It’s been three days since my husband was taken. Who kidnapped him and why I can’t say. If I’m being honest, I haven’t really had the time to ask myself those things. Since the first phone call, whoever has him has dangled his life in front of me like a carrot on a stick. I have been through humiliating, dangerous, and even illegal tasks just to know that Marcus is safe. But they never asked for money. No account numbers, duffel bags or “non-sequential bills” like you hear in the movies. Just “bark like a dog in the middle of your street” or “use this fake gun to rob a store a few counties over”. But, a ray of hope now. I received a call from the kidnappers again today. “Will,” the distorted voice on the other end of the line began, “today is the day Marcus is returned to you.” I almost screamed in joy and relief, I couldn’t believe it. “With a catch,” the voice finished. I knew it was too good to be true. “You must make it from your work to your home in 16 minutes, and supply the antidote to Marcus, or he will die.” At that, the call ended. I almost dropped my phone in a panic. Oh no, oh no, oh no! Even without traffic, I was 14 minutes away from home. I ran to my car and through it into reverse. Driving home I must have broken a half dozen laws. I sped, ran lights, almost ran an older gentleman off the road, but I needed to get home. Somehow, I made it in 13 minutes, plenty of time! Once I was in our driveway, I jumped out of the car and ran for the door when I heard a familiar voice call to me. “What’s the rush, Will?” The sudden sound of someone talking startled me and I jumped as I was walking for the door, almost forgetting myself in that moment. It was my elderly neighbor, Dot. After my brief pause, I regained my composure and stated “Sorry Dot, but I’ve just got to get into the house.”

“Everything alright, hon?” asked Dot.

“I certainly hope so,” I called absentmindedly as I searched for my house key.

“Oh, me too. The thing about timelines for poisons is they’re hardly ever exact you know” Dot replied sweetly.

Wait…

“What did you say?” I asked as I turned to face her, my keys falling from my hand.

“Just that you really can’t trust a time like 16 minutes when it comes to giving someone an antidote,” again, a sweet warm smile.

I felt my breathing begin to shake, like I was shuddering in the cold. I pulled my phone from my pocket and redialed the number of the kidnapper from earlier. It was both a surprise and completely expected when a ringing noise came from Dot’s pocket. She gave a small start and a surprised look crossed her face at the ringing of the phone. She held the device up to her ear and I heard a distorted voice tell me “All this time with your husband you’ve taken for granted and now that he’s almost gone you try to save him. But I’ve got bad news poor Will.”

The world began to spin around me as I heard this voice I’ve listened to for the last few days coming from my neighbor. And that’s when I heard the screaming.

“Your time is up. Better run!” She said, hung up the phone and slowly walked away.