When a server is nasty to Heather, Matt, 7, is quick to protect her. Heather’s world is turned upside down the next day when Matt vanishes. Her sole hint is a threatening message in Matt’s bedroom.”That’s…incredible!” Heather locked her gaze on Mr. Murphy, her family lawyer, who was sitting across from her and her son, Matt, in a noisy café. He’d just told Heather that her grandma had bequeathed her $400,000 in her will.

“You can sign the paperwork once you’re ready to claim the money,” Mr. Murphy added. While Heather was digesting this information, Matt inadvertently dropped his glass. Cola splattered on Kyle when the waiter wiped their table, seeping into his white shirt . “Hey, watch it, kid!” Kyle recoiled in revulsion. “Oops! “I’m so sorry, sir,” Matt apologized instantly.”Your sorry won’t wash my shirt.” Kyle exploded. The dispute stunned Heather and Mr. Murphy. Heather tried to calm Matt down and apologize to the waiter, but he became further enraged.

“Can’t you keep your freaking kid under control?” That’s some A-plus parenting!” Kyle cynically clapped slowly. “What a wonderful mother!” “Don’t you dare to talk to my Mom like that!” Matt was not going to allow some random stranger trash his mother. He grabbed the small porcelain vase in the middle of the table and threw it at the man. “Your kid is completely out of control!” Kyle’s palm deflected the flying vase, causing it to shatter on the floor.

“I’LL MAKE SURE HE LEARNS SOME MANNERS! “Kyle, that’s enough!” The café manager came up to their table. “You can’t speak to your customers like that.”Kyle stormed away, daggers drawn at the small boy. To make amends for the error, the manager apologized to Heather and her kid and offered them complementary refreshments. Heather figured she’d never see the pompous waiter again after the party ate lunch.Heather went to Matt’s room the next morning to summon him for breakfast, but he wasn’t there.

She looked everywhere until she found the note on Matt’s rumpled bed. Heather’s gut constricted as she read the terrifying words: “We’ve got your son.” Remember how we promised to teach him proper manners? If you want him back, put $400,000 in the yellow garbage can outside the City Park gate at 5 p.m. tomorrow. Don’t even consider going to the cops. Or you’ll never see your son again!”

Heather gathered her strength and drove to the local police station, shaken to the core. She received a message from an unknown number as she rushed to the entryway.”We warned you not to call the cops. This is your final opportunity. Matty, one more mistake and you’re out.” Heather’s gaze wandered from person to person, but she couldn’t tell who was staring at her. Heather dashed to her vehicle. She attempted to phone the number, but neither calls nor messages were received.

Desperate to find Matt, she confronted the waiter and drove straight to the café.Kyle had been fired for his nasty behavior the day before, according to the management. Heather persuaded him to give her Kyle’s address by insisting on apologizing to the waiter. A weird feeling overcame her as she neared the waiter’s residence half an hour later. The front porch was covered in sand, and the yard was overgrown. Heather knocked on the door, but no one answered.

Heather turned the knob. The door unexpectedly flung open. Heather summoned her bravery and entered Kyle’s home. Heather’s nerves were pricked when she noticed a broken porcelain vase at the doorway. She quickly learned that the entire house was in disarray, and there was nothing here to direct her to Matt.Heather knocked on the neighbor’s door, hoping to uncover a hint — any clue — to her son’s location. Doris, Kyle’s older neighbor, responded a few moments later.

“I apologize for bothering you. I was wondering whether you knew the guy that lived there. Kyle?” Heather indicated Kyle’s residence. “I was hoping to see him. But he isn’t at home. “Can you tell me where he is?””He left very early this morning, dear,” Doris explained. “It was odd…Kyle, I believe, was inebriated because the man accompanying him had to almost lift him into his car. They then drove away.”

Heather became suspicious. “Do you recall how this guy appeared? Or anything about the automobile?” Doris paused for a moment to reflect. “No, my dear. Because it was still dark outside, I couldn’t see him clearly. The vehicle was a large, black SUV.” Heather’s thoughts kept reliving the older neighbor’s statements, and nothing made sense. Heather gave up playing detective as time passed. She took the car to her lawyer’s office.

“I want to claim my inheritance, Mr. Murphy,” she explained as she walked into his office. “And I need the money transferred to my account right away…what happened?” Heather became concerned when she noticed a bruise on the lawyer’s lips. “Some hooligans tried to mug me, but I escaped,” Murphy explained. “I’ll get the papers ready for you!” Heather gave a nod. She thanked Mr. Murphy and grabbed her handbag after signing the paperwork.

A black SUV pulled up outside the lawyer’s office just as she was ready to depart. Heather went very still. “Mr. Murphy, the tank is completely full!” Mr. Murphy’s aide handed the keys to the lawyer. Mr. Murphy’s lips have a bruise that looks like he was punched. And now this black vehicle…Is it merely a coincidence, or…? Heather was deep in concentration when Mr. Murphy abruptly spoke from behind her, startling her.

