie. This was all planned out.
These guys weren't working alone; they knew her route and had a car ready for the switch.
If she kept driving Sarah's car, Sarah might call the cops, and the city's surveillance would track her. But switching cars would make it harder to trace her.
Everything was so well-planned, they even considered her calling the police. If she did, or contacted the Kennedy Family, things might get out of hand.
Ryan and Sophie's safety was all that mattered. Caroline couldn't take any risks.
She had no choice but to follow the instructions. There was no other way.
The phone rang again. It was Sarah. Caroline couldn't bring herself to answer; she had no idea what to say.
Following the instructions, she arrived at the designated spot. The black Passat was parked on the third basement level, door open, key inside. She got in as told.
The man called again. "There's a phone in the glove compartment. Turn off and ditch your phone. Use the one we gave you."
Caroline turned off her phone but didn't throw it away. She hid it in her bag instead.
Driving the new car, she left the parking lot and headed towards the suburbs. She got on the highway, following the instructions to head south. No final destination was given.
She kept driving, getting further from Aurora City, feeling more anxious by the mile.
Everyone knew the Kennedy Family ruled Aurora City. Nothing happened there without their say-so. But outside the city? Their power waned.
These guys were pulling her away from Aurora City, cutting her off from the Kennedy Family's reach.
Caroline realized she was on her own now.
She had to figure out how to survive and keep Ryan and Sophie safe.
Her only hope was herself.
The biggest problem? She had no clue where Ryan and Sophie were or what these people wanted.
If they knew Ryan and Sophie were Kennedy descendants, they might be after a big ransom.
The Kennedy Family was loaded. If they knew Ryan and Sophie were kidnapped, they'd probably pay up without a second thought.
If it was just about money, that might be easier to handle.
But if it was personal, if they wanted hostages and not cash, things could get really messy.
Caroline worried Roxanne might be behind this. Roxanne had always wanted her, Ryan, and Sophie out of Aurora City.
Everything happening now seemed aimed at making Caroline disappear quietly from the city.
It all pointed to Roxanne working with some outside help.
The phone rang again. New instructions: exit the highway at the next toll station.
She got off the highway and found herself in a quiet little town.
The next step was to switch cars again, this time to a rugged off-road Jeep, complete with new communication tools.
She kept driving south.
By ten at night, fatigue and hunger were wearing her down.
As she calmed down from the initial panic, she figured her kids weren't in immediate danger.
If these people wanted to harm Ryan and Sophie, why go through the trouble of kidnapping? It'd be easier to just kill them.
Forcing her to drive south, they probably planned to take them somewhere remote, far from Aurora City, making it hard for anyone to find them.
Caroline decided to call the mysterious number, but no one answered.
A moment later, the caller ID showed it was that number.
"What is it?" the man asked coldly.
"Are my kids okay? Please, don't let them go hungry," Caroline pleaded.
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