XOXOXOXOXO

Chapter 44

James

I watched the security footage impatiently, observing everyone coming in and out of the restroom after Sofia went inside.

There was a pit in my stomach, my head was spinning, and my heart was shattering in my chest.

How could I be so irresponsible?

I should have fucking gone with her!

Dad was on the phone with the Sherriff, and mom was trembling beside me.

"How could she just disappear?" mom sobbed, "It doesn't make any sense.

No.

It didn't.

There were no windows in the room.

The only way in or out was the door.

The kidnapper left Sofia's phone, bracelet, and wedding ring on the floor, so we had no way of tracking her.

The head of security followed each woman through the cameras, watching them get into their vehicles, rewinding after ruling out each suspect.

Finally, one caught our attention.

A woman carrying a large, deep purple suitcase entered the restroom a few moments after Sofia.

Two women tried to get in, but the door was locked, and the woman came back out with the suitcase on its rollers.

NO.

Please, God, no.

WHY THE FUCK WOULD THE DOOR HAVE A LOCK?!

We followed her to the parking lot, watching in horror as it took her and another man to load it in the back seat of an SUV.

"You don't think-" mom grabbed my arm.

Someone stuffed my wife in a suitcase and nonchalantly rolled her right behind me.

Someone drugged my wife and stuffed her in a FUCKING SUITCASE!

My stomach turned, and I threw up in the trashcan.

"It's my fault!" I cried, "I should never have left her alone!"

Sofia was unconscious in a suitcase right now because of me.

She can't be gone!

Mom rubbed my back as she continued to cry.

"Can you get a plate number?" dad asked, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"It doesn't have plates," the guard replied shakily.

"Get the make and model, and report it!" dad growled, "They couldn't have gotten too far!"

The guard did as dad told him, and we immediately got AMBER alerts on our phones.

Seventeen-year-old caucasian female.

Red hair.

Blue eyes.

Taken from LUK in a Maroon 2002 Dodge Durango with no plates.

The love of James Talbert's life.

Sofia had been reduced to simple identifiers.

"We'll find her," dad shuddered, scrubbing his hands over his face, "What's Miranda's number, Anne?"

Mom handed him her phone, and he put it on speaker.

"The person you are trying to call has a voice mailbox that has not been set up," the automated system announced before it ever rang.

FUCK!

"It's got to be her!" I roared, "We need to find her. Do you still have that list of addresses Sofia gave you?"

Saying her name sent me into another wave of hot tears.

"Wouldn't you rather know I was dead than worry I was being tortured again?"

She was so afraid of this happening.

"Yeah," mom nodded, rummaging through her purse.

"Pull up the woman again," I instructed, watching the feed rewind.

She was wearing a headscarf and sunglasses, so it was impossible to identify her.

I pulled up a picture of Miranda, trying to find anything she and the kidnapper had in common, but it was useless.

"What do we do?" mom asked, grabbing my hand.

"We wait for the Sherriff," dad sighed, "For now. If they don't get any leads by tonight, then we go to Missouri,"

We wait?

Screw that.

I pulled my phone out and called Garth to bring me the Jeep.

I was going to find her NOW.

He was in Cincinnati in an hour and a half with Nick and Brent in my Jeep, followed by Vivian, Cleo, and Bridgett in Vivian's car.

"The Durango was spotted forty-five minutes ago outside of Louisville, headed south," dad explained, getting in mom's car, "The police are searching for it now, but we haven't heard back,"

"So we're going to Louisville?" Garth asked, hopping in the passenger seat, and Nick crawled in the back with Brent.

No.

I'm going.

"I appreciate y'all coming, but I just needed my Jeep," I frowned, standing outside the door, "It's too dangerous,"

"Dude, we love Sofia, and if she's in trouble, then you're going to need us to help get her back," Nick insisted.

"We're not going back without Sofia, James," Vivian slammed her door shut and stomped towards me, "There's no way in Hell we're leaving,"

"Fine," I nodded, "Follow me,"

I wasn't going to waste time arguing with them.

But they weren't going to get in my way.

Having backup might be a good idea anyway.

I'm coming, baby.

I gave Garth my phone, and we sped out of the parking lot.

"I wish you'd stay; I have such a bad feeling something's going to happen if you go," Aunt Tilly's voice echoed in my head.

We should have stayed in Hawaii.

