Chapter 12: Into the Trap
442 Words
Ethan's hands tightened around his phone.
"What do you mean Emma has disappeared?" he shouted.
Daniel's voice remained calm.
"We checked her office."
"She left at five o'clock."
"Security cameras show her getting into a black van."
"After that..."
"...there's nothing."
Ethan's heart pounded.
"Call the police."
"I already did."
"I'm on my way."
Without another word, Ethan ran out of the mansion.
Richard watched him leave but said nothing.
...
Twenty minutes later, Ethan arrived at Emma's apartment.
Police officers were already searching the area.
Lily was standing outside, crying.
"Ethan!"
She ran toward him.
"They took her..."
"I tried calling her."
"She never answered."
Ethan gently held her shoulders.
"I'll bring her back."
"I promise."
...
Daniel arrived carrying a laptop.
"We recovered footage from a nearby traffic camera."
He played the video.
A black van stopped beside Emma.
Two masked men stepped out.
Within seconds, they forced her inside before speeding away.
Ethan clenched his fists.
"Zoom in."
Daniel enhanced the image.
There was a small silver symbol painted on the back door.
A wolf.
"I've seen that before," Ethan whispered.
Daniel looked surprised.
"You recognize it?"
"Yes."
"It belonged to an old criminal organization my father once investigated."
...
Meanwhile...
Emma slowly opened her eyes.
Her head hurt.
She looked around.
She was tied to a chair inside a dark warehouse.
The only light came from a small window near the ceiling.
Footsteps echoed through the room.
A man wearing a black mask stopped in front of her.
"So..."
"The famous Emma Carter."
Emma tried to remain calm.
"What do you want?"
The man laughed.
"You."
"No..."
He corrected himself.
"I want Ethan Brooks."
Emma stared at him.
"If you think he'll abandon me..."
"...you're wrong."
The man smiled.
"I know."
"That's exactly why you'll be useful."
He placed a phone on the table and started recording.
"Say hello to Ethan."
Emma refused.
The man leaned closer.
"The sooner he comes..."
"...the sooner this ends."
...
An hour later...
Ethan received a video message.
He opened it immediately.
Emma appeared on the screen.
Her hands were tied, but she looked directly into the camera.
"Ethan..."
Before she could continue, the masked man stepped into view.
"If you want to see her alive..."
"Come alone."
"No police."
"No bodyguards."
"I'll send you the location."
"If you disobey..."
"You'll never see her again."
The video ended.
Daniel looked at Ethan.
"We can't let you go alone."
Ethan picked up his car keys.
"I don't have a choice."
Outside, thunder echoed across the night sky.
A storm was coming.
And Ethan was driving straight into a trap.
**End of Chapter 12**
- Writer
