Kevin gasped when he felt the sharp jerk of Harry's van stop. He froze, in shock. Was anything broken? Was he dead? Harry, on the other hand, was angry as soon as the front of his van hit the bumper of the car. He cursed loudly, hitting his fists against his steering wheel.

Soon, a suit-wearing man was up at his window. Harry rolled down his window. The men shouted at each other, cursing each other out. The man outside started to back away, when Harry threatened to open his door and fight him. Being the city person he was, the man flipped Harry the bird and went back to his car. The man yelled, "I hope you have insurance!"

"Whatever," Harry closed his door. He didn't want to get out and see the damage. Whatever damage he caused to his front would have to be dealt with earlier. It was banged up good, but no metal or lights had been damaged. Harry put his car in 'drive' again, and cursed to himself. He turned to Kevin, "Why the fuck did he stopped anyway? Was there a stop sign? A light? No, there wasn't."

Kevin finally found his voice, "Do you not have airbags in here?"

"No," Harry said, "I took them out."

"So I guess we're not going to Times Square?"

"We never were," Harry growled. Kevin sunk back in his seat, frowning. He expected to see much more of New York City than just rows of townhouses and a few stores. Where was the Empire State Building? The World Trade Center? What about the Statue of Liberty? Harry paralleled parked in a tight spot.

Harry pointed to the back. Kevin noticed they had covered both windows with cardboard, the windshield and front door windows being the only windows one could look out of. "Get back by that rail."

"Why?" Kevin asked.

Harry pulled out some handcuffs, "We can't having you escaping now, can we?"

"But, I've been fine! I haven't tried anything," Kevin tried.

"I'll only be a few minutes," Harry said, "Come on, get in the back."

With a heavy heart, Kevin did as he was told. Harry followed him back in the van, cuffing his hand to the rail. He then exited the van, returning with a few bags of groceries fifteen minutes later. He unhooked Kevin, and the boy went back to the passenger seat. It was dark back in the van, and he didn't want to stay another minute back there. "So, we're still not going to Times Square?"

"No, kid, stop asking," Harry pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and his lighter. He lit a cigarette, and then started to feel around in his coat pocket. Something was missing. He felt the piece of paper, but he couldn't find the ring. While he was searching, he crumbled up the piece of paper with the number Kate was called on. Couldn't have Kevin finding that paper, even if he didn't know what the words meant. Harry turned to Kevin, "Where's the ring?"

Kevin feigned innocence, "What?"

"I know you took it," Harry said, "Give it back."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Harry started to drive, "Alright. By the time we get back to the townhouse, you better tell me where you put that ring. Okay?"

Kevin didn't say anything when they were back inside at the townhouse; Harry grabbed his arm and squeezed it, "Tell me where the ring is!"

"No, I can't." Kevin cowered.

"What's going on?" Marv entered the foyer.

"We've got a little pickpocket-er here," Harry squeezed tighter on his arm, "He stole the ring."

"Please, it's the only thing I have left of my mother," Kevin confessed, "Without her class ring, I have nothing!"

Harry wanted to tell the truth about his mother just to get the expensive ring back, but he knew it wouldn't be worth it. If Kevin somehow escaped with the knowledge of a mother who set up her own son's kidnapping, Harry, Marv, and Kate McCalister would be in jeopardy. Harry let go of the boy, "Keep the ring in your nightstand drawer, okay? Don't carry it around in your pocket so casually."

Kevin didn't say another word, and went upstairs to do just what Harry said. Marv said, "Did you buy food?"

"Calm down, it's right here," Harry handed Marv the groceries, "After we eat, we need to go take care of the car. It's going to take a while, so we need to leave as soon as we're done."

"When are we leaving?" Marv asked.

"As soon as we buy the car," Harry said, "I figure it's safe to go back, especially if we have a different car or van. Besides, the police are only looking for someone that matches my description, not your's."

"So we're leaving tonight?" Marv said.

"Yeah."

Marv frowned, "But it's New Year's Eve. Aren't we going to go out?"

"We'll go out when we get back," Harry said.

"Alright." Marv said.

Kevin was alone most of the day, and he hated being locked in a room. He was in the third floor master bedroom Harry had chosen. It was the only bedroom with a television. The men thought if Kevin had a television, he wouldn't try anything if he was entertained. They were wrong, since the boy spent a good hour trying to pry open the windows, banging on the windows, and trying to open the door with a variety of items he found in the dresser drawers. Nothing worked, and Kevin gave up for the time being. He laid on the end of the bed on his stomach, clutching a pillow and watching some shows and then some news. He didn't see any report on him missing, and assumed it was because he was in the New York area and not Chicago.

He fell asleep when it became dark, and awakened late in the night. It was Harry. Kevin sat up, rubbing his eyes, "What's going on?"

"We're leaving," Harry said, pulling Kevin a little, "Come on, let's go."

"Where are we going?" Kevin asked, getting off the bed.

"Out of New York," was all Harry told him. Harry started cleaning up the room, making sure the bed was made and the master bathroom was clean. Marv was waiting on the stairs, reading a magazine.

"Where are we going?" He tried with Marv.

"We're going back to the Chicago area," Marv said, "Don't get any ideas. We're not stopping again at a restaurant on the way back for you to make another escape attempt."

Kevin's heart filled with joy. He knew they were going back to Harry and Marv's house, but at least he would be back in greater Chicago! "Well, let's go," Kevin pushed.

Marv closed his magazine, and led Kevin out to the car. It was a new van; a year or two older than their Dodge van, with no markings what so ever for it to stand out. There were pull-down seats in the back, so Kevin didn't have to sit on the floor.

Marv got in the driver's seat, and later, Harry joined them in the van. Kevin tried to get a good look at all of New York City as they passed. There wasn't anything really to look at, so Kevin decided to go back to sleep. He managed to remember the ring in his nightstand before leaving the townhouse. He looked at the ring, the city lights shining off of it. He hid the ring in his curled hand, bringing it to his face. He let a tear fall as he thought, I miss you, Mom. If you rescue me, I'll never be bad again. I swear.