I shouldn't have let Sofia out of my sight, especially in the DAMN AIRPORT!

This wasn't like last time.

There was no bust to follow.

I couldn't track her on my phone.

We weren't able to just fly somewhere and wait.

SHE WAS LOST.

"DAMNIT!" I screamed and slammed my hands on the steering wheel.

"Hey, buddy, why don't you pull over?" Nick tapped my shoulder, "Let me drive,"

I swerved to the side of the highway and got out, throwing up again.

"Breath, James," Garth demanded, rubbing my back, "We're going to get your girl,"

"We need a plan in case whoever decides to come after me gets ahold of me,"

"We should have listened to her!" I punched the side of the Jeep, "She wanted to help, but we were so FUCKING sure we could keep her safe!"

"I will keep this list, but I want you to forget about it, okay?"

"No one is going to get you, but on the off chance they do, we will get you right back like last time,"

None of us wanted to believe she was in so much danger.

But she always has been.

"Come on," Garth led me to the passenger seat as Nick climbed in the driver's seat, "Let's go,"

Sofia is going to be so scared when she wakes up.

I want to be there when she does.

"Can I have my phone?" I asked Garth as we got back on the freeway.

"I've got it, dude," he shook his head, "The last thing you need is to make yourself sicker by looking at her pictures and texts,"

I knew he was right.

I needed to focus.

Nick found mom's car, and we followed them into a gas station outside of Louisville.

"Anything?" I called, jumping out and running to them.

"Nothing helpful," dad slammed the door, "Fill up your tank and tell your entourage to do the same. We're going to fucking find her,"

Garth nodded and ran to tell the group, and mom leaned against the car.

Her eyes were swollen, and she could barely breathe.

"Mom," I hugged her, "What's going on?"

"The Sherriff can't locate the Durango, James," she sobbed, "They think whoever took her either ditched the vehicle or made it to where they were going,"

There was a ringing in my ears, but I tried to keep my composure.

"Are they searching the addresses you gave them?"

"As far as I know," she nodded, "Oh, James, I'm so scared for her,"

"So am I," I whispered, fighting off my tears.

I felt numb.

Hollow.

I needed my girl.

"Call your parents," dad demanded, motioning towards the horde of teenagers as he returned with a handful of bags, "We're following a kidnapper; I don't want to get accused of being one," he grumbled, pushing a bag in my arms.

I shot him a quizzical look and found bottles of water and protein bars inside.

"We're not stopping again; make it last," he spat, pulling the hose out of the car and roughly hanging it back on the pump.

"Where are we going?" I asked, and he stopped.

He looked at me with the most broken expression I had ever seen.

I wasn't the only one being affected by Sofia's kidnapping.

I couldn't be selfish right now.

Mom, dad, and all of our friends were just as worried for her as I was.

Sofia was my wife, but so many other people also loved her.

"I don't know," he shrugged in defeat, wiping his eyes, "This was the last place anyone saw the Durango. The trail's cold,"

She was here?

"Which way did they go?!" I frantically looked around.

"Back up to the highway two hours ago, James. There's no telling where she is now," he whispered.

"Let's go to Missouri," I put my hand on his shoulder, "Sam and Miranda either have her, or they know where she is,"

"I'll let the Sherriff know what we're doing. Hopefully, he can get the police there to work with us," dad agreed.

I ran back to the Jeep, told everyone the plan, and we followed dad.

I stared out the window as we sped down the highway.

What are they going to do to her?

This had to be about keeping her from the trial.

Mrs. White knew about Sofia's plan to testify, so it was only fair to assume she had told Miranda about it.

Would they kill her or resume their abuse?

"Wouldn't you rather know I was dead than worry I was being tortured again?"

I couldn't get that question out of my head.

I would rather whoever took Sofia to think they could torture her.

At least then I could save her.

I wouldn't last long if I knew she was dead.

I love you so much, baby.

Hold on.

"How are you holding up, buddy?" Nick asked, looking at me in the rearview mirror.

I looked at my knees and shrugged.

"Dumb question," Brent sighed, "Take a nap, James. We'll let you know when we get there,"

I leaned back and closed my eyes,

I tried to sleep, but all I could see was Sofia's face, and all I could hear was her voice calling for me in the dark.

I let her down.

I couldn't keep her safe.

We got to Missouri around seven and packed the parking lot of the police station.

