Chapter 35

Chapter 35
THE STRANGER IN THE VAN

Point of View: Luna Hart

My heart is thumping like a drum when the van door slams shut, trapping me inside. The face of a stranger looks down at me; his breath is rapid and heated, and his eyes are dark behind a black mask. I kick at him and cry, but he takes my arm and pins me to the chilly metal floor. My mother's scream pierces the atmosphere outside, and I hear Mr. Cole shouting, fighting, and then a tremendous thump. The van's engine roars as the black dog's snarl mingles with the mayhem, and we race out with tires screaming. My stomach twists so painfully. Now that everyone is aware of my secret, I am Luna Hart, the missing girl from Hart Global. Aunt Clara is the "real boss," Mia deceived me, and Lily, the lady posing as my mom's sister, planned this trap. We were saved by the dog, but now I'm by myself with this stranger.

"Give me a break!" I scream, trembling beneath his hold, my voice faltering. The key in my pocket feels like a stone, and my locket presses against my chest.

The guy growls, his voice gruff, "Silence, child." He uses a rope to bind my hands, making the knots tight and causing my skin to itch. I kick again, striking his leg, but all he does is laugh sourly.

I slip as the vehicle bounces over the road. My eyes are watery as I gaze around. There are just crates and a filthy blanket in the dark, windowless rear. The guy is observing me while perched on a crate with his rifle resting in his lap. My breath is quick and my heart is racing. When Lily showed me the photo of me as a newborn with my mother and Lily, I saw my mother's face become white. Lily was dead, according to my mom. Was she telling the truth? Or is it Lily who is lying?

"Where are we going?" I inquire in a low voice.

The man's mask conceals his face as he tilts his head. He responds, "Somewhere safe," but his tone seems off, as if he's concealing something.

I cry as I shake my head. "You're awful. Let me go!

His eyes narrow as he leans in closer. "Luna Hart, you are really valuable. Be good, otherwise your mother will suffer more.

My stomach turns around. My mother? Do they also have her? Trying not to weep, I bite my lip. Like when I rescued Mia, I must have courage. However, Mia is now among them, and her grin is cruel. My closest companion. The thought of that makes my heart ache.

The vehicle turns sharply and slows. My shoulder thuds as I roll up against a crate. The guy grabs me and hauls me to my feet. With a firm grip, he commands, "Sit still."

With trembling hands in the ropes, I nod. The rear door creaks open as the vehicle comes to a halt. Another guy is standing there with his mask off, a scruffy beard, and a skinny face. His voice is stern as he adds, "Bring her."

My feet trip on the floor as the first guy drags me out. A large structure with damaged windows looms in front of us in the darkness. The air has a dusty, oily scent. Despite my shaky legs, I stand up and look about for a route out. We are surrounded by towering, dark trees with no lights.

The floor is chilly and rough as they shove me inside. Above, a solitary lightbulb swings, creating shadows. When I hear footsteps, Lily emerges with a sweet but menacing grin and shining short hair. She kneels in front of me and says, "Luna." "You're secure now."

I raise my voice and shake my head. "My aunt is not you! "You're dead," my mother said.

Her eyes harden as her grin wanes. "Luna, your mother lied. My name is Lily. I've been looking for you.

The man's hand on my shoulder stops me as I back up. "Where is my mother?" My voice cracks as I ask.

With her fists on her hips, Lily stands. She's all right. For the time being. She remains that way if you are good.

My eyes are moist, and my stomach aches. "What are you looking for?"

Her chuckle is harsh and brief. "Luna, Hart Global. I own it. The key is you.

Confused, I shake my head. I have the key in my pocket. Or me? I don't get it. She nods to the guys as she turns. "Take her upstairs."

They drag me to a creaking stairway. The air becomes cooler as we rise, and my heart accelerates. They push me into a little room with a tiny window high up and a mattress on the floor. The door crashes and clicks to lock. I'm by myself, breathing quickly, and my hands are still bound.

I sat with my knees up and tears streaming down my face on the mattress. The photo of me, my mother, and Ms. Linda within my locket makes my heart ache, and it feels warm on my skin. The ropes are rubbing my wrists red as I twist my hands. I must leave, locate my mother, and locate Mr. Cole.

I startle as I hear a gentle scratching sound outside the window. With unsteady legs, I rise and glance up. There it is, the black dog, its eyes gleaming, its nose pushed against the glass. My heart feels better. There is no harm! With a faint whine, it scrapes once again.

I extend to the window and crawl onto the mattress. I press hard, my fingers sliding, but it's stuck. The dog lets forth a quiet but frantic bark. The glass creaks open just enough when I push it again. "Good dog," I mumble in a tremulous voice.

I use my teeth to loosen the knots in my ropes. Even though my wrists hurt, I continue. As the ropes come down, I freely massage my hands. The dog nuzzles the window with its nose as I push it further. The dog licks my face as I get out, my feet scratching the wall and landing in the grass.

I pat its head while whispering, "Shh." It is large, with velvety, black fur. My pulse is pounding as we stealthily go through the forest. Behind us, the structure is black, with no lights visible. With the dog at my side, its paws silent, I sprint.

The moon is shining as we arrive at a road. Even if my legs hurt, I continue, and the dog stays at my side. My stomach turns around when I hear an engine. I hide behind a bush as the dog lets out a deep growl. The headlights of a vehicle wash over us as it slows down. It's Mr. Cole's automobile, not the van.

He screams out, "Luna!" in a gruff but kind voice.

With my pulse pounding, I get up. "Mr. Cole!" The dog follows me as I hurry to him. His face is scratched and his shirt is ripped as he gives me a hard embrace.

"Where is your mother?" His eyes are wide as he asks.

I cry as I shake my head. "They possess her. Lily. She claims to be family.

His face becomes white. His voice is low as he replies, "Lily is dead." "We must locate your mother."

I nod and get inside the vehicle. With its tail wagging, the dog also leaps in. The route is dark, and Mr. Cole drives quickly. "How did you get out?" he wonders.

I pat the dog's head and say, "The dog." "It was beneficial."

With his gaze fixed on the road, he nods. We go to a little home tucked up among woods. He locks the door and adds, "Safe here."

There is a fire blazing and it is cozy inside. With the dog curled up next to me, I sat on a sofa. Mr. Cole calls in a quiet voice. He ends the call by saying, "Find her."

The key in my pocket is weighty as I grip my locket. "Really, who is Lily?" I inquire in a low voice.

His eyes are kind as he kneels before me. "I'm not sure. We'll stop her, however.

With my stomach still twisted, I nod. The dog raises its ears and whines. My hand trembles as I pet it. I jump when I hear a big sound outside, like a door cracking.

With a stern expression, Mr. Cole reaches for a flashlight. He opens the door and says, "Stay here."

Though my heart is pounding, I nod. The dog stands and growls. Outside, footsteps crunch and a beautiful, quiet voice beckons. "It's me, Luna."

I
t's Lily. But suddenly there was a scream coming from the woods, my mother's voice.