Chapter 15: The Race Against Time
Chapter 15: The Race Against Time
Daniel drove like a man possessed, his tires screeching through the city streets, running every red light, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He called the local police dispatcher through his car’s system, screaming his address and reporting an active home invasion and kidnapping in progress.
"Please, God, let her be safe," he prayed aloud, his knuckles bleeding from how tightly he gripped the steering wheel. "Please, God, protect them."
Back at the house, the intruder was slamming a crowbar against the reinforced closet door. The wood was thick, but the frame was starting to groan under the repeated, brutal impacts.
"Open the door, lady!" the man yelled. "You’re coming with me."
Emma was cornered, but she wasn't the same terrified woman who had been beaten in the nursery days ago. She looked around the dark closet, her eyes adjusting, and spotted a heavy iron shoe rack. She gently laid Sophie down on a pile of soft blankets at the very back of the closet, covering her with a laundry basket to shield her from any flying debris.
"Stay quiet, my sweet girl," Emma whispered, kissing her forehead.
She stood up, grabbing the heavy iron rod from the shoe rack, stepping directly in front of the door.
With a final, massive splintering crash, the deadbolt gave way, and the closet door swung open. The large, hooded intruder stepped into the dark space, reaching out his hands to grab her.
Emma didn't hesitate. With all the strength in her body, she swung the iron rod forward, striking the man squarely across the side of his knee.
The intruder roared in pain, collapsing to one knee. But he was a seasoned criminal. He lunged forward, grabbing Emma’s waist, slamming her against the clothing racks. Emma fought back like a lioness, clawing at his eyes, kicking his shins, refusing to let him near the back of the closet where Sophie lay.
Suddenly, the sound of police sirens echoed in the distance, growing louder by the second.
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The intruder panicked. Realizing his time was up and he couldn't extract her quickly, he pulled a heavy roll of industrial tape from his pocket, slammed Emma against the wall, and struck her across the face, dazing her. He grabbed her designer purse from the shelf—containing her ID, keys, and personal documents—and turned to flee, wanting to give Victor Vance something to use before the police arrived.
As he ran down the stairs, the front door was kicked open by Daniel, who had arrived seconds before the police cruiser.
