The Kidnapper's Demand
333 Words
Ethan stared at his assistant, unable to believe what he had just heard.
"My sister... kidn*pped?"
The assistant nodded, her hands shaking.
"The security team found her abandoned car on the outskirts of the city."
Maya gently placed a hand on Ethan's arm.
"We'll find her."
Before Ethan could answer, his phone rang.
The screen displayed an unknown number.
He answered immediately.
"If you've hurt my sister, I swear—"
A cold voice interrupted him.
"Your threats mean nothing, Mr. Blackwood."
"What do you want?"
A slow laugh echoed through the phone.
"You have exactly forty-eight hours."
"Forty-eight hours for what?"
"Bring me the stolen project file."
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"I don't have it."
"I know," the caller replied. "But I know who does."
The line went silent for a moment.
"Find the file... or your sister dies."
The call ended.
Maya looked at Ethan.
"What did they say?"
"They want the file."
Daniel's warning echoed in Ethan's mind.
Don't trust everyone in your company.
Just then, the head of security rushed into the office.
"Sir, we've identified the employee whose access card was used during the break-in."
"Who is it?" Ethan demanded.
The officer hesitated.
"It's... your executive assistant, Claire."
Maya gasped.
"That's impossible. She's been with you for years."
"So I thought," Ethan replied grimly.
Within minutes, security searched Claire's office.
Her desk was empty.
Her computer had been wiped clean.
She had disappeared.
As Ethan stood in the deserted office, he noticed a small silver key hidden beneath her keyboard.
Attached to it was a handwritten note.
Warehouse 17. Come alone if you ever want to see Olivia alive.
Ethan closed his hand around the key.
"I'm ending this tonight."
Maya stepped in front of him.
"No. If you go alone, it's exactly what they want."
Ethan looked into her eyes.
"This is my family."
"And now it's my fight too," Maya replied.
Together, they headed toward Warehouse 17—unaware that someone was already waiting in the shadows.
- Writer
