Sada wiped the marble counter in the bright suburban Dallas home.
She loved the quiet mornings before the rest of the house woke up.
Her phone suddenly rang on the clean white surface.
She saw an unknown number on the screen and hesitated.
Sada: Hello? Who is this?
A harsh voice answered her before she could even breathe.
Kidnapper: We have your little brother, Sada.
Sada dropped her cloth as her heart stopped in her chest.
Sada: What are you talking about?
Kidnapper: Listen closely if you ever want to see Toby again.
Sada: Please do not hurt him!
Kidnapper: You have one hour to deliver the money your uncle owed us.
Sada leaned against the wall because her knees felt completely weak.
She knew her late uncle had made terrible financial mistakes.
She never imagined those mistakes would come back to haunt her innocent brother.
Toby was only ten years old and meant everything to her.
Sada: I do not have that kind of money!
Kidnapper: Figure it out or the boy pays the price.
Tears spilled over her freckled cheeks as she sobbed into the receiver.
She held the phone tight while her whole body trembled in terror.
Sada: Please! Stay away from my brother!
Kidnapper: You have one hour, Sada.
The line went dead with a cold beep sound.
Sada sank toward the white floor in total despair.
She felt completely alone in the world with time running out fast.
She had no savings left after paying for Toby’s school fees.
Her mortgage payment was already late this month.
A shadow fell across the bright entryway of the house.
Marcus stood at the top of the stairs watching her with sharp eyes.
He was a successful business owner known for his tough personality.
He noticed her bruises from working extra shifts to cover her family expenses.
He walked down the stairs with heavy steps echoing on the tile.
Marcus: What is going on here, Sada?
Sada: It is nothing, sir, I am sorry for making noise.
Marcus saw the sheer terror in her swollen red eyes.
He picked up the phone that she had dropped on the floor.
He pressed redial without asking for her permission.
Marcus: Who is threatening you?!
Sada: Sir, please do not get involved, they are dangerous!
Marcus raised his hand to quiet her as the caller picked up again.
His jaw tightened into a hard line under the bright lights.
Marcus: Listen to me very carefully, you coward.
Kidnapper: Who the hell is this?
Marcus: Touch the boy and I will bury your entire crew!
The threat hung in the air like heavy thunder.
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