Chapter 1
A girl named Zoya went on a one-week school tour to the mountains. She was incredibly excited and full of enthusiasm. She had been looking forward to the trip for weeks, and finally, the day had arrived.
After two days of exploring the mountains and enjoying the trip with her friends, Zoya decided to go shopping with them at a night market. The market was beautifully lit and packed with people. Music played from different stalls, vendors called out to customers, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the lively atmosphere.
While looking at the shops, Zoya suddenly realized that she could no longer see her friends.
“Where did they go?” she wondered.
She tried to find them in the crowd, calling their names and looking around desperately. But the more she searched, the farther away she seemed to get from the familiar faces.
Then, suddenly, she felt that someone was walking behind her.
Zoya slowly turned around, but before she could see who it was, everything went black.
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself lying in a dark, wooden storeroom. Her hands and legs were tied with ropes, and she had no idea where she was or how she had gotten there.
Fear rushed through her.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching.
Someone was coming.
Zoya immediately closed her eyes and pretended to remain unconscious.
The door creaked open, and two men entered.
Man 1: “We’re going to get so much money now, man!”
Man 2: “Yeah, of course! We’re finally going to be rich. At least we won’t have to worry about starving anymore.”
Zoya listened carefully, trying not to move a muscle.
Zoya’s thoughts: What are they talking about? Why do they need money? Are they planning to sell me? What are they going to do with me?
Her heart was pounding, but she forced herself to stay calm.
If they realize that I’m conscious, they’ll keep a close eye on me. I won’t get another chance to figure out what’s happening.
She took a slow breath and continued pretending to be unconscious.
For now, staying still is my safest option. I need to understand their plan before I do anything.
The two men continued talking, completely unaware that Zoya was awake and listening to every word.
The two men suddenly burst into loud laughter. Their voices echoed through the wooden room as they walked out, leaving Zoya alone.
She waited.
One second.
Two.
Then five.
Silence.
Zoya slowly opened her eyes and listened carefully. No footsteps. No voices. Nothing.
This was her chance.
She immediately began struggling against the ropes. She twisted her wrists and pulled with all the strength she had. The ropes dug tightly into her skin, but she refused to give up.
Come on... come on!
After what felt like forever, the rope finally loosened.
Zoya freed her hands and quickly untied her legs. She stood up, her body trembling from fear and exhaustion.
She glanced toward the door.
Still nothing.
Slowly, she walked toward it. She placed her hand on the doorknob and turned it as quietly as possible.
The door creaked.
Zoya froze.
She waited.
Nothing happened.
She carefully stepped outside.
The place was deserted.
Without wasting another second, she ran.
She ran as fast as her tired legs could carry her. She didn't know where she was going. She didn't even know how far she had to go.
All she knew was that she had to get away.
The mountains stretched endlessly around her, covered with huge trees that blocked whatever little moonlight there was. The darkness made everything look unfamiliar.
Her breathing grew heavier. Her legs began to ache.
But she kept running.
I can't stop. Not now.
Suddenly—
A voice echoed through the trees.
“Hey! Where did she go?”
Zoya's blood ran cold.
They had found out.
She looked back and heard more shouting in the distance.
They were coming after her.
Fear gave her a sudden burst of strength, and she ran even faster.
Branches scratched against her clothes as she pushed through the trees. Her feet stumbled over uneven ground, but she didn't stop.
Then, through the darkness, she saw something.
A road.
A winding mountain road appeared ahead of her.
For the first time that night, a tiny spark of hope appeared in her eyes.
Someone might help me.
She hurried toward it, but her exhausted body was barely keeping up with her mind. As she reached the edge of the road, her foot slipped.
She stumbled forward.
And then—
Headlights appeared in the distance.
A car.
It was coming toward her.
Zoya stared at it, almost unable to believe what she was seeing.
The car came closer.
Closer.
And closer.
“Help...” she whispered, barely able to speak.
She raised her hand and desperately waved toward the approaching vehicle.
The car was almost beside her now.
Zoya took one final step toward the road...
Her strength finally gave out.
She collapsed near the roadside as the car came to a sudden stop.
Three men immediately stepped out of the car.
The moment they saw Zoya lying near the roadside, they rushed toward her.
One of them knelt beside her and gently held her before she could collapse completely.
Zoya's vision blurred.
No... please. Not again.
For one terrifying moment, she thought they were the men who had been chasing her.
My life is over.
She had no strength left to run. No strength left to fight.
She simply gave up.
Her body went limp, and she fell unconscious in his arms.
The man holding her immediately noticed the state she was in. There were several injuries on her arms and legs, and she looked completely exhausted. When he touched her hand, he realized how cold she was.
“She needs help. Now,” he said urgently.
The three men carefully carried her into their car and drove straight to the nearest hospital.
Two Days Later
A faint beeping sound slowly pulled Zoya out of the darkness.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Her eyelids felt incredibly heavy.
She slowly opened her eyes.
The bright hospital lights made her squint.
For a few seconds, she couldn't remember where she was.
Then she noticed three unfamiliar figures in the room.
Her eyes widened.
One man was doing push-ups near the window as if he were completely at home in a hospital room.
The second was sitting comfortably in a chair, quietly reading a book.
And the third was completely absorbed in his phone.
Zoya stared at them in confusion.
Who are these people?
Suddenly, the man doing push-ups looked up.
He stopped.
“Guys.”
The other two immediately looked in Zoya's direction.
“She’s awake,” the man with the book said.
All three quickly came toward her.
“How are you feeling?” one of them asked. “Are you feeling better now?”
Zoya stared at them, still too confused and weak to speak.
She slowly nodded.
The man smiled reassuringly.
“Good. That's a relief.”
He paused for a moment before introducing himself.
“Hi. I'm Arthur Kingsley.”
