Author's Note: And were back!! After a longgg wait! Thanks for being so patient! Now that things have calmed down a bit in my life, I'm back to writing. I want to thank all who left comments and suggestions - zoe, prettygirl33broodyandcheerynemo123489gilmoregrly4lifegoober396, lala, JULESM24, and Leyton2006. I really appreciate it!!

So we are now nearing the end of the story. Hope you guys enjoy what's in store. Chapter 21 is up. Leave reviews!!

Chapter 21 – Long Day's Journey

"Okay Lucas. Sit down, relax" Brooke advised her husband. She took the tray from him and set it on the side table. She had to make sure Lucas didn't get worked up, or that would be bad for his heart.

"You know, it's been a long time since I thought of that selfish old bastard" Lucas said thinking of Dan angrily.

"I know, but don't start now. It's not good for you" Brooke turned the TV off.

""I won't rest till Dan is back where he belongs"

"What are you going to do about it?" Brooke asked nervously.

"I don't know yet. I'll think of something though" Lucas vowed. He picked the phone up.

"What are you doing?" Brooke asked.

"Getting as much as information as I can on this"

"Right now? Do you have to?"

"Brooke my father is on the loose. I'm not gonna pretend that's okay"

"I'm not asking you to. I just think you have enough going on – with the kids gone and your heart. Maybe you should let this go for now"

Lucas shook his head. "I can handle it, don't worry about me. Eat up. I'll be downstairs if you need me" Lucas left the room, dialing his brother Nathan.

Brooke slumped in bed. "Damn you Dan Scott" she mumbled.

3,000 miles away in Los Angeles, Nathan Scott was leaving basketball practice when he answered the call from his big brother.

"Hey Nate"

"Luke! What's going on? Hales just told me about the kids. Are they okay?" Nathan asked getting into his car.

"I don't know man. They're still missing" Lucas explained everything to his brother.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Nathan asked.

"Maybe. We got another problem. Dan escaped from his jail cell. He's on the run and there's a search going on for him"

"No kidding!"

"I was wondering if you knew anything about it"

"Until now I hadn't.

"Damn. If your hear anything give me a call"

"Alright man. Good luck finding the kids. Hales and I will call you guys later"

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Locked in the basement, the 2 younger Scott kids were getting restless. Cameron tried to stay strong for Preston and Mercedes, but that was a task in itself. Cameron was usually the tough one in crisises but even he was losing it this time. He just wished this whole thing would blow over, quickly and for the time being, did all he could to keep his little brother and sister occupied. They made up games and talked, trying to find comfort in each other but as time passed, each of them was losing patience and becoming agitated.

Cameron dozed off at one point and some time later was awoken by a panicked Preston.

"Cameron! Cameron!"

Cameron rubbed his eyes and sat up.

"What's wrong Preston?"

"Mercedes is gone!"

"What?"

Cameron looked around the dark, dull basement. His sister was nowhere in sight.

"I went to sleep. I think the lady took her" Preston said, scared.

Cameron sighed. "Why would she take her only?" he wondered.

Mercedes had managed to escape the basement by climbing through the window while her brothers slept. She walked along the sidewalk, barefoot. It was getting cold and dark and all she had on was a blue sweatshirt and jeans. She walked and walked, until she pulled up at a gas station convenient store. As she opened the door, the cashier looked up in suspense.

"Hi, I'm looking for my mommy and daddy" Mercedes explained.

The cashier was surprised. "Who are your mommy and daddy?"

"Lucas and Brooke."

"Where are they?"

"Here in Tree Hill. Where I live with them and my brothers.

"Sweetie, this isn't Tree Hill – it's Charleston. Tree Hill is very far from here. How did you get here anyway?

"I don't know. We were kidnapped"

"Kidnapped?!" the cashier was alarmed. "By who?"

"This mean lady. Peyton. She used to know my mommy and daddy's friend a long, long time ago. But now she wants revenge. So she took me and my brothers"

"Where are your brothers right now?"

"At the house the lady took us to. She locked some of us in the basement. Cameron and Preston were sleeping but I opened a window and got out" Mercedes informed.

"Oh my gosh. The missing Scott kids. You're one of them!" the cashier suddenly realized.

Mercedes nodded. "Yeah. My name is Mercedes Karen Scott."

"You're a very brave girl, Mercedes. I'm going to call the cops and were going to get you and your brother's home safely, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you"

The cashier dialed the police and they arrived within minutes at the gas station convenient store, with lots of questions for Mercedes.

"Okay Mercedes. Were going to make sure you and your brothers are safe, but were going to need some help first okay? Can you take us to the house you ran away from?" the officer asked.

Mercedes nodded.

"Good girl. Come on, let's go." They got into the police car and sped to the house.