A dozen or so reporters were outside the door, and dad instructed everyone to stay in their cars as we pushed past the cameras.

Were they covering Sofia's kidnapping?

"We're here to see the Sherriff," dad announced to the aggravated-looking woman behind the desk.

"Are you reporters?" she huffed, "I told you people to go away,"

"No, we're not," mom frowned, "We're here to talk to him about Sofia Talbert's kidnapping. She's our daughter-in-law,"

"My wife," I added, crossing my arms.

"Oh!" she flushed, picking up her phone, "Sorry, it's been a long day, one second,"

Yeah, how the fuck do you think we feel?

"James Talbert?" an officer called, and I walked over to him.

"Yeah, have you heard anything about my wife?" I asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid not, not yet anyway," he shook his head, leading us to a backroom, "That list Sherriff Roberts sent over was a huge tip, though. How did you come in possession of it?"

"Sofia gave it to me," mom cocked her head to the side, "Why?"

"We've made multiple arrests this afternoon. Our drug task team is having a field day," he half-smiled, "She's helped find people we've been looking for for years,"

"I'm glad people are getting caught and all, Sherriff, but someone has her. Have you checked the last address on the list yet?" I took a deep breath.

"The Daniel's farm?" he asked, looking at his clipboard.

Yes, you stupid fuck.

The most obvious place!

"Her deranged family's land," dad nodded, "Sofia was fairly certain if Miranda got her, then she'd take her there,"

"Miranda Benton was reported missing this afternoon by her mother, Julie Daniels," Sherriff Ralph admitted, "There have been about eight missing person's reports in the last three days, just in this county alone. Nine if we count Mrs. Talbert,"

If we count her?!

"Miranda's missing?" mom huffed, "She's obviously the one that kidnapped Sofia,"

"Have you checked the farm?!" I growled, "How do you know Julie isn't just trying to make it seem like Miranda's missing?"

"Calm down, son," the Sherriff warned me, "The Daniels are honest folks; if Julie says Miranda is missing, then something is wrong,"

HONEST?!

THEY'RE A DRUG FAMILY.

"With all due respect, Sherriff, if the tip list Sofia gave me was so helpful in catching these other drug people, then why would you question her about them?" mom clenched her teeth.

"I'll tell you what, why don't you folks get a hotel tonight, and I'll pay them a visit in the morning," he replied passively.

WHY DON'T YOU DO YOUR FUCKING JOB?!

What the fuck is happening?

Did they pay him off or something?

"It's been almost twelve hours since the kidnappers took Sofia. Couldn't you go out there tonight?" dad shouted, "Our girl was stuffed in a fucking suitcase; at least act like you care about her safety!"

"Of course I care, but I told you we have eight other missing people to look into; we're short on manpower tonight," the Sherriff replied calmly, "This is a relatively quiet town, Mr. Talbert, now, we're used to the occasional drug bust, but this many people disappearing is unheard of. Don't go spreading rumors, but many of them are high officials,"

"If Sofia testifies against Sam and Miranda, it will incriminate a bunch of influential people back in Missouri. People who, I'm sure, hurt her. And they will kill her to keep her quiet,"

Scott had warned us about this.

Were these other missing people involved with Sofia's kidnapping?

The idea that they had all ganged up on her sent chills through my spine.

"I'll go out there first thing in the morning, but you need to stay away," The Sherriff continued, "Do you understand? Wait for me to contact you,"

Just find Sofia, damnit!

Dad wrote down his phone number, and we went back out to the parking lot.

"I'll give him until seven in the morning," I glared at the building, "This is bullshit!"

"Yes, it is," dad sighed, "I don't like how quickly he defended the Daniels'."

"Neither do I," I shook my head, "Something's going on in this damn town,"

"Excuse me," a man stopped us, "Are you here about the missing officials?"

I looked at my parents, and mom shook her head.

"Our daughter-in-law was kidnapped from the airport in Cincinnatti," she explained, "I'm not sure if it has anything to do with these missing people, though, but she's from here,"

We explained our situation to the reporters, and they promised to get the information out.

Unfortunately 'Girl in a suitcase' made for a good news story.

But at least it got her face out there.

We needed all the help finding her that we could get.

Mom and dad led us to a hotel in the next town over, and they ordered food for everyone after getting the suite and talking to everyone's parents.