He pointed toward the man holding the book.
“He's Julian Kingsley.”
Then he pointed toward the third man, who had finally put his phone away.
“And he's Alistair Kingsley.”
Zoya continued staring at them.
Arthur calmly added, “We're the sons of the owner and founder of AK Group of Industries.”
Zoya's eyes widened.
Wait... what?
Her mind went completely blank.
AK Group.
The name was impossible to miss. It was one of the most famous and powerful business empires in the world.
She looked at the three men again.
No way.
Her gaze moved from Arthur to Julian, then to Alistair.
These three... are the Kingsleys?
She couldn't believe it.
The sons of the founder of AK Group?
Zoya stared at them in disbelief.
What the hell is going on?
Arthur noticed the shock on her face and decided not to overwhelm her with more questions.
He exchanged a brief glance with his brothers before turning his attention back to her.
“Anyway,” he said gently, changing the subject, “you never told us your name.”
The girl hesitated for a moment before answering politely.
“My name is Chloe Sterling... but my mom and dad call me Zoya.”
The moment she said her surname, Alistair's eyes widened.
“Sterling?” he repeated, almost in disbelief.
Zoya looked at him curiously.
Alistair leaned forward slightly, his expression filled with surprise.
“Are you... the daughter of the famous poet Mercer Sterling?”
Zoya nodded.
“Yes.”
For a moment, the three brothers exchanged looks.
Even Julian, who had been quietly observing everything, closed his book.
Then his expression became serious.
“If you don't mind me asking...” Julian began, “how did you end up there?”
Zoya's expression changed.
Julian continued, “That part of the mountains is practically deserted. It's surrounded by dense forests, and there are wild animals around there. It's not exactly a place someone would visit by accident.”
Zoya lowered her gaze.
The memories began rushing back.
The night market.
The crowd.
Her friends disappearing from sight.
The footsteps behind her.
The wooden room.
The ropes.
The two men.
Her escape.
Her heart began beating faster.
Arthur noticed the sudden change in her expression.
“Hey,” he said softly. “You don't have to answer if you're not ready.”
Zoya looked up at him.
For the first time since waking up, she realized something.
She had escaped...
But she still had no idea why she had been taken in the first place.
“I want to go home,” Chloe said suddenly. Her voice was weak but determined. “Could you please call my dad? He'll come and take me home.”
Julian raised an eyebrow.
“Really? You're not even going to thank us for helping you?”
Before Chloe could respond, Arthur and Alistair interrupted at the same time.
“It's fine.”
“It was our duty as human beings.”
Julian glanced at his brothers and shook his head with a faint smile.
Chloe looked at the three of them.
“I’m really sorry,” she said sincerely. “There are just so many things running through my mind right now. I can't think straight.”
She took a small breath.
“But... thank you. Thank you all so much for helping me and saving me from that hell.”
Alistair gave her a reassuring smile.
“You don't have to thank us.”
Chloe nodded, but then her expression suddenly changed.
“Wait... then can you please call my dad now?”
Alistair's smile disappeared.
“I'm sorry, but... we can't contact anyone right now.”
Chloe stared at him.
“What? Why?”
Julian answered this time.
“Our phones are dead. And as you probably already know, there's barely any network in these mountains.”
Chloe's eyes widened.
“So... how am I supposed to contact my parents?”
“We'll have to leave this place by car,” Julian explained. “If we can find a hotel or some other place with a working phone or network, we'll be able to contact someone.”
Chloe looked toward the hospital window.
The thought of staying here without knowing what was happening made her uneasy.
But there was something else bothering her even more.
She had escaped from the people who had taken her...
Yet she still didn't know who they were, why they had taken her, or whether they were still looking for her.
Arthur noticed the worried expression on Chloe's face.
“Okay, then. Guys, pack your bags. We're going back home.”
Julian and Alistair immediately nodded.
“Yeah, bro.”
Arthur then glanced at Chloe. She was still lost deep in her thoughts, staring blankly ahead.
“Hey,” he said gently. “Are you feeling hungry? Do you want something fresh and tasty to eat?”
Chloe looked at him and nodded.
“Okay, then. Give me fifteen minutes. I'll bring you something delicious.”
With that, Arthur left the room.
Chloe watched him disappear through the doorway before lowering her gaze.
Mom... Dad...
Her heart ached.
I miss you both so much. I just want to go home. I want to tell you everything that happened to me...
She was still lost in her thoughts when Julian suddenly walked into the room.
He was holding a book.
“Hey,” he said, handing it to her. “Take this. At least you won't get bored.”
Chloe looked at the book curiously.
Julian continued, “I don't usually lend this to anyone. But since there's no other way to make your mood better right now, I'll let you have it.”
He pointed a warning finger at her.
“And don't make even a single scratch on it. It's one of my favorites.”
Chloe gently smiled and took the book from him.
“Thank you.”
Julian's eyes widened dramatically.
“Whoa! Finally! You actually said thank you from your heart. I'm happy now.”
Chloe couldn't control herself anymore.
She burst into laughter.
“You're so cute.”
Julian froze.
“What...?”
His eyebrows shot up.
“Cute?”
Before he could say anything else, Alistair walked into the room.
“What are you two laughing about?”
Julian immediately straightened his expression.
“Nothing. There's nothing funny. I don't even know why she's laughing.”
Chloe tried to control her laughter.
“Yeah, there's nothing funny... but your expression is forcing me to laugh!”
Alistair looked at Julian suspiciously.
Before he could question him, the door opened again.
Arthur walked in carrying several plates of food.
“Alright, guys. Let's eat.”
The delicious aroma instantly filled the room.
Julian and Alistair practically ran toward him.
“Finally!”
“That smells amazing!”
Chloe's stomach growled.
She couldn't resist either and quickly joined them.
