Chapter 48

Chapter 48 Kidnapper

CA SSANDRA

As the shopkeeper stared at us expectantly, a pit formed in my stomach. I wanted to turn down the man’s offer and was about to open my mouth to do just that, but before the words could leave my mouth, Finnick jumped excitedly.

“Yes!” he declared, and then he whipped back around to look at me. “Just one look, Mommy, pleaaaaaase?”

My son’s storm-gray eyes were as wide as the puppies’ in the window. He wasn’t normally one to beg so I was a little taken aback by his demeanor, but I was struggling to refuse his request. It wasn’t very often we were able to do something like this.

“You don’t have to take one home with you today, kind lady,” the shopkeeper addressed me gently. “You’re more than welcome to join the boy and look.”

I considered the idea for a moment and then nodded. “Thank you for your

kindness.”

I took Finnick’s hand in mine and the two of us followed the man into his shop. As we crossed the threshold, I couldn’t help but remember being here when I was young. The shop looked exactly the same, but the gentle older lady who ran it didn’t appear to be around.

The moment the doors closed behind us, the puppies in the pen began to bark.

Their hackles raised and their tails thrashed as if we were intruders instead of

visitors. Finnick stiffened beside me, a little taken aback by the sound.

“It’s okay, honey,” I whispered gently, and I squeezed Finnick’s hand.

“They’re just a little excited,” the shopkeeper explained to us when we stopped in ront of the pen. “It’s been a slow day today and they haven’t seen many people.”

I was surprised by his explanation. The main street was full of so many people. It struck me as odd that this shop hadn’t been more popular on a day like today. Had

their customer base dwindled?

Finnick tugged on my sleeve. “Mommy, can I pet them?”

“We’ll have to ask the nice man,” I answered softly, and when I turned to look at the shopkeeper, he gave me a small nod of approval. I then turned back to Finnick. “Now, you’ll have to be very gentle, okay? They’re just babies.”

“I will,” Finnick promised, and then he turned to the shopkeeper. “Thank you!”

He smiled. “Of course, young man.”

Finnick wasted no time after that and hustled right over to the pen of puppies. The little dogs swarmed toward him, and their b*dy language, shifted from guarded to ready for love. They all jumped up and began to beg for his attention.

My son giggled in delight, and my l*ps curled into a smile. I knew it was going to be hard to drag him away from all of this when the time came, but for now, he deserved to feel the joy of being a child. Life in Anemond had been so difficult lately. He deserved some happiness, if only for a moment.

A tiny brown puppy made its way into Finnick’s arms and my heart panged at the sight of them together. The animal was a fluffy little thing with big black eyes. and a wet pink tongue that licked Finnick all over.

Finnick was delighted as the puppy squirmed around in his lap. It wasn’t long before he turned to face me with a hopeful expression and it took all of my effort to keep from caving in. I simply shook my head and offered him ah apologetic glance.

“We can maybe get you some new toys from the market, but we can’t get a puppy,” I explained. “I’m sorry, honey.”

“Oh,” Finnick sighed, dejected, and suddenly, his eyes began to water. The sight of him so sad was almost enough to bring me to tears as well. I wished nothing more than to be able to get him a companion, but we couldn’t.

Moments later, the shopkeeper approached me and offered me a kind expression and a cup of steaming tea.

“It’s okay, my lady,” he a*sured me, and then he gestured to the cup. “Would you like a cup of chamomile? It’s awfully cold out there.”

“Thank you,” I said gratefully, and I accepted the cup. “That’s very kind of you to

offer.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” he replied.

I didn’t think anything of it, but when I raised the cup to my l*ps, the steam reached my nose, and the smell of the tea caught me off guard. It smelled strange, nothing like chamomile.

I frowned and lowered the cup. Something wasn’t right, I could feel it in my bones.

Suddenly, a figure appeared out of nowhere and rushed toward my son. Before I could react, the young woman grabbed him and glared at me. Her light brown eyes

were full of malice and she laughed cruelly as Finnick tried to break free from her

–

hold. That laugh only grew louder as he screamed.

“Finnick!” I cried out, and I started to rush to him, but I was stopped when the shopkeeper stepped in front of me.

“You’ve certainly changed, haven’t you?” he said cryptically as his l*ps curled into a mean smile. “Emmett Keller sure did help with that, didn’t he?”

My eyes widened as his words sank in.

This man knew Emmett?

I knew at once from his cruel gaze that this man wasn’t the shopkeeper and that Finnick wasn’t his true target.

I was.

“What do you want?” I pleaded. “I’ll do anything, just let my son go.”

“I know who you really are,” the man sneered and he leaned in closer. “And if you don’t come with me, your son will pay for it. Someone wishes to see you-”

“Who?” I interrupted, but the man’s eyes narrowed.

“You’ll know that soon enough,” he retorted. “Now, what’s it going to be?”

“I’ll come with you,” I blurted out, fully knowing there wasn’t any other choice. “But please, let my son go. Please.”

hair.

The man stared at me for a moment and then ran his hand through his black

“Fine,” he replied, and then he signaled at the young woman. “Let the child go.”

The woman released her hold and Finnick rushed to me with impressive speed.

“Mommy!” Finnick exclaimed as he ran right into me.

“It’s okay, baby,” I tried to soothe him as he began to cry. “Shhh.”

Finnick’s b*dy wracked with s obs and I held him close. This was a nightmare, the kind that only Anemond could provide.

“Don’t try to play any kind of tricks,” the man advised with a shake of his head. “They won’t go over well. Just follow me.”

I nodded my head and then took Finnick’s hand. I didn’t want to comply, but I

had no choice.

We followed the man toward the back door of the shop, and once we got closer, I caught sight of an old woman- the real shopkeeper from my memory- tied up with rope in the corner. Her mouth was taped closed and she thrashed as her eyes widened in my direction. Beyond us, the puppies barked again, and my mind was overwhelmed by everything.

As the man opened the door, I knew I couldn’t follow.

I had to fight.

So, I picked Finnick up, and once he was secured against me, I lunged, kicked the man as hard as I could, and then rushed out the door as he bellowed.

“Come back!” he screamed as I ran.