"You need to eat something, James," Cleo handed me a styrofoam container and a pair of chopsticks, "You need your strength,"

"Thanks," I weakly smiled at her.

I'm not hungry.

I'd just throw up again.

"I have a bad feeling a bunch of people are going to find out just how strong you are, Talbert," Garth grimaced.

"Especially if the cops keep being so damn unhelpful," Bridgett huffed.

"I'd sue the damn airport," Vivian growled, "Who the fuck puts a lock on a public bathroom like that?!"

I ran my hands through my hair and folded my arms on the table.

"Guys!" Nick and Brent warned them.

"If you don't have anything productive to say, then shut up and eat," Nick glared at them.

"He doesn't need you guys to remind him how shitty this is. He fucking knows," Brent added.

"Thank you, boys," mom sighed, "There's no point in bringing up how this happened; we need to rest and get ready to get her back tomorrow,"

How could I bring myself to eat or sleep when I had no idea what Sofia was going through?

Was she out of the suitcase now?

Was she awake?

Was she calling for me?

She's probably terrified.

I swore to take care of her.

To protect her.

To keep her happy.

And I've failed fucking miserably.

I got a couple of hours of uncomfortable sleep, and by six am, Sofia was a national headline.

Mug shots of Sam and Miranda were everywhere.

We all sat around the TV, listening to the people talk about my wife and telling people to report anything that might help her get rescued.

Hearing the newscasters say her name was hard enough, but when the picture I gave the reporters popped up on the screen, I had to walk away.

Sofia was breaking news.

We would find her.

Our group drove back to town, and I pulled into the gas station parking lot.

Maybe Sasha had heard something.

This was the most social spot in this damn town.

"I'm going to talk to Sofia's old boss; I'll be right back," I held up my hand and ran inside.

"Sasha!" I called, pushing through the door.

"James?!" she ran to me, grabbing my arms, "What's going on? Where's Sofia?!"

"She's gone," I trembled, "Have you heard anything about her?"

"Just what I heard on the news, I haven't seen any of her family come through in a few days either," she put her hand to her mouth.

"You're sure no one's mentioned her? Anything will help," I persisted.

"I swear, I haven't heard anything," she shook her head, "I've been so worried since I heard about what happened in Wyoming. She hardly ever texts or calls me,"

"She didn't want to worry you," I frowned, grabbing a pen and writing my number down, "I'm sorry, but if you hear anything suspicious, call me, please,"

"I will, James," she frowned, "Be careful, and let me know when you get her back,"

"I will," I nodded and ran back outside.

"What did she say?" Nick asked, grabbing my shoulder.

"She doesn't know anything," I ran my hand over my face.

I checked my phone and saw that it was seven-thirty.

I dialed the Sherriff's office and found out he hadn't even left yet.

I fought the urge to throw my phone across the parking lot and kicked the tire instead.

"Dad!"

"Yeah?" he asked, running over to me.

"I'm going to talk to Scott. The farm isn't too far from here,"

"I'm coming with you; Sofia was pretty serious about this place,"

"There are bear traps in the field, motion sensors around the perimeter, and they have an armory for their little drug militia that's full of semi-automatic weapons. Just promise me you'll stay away from there,"

I'm sorry, baby.

I promised to keep you safe, and that's more important.

"We're coming too," Bridgett announced, getting in Vivian's car.

"Damn right we are," Vivian nodded, turning the engine over, "I can't wait to meet these sexist motherfuckers!"

This is precisely why I didn't want any of them coming with me.

Someone would say something dumb, and I was either going to get ignored, or someone was going to get fucking shot.

I couldn't care less about the Daniels; I just needed information from them.

"Wait," I cracked my knuckles, "We're going to spook them if we roll up with everyone. Plus, they're all super sexist, so they might not talk to me if you guys come," I frowned, hating to exclude the girls, "Nick, dad, and I will go. Everyone else just wait here,"

"Why can't I go?" Garth demanded.

"I'm already intimidating enough without my quarterback beside me," I assured him, "We'll be back in no time,"

With Sofia.

Please.

"Fine," they all reluctantly agreed.

I followed the GPS outside of town, down a sketchy gravel road, and pulled the Jeep into the tree line about a half-mile from the gate at the end of the road.

"What's up?" Nick asked as I motioned for them to get out.

"I don't want them to see the car," I explained, walking down the road.