Arthur looked at her and laughed.
“Hey, you're not completely recovered yet. Slowly!”
He carefully served some food onto a plate and handed it to her.
“Here. Take it.”
“Thank you,” Chloe said with a smile.
She took the plate and began eating.
Her eyes widened after the first bite.
“Wow... this is so tasty!”
She took another bite.
“This reminds me of my mother's cooking. She makes food exactly like this.”
Julian proudly pointed at Arthur.
“See? I told you. My brother is the best cook ever. No one can beat him.”
Alistair immediately nodded in agreement.
“Absolutely.”
Arthur rolled his eyes.
“Okay, okay. Enough compliments. Now start eating. We need to leave before evening.”
The three brothers continued eating, while Chloe quietly smiled.
For the first time since that terrifying night, she felt a little safe.
“Did you enjoy the food?” Arthur asked.
All three nodded with smiles.
“Yeah,” Julian said happily. “It was really good.”
Arthur smiled.
“Alright, then. Julian, Alistair, take the plates back and put everything in its place. And don't forget the bags. Take them to the car—we need to leave now.”
“Got it, bro,” Julian replied.
The two brothers gathered the plates and bags and headed out of the room.
For a moment, the room became quiet.
Arthur looked at Chloe.
“So...” he said casually, “you really liked the food? And you think it tastes exactly like your mom's cooking?”
Chloe looked up at him.
She hadn't noticed it before, but there was something different about his voice.
It was deep, calm, and surprisingly gentle.
Wow... his voice is so deep and clear. How did I not notice that before?
Arthur noticed that she had gone silent.
“Where did you disappear to?” he asked with a small smile. “You don't want to answer me?”
Chloe suddenly snapped back to reality.
“Yes!” she answered quickly. “The food was really delicious. It reminded me of my mom's cooking.”
She paused, then added with a shy smile,
“And... you're really sweet. Thank you for being so gentle with me.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
“Are you saying you think I'm being gentle with you?”
Chloe's eyes widened.
Oh, shit. Did I really just say that out loud?
A faint blush spread across her face.
Arthur noticed her embarrassment but simply smiled.
“Thank you for the compliment, dear.”
Chloe looked directly into his eyes.
For a brief moment, neither of them said anything.
Then—
“We're ready to leave!”
Alistair's voice came from behind them.
Arthur immediately turned away and cleared his throat.
“Alright. Let's go.”
He quickly walked out of the room.
Chloe remained where she was for a moment, still looking toward the doorway.
Then she quietly smiled to herself before following them.
Before getting into the car, Arthur noticed that Chloe was still wearing only her hospital clothes. Without saying much, he took off his coat and gently held it out to her.
Arthur: “Here. Wear this. It’s cold outside.”
Chloe looked at the coat for a moment before taking it.
“Thank you.”
Arthur gave her a small nod and walked toward the car. He opened the front passenger door for her.
Arthur: “You sit here.”
Chloe carefully got inside and settled into the seat beside him. Arthur walked around to the driver's side, got in, and started the engine.
Julian and Alistair climbed into the back seats, carrying the remaining bags with them.
Arthur glanced at everyone through the mirror.
Arthur: “Let’s go, guys.”
The car slowly pulled away from the hospital.
Chloe immediately turned toward the window.
The scenery outside caught her attention. Tall mountains surrounded the winding road, their peaks disappearing into the clouds. Trees covered the slopes like a giant green blanket, while the evening sunlight slipped between the branches.
Her eyes widened with curiosity.
She kept looking outside, smiling at every beautiful view as if she were seeing the mountains for the very first time.
There was something almost childlike about the way she admired everything.
Julian noticed her excitement from the back seat.
Julian: “Why don't you start some songs? The journey will be more fun.”
Chloe turned around and nodded.
She connected the music and started playing a few songs.
Soon, the quiet car was filled with music and laughter. The journey suddenly felt lighter and more energetic. Even Arthur, who was focused on driving, occasionally smiled at their conversations.
For a while, everyone simply enjoyed the ride.
After some time, Chloe finally took her eyes away from the window.
She looked toward the back seat.
Julian and Alistair were already fast asleep, resting comfortably against their seats.
Chloe smiled softly before turning toward Arthur.
He was still driving, his eyes fixed on the road.
Chloe: “Arthur, are you feeling sleepy?”
Arthur glanced at her briefly.
Arthur: “A little.”
Chloe looked concerned.
Chloe: “If you're tired, I can drive the car.”
Arthur chuckled softly.
Arthur: “It's fine. I'm just a little sleepy. But if you keep talking to me, I'll be perfectly fine.”
Chloe nodded.
For a few seconds, she looked back toward the window.
Then she smiled.
Chloe: “I just want to go home. I want to meet Cash.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
Arthur: “Cash? Who's he?”
Chloe's face immediately brightened.
Chloe: “My dog!”
She laughed softly.
Chloe: “If I had my phone, I'd show you his pictures. He's so cute and fluffy. He loves me so much, and I love him too. He's not just a dog to us… he's like a member of our family.”
Arthur smiled.
Arthur: “I understand. I have a dog too. His name is Prada.”
Chloe's eyes widened in surprise.
Chloe: “Really?!”
Arthur nodded.
Arthur: “Yeah. He's our sixth family member.”
Chloe smiled curiously.
Arthur continued driving as he spoke.
Arthur: “We all love him so much. He's also our biggest protector.”
He paused for a moment, remembering something.
Arthur: “When I was thirteen, I found him playing outside my house. He was tiny back then—probably around three months old.”
A warm, admiring smile appeared on Chloe's face.
Chloe: “Wow…”
She looked out of the window again, but this time, her smile was different.
For the first time since everything had happened, the journey didn't feel frightening.
It felt warm.
Almost like she was slowly finding her way back to something that felt like home.
