Chapter 2: The Men Outside the Door
Chapter 2: The Men Outside the Door
The knocking came again.
Three slow knocks.
Not loud.
Not violent.
Somehow that made them even more terrifying.
Margaret's hands trembled as she folded the letter.
The tiny room suddenly felt smaller.
Colder.
She stared at the wooden door while rain hammered against the single window.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
"Mrs. Carter?"
A man's voice.
Calm.
Almost polite.
"We know you're in there."
Margaret's heart stopped.
The final line of her son's letter echoed inside her head.
They know where you are now.
Tears filled her eyes.
For the first time, she understood.
Everything her son had done.
Every cruel word.
Every cold glance.
Every moment that had broken her heart.
It had all been an act.
He had sacrificed his own mother's love to save her life.
Outside, the voice spoke again.
"You can open the door willingly."
A pause.
"Or we'll come in ourselves."
Margaret quickly looked around the room.
There was nowhere to run.
Nowhere to hide.
Then her eyes landed on the bottom of the letter.
A handwritten note she hadn't noticed before.
If they find you, call the number below.
Trust no one except Agent Walker.
With shaking fingers, she grabbed her phone.
The line connected after one ring.
A deep voice answered.
"Agent Walker speaking."
"They found me."
The room fell silent.
Then the agent said only four words.
"Stay away from the door."
Seconds later, tires screamed outside.
Gunfire erupted in the alley.
The men outside shouted.
Margaret dropped to the floor as chaos exploded beyond the walls.
The rescue had arrived.
May you like
But somewhere across the city, her son was facing the people who wanted them both dead.
Alone.