"That's probably a good idea," dad agreed, following us.

In case they come looking for us later.

I have no idea how this is going to go.

We got closer to the gate, and I heard an engine approaching us.

"That's far enough!" A man called in a thick accent, aiming a shotgun at us, and we all held up our hands.

Great start.

"I'm here to see Scott Daniels!" I called, hoping he'd lower the gun.

"What'chu want with Scott?" he asked, keeping it on us.

"I'm Sofia Benton's husband! We want to ask him some questions!"

He pulled out his phone and waved us up.

"You seen Miranda?" he asked, unlocking the gate.

"No," dad answered slowly, "But we heard she was missing too,"

"Them news people are saying she took Sofie, but I don't believe it," he shook his head, "Hop in the back," he pointed at his truck.

"Why not?" Nick asked, sitting on the wheel cover.

"She'd have brought her here. Miranda jus' got mom's approval to bring 'er home,"

Home.

Fuck you, hick.

That was worrisome, though.

He drove us down a rocky path littered with junk cars, trashed RVs with kids playing outside them, and big rotted barns.

People lived here.

"This is the compound where all the Daniels live,"

Sofia really wanted to be a part of such a cultish place?

My poor girl.

She wanted to belong somewhere so badly.

We finally pulled up to a condemnable two-story yellow house.

"When I was little, I used to spend a bunch of time with my cousins. They live in a big two-story yellow house that I've always loved; anyway, we would stand on the balcony and toss down those army men with the parachutes. I have wanted to live in a two-story house ever since,"

Was this the house she loved so much?

Scott stepped out on the porch with Julie on his heels.

"Here we go," I whispered, jumping down.

"Afternoon," Scott greeted us, nodding.

"Hi," dad nodded back.

This was so awkward.

Jumping straight to accusing them of taking Sofia was going to be counter-productive.

We had to be careful.

"Well, come on. I made coffee," Julie sighed, walking back inside.

We followed them into the musty-smelling house.

The staircase was rotted out and missing a few steps, the floor was covered in junk, and the wallpaper was peeling.

I tried not to imagine my little Sofia playing in this house.

Maybe it wasn't so bad when she was here last.

"Help yourself," Julie pointed to the coffee pot and cups.

"Thank you," dad smiled, pouring a cup, "Don't be rude, boys," he whispered, and we did the same.

"So, you lost Sofia," Scott grumbled, sitting at the table and crossing his arms, "And we lost Miranda,"

"And everyone thinks Miranda took her," Julie glared at us under her glasses.

"Miranda called Sofia a few weeks ago demanding her back; we're just trying to find our girl," dad explained, "Do you really not know where Miranda is?"

"Miranda begged me to let Sofia come live here with us, and I agreed that it would have been for the best," Julie explained.

"She would have been safer here with us," Scott put his hand on his head.

"Safer from Sam?" I asked, putting the cup down and crossing my arms.

"From Sam?" Julie laughed, "That boy is the least of our worries,"

"I told you Sofia was in danger went I went to Ohio," Scott groaned, "I said some bad people were looking for her, but Miranda went and pissed Tyler off. He's who you should be lookin' for,"

"We haven't heard from him in a couple of days, which doesn't hurt my feelings none, but if he has Sofia, he might have Miranda too," Julie sighed, taking a sip of her coffee.

"We've got the boys watching for him, and we'll shoot that motherfucker on sight," Scott growled, "He's been using this family too damn long,"

"And all over Sofia," she spat.

"What do you mean? What the hell does Tyler have to do with my wife?" I arched an eyebrow.

"You marrying Sofia was what sparked this whole mess!" Julie narrowed her eyes at me, "Tyler's been after Sofia for years,"

"What do you mean he's been after her?" Nick asked, shocked.

"We are talking about the thirty-six-year-old Marine, right?" dad gasped, "What would he want with a seventeen-year-old girl?"

"He's in love with her," Julie sighed.

EXCUSE ME?!

"More like completely obsessed with her, he'd watch her all the time, make us put money in her bank account, and he threatened to kill all of us if we went near her," Scott shuddered, "He kept saying that once she turned eighteen, he was going to move her out here and marry her. We all assumed she knew him,"

Oh, God.

I felt sick again.