Arthur glanced at Chloe and gave her a faint smile.
But suddenly—
A bird flew directly across the road in front of the car.
Arthur immediately hit the brakes.
Screech!
The sudden stop jolted everyone in their seats.
Julian and Alistair, who had been sleeping peacefully in the back, woke up with a start.
Julian: “What happened?!”
Alistair: “Are we okay?”
Arthur quickly looked around the car to make sure everyone was safe.
Arthur: “Is everyone alright?”
Chloe nodded, still a little startled.
Chloe: “Yeah, I'm fine.”
Julian and Alistair exchanged confused looks before nodding as well.
Julian: “Yeah… I'm okay.”
Alistair: “I'm fine too.”
Arthur let out a small breath of relief and looked through the windshield.
The bird had already flown away.
Arthur: “Good. It was just a bird.”
Julian leaned back against his seat with a sleepy sigh.
Julian: “That bird nearly gave me a heart attack.”
Alistair laughed quietly.
Chloe couldn't help but smile.
The tension inside the car slowly disappeared, and Arthur started the car again, continuing their journey through the mountains.
Arthur started the car again, and the journey continued.
For a few minutes, everything was peaceful.
The music played softly in the background as the car moved along the winding mountain road. Chloe returned her attention to the view outside, watching the trees pass by.
But then she noticed something.
A few metres ahead, a dark figure seemed to be standing beside the road.
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
Was someone actually standing there?
She turned toward Arthur.
Chloe: “Arthur… wait.”
Arthur immediately looked at her.
Arthur: “What happened?”
Chloe pointed toward the road.
Chloe: “I think there's someone standing over there.”
Arthur slowed the car.
Julian, now fully awake, leaned forward from the back seat.
Julian: “Where?”
Alistair looked out of his window.
Alistair: “I don't see anyone.”
Arthur carefully reduced the speed as they approached the spot.
The figure was gone.
Nothing stood beside the road except trees and thick bushes.
Chloe stared in confusion.
Chloe: “But… I saw someone.”
Arthur glanced at her, then at the empty roadside.
Arthur: “Maybe it was just a shadow.”
Chloe wasn't convinced.
She looked back through the rear window.
For a moment, she thought she saw movement between the trees.
Her smile disappeared.
Someone—or something—had been there.
Arthur noticed her expression.
Arthur: “Chloe?”
She quickly turned back.
Chloe: “Nothing. I'm fine.”
Arthur studied her for a second but didn't press her.
The car continued forward.
None of them noticed the faint sound of footsteps somewhere beyond the trees.
And somewhere far behind them, hidden among the darkness of the mountains, someone was watching the car disappear around the next bend.
The car disappeared around the bend, leaving the strange figure far behind.
Inside, the atmosphere slowly returned to normal.
Julian stretched in the back seat and yawned.
Julian: “Okay… I'm officially awake now.”
Alistair laughed.
Alistair: “You say that every time you wake up.”
Chloe smiled at their argument, but her mind was still somewhere else.
She looked through the window again.
The mountains were becoming darker as evening approached. The road ahead was almost empty, surrounded by enormous trees on both sides.
Then—
Chloe: “Arthur?”
Arthur: “Hmm?”
Chloe: “How much longer until we reach home?”
Arthur glanced at the dashboard.
Arthur: “A few more hours.”
Chloe sighed dramatically.
Chloe: “A few hours?”
Julian laughed.
Julian: “You were the one enjoying the view five minutes ago.”
Chloe: “That was before I realized how long this road is!”
Everyone laughed.
Even Arthur smiled.
But suddenly, Alistair's expression changed.
He was looking through the rear window.
Alistair: “Guys…”
His voice made everyone quiet.
Arthur glanced at him through the mirror.
Arthur: “What?”
Alistair pointed toward the road behind them.
Alistair: “That car.”
Arthur looked into the rear-view mirror.
A dark-colored car was traveling several hundred metres behind them.
Arthur frowned.
There was nothing unusual about a car being on the same road.
But this was an extremely quiet mountain route.
And there hadn't been another vehicle around for a long time.
Julian leaned forward between the seats.
Julian: “Maybe they're just going in the same direction.”
Arthur nodded.
Arthur: “Probably.”
He continued driving.
Five minutes passed.
The car behind them was still there.
Ten minutes passed.
It was still there.
Chloe slowly looked at Arthur.
She noticed that his expression had become serious.
Chloe: “Arthur…?”
He didn't answer immediately.
His eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, while occasionally checking the rear-view mirror.
Then, without taking his eyes off the road, he quietly said—
Arthur: “Everyone, stay calm.”
The playful atmosphere inside the car vanished.
Julian and Alistair exchanged a look.
Chloe's heart began beating faster.
She turned toward the rear window.
The dark car was still following them.
And this time, it seemed to be getting closer.
The dark car slowly came closer.
Chloe kept glancing at it through the rear window, trying to see who was inside, but the tinted glass made it impossible.
Chloe: “Do you think they’re following us?”
Arthur didn't answer immediately.
His hands tightened slightly around the steering wheel.
Arthur: “I don't know yet.”
Julian leaned forward.
Julian: “Then what should we do?”
Arthur remained calm.
Arthur: “Nothing. Let's not panic. I'll find out.”
He continued driving, taking the next turn onto a narrower mountain road.
A few seconds later, Arthur checked the rear-view mirror.
The dark car took the same turn.
Alistair sat upright.
Alistair: “Okay… that's definitely strange.”
Julian nodded.
Julian: “Yeah. Now I don't think it's a coincidence.”
Chloe became quiet.
A sudden thought crossed her mind.
What if they're the same people who took me?
Her fingers tightened around Arthur's coat.
Arthur noticed.
Arthur: “Chloe, don't worry. You're with us.”
