The sudden sound stopped Wade in his tracks.
Before he could react, several uniformed police officers rushed from the trees on both sides of the road.
Moving swiftly, they raised their weapons and shouted, "Don't move! Hands up, on the ground!"
The villagers chasing us were already doubled over in pain and drained of strength.
The moment they saw the armed officers, their courage deserted them. Their knees buckled, and they collapsed.
Wade's face turned ashen. He didn't dare resist.
The officers rushed forward and snapped handcuffs onto them.
They took Wade and every villager involved in the roadblock into custody on suspicion of unlawful confinement and human trafficking, then marched them down the mountain.
Mom pulled me into her arms and explained, "The mountain roads twist in e
