Daniel drove through the storm while staring at the photo whenever traffic slowed.
Sophie was clearly visible.
So was Noah.
Behind them stood part of his own house.
This was not an old picture.
It had been taken minutes earlier.
Daniel called Victoria again.
Where are the children?
She answered immediately.
Upstairs.
Daniel tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
Put Sophie on the phone.
Victoria paused.
Shes sleeping.
Wake her up.
Another pause.
Daniel suddenly ended the call.
He opened the message again.
Under the photo was one sentence.
CHECK YOUR BACKYARD.
Daniel called his neighbor Ethan.
Go outside and look toward my property.
Why?
Just do it.
Seconds later Ethan called back.
Daniel.
What?
I can see someone near the back fence.
Daniel accelerated.
At the same time, Sophie noticed a light across the yard.
Someone was standing behind a tree holding a phone.
She recognized him.
Mr. Ethan.
Sophie started shouting.
Help.
Victoria turned sharply.
She saw the light.
Her face changed.
Someone else knew the children were there.
And now she was running out of time.
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