His calm voice helped her breathe a little easier.
Then Arthur suddenly slowed down.
Ahead, the road split into two directions.
One road continued toward the main highway.
The other disappeared deeper into the forest.
Arthur looked at the signs carefully.
Behind them, the dark car was approaching.
He made his decision.
Arthur: “We're taking the highway.”
He turned the steering wheel toward the main road.
The dark car slowed down.
For a moment, it seemed as though it might follow them.
But instead…
It continued straight toward the forest road.
Everyone inside Arthur's car remained silent.
Julian finally exhaled.
Julian: “Maybe it really was just a coincidence.”
Arthur didn't respond.
He watched the other car disappear into the trees.
Something about it still didn't feel right.
Then Chloe noticed something on the floor beside her seat.
A small black object.
She picked it up.
Chloe: “Arthur… what's this?”
Arthur glanced down.
His expression suddenly changed.
It wasn't theirs.
And neither Chloe nor the brothers had any idea how it had gotten inside the car.
Arthur glanced at the small black object in Chloe's hand.
His expression immediately became serious.
Arthur: “Don't touch it anymore.”
Chloe froze.
Chloe: “Why?”
Arthur carefully took it from her and examined it.
Julian leaned forward from the back seat.
Julian: “What is it?”
Arthur turned the object over in his hand.
It looked like a small electronic device, but there was no obvious label or name on it.
Alistair: “Is that some kind of tracker?”
Arthur didn't answer.
He looked at Chloe.
Arthur: “Where exactly did you find this?”
Chloe pointed toward the space beside her seat.
Chloe: “Right there.”
Julian frowned.
Julian: “But none of us put anything there.”
Alistair checked the bags in the back.
Alistair: “Definitely not ours.”
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Chloe's face slowly changed.
A frightening possibility entered her mind.
Chloe: “Arthur…”
He looked at her.
Chloe: “What if someone put it in the car?”
The brothers exchanged a serious look.
Arthur's eyes returned to the mysterious device.
He didn't want to scare Chloe, but he couldn't ignore the possibility either.
Arthur: “It's possible. But we don't know that yet.”
He placed the object safely in the center compartment.
Arthur: “For now, we're going to stay calm and get somewhere safe.”
Julian nodded.
Julian: “Agreed.”
Alistair looked through the rear window.
The mountain road behind them was completely empty now.
Alistair: “The other car is gone.”
Arthur checked the mirror.
Nothing.
But instead of feeling relieved, he became even more cautious.
Because if the device really had been placed inside their car…
Then someone might have known exactly where they were.
Chloe quietly looked out of the window.
The beautiful mountains she had been admiring earlier suddenly didn't feel quite as peaceful anymore.
And somewhere inside the car, hidden in the compartment, the little black device remained completely silent.
For the next few minutes, nobody said a word.
Only the quiet sound of the engine and the music playing softly through the speakers filled the car.
Arthur kept his eyes on the road.
Julian occasionally looked through the rear window.
Alistair kept glancing at the compartment where Arthur had placed the strange device.
Chloe sat quietly beside Arthur, holding the edge of his coat around herself.
She tried to convince herself that everything was fine.
Maybe we're just overthinking it.
The road slowly became wider as they moved closer to the highway.
The last traces of sunlight disappeared behind the mountains.
Arthur switched on the headlights.
The darkness ahead seemed endless.
Then—
Beep.
Everyone froze.
The sound had come from the center compartment.
Chloe slowly turned toward it.
Chloe: “Arthur…”
Arthur glanced at the compartment.
The mysterious device had lit up.
A tiny red light blinked once.
Then twice.
Julian leaned forward.
Julian: “It wasn't doing that before.”
Arthur's expression hardened.
Arthur: “I know.”
The light stopped.
Silence returned.
Alistair frowned.
Alistair: “What does that mean?”
Arthur didn't answer.
He reached toward the compartment but stopped just before touching it.
Then something even stranger happened.
The car's navigation suddenly flickered.
The screen went black.
A second later, it came back on.
But the map had disappeared.
Instead, there was only one message displayed on the screen:
NO SIGNAL.
Chloe stared at it.
Her stomach tightened.
Chloe: “Didn't you say the network was working once we reached the highway?”
Arthur looked ahead.
Arthur: “It should be.”
Julian looked at the road signs.
Julian: “We're definitely heading toward the highway.”
Arthur nodded.
But then he noticed something.
The road sign ahead was pointing toward a town.
The name on it was unfamiliar.
Arthur slowed the car.
Arthur: “This isn't the road we were supposed to be on.”
Everyone looked at him.
Alistair: “Then where are we?”
Arthur didn't reply.
He looked at the road ahead.
Then at the navigation screen.
Then at the strange device inside the compartment.
For the first time since they had left the hospital, Arthur looked genuinely concerned.
Chloe quietly whispered—
Chloe: “Arthur…”
He turned toward her.
Chloe: “I don't think we're going home anymore.”
Arthur looked at her for a long moment.
Then he locked the car doors.
Click.
The sound echoed through the suddenly silent car.
Arthur: “Everyone stay calm.”
But this time…
Even Arthur didn't sound completely convinced.
Arthur kept driving, but his attention was now completely focused on the road.
Julian: “Arthur… should we turn back?”
Arthur glanced at the unfamiliar sign again.
Arthur: “Not yet. I want to figure out where we are first.”
Alistair took out his phone and checked the map.
Alistair: “Still no signal.”
He tried again.
Nothing.
Chloe looked through the windshield.
The road ahead was almost completely empty.
No houses.
No streetlights.
Just endless trees on both sides.
Chloe: “Are we still going toward the highway?”
Arthur nodded slowly.
Arthur: “According to the signs, yes.”
Julian frowned.
Julian: “Then why does this road look completely different?”
Nobody had an answer.
