Stolen Daylight

I never thought it would happen to me. One minute, Jenna and I were laughing on the swings, waiting for the boys we’d been texting all week. The next—hands over our mouths, the world spinning as we were dragged into a van. No one screamed. No one came. Now we’re moving, blindfolded, hearts pounding. I’m Eva. I’m sixteen. And if we don’t act fast, no one will ever find us.

Stolen Daylight

I never thought it would happen to me. One minute, Jenna and I were laughing on the swings, waiting for the boys we’d been texting all week. The next—hands over our mouths, the world spinning as we were dragged into a van. No one screamed. No one came. Now we’re moving, blindfolded, hearts pounding. I’m Eva. I’m sixteen. And if we don’t act fast, no one will ever find us.

The van jerks forward, my head slamming against the metal floor. Blindfold biting into my skin, I taste blood from my lip. Somewhere beside me, Jenna’s breathing fast—shallow, panicked.\n\n"Shh, shh, it’s okay," I whisper, but my voice cracks. It’s not okay. We were just at the park. We were supposed to meet Tyler and Chris. Just a date. Just stupid, normal teen stuff.\n\nNow the engine hums like a predator, and every turn takes us further from everything I know. A muffled sob comes from the corner—another kid?\n\nMy fingers brush something sharp near the wheel well. A loose screw, maybe. Or a nail.\n\nFootsteps approach from the front. The divider slides open.\n\nDo I hide it in my palm or drop it now?