Missing

~ KAIA’S POV ~

“What do you mean someone picked up my son and you didn’t think to call me to confirm?”My voice thundered, the fury in me boiling so violently I thought I’d combust right here in Miss Laura's office.

Miss Laura shrank back, trembling with her voice cracking. “She said… she said she was a friend of yours.”

What?

A friend?

What friend when I don’t even have any relatives.

“I’m so sorry ma’am. She claimed you sent her to pick up Kai as you were busy with work.” Miss Laura apologized with her hands wringed in plea.

“He was kidnapped.” A tiny voice in my head whispered.

No please. It can’t be.

Let my mind be wrong, let this be some hideous mistake.

Miss Laura’s mouth kept moving but her words were silent to my ears. The whole world around me turned mute. Cold terror crept down my spine as one dreadful thought slammed through my chest.

Who would want to kidnap my son?

I don’t know anyone closely in this city and I have no friends or relatives. My bloodline died two years ago, so who would come for Kai?

My heart shattered into a million pieces as reality hit me—Kai was kidnapped, my son was kidnapped.

Tears burst free from my eyes, blinding me with its moistness as my heart began pounding against my ribs like it wanted to claw its way out of me.

Every second matters. My baby must be crying without me.

I turned to the door, and stumbled out of the school premises to the taxi parked right in front of the school entrance gate waiting for me. I flung the back seat door open and slid into the car.

“The police station.” I said with urgency before settling to sit properly.

Without a word the chauffeur started the engine.

My son. My kai.

“Goodness let him be safe.” I whispered, clutching my chest as my tears kept pouring like a broken dam. My lungs heaved with every sob, each one sending chills to my heart as my eyes longed to see my baby.

“Please drive hastily, I’m in a state of emergency.” I said to the driver.

“Okay ma’am.” He answered and hit the accelerator.

“Please Lord, let my son be safe. If it’s money they want, I’ll willingly give it all to them but my son should be safe. I can’t afford to lose him.” I prayed with trembling lips.

The vibration of my phone drew my attention to my pockets.

My son is more important than work now. Nisa should take care of everything.

The vibration persisted leaving me with no choice but to have a look.

I wiped my face with my trembling hand, though my eyes stayed clouded with tears.

Taking out my phone from my pocket, my eyes met with a private ID on my call screen.

Without a second thought I answered the call.

“Don’t be a fool.” A deep masculine voice said over the phone. His voice was loud enough to pierce my ear drums.

“Who is this please?” I piqued with my other hand over my chest.

“I have your son and if you want him alive you better not play smart.” He thundered.

My already shattered heart smashed into further pieces as I heard Kai’s wailing in the background.

My baby.

“Please, please don’t hurt him.” Tears gushed out uncontrollably from my eyes.

“Involve the police and you'll have his dead body sent to you in a garbage can.” The man spoke with pure vileness and callous malice.

“No please. I’ll give you any amount you want. Please don’t hurt my son, I beg you.” I pleaded bitterly.

“I want my mommy.” Kai wailed in the background.

My soul shattered with pain as his voice lung to my ears. “Please don’t hurt my baby, please.” I muttered in tears.

“You don’t want me to hurt him and you are still on your way to the police station.” His voice thundered. “Woman, don’t play games with me or you’ll have your son’s dead body at your door step.” The man spoke yet again in vileness and rage.

“Stop the car.” I yelled with urgency and pain.

Immediately the driver hit the brakes, bringing the car to an almost frantic stop.

“Good girl!” The man said still on the phone. His words made my skin crawl from utter disgust and fear.

“An address will be sent to you, be there or lose your son. Come alone if you want him whole.” He added.

“Yes, yes I’ll come.” I answered with my voice shaking with tears.

The call ended.

My phone binged from a message, without hesitation I opened the text.

The text read….

“Bradson street, New Wesley.”

I informed the taxi driver and he made a U-turn headed to the location.

My tears knew no end as Kai’s wailing voice replayed over and over again in my head.

I can’t afford to lose my baby, he’s all I have in this world.

The driver kept staring at me from the rare mirror. His eyes had no beam as his sclera was stained brown.

Then it hit me…..

He must be part of them, no wonder the kidnapper knows my whereabouts.

I just want my child. They can take whatever they want but I want my baby alive and in my arms.

--

After an hour of endless turns and speed, the taxi finally came to a stop at an abandoned construction site. I hesitated to step out of the taxi as the entire place looked abandoned with trucks of sand and stones parked haphazardly. My eyes scanned each and every one of the trucks to see if someone was in them, but there was not a soul.

“Get down.” The driver yelled. His yell jolted me, with goosebumps erupting over my arms.

I yanked the car door open and stepped out of the taxi. The taxi sped off, raising sand with its tires.

I turned around like a lost child with tears in my eyes and a broken heart.

Did they play me?

This place looks deserted and I don’t hear any sound of Kai. I expected to see an abandoned house or even an apartment, but here I am standing in a deserted construction site with no help or soul around.

I tried calling the number but it's private.

Then where is my baby?

As I wept to see my son, a sharp needle pierced my skin from behind, sending chills down my spine as I struggled to see who it was.

Immediately my vision began to blur. My limbs went numb completely causing me to fall to the gro

und.

“Please I just want my……son.” I whispered.

A figure stood before me but my vision failed me. Slowly everything faded black.