The day started off very sunny, the bright sunshine lending the atmosphere a happy and alive look that belied the tragedy that would later unfold that day. Noah Hunter did not really like the weather, because it was so hot that it made him very uncomfortable. It seemed the twins didn’t like the hotness of the weather either, because they were really fussy today, and were frustrating the hell out of Noah. He felt guilty thinking of it that way, but it was what it was. His wife had left him in charge of them and had gone to get some groceries. Usually, he enjoyed playing with them and taking care of them on the few occasions that he had to babysit them alone, but today, he had this headache from the pit of hell, so he wasn’t finding their constant fussing funny in the least bit. “Tyler, stop that! Stop pulling your sister’s hair.” He ordered as the mischievous little boy pulled at a lock on his sister’s head, causing her to burst out crying, and increasing Noah’s headache tenfold. “Pap

“I’ve really messed up big time. Heaven help me if I get out of this alive.”The room was pitch black since it was night already and there was no source of illumination in it whatsoever. If anything, it was nights like this that she hated the most, even more than her captivity.“Please, God, help me. I promise I’ll never be so stupid again.” Sandra prayed aloud. The last time she had prayed was when she was a kid, but she was willing to do anything right now, cry grovel, roll on the ground if need be, and even sacrifice herself if it meant her son would be free. But no, she had brought them into this mess, and it was looking like there was never going to be a way out for either of them.“Mommy?” Alex whispered in the dark. He had quickly learned that it was safer to whisper, as his father did not like them talking.“Yes, honey?” Sandra whispered back, drawing him closer to her and cradling his head against her chest, her heavy heart aching.“Alex scared.”“I know, honey, but don’t wor

Sam had gone on his usual drinking and drug usage craze, refusing to take his meds, no matter how much Sandra pleaded. Now, he was home and was clearly not himself. She could count on her fingers the number of times that he was sober. Their finances were running very low because all Sam cared about nowadays was his booze and being high. Since she wasn’t on good terms with her parents, she had had to turn to Sam's parents for help feeding Amy and herself, but Sam had run through that money too, so she had no choice but to turn to Dan for financial help, even though she was embarrassed that he now knew things were not as rosy as she portrayed them to be. As always, Dan came through for her, and this time around, she was wise and experienced enough not to let Sam know about the money that her brother gave her. Somehow, Sam continued to get his supply of booze and drugs, but now, he was more hot-tempered than ever. Sandra also got two jobs so she wouldn’t have to turn herself into a begg

It was the wee hours of the morning, the time when sleep was sweetest. Becca had to get up in a few hours and prepare to go to the school where she taught, so she was making the most of the remaining time, which was why when someone knocked on her door at that time of the morning, she ignored the sound, sure that she must be dreaming or something. She had slept late, owing to Emma’s fussing, not that Becca could blame her. The child was teething, and Becca had tried all sorts of things to relieve her, all to no avail. The knock came again, and this time, Becca groaned, squinting in the dark, but still not getting up from her bed. It was when the knock came the third time that she sat bolt upright on her bed, eyes wide open in the dark. Who could be knocking on her door so early in the morning? Dan was going to be at the hospital all night long, and even for a better part of the morning, but even if he was the one at the door, he would not knock. He would just let himself in with a key

“I don’t get why I have to go to a stupid summer camp!” Emma exclaimed angrily, folding her arms over her small chest and frowning at her adorable face, a face which was the smaller, female version of Ryan's. She stamped one leg on the floor to further show just how angry she was and how stupid she thought camp was, but when she saw that her mother wasn’t giving her the time of the day, she dropped her hands and adopted a pleading look.“But none of my friends are going to be there, mom. Why do I have to go? I'm not going to like it at all!”“You don't know that, Emma. A lot of kids wish to go, but can't because their parents can't afford to send them there. I should know because my grandma and grandpa had to save up so I could go. What do you mean none of your friends are going to be there, anyway?”“I asked all of them!”“Stop yelling, Emma. Alex is going too, and he is your best friend.” Becca said.“He’s not my best friend anymore. Yesterday, he went to the park with Dan and did n