Arthur reduced the speed.
A few seconds later, he noticed something ahead.
A small roadside building stood in the darkness.
There was a single light glowing above its entrance.
Arthur stopped the car a short distance away.
Arthur: “Stay here. I'm going to check the sign.”
Chloe immediately looked at him.
Chloe: “Alone?”
Arthur gave her a reassuring smile.
Arthur: “I'll be right back.”
He stepped out of the car.
Chloe watched him walk toward the building.
Julian and Alistair remained inside, both unusually quiet.
Then Chloe heard something.
Tap.
She looked toward her window.
Nothing.
Tap.
Her eyes widened.
She slowly turned toward the back seat.
Chloe: “Did you hear that?”
Julian sat up straight.
Julian: “Hear what?”
Before Chloe could answer—
Arthur suddenly turned around outside.
He was staring directly at their car.
His expression had completely changed.
He raised one hand.
A silent gesture.
Don't move.
Chloe's smile disappeared.
Julian and Alistair exchanged a confused look.
Arthur slowly walked back toward the car.
And this time…
He wasn't looking at the road.
He was looking at the trees.
Arthur reached the car and opened the driver's door.
He got inside without saying anything.
Julian immediately noticed his expression.
Julian: “Arthur… what happened?”
Arthur locked the doors again.
Click.
Then he looked toward the trees.
Arthur: “There's someone out there.”
Chloe's eyes widened.
Chloe: “Someone?”
Arthur nodded slightly.
Arthur: “I couldn't see their face. I only noticed movement between the trees.”
Alistair looked out of his window.
Alistair: “Are you sure?”
Arthur: “No. That's the problem.”
He started the engine.
Arthur: “We're leaving.”
The car moved forward.
Nobody spoke.
Arthur kept checking the mirrors.
The small roadside building disappeared behind them.
The road became darker.
Then Chloe noticed something.
A faint light was visible between the trees behind them.
It moved.
Slowly.
Closer.
Chloe: “Arthur…”
He glanced at her.
She pointed toward the rear window.
Arthur looked.
His expression immediately tightened.
The light disappeared.
Julian: “What was that?”
Arthur didn't answer.
He accelerated slightly.
Then the mysterious device inside the compartment made another sound.
Beep.
Everyone turned toward it.
The tiny red light blinked again.
Once.
Twice.
Then stopped.
Alistair stared at it.
Alistair: “Arthur… I think that thing is reacting to something.”
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
Arthur: “I think you're right.”
Chloe looked from the device to the dark road ahead.
Her thoughts raced.
The strange car… the person in the trees… this device…
Everything seemed connected somehow.
Then suddenly, Arthur's phone rang.
Everyone jumped.
Arthur looked down at the screen.
There was no number.
No name.
Just one word:
UNKNOWN.
The ringing continued.
Arthur didn't answer.
The call stopped.
For a few seconds, there was complete silence.
Then the phone rang again.
Arthur stared at the screen.
This time, Chloe could see something that made her heart sink.
A message had appeared beneath the call.
“We need to talk.”
Arthur stared at the message.
“We need to talk.”
Nobody moved.
Julian slowly leaned forward.
Julian: “Arthur… answer it.”
Arthur hesitated for a moment before accepting the call.
Arthur: “Who is this?”
There was silence on the other end.
Then a calm male voice replied.
Unknown Voice: “You found her.”
Arthur's expression changed instantly.
He looked at Chloe.
She had gone completely still.
Arthur: “Who are you?”
The voice ignored his question.
Unknown Voice: “You should never have taken her.”
Julian's face hardened.
Julian: “What are you talking about?”
The voice continued.
Unknown Voice: “The girl in your car belongs to us.”
Arthur's grip tightened around the phone.
Arthur: “She doesn't belong to anyone.”
Chloe stared at him, frightened and confused.
The voice became colder.
Unknown Voice: “You don't understand what you've gotten yourself involved in.”
Arthur looked toward the center compartment.
The small black device was still blinking.
He suddenly understood.
Arthur: “The device…”
There was a brief silence.
Then the voice answered.
Unknown Voice: “Exactly.”
Alistair whispered—
Alistair: “It's a tracker.”
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
Arthur: “You put it in our car.”
Unknown Voice: “We didn't have to. It was already there.”
Everyone froze.
Arthur looked at Chloe.
Arthur: “What do you mean?”
The voice gave a quiet laugh.
Unknown Voice: “Ask Chloe.”
Chloe's eyes widened.
Chloe: “I—I don't know anything about it.”
Unknown Voice: “Maybe you don't remember.”
The call suddenly ended.
Silence filled the car.
Julian looked at Arthur.
Julian: “What the hell was that?”
Arthur didn't answer.
He looked at Chloe.
She looked genuinely terrified.
Arthur: “Chloe, did you ever see that device before today?”
Chloe shook her head immediately.
Chloe: “No. I've never seen it before.”
Arthur believed her.
But now there was another question.
If Chloe hadn't put the device there…
Who had?
Arthur looked at the dark road ahead.
Then he noticed something in the rear-view mirror.
The same dark car from earlier had appeared again.
This time, it was much closer.
Arthur's expression turned serious.
Arthur: “Everyone, hold on.”
He pressed the accelerator.
The car behind them accelerated too.
The chase had finally begun.
Arthur pressed the accelerator, but his mind was racing.
The mysterious phone call.
The tracker.
The men who had kidnapped Chloe.
And now the car following them.
None of it made sense.
Suddenly, Arthur's phone rang again.
The same unknown number.
This time, he answered immediately.
Arthur: “Tell me the truth. Who is Chloe?”
There was a long silence.
Then the voice finally spoke.
Unknown Voice: “Her real name isn't the reason we're after her.”
Arthur frowned.
Arthur: “Then what is?”
