LOGIN3rd POVThe police stood in a loose line, their weapons lowered but ready. One of them raised a hand slowly, palm open, voice steady as he spoke.“Listen… let the child go. We can talk this out.”The man didn’t move. His grip around Zane’s neck tightened, the knife pressing closer against the boy’s skin.“Four minutes,” he said, his voice rough. “You have four minutes left.”A murmur spread through the officers. One of them checked his watch, his brows tightening.“He already gave five minutes earlier,” another whispered under his breath. “He’s counting down.”No one moved back. No one stepped away.Because walking down the mountain blindly made no sense. One wrong step, one hidden trigger, and everything could end in seconds.The possibility hung in the air.Bombs.Traps.A setup waiting for them
3rd POVDavid's team and the police simultaneously discovered that the stolen van was parked west of the capital.A low murmur spread through the officers. Radios crackled. Boots shifted against gravel.One officer pointed at the screen in the patrol car. “It hasn’t moved in hours.”
MANNIE’S POVMy hand hovered above my phone screen as I contemplated calling Dominic. Biting my lips, my eyes hazy and filled with contemplation as I wondered if this was the right thing to do.The call icon glowed faintly under my thumb. One tap. That was all it would take.My finger trembled.
3RD POVMrs. Rosalind stepped out of her house with a bunch of well-packaged flowers.She adjusted the wrapper around the bouquet, patting it neatly before placing it carefully into the basket of her small granny bike. The flowers were fresh—roses, daisies, and a few sprigs of lavender she had grown herself.Gardening had become her pride. Her quiet joy.With her children grown and her grandchildren scattered across cities and countries, silence had crept into her life. At first, it had been unbearable. The house had felt too big, and boredom was killing her. So she planted things.And in return, they grew.She mounted her little bike and began pedaling slowly out of the community, humming softly to herself.“Hm… why is that child walking like that?” she muttered under her breath, instinctively slowing down.Her sharp, aged eyes narrowed slightly as she tilted her head, trying to get a better look.“Oh… it’s Mannie’s child.”Recognition softened her gaze for a moment.“But why is he w
3rd POVAfter the call ended, Mannie looked at the screen and shook her head, “Tsundere,” she muttered under her breath.She lingered for a second, thumb hovering over her phone like she might call back, then scoffed softly and slipped it into her pocket. “Acting all cold like that…” she murmured, though there was a faint smile tugging at her lips.Mannie entered the living room to see the kids watching TV.The cartoon blasted loudly, colors flashing across the screen as laughter erupted from the characters. The children were sprawled everywhere—on the couch, the rug, even leaning against each other like a pile of sleepy puppies. Their attention was completely locked onto the screen.“Are you all through with your homework?” Mannie asked.The kids all nodded their heads without even looking at her, their eyes glued to the cartoon.Even Nate wasn’t an exception. His usual composed demeanor had melted away, his chin resting on his palm as he stared intently.Mannie folded her arms and r
MANNIE’S POVI glanced at the caller, ready to decline the call and continue talking to my kids, but seeing it was from Dominic, I wavered.My thumb hovered over the screen.The phone kept vibrating in my hand.A strange tension built in my chest.I didn’t know what he would do if I didn’t pick.Would he call again?Would he show up?Knowing him… that wasn’t impossible.I exhaled softly and lowered my hand.I turned to the kids.“Stop thinking about that. Anything you aren’t sure of and can’t seem to understand, don’t try to use your limited point of view to figure it out. You may end up getting trapped in your own thoughts.”They looked at me.Tera blinked.Nate tilted his head slightly.I wasn’t sure they fully understood, but they both nodded.“Okay, Mom,” Tera said.They turned and walked back inside.I watched them go for a second.Then—I lifted the phone again and answered just before it cut.“Hello?”"Are you okay? You took so long to pick up."Dominic’s voice came through imm
MANNIE’S POVThe living room looked like a tiny market full of bright colours and noise the moment I opened the boxes David brought.New toys, new clothes, school bags, books—everything was scattered on the floor already.And the kids were everywhere.Nate stood closest to me, watching everything w
3RD POV "Damn it!" Clara stomped her foot on the floor in anger as she watched Mannie leave with the children.Her leg smacked the tile a little too hard. The sound echoed through the small living room. Her face twisted with pain.She clenched her fists, opening and closing them as if squeezing th
MANNIE’S POVBy the time I got home, it was already 11pm."Damn! I really came home late." I muttered under my breath as I dragged myself up the stairs, one tired step at a time. My bag strap dug into my shoulder. My eyes felt heavy. Even my breath came out slow, like the day had squeezed every la
MANNIE’S POV"Hey Beth, there is a late night hold up. It may be a bit late, and I wouldn't be staying out for long 'cause of my kids." I exclaimed softly as I looked at the slowly moving vehicles ahead of me.The red brake lights stretched out into the distance like a long, tired ribbon. My forehe