"Where did he come from?" Dad asked, "She thought Miranda made him up,"

"No clue," Scott shrugged, "Dude shows up out of the blue one day, all decked out in explosives, carrying a military-grade assault rifle, demanding that we let him stay with us and to stay away from her,"

"And you never called the cops?" I growled, "Some pedophile shows up to stalk your niece, who you say you care about, and you just let it happen?!"

"He knew things," Julie whispered, "Things we would rather keep to ourselves. He blackmailed us, and Miranda moved back out here,"

"Sofia was left on her own for almost two years because of you!" I balled my fists, "She almost died because of you!"

How could anyone allow this shit to happen!?

A guy in his thirties stalks a sixteen-year-old girl, and no one fucking does anything?!

I don't care what the fuck he knows; they should have called the damn cops!

"Tyler's from Minnesota, so maybe he's taken them back there," dad quickly pulled his phone out, "I'm going to call Sherriff Roberts; maybe he can get a current address,"

If he has Sofia, then there's no telling what he'll do to her.

She's been through enough sexual trauma to have to go through THIS!

I'll find you, my love.

I swear to God I'll find you!

"We haven't been very warm to Sofia, especially since Seth died. I know that, but if you can find Miranda and bring her home, we would appreciate it," Julie stared at the table sadly.

"I'm sorry, you haven't been very warm to her? Try you've been hateful, spiteful, traumatizing assholes to my wife! You've all let her suffer, you've all hated her for surviving the crash, and you," I pointed at Julie, "The last thing you said to her was that she was just a reminder of her brother! Do you know how awful she felt after that?! Don't you think she misses him just as much as you do?!"

Julie and Scott were quiet as they looked at me, and I instantly felt uncomfortable.

"We were going to apologize to her," Scott finally spoke, "Miranda wanted to make amends, and she told us about everything that happened to Sofie while Sam was living over there,"

"We didn't know specifics," Julie added, "And I come from a long line of sexists, so not seeing the girl wasn't uncommon. Miranda would leave her with Patrick when she brought Seth here...none of us knew what he was doing to her,"

"What he was doing?" Nick whispered, horrified.

"Her daddy hurt her in ways I can't imagine," Julie took a shaky breath.

"He wasn't her father," I snarled, "No father could do that to his child,"

"You're right," she nodded, "And then she told us about how Sam made his money, and I beat her with my damn cane,"

"She did. Miranda was out for two days after that," Scott tried not to laugh, "I know it's not funny, but mom never gets violent like that. I came to Ohio as soon as I found out just how much Danger Sofie was in,"

Haha.

I'm not amused.

I'd have fucking killed the bitch.

"It's not funny," I glared at them both, "If any of you had paid even a little bit of attention, you would have known what was happening,"

Miranda deserves whatever Tyler is doing to her.

I hope it's painful, but he needs to keep his fucking disgusting hands off my girl.

"We know," Scott nodded, "And hopefully we'll get the chance to apologize to Sofie soon,"

Hopefully.

"We have an address," dad announced, running back in, "Let's go, boys,"

We ran out, and the first guy drove us back to the gate.

"Why would Tyler have gone south if he was on his way to Minnesota?" Nick asked as we ran back to the Jeep.

"To throw us off," dad growled, "He wanted us to think it was Sam or Miranda; he probably headed back North once he thought he was in the clear,"

He knew we would follow him.

Cocky son of a bitch!

We sped back to the gas station, loaded up our stuff from the hotel, and made our way to Minnesota.

She has to be there.

She has to be okay.

Please, Sofia.

Fight, my love.

Fight until I get there to fight for you.

We talked to the police in Minnesota, and they assembled a crisis team while they waited for the search warrant.

At least these cops were efficient.

Mom, dad, and I were allowed to go with them, but everyone else had to wait at the station.

We stood outside the normal-looking brick house as the police talked to an older lady at the door.

Come on.

Find her!

They came back with solemn faces.

"She's not here," the Sherriff sighed, "Mrs. Craig hasn't seen Tyler in a week, and she claims not to know where he is,"

"FUCK!" I screamed, punching the hood of my Jeep, "WHERE IS SHE?!"

Twelve hours of Sofia's face being on every news station, and no one knows ANYTHING?

"Come on, son," dad put his hand on my shoulder, "Let's go to the hotel; we all need sleep,"

Sleep?

I DON'T NEED SLEEP.

I NEED SOFIA!

I slammed the door as I got back in mom's car, and they drove us back to the police station to gather everyone.