Unknown Voice: “Her father.”
Chloe's eyes widened.
Chloe: “My father?”
Unknown Voice: “Mercer Sterling knows something that powerful people have spent years trying to keep hidden.”
Julian looked at Alistair.
Julian: “What kind of secret?”
The voice continued.
Unknown Voice: “Years ago, Mercer discovered evidence of a massive financial conspiracy involving several powerful companies.”
Arthur's expression became serious.
Unknown Voice: “He refused to stay silent. He protected the evidence and disappeared from public attention.”
Chloe stared ahead in disbelief.
Chloe: “But my father is just a poet…”
Unknown Voice: “That's what everyone thinks.”
Her face went pale.
The voice continued.
Unknown Voice: “The people who took Chloe weren't after money. They were trying to find out where Mercer kept the evidence.”
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
Arthur: “Then why take Chloe?”
Unknown Voice: “Because they believed she might know.”
Chloe shook her head.
Chloe: “I don't know anything! My father never told me about any of this.”
Unknown Voice: “We know.”
Arthur's voice became colder.
Arthur: “Then why are you chasing her?”
Another pause.
Unknown Voice: “Because someone else believes Chloe knows where the evidence is.”
Arthur looked at Chloe.
She looked completely confused.
The voice added one final sentence.
Unknown Voice: “And that person won't stop until they find it.”
The call ended.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Chloe whispered—
Chloe: “So… they kidnapped me because of my dad?”
Arthur nodded slowly.
Arthur: “It looks that way.”
Julian looked through the rear window.
The dark car was still following them.
Julian: “Then whoever is behind this knows exactly where we are.”
Alistair suddenly looked at the tracker.
His eyes widened.
Alistair: “Guys…”
Everyone turned toward him.
Alistair: “The device isn't tracking the car.”
Arthur looked at it.
Alistair: “It's tracking Chloe.”
Silence.
Chloe stared at the tiny blinking light.
For the first time, she understood.
She wasn't being chased because of something she had done.
She was being chased because of who she was.
And somewhere in the darkness behind them, someone was determined to find her before she reached home.
Arthur glanced at the rear-view mirror one last time.
The dark car had disappeared from sight.
He relaxed his shoulders and continued driving at a normal speed.
Arthur: “Alright. Enough of the serious faces. We're going home.”
Julian leaned back comfortably.
Julian: “Finally. I was starting to think this journey was turning into a detective movie.”
Alistair laughed.
Alistair: “You were the one asking the most questions.”
Julian: “Because someone had to!”
Chloe laughed softly.
The tense atmosphere slowly disappeared.
Arthur glanced at her.
Arthur: “Feeling better now?”
Chloe nodded.
Chloe: “Much better.”
She turned toward the window again.
The sky had begun to change colors, painting the mountains in soft evening light. Chloe watched the scenery with a peaceful smile.
After everything she had been through, sitting safely in a car with people who had helped her felt strangely comforting.
Julian suddenly reached toward the music controls.
Julian: “Okay, Chloe. Your turn to choose the next song.”
Chloe looked at him.
Chloe: “Me?”
Julian: “Obviously. You started the playlist, so you have the responsibility now.”
Alistair groaned.
Alistair: “Please choose something normal this time.”
Chloe laughed.
Chloe: “Okay, okay. I'll choose.”
She changed the song, and soon everyone was enjoying the music again.
Arthur smiled as he drove.
For the first time since leaving the mountains, the journey felt peaceful.
Chloe rested comfortably against the seat, Arthur's coat still wrapped around her.
She looked at the road ahead and quietly smiled.
I'm finally going home.
And somehow, that thought made everything feel a little better.
The car continued smoothly along the highway.
After a few quiet minutes, Chloe finally broke the silence.
Chloe: “Arthur… can I ask you something?”
Arthur glanced at her.
Arthur: “Of course.”
Chloe: “Earlier, that man said something about my father. What did he mean?”
Arthur was quiet for a moment.
Julian and Alistair also stopped talking and listened.
Arthur finally spoke.
Arthur: “Chloe, your father wasn't only known for his poetry.”
Chloe looked at him with curiosity.
Arthur: “A few years ago, Mercer Sterling discovered that some powerful businessmen were secretly moving money through several companies. He collected evidence and tried to expose them.”
Chloe's eyes widened.
Chloe: “My dad did that?”
Arthur nodded.
Arthur: “Yes. But he realized that the people involved were dangerous, so he kept most of the evidence hidden.”
Chloe: “Then why did they kidnap me?”
Arthur's voice became gentler.
Arthur: “They thought you might know where your father kept the evidence.”
Chloe shook her head.
Chloe: “But I don't know anything about it. Dad never told me.”
Arthur: “I believe you.”
Julian leaned forward from the back seat.
Julian: “And that's why they were asking for money?”
Arthur nodded.
Arthur: “Probably. They wanted to scare your father into giving them what they wanted.”
Chloe looked down at her hands.
Everything suddenly made sense.
The kidnapping.
The questions.
The fear.
But one thing still confused her.
Chloe: “Then why did they let me escape?”
Arthur gave a small smile.
Arthur: “Maybe they didn't expect you to be brave enough to escape.”
Julian immediately smiled.
Julian: “Or maybe they underestimated our future heroine.”
Chloe laughed softly.
Chloe: “Heroine?”
Julian: “Absolutely. You escaped from kidnappers, ran through the mountains, survived a hospital stay, and somehow still had enough energy to argue with me.”
Alistair laughed.
Alistair: “He's got a point.”
Chloe smiled for the first time in a while.
She looked out of the window.
She still had questions about her father's past, but at least now she knew why she had been targeted.
And more importantly, she knew she wasn't alone anymore.
Chloe looked at Arthur, still confused.
Chloe: “But if they wanted the information from my father… why did they stop chasing me?”
