I was trembling.

I feared even letting out a sound.

Near the men were several bags, and I am sure I saw a baseball bat there.

I don’t want to die…

Please, somebody, save me!

I continued trembling and holding back my tears all the way until the van stopped.

One of the men grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the van.

“Go!” I obediently followed him.

We had a lesson on how to act when you are held hostage. One of the things I needed to do was to do what I am told to do, to avoid provoking the kidnappers.

I will be saved. The police must be on their way to save me!

I was pushed again, and fell. My face hit a chair.

It hurts…

“Stop crying, b*! Sit there!” The man kicked my butt, and lifted by my shirt’s collar.

I sat, and the man tied my arms and legs to the chair.

“Don’t make a sound, you hear me?!” I nodded.

He clenched a fist in front of my face.

I couldn’t hold back the tears but I managed to stay silent.

The man ungagged me.

“Look into the camera.” He took a photo, and when he was done, he gagged me again.

The other man approached.

“You’re done?” (Kidnapper 1)

“Yeah. I wish I could f* this b*.” (Kidnapper 2)

“Wait until we’re done.” He took a phone out of his pocket, and called.

---

Minohara Miho’s POV

I glanced at the clock.

Yuki was too late.

Even if she went to play with Tomoko-san, she would still warn me about it.

If she encountered any troubles, she would call me, before trying to solve them.

The longer this dragged on, the more worried I was.

I started wondering if I should call the police. Maybe she is lost, or maybe she ran out of money, and is now lost somewhere. Maybe she missed her station. Maybe…

Maybe…!

‘Ringtone’

“Minohara household.”

For some time there was silence.

“Your daughter is with us.” A male…?

“If you want to see her again, deliver 10 million yen to this address.” Oh gods…!

“For now she is fine. Hey, tell her something~.

Mother! Uuugh! I… I’m sorry…! Uuuugh!” I couldn’t stand.

My legs turned soft, and I fell down.

“You have 2 days. What happens later…? Who knows…?

‘BANG’

You got me…?” My girl…! No!

“Y-y-yes…” Please… please…

Then the man disconnected.

I immediately called the police.

---

Yuki’s POV

I…

My mind went blank, after the man shot.

Even though this time he shot in the ceiling… The next time…

“Do you think they’ll do it?” (K2)

“Who knows.” The kidnappers went out of the building.

I am held somewhere in an abandoned factory. The police can trail back them.

They can track down the phone call, or the number.

I will be saved…!

I started calming myself down with this simple hope.

Then, the men returned.

One of them approached, and untied me.

“Go.” (K2)

I was stuffed back into the van. This time all of my things were left behind.

I was blindfolded.

They were driving for a long time, until the van stopped.

I was pushed out, and led somewhere.

Then they tied me to a chair again.

For some time I was fearing to even move.

I felt like they went out but I was still fearing to move.

‘Stepping’

Somebody entered the room, and approached me.

They took off the blindfold, and I saw another man in front of me.

However, he was not wearing a balaclava.

The man measured me from head to toes, and walked away. On his way out, he showed me a holstered pistol.

The terror that I managed to hold in check was unleashed again.

All sorts of terrible thoughts flooded my mind.

I couldn’t cry.

If I cry, they might kill me.

But I can’t hold back the tears.

I don’t know for how long I was held in here.