We were wasting time.

We've driven all over the fucking midwest, and for what?

She's been gone for thirty-six hours.

Baby, please be okay.

I love you so much.

We went to a hotel, and I tried, unsuccessfully again, to get any sleep.

We spent all day Tuesday at the police station, waiting for leads when Sherriff Roberts called dad.

"I've got something," he announced before we could speak, "It turns out that Sarah White, Sofia's therapist, is Tyler Craig's half-sister,"

"His SISTER?!" we all gasped.

"So she was working with him, not Miranda," mom put her hand over her mouth, "They're both sick,"

They were both damn child predators.

I knew she was fucking creepy, but shit.

"We've already checked her home address since it was in Troy, and her neighbors say she hasn't been home in a few days," he continued.

"So what do we do now?" I asked, propping myself up on the back of the couch.

"We're running checks on her vehicle, and I've got every station in a five hundred mile radius doing the same. If she's involved, hopefully, we can catch her and have her take us to Sofia,"

"Is there anything we can do right now?" dad asked, "We've been sitting here all day, twiddling our damn thumbs Sherriff,"

"I'll let you know as soon as we have a hot trail. Know we're trying,"

"Alright," I sighed, "Thanks Sherriff,"

"I'll be in contact soon," he hung up.

"Not soon enough," I growled.

"We're doing everything we can, James," mom touched my arm.

"For sure. We just have to be patient," Cleo frowned, "I'm sure we'll hear something tomorrow,"

"Tomorrow might be too late!" I shouted, "Today might have been too late; we don't know what he's doing to her!"

Everyone was quiet, and I walked out of the room.

I need air.

I feel like I'm fucking suffocating.

I crept back into the room an hour later and spent the night flipping through news articles about Sofia on my phone.

The news outlets had picked up on Tyler Craig, and his photos took the place of Miranda's next to Sam.

I still didn't trust that Sam wasn't involved.

My phone rang at six am, and it startled me awake.

When did I fall asleep?

Shit.

"Sherriff?" I cleared my throat, "Do you have news?"

I shook dad and put the phone on speaker.

"Yeah, one of Tyler's old Marine buddies tipped us off. Apparently, this guy has a family farm in Alabama that's up for sale. Tyler asked to stay there for a week, and he agreed," The Sherriff sounded excited, "I think we've got him, James,"

"Send us the address; we'll leave now!" I shouted, hanging up.

Alabama.

We were so far away.

Dad and I woke everyone up, and we began hurriedly packing up our stuff.

I grabbed my bag when my phone rang again.

The caller ID read PRIVATE.

"GUYS!" I shouted, waiting for them to gather around before answering.

"Hello?" I answered heatedly.

"Mrs. White, Tyler, warm weather!" Sofia spoke quickly and screamed out in pain, "Damn it!"

SHE'S ALIVE!

MY GIRL'S ALIVE!

"SOFIA?!" I yelled, but her screams were so loud I don't think she heard me.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO MAKE ME USE IT, LYING BITCH! Give me the phone!" a man's voice roared.

Was that Tyler?

Get your hands off my wife, you fucking pedophile!

"LEAVE HER ALONE!" we all growled.

"I love you, James; I'm so sorry! I don't know where I am, but he had me in a cell, and he's got Sam and Miranda trapped here too!" she cried, "Mrs. White is his sister! He's going to tell you I'm dead, but don't believe him!"

Never.

"I'm coming, baby; I love you too!" I yelled, hoping she could hear me.

I know where you are now.

"GIVE ME THE FUCKING PHONE, OR I WILL KILL YOU!"

"FUCK YOU, STALKER!" Sofia yelled, screaming out in pain again.

"If you come looking for her, I'll kill her. I'd rather her be dead than back with you,"

"Don't you fucking touch her, you son of a bitch!" I growled, but the line went dead.

"SHIT!" I screamed, calling the Sherriff.

I told him what Sofia had told me, and he seemed even more sure that the farm in Alabama was the right place.

"She's alive!" everyone cheered.

What had he done to her to make her scream like that?

"I told you not to make me use it,"

Use what?

What was my girl dealing with all on her own?

"We're going to fly down," dad stated as we loaded the cars, "We know where she is now; I don't want her to be alone once the police get her back,"

"Me either," I shook my head.

We all boarded the plane and left to get my wife back.