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nighttime terrors. “I’ve saved some pot roast for you. Hungry?”
    She had eaten before her drive up, but she was always up for Mom’s home-cooked meals. “Sure, Mom. That’d be great.”
    “Pam, Skyla’s probably tired from her day at work and the hour-long drive up here. Maybe she wants to rest first.” Her father followed them to the kitchen with her overnight bag.
    “It’s okay, Daddy. I want some food, and I need to talk to you both.”
    There was a strange pause between her parents. Was that a flash of alarm she saw in her dad’s eyes? But before she could think more of it, her dad had disappeared into the dim hallway, taking her bag to her room upstairs.
    “Mom, is Daddy okay?”
    Her mom was pulling plates and cutlery out from the cupboard. “Of course. Why do you ask, honey?”
    “Nothing. I’m probably tired, but I thought I saw Daddy frowning just now.”
    “Oh, you know your dad. Always busy with his work, even though he should be retired by now. He’s probably thinking about his cases at the firm.” Her mom didn’t seem to think anything of it and pulled out the pot roast and vegetables from the oven.
    “Hmm. Okay.” Skyla sat down by the breakfast counter and greedily inhaled the aroma of the delicious food. “Mom, it smells really good. I think I’m starving.”
    Her mom chuckled. “I knew you would be. You’ve always had a good appetite.” After setting down a plate of warm, juicy pot roast with steamed cauliflower and string beans in front of her, her mom turned slightly toward the doorway. “Tom, would you like a plate too?”
    “No, thank you, dear.” Her father emerged from the dark hallway into the kitchen and pulled out the stool next to her. He sat down and gave her a peck on her cheek.
    “Sweetie, how’s work?”
    “Work’s fine, Daddy. Knox and Vivi said hello to you and Mom.” She lifted a forkful of pot roast, breathing in the rich aroma before putting it into her watering mouth. The beef instantly melted like butter. “Hmm, Mom. I miss your food.”
    Smiling, her mom poured a glass of scotch for her dad and started cleaning up the stove and oven.
    For a few minutes, it felt like the old days when Skyla was still living at home. The harmonious silence was comforting and familiar. She had questions for her parents but did not want to disturb the comfortable, familial peace they were sharing now. It could wait until the morning, she told herself.
    After polishing off her plate, she chitchatted with her parents a little before kissing them both good night and heading up to her room. It had been a long day, and now that her adrenaline was leveling off, her body felt like it had been run over by a four-by-four. Definitely time for bed. She was about to change into her tank top and shorts when she felt a pinch at the back of her neck. Her last conscious thought was, “Shit. Mom, Dad.” Then all the lights went out.
     

Chapter Seven
    Furiously yanking on the ropes tying her wrists behind the back of the chair and binding her ankles against its legs, Skyla scowled at the man. “Who are you? What did you do with my parents?” She knew instinctively that he was the same man she had encountered in the bank vault.
    He did not reply but only stared at her with such intensity that she couldn’t help but feel uneasy—on top of being pissed off big time. Not that she worried about him hurting her. She knew he would not. How did she know that? No idea. She just did. But she was worried about her parents. Did they hear anything? Had they seen him taking her? Did he hurt them just to make sure he could get away with her without sounding any alarm?
    She took a quick look at her surroundings. Judging from the antiquated setting of the room, she would not be surprised if the man had taken her back in time. Before she could finish her survey, the man’s deep baritone voice drew her attention back to him. “I mean you no harm.” He sounded almost apologetic. She would’ve