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Meanwhile, Peyton put Landon and Max down for a nap and decided she better check in on the other kids. First she checked in on Braydin, who was out cold in the room Dan had locked him in. Then she went to the basement. Cameron and Preston stood up quickly as they heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Peyton opened the door.

"Where's your sister?" she asked.

"We- we don't know. We were sleeping and when we woke up she was gone. Isn't she with you?" Cameron asked nervously.

"Would I be asking you where she was if I had her?" Peyton snapped.

"No but we really don't know where Mercedes is" Preston responded.

"Whatever. I'll know if you're lying, sooner or later." Peyton froze, then fell forward on the floor. She had passed out. It seemed that her pill intake had caught up with her body.

"Is she dead?" Preston asked wide-eyed.

"I don't know. Let's find the others" Cameron reached into Peyton's pocket and grabbed the key. Then he took his brother's hand and they went upstairs. Dan had left Peyton a note on the steps saying that he had gone out and would be back later.

"Yes!" Cameron whispered. This would make it a lot easier to get out of the house now.

Braydin was getting up from his sleep when he turned the key turn. He groaned, expecting Dan or Peyton to be standing there and was surprised to see that it was Cameron and Preston.

"Braydin! Come on we gotta get out here."
"What's going on?"

"The witch passed out. I'm not sure for how long though. Let's get the babies and leave before Dan gets back."

"Where's Mercedes?" Braydin asked as Cameron helped him up quickly.

"We don't know. I think she escaped from the windows in the basement. Hurry"

They found Landon and Max and headed out the house when the police car pulled up.

Mercedes got excited to see her brothers. "That's them! Those are my brothers! And that's Max, the kidnapper's baby" she added, getting out of the police car.

"Officer Murphy here." The cop showed his badge and I.D. "Scott boys?"

"That's us" Cameron breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Is the alleged kidnapper inside?" he asked.

"Yeah, she passed out. The other guy is out right now" Cameron informed.

"Can you give us his name and a brief description?

"He's our grandfather. Dan Scott. He's tall and has dark brown hair" Braydin replied.

The officers glanced at each other. "Wow! Soon as we get our hands on him he's going back where he belongs"

"I want mommy and daddy" Mercedes said.

"I'm going to call your mommy and daddy right now. They're going to be so happy to know that you kids are alright" Officer Murphy said.

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Lucas was lying restlessly on the couch in the living room when his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this is Mr. Lucas Scott?"

"Yes it is."

"This is Officer Jason Murphy from the Charleston Police Department. I have some good news - your children have been found"

"Your kidding!" Lucas cried, jumping off the sofa.

"No sir."

"Oh my god! Where are they? Are they okay?!"

"They appear to be a little dehydrated and have little bruises. But other than that, they are alive and well. They are all be taken to the hospital to be checked out, for safety precautions.

"Thank the lord. Did you say you were in Charleston?"
"That's correct sir.

"Dear god. My wife and I will be there as soon possible. How on earth did our kids end up there?"

The police hesitated before speaking. "Mr. Scott, your children were kidnapped. We got one of the two suspects"

"Wait, what?"

"One moment sir. Your son wants to speak to you"

Lucas felt a huge sense of relief in his heart and soul. He couldn't wait to tell Brooke the good news. He held the phone away from his face to call out for Brooke. She rushed downstairs, still in her bathrobe.

"Lucas, what is it?"

"They found the kids! They're safe!"

Brooke shrieked and turned the other cordless phone on so she could talk and hear too.

"Mom? Dad?" a tired voice said on the other line. It was Braydin.

"Braydin! Oh honey it's really you!"

"It's so good to hear your voice, son" Lucas said.

"You too dad."

"Are you all okay? Where are you?" Brooke cried.

In Charleston. You wouldn't believe this but someone you both know pretty well kidnapped us. Actually, two people you know"

Lucas felt his heart pounding.

"It was her, wasn't it? Peyton? The bitch!!"

"Yeah. She held a gun to Cameron's head and threatened to kill us all. So we did what she told us to and got in her van."

"I'm gonna kill her" Brooke promised, her tears welling up with tears as the thought of a gun to her son's head filled her mind.

"Who's the other person behind this?" Lucas asked.

Braydin lowered his voice. "Um – Dan."

Lucas could barely think straight. It took him a few moments to accept that his own father could be part of such a scheme. "Son of a bitch. His life is in my hands now"

"Yeah. Listen, were on our way to the hospital now. They want to make sure we're fine. Can you guys get here as soon as possible? Preston and Mercedes are losing it" Braydin asked.

"We're on our way baby" Brooke said into the phone.

"Okay. Hurry please"

"We will. We love you. Tell the others we love them too and will be there in a few hours okay?" Lucas said.

"I will. Bye". Braydin hung up and took a deep breath. The nightmare was almost over. Almost.