The Hunt Begins

Jessica hadn’t slept. The glow of the laptop screen cast sharp shadows across her face as she scoured every digital footprint she could find. Every hour that passed without word from Sam made the dread in her chest settle deeper.

Leanna walked in, carrying two cups of coffee. "Tell me you found something."

Jessica took the coffee but didn’t drink. "Not much, but enough. There’s a gap in the traffic cameras along the highway leading north. Last ping from his phone was near an abandoned fishing lodge about twenty miles outside of town."

Leanna set her cup down. "That’s a hell of a lead."

Olivia entered, yawning, a tablet under her arm. "I pulled some old police records. That area? Notorious for off-the-books deals. If he was taken there, it's because someone wanted him off-grid."

Jessica stood, grabbing her jacket. "Then we go now."

Leanna arched a brow. "Jess, we should have a plan. Rushing in blind—"

Jessica’s glare silenced her. "Every minute we wait is another minute Sam is in danger."

Olivia sighed. "Fine. But at least let me bring some hardware. Just in case."

---

The drive was tense, the sound of the tires humming against the cracked asphalt was the only conversation. Jessica gripped the wheel, knuckles white.

Leanna watched her carefully. "Jess, you know this isn’t just about Sam."

Jessica didn’t look at her. "What do you mean?"

"You’re chasing ghosts. Not just him. Yourself, your past, your doubts. Don’t let them blind you."

Jessica’s jaw tightened. "This isn’t about me. This is about finding Sam."

Leanna didn’t argue, but the look in her eyes said everything.

---

They arrived at the fishing lodge just after sundown. The building was barely standing. Its wooden frame rotted at the edges. Weeds were reclaiming the gravel drive.

Jessica killed the engine and nodded to Olivia. "Stay in the car. Keep an eye on the perimeter."

Olivia grumbled but obeyed.

Jessica and Leanna moved toward the entrance, guns drawn. The front door was ajar, a sign of either negligence or an invitation. Jessica exhaled and stepped inside first.

The air smelled of damp wood and old cigarettes. Footsteps echoed from the floorboards above. Someone was here.

Jessica motioned to Leanna, who took position at the base of the stairs. With quiet precision, they ascended.

At the top, a door stood partially open. Jessica pushed it wider with the muzzle of her gun. The room beyond was dimly lit by a flickering lamp. And in the chair at the center, bound and bruised, was Sam.

Jessica rushed to him, pulling the gag from his mouth. "Sam!"

His eyes were hazy, but relief flickered in them. "Jess… it’s a trap."

Behind her, the sound of a gun cocking filled the silence.

Leanna whispered, "We’re not alone."

The hunt had only begun.