“Dear Miss Heather…”Are you okay?” the lawyer inquired. “I…er…yeah, I’m fine, Mr. Murphy,” Heather mumbled. “Can I please have some water?” Heather began putting the puzzle together while Mr. Murphy went to bring her water. She tossed her GPS-enabled fitness band into the inside pocket of Mr. Murphy’s coat, which was hanging on the coat stand.Heather received a phone call the next morning informing her that the monies had been sent to her bank account.

She barely had nine hours to meet the kidnappers’ demands. Heather arrived in City Park that evening and dropped the duffel bag with the $400,000 into the entrance’s lone yellow garbage. Heather dashed back to her vehicle. She checked her GPS tracking app after a short journey. Mr. Murphy was walking towards the City Park’s entrance, much to her surprise. Heather returned her gaze. When she noticed Mr. Murphy’s automobile drive away from the park, she followed him quietly. He drove Heather through the woods on a secluded highway.

Heather was forced to continue on foot as he abruptly turned into a remote road leading deeper into the wilderness. She eventually came to a halt in front of an abandoned cabin. Heather approached the shack and gazed through the smashed glass windows, her anxious eyes exploring the dark corners. She crept into the house. When she realized she wasn’t alone, shivers rushed down her spine.

“LOOKING FOR SOMEONE?!” From behind, a cold, frightening voice that seemed all too familiar spoke. Heather was about to go when she felt a severe knock to the head and fainted.Heather’s head ached as she opened her eyes slowly. The first thing she noticed were Matt and Kyle bound to a wooden pillar across from her. “MATT? Oh my God…Are you okay?” She screamed and tried to reach her son, but she was restrained by handcuffs to a chair.

“What an idiot you are, Heather!” Mr. Murphy appeared in the cellar, holding a revolver and a menacing smirk on his face. “Did you think I didn’t notice you were watching me? I was going to finish them both and frame a “missing” Kyle for Matt’s murder…now you’re forcing me to waste another bullet!” Heather was pointed at by the lawyer, who brandished a pistol.”The money in that duffel bag is fake!” Heather sobbed.

“What?!” Mr. Murphy’s eyes widened in surprise. He investigated Heather’s duffle bag and discovered she had misled him with phony money. “Where is the real cash?” Your son’s fate is now in my hands.” Mr. Murphy approached Matt, who was afraid, and freed him. “You’ll have to pay the price for betraying me.” “Please have mercy. He’s only a child. Please…” Heather sobbed. “All of the real money is in the bank.” I dropped everything off before heading to the park.”

“You are going to sign a power of attorney granting me sole custody of your inheritance money.” Mr. Murphy fixed his gaze on Heather. “I’m going to fetch the papers with your son, so don’t do anything to provoke me to do something bad to your little boy…””Hey, do you happen to have a hairpin?” Kyle inquired after Mr. Murphy had departed with Matt. “Yeah, I do!” Heather responded.”Try getting closer so I can grab it.” “I have a plan,” Kyle insisted.

Heather began to move herself and the chair towards Kyle. She had no choice but to believe the stranger. “You really thought I was the bad guy, didn’t you?” Meanwhile, Kyle stated. “In some ways, you were correct! Prior to becoming a waiter, I used to pick locks. I was already having the worst day of my life when I had that outburst with your child. Of course, till this circumstance. Anyway, I’ve got a plan. Look the other direction and try not to move…”

Kyle’s mouth took the hairpin from Heather’s hair. He eventually liberated both of them after an exhaustive effort. They exchanged glances, and the gravity of the situation became clear. They could finally flee, but Mr. Murphy was still imprisoning Matt. They had to stay behind and confront the kidnapper directly.They heard Mr. Murphy return and took their places an hour later. Kyle pounced on him when the cellar door opened. Heather was raising the pipe in her hands when she heard a loud crash.

Kyle had been shot in the leg by Mr. Murphy!Heather delivered a powerful blow to Mr. Murphy’s skull, sending him stumbling to the floor. “He’s passed out…hurry…we need to leave,” Kyle exclaimed. Heather tore her scarf and wrapped it around Kyle’s wound ripped stem the flow before turning to Mr. Murphy. She cursed at him while handcuffing the lawyer to the stairwell railing and dialing 911.

“Mommy!” As she exited the cabin, Matt dashed toward her and threw himself into her arms. Heather burst into tears as she hugged her small kid, relieved to see him alive. After about a half-hour, the police encircled the cabin and apprehended Mr. Murphy.Heather went to see Kyle in the hospital the next day. She walked into his ward with a bouquet of white lilies, and he was surprised to see her.”Our first encounter in the café was a disaster. The second time we met, it was even worse!”

Kyle smiled, attempting to lighten the mood. “I want to correct that!” Can we meet for the first time again after I get out of here? Have you been to the new beach restaurant…?” Heather surprised Kyle by responding with a hug! “It’s a date!” says the woman. Heather laughed. “I would have brought it up myself if you hadn’t suggested it!” And, by the way…thank you. “Thank you for saving us!”Share your thoughts on this story with us and your friends.

It might inspire them and make their day brighter. If you liked this one, you might like this one about a mother who adopts a baby and the next morning discovers two more similar boys in his crib, along with a note warning that the children are in grave danger.