Arthur thought for a moment before answering.
Arthur: “Because they realized you didn't know anything.”
Chloe frowned.
Chloe: “How?”
Arthur: “When you escaped, they probably searched for you. But once you reached the hospital, everything changed.”
Julian nodded.
Julian: “And then they found out who rescued you.”
Chloe looked at him.
Chloe: “You mean… your family?”
Arthur nodded.
Arthur: “Exactly. Once they realized you were with the Kingsleys, they knew they couldn't simply approach you anymore.”
Alistair added calmly,
Alistair: “Our family's security is pretty serious. Trying to take you again would attract far too much attention.”
Arthur looked at Chloe.
Arthur: “And without you knowing where your father's evidence was, there was no reason for them to keep risking themselves.”
Chloe finally understood.
Chloe: “So they gave up?”
Arthur smiled slightly.
Arthur: “For now, yes.”
Julian immediately raised an eyebrow.
Julian: “Don't say ‘for now.’ You're going to make her worried again.”
Arthur laughed.
Arthur: “Alright, alright. Forget I said that.”
Chloe laughed too.
For the first time, the whole situation felt less frightening.
She had escaped.
She was going home.
And she had three unexpected friends beside her who had made the journey a little easier.
The sun had almost disappeared by the time the car reached the city.
Chloe suddenly sat up, recognizing the familiar streets.
Chloe: “Arthur! I know this place!”
Arthur smiled.
Arthur: “Looks like we're almost there.”
Chloe's excitement was impossible to hide.
After everything that had happened, she was finally going home.
Julian leaned forward from the back seat.
Julian: “So, Chloe, are you finally ready to see your parents?”
Chloe nodded happily.
Chloe: “Yes! And I can't wait to see Cash.”
Julian looked confused.
Julian: “Cash?”
Alistair also raised an eyebrow.
Alistair: “Who's Cash?”
Chloe laughed.
Chloe: “My dog! Remember? I told Arthur about him.”
Julian nodded.
Julian: “Ohhh, right! The cute and fluffy one.”
Chloe: “Exactly!”
A few minutes later, Arthur stopped the car outside Chloe's house.
Chloe stared at the familiar house.
For a moment, she simply sat there.
She was home.
Her eyes became slightly teary.
Arthur noticed.
Arthur: “Chloe?”
She smiled softly.
Chloe: “I'm just really happy.”
Arthur nodded.
Arthur: “Go. Your parents must be waiting for you.”
Chloe opened the door and stepped out.
Before she could even reach the front door, a loud barking sound came from inside.
Her entire face lit up.
Chloe: “Cash!”
The door opened, and a fluffy dog came running toward her.
Chloe immediately knelt down and hugged him.
Chloe: “I missed you so much!”
Cash wagged his tail excitedly and kept jumping around her.
Julian stared in surprise.
Julian: “Whoa… that's Cash?”
Alistair smiled.
Alistair: “He's actually really cute.”
Chloe laughed while hugging her dog.
Chloe: “I told you!”
Arthur watched them with a warm smile.
Julian looked at Alistair.
Julian: “Okay, I understand now why she was so desperate to get home.”
Alistair nodded.
Alistair: “Yeah. I'd miss him too.”
Chloe looked back at the three brothers and smiled.
After everything she had been through, standing there with Cash in her arms felt like the happiest moment of her life.
Chloe was still hugging Cash when she suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her.
Mom: “Chloe…”
She froze.
Slowly, Chloe turned around.
Her mother was standing in the doorway.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Chloe's eyes filled with tears.
Chloe: “Mom…”
Her mother rushed toward her and pulled her into a tight hug.
Chloe hugged her back, finally letting all the emotions she had been holding inside come out.
Mom: “Where were you? I was so worried about you!”
Chloe: “I'm sorry, Mom…”
Her mother gently held her face between her hands, looking at her carefully.
Mom: “Are you hurt?”
Chloe shook her head.
Chloe: “I'm okay now.”
Then another familiar voice came from behind.
Dad: “My little girl…”
Chloe turned.
Her father stood there, his eyes filled with relief.
She immediately ran toward him.
Chloe: “Dad!”
He hugged her tightly.
For the first time in days, Chloe felt completely safe.
Dad: “We were so scared. We didn't know where you were.”
Chloe closed her eyes.
Chloe: “I missed you both so much.”
Her father gently patted her head.
Dad: “You're home now. That's all that matters.”
Cash barked excitedly beside them, as if he wanted to be part of the reunion too.
Chloe laughed through her tears and knelt down to hug him again.
Then she suddenly remembered something.
She turned toward the car.
Arthur, Julian, and Alistair were standing beside it, quietly giving the family their space.
Chloe smiled.
Chloe: “Mom, Dad… there's someone I want you to meet.”
Her parents looked toward the three brothers.
Arthur stepped forward politely.
Arthur: “Hello. I'm Arthur Kingsley.”
He gestured toward his brothers.
Arthur: “And these are my brothers, Julian and Alistair.”
Julian gave a friendly smile.
Julian: “Nice to meet you.”
Alistair nodded politely.
Chloe's father looked at them with curiosity.
Dad: “Kingsley?”
Arthur nodded.
Her father's expression changed slightly when he realized who they were.
Dad: “You're the sons of the Kingsley family?”
Arthur smiled.
Arthur: “Yes, sir.”
Chloe looked between them, wondering what her father was thinking.
Then her father stepped forward and warmly shook Arthur's hand.
Dad: “Thank you. Whatever I could ever do to repay you for bringing my daughter home…”
Arthur shook his head.
Arthur: “You don't have to repay us. We simply helped someone who needed help.”
Chloe smiled quietly.
For her, those three strangers had become much more than the people who had rescued her.
They had become a part of the story she would never forget.
