Delivery Driver Ryan Saw a Terrified Boy Hiding Behind Packages — Then an Older Woman Looked at the Child and Screamed His Name
Chapter 2 — “Don’t Let Him Leave”
Margaret dropped to her knees.
The little boy ran toward her.
She wrapped both arms around him.
“Oh my God.”
Ryan looked at Derek’s closed door.
“Do you know him?”
Margaret didn’t answer immediately.
She was checking Noah’s face.
His arms.
His shoulders.
His hands.
Making sure he was real.
Then she looked at Ryan.
“This is my grandson.”
Ryan felt something cold move through his chest.
“Your grandson?”
Margaret nodded rapidly.
“He disappeared three days ago.”
Ryan stared at Apartment 7D.
“From here?”
“No.”
Margaret’s voice broke.
“From another part of the city.”
Ryan looked back at Noah.
The boy clung to Margaret’s sweater.
“Call the police.”
Margaret was already reaching for her phone.
Ryan pointed toward the stairwell.
“I’ll stay here.”
Margaret grabbed his arm.
“No.”
Ryan looked down.
Her eyes were terrified.
“Don’t let that man leave.”
Ryan glanced toward Derek’s door again.
“Was he involved?”
Margaret swallowed.
“I don’t know.”
Then Noah finally spoke.
Very quietly.
“He said Grandma stopped looking.”
Margaret covered her mouth.
Ryan’s entire body went rigid.
Before he could ask another question, the elevator bell sounded.
The doors opened.
Derek stepped out of the stairwell behind them.
He was holding a duffel bag.
Ryan turned.
Derek stopped.
The friendly smile was gone.
“Move.”
Ryan didn’t.
Margaret pulled Noah behind her.
“Where did you get my grandson?”
Derek looked at her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Noah began shaking.
Derek looked at him.
“Noah.”
The child buried his face against Margaret.
That one word changed everything.
Derek knew his name.
Ryan stepped between Derek and the elevator.
“You should probably stay.”
Derek laughed once.
“You think you’re a cop?”
“No.”
Ryan raised his scanner.
“But the cops are coming.”
For the first time, Derek looked nervous.
Then he ran.
