Chapter 97: The Kidnapping
Author: PaulyP
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-30 00:33:50

Julian’s eyes fluttered open, greeted by the pale light of dawn creeping through the curtains. He reached out instinctively, his hand searching for the familiar warmth of Madeline. But the bed beside him was empty.

“Madeline?” he called, his voice groggy with sleep.

Silence.

The stillness of the house felt unnatural, an eerie quiet that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Throwing the blanket aside, he got up, moving through the house with increasing urgency.

He found the envelope in the kitchen, sitting neatly on the counter as though it had been waiting for him. His heart sank as he tore it open, revealing a photograph inside.

Madeline. Bound. Blindfolded. Her defiant expression was betrayed by the pallor of her skin.

Scrawled across the image in red ink were the words:

“Your move.”

Julian’s phone buzzed sharply, the screen displaying a blocked number. He answered, his voice barely masking his rage.

“Where is she?”

A cold, calculating voice responded. “If you want he
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