Chapter 4

The next morning, I was a wreck. I hadn' t slept. Every shadow in my house looked like a spider. I knew we had to leave. I spent the morning on my laptop, frantically searching for apartments in other towns, other states. Anywhere but here.

I had to go to work. I couldn't afford to lose my job, not now. I dropped Leo off at his after-school program, kissing him goodbye with a desperation that made him look at me funny.

"I love you, buddy. Be good. I'll be back at five."

"I love you too, Mom," he said, already running off to join his friends.

When I walked into the library, my stomach dropped. The quiet, orderly space was decorated with balloons and flowers. My colleagues were gathered near the main desk, smiling expectantly.

And in the middle of them, on one knee, was Mark.

"Sarah," he began, his voice booming through the silent library. "I was a fool. I shouldn't have pressured you. I told Lily to stop pestering you about hiking and camping. I told her we need to give you space."

My mind was screaming. This was a nightmare. A public spectacle designed to corner me.

He smiled, a wide, cheerful, oblivious smile. "She was so excited about us getting back together. She said she was going to go straight to Leo's after-school program to tell him the good news herself! She even baked cookies for them."

A wave of cold dread, so intense it made me dizzy, washed over me.

His words echoed in my head. Went to Leo's after-school program.

I fumbled for my phone, my fingers clumsy and numb. I dialed the program's number. The supervisor, a cheerful woman named Brenda, answered.

"Sunshine After-School, Brenda speaking!"

"Brenda, it's Sarah, Leo's mom," I said, my voice tight. "Is Leo there? Is he okay?"

"Oh, hi Sarah! Yes, he's... wait a minute." There was a pause. I could hear her calling his name in the background. Muffled voices. A growing sense of panic on her end of the line.

"Sarah?" Brenda's voice was strained now. "His new stepsister was just here. A very sweet girl, Lily. She brought snacks for everyone. Said you and her dad were getting married and she was taking Leo out for a celebratory ice cream."

"No," I whispered. "No, no, no."

"She was so polite," Brenda continued, her voice rising in panic. "She knew his full name, your name... she was so convincing. They were here one minute, and the next... oh my god, Sarah. They're gone. And Leo's smartwatch... it's on the floor by the cubbies."

The phone slipped from my hand and clattered to the library floor. The world tilted, the faces of my colleagues blurring into a meaningless swirl.

I turned on Mark, a feral scream tearing from my throat. "Where are they? WHAT DID SHE DO?"

He looked utterly bewildered. "What are you talking about? Lily would never hurt anyone! She loves Leo!"

"She took him!" I shrieked, grabbing the front of his shirt. "She took my son!"