(Caroline's POV)
Jason goes pale.
I show him the text. Check on Charlie.
His hand shakes when he takes my phone. Stares at the message.
Then he's dialing. Phone pressed to his ear.
"Nate. Where are you?" A pause. "Did you drop the kids at school?" Another pause. "And you watched them go inside?" His jaw clenches. "Charlie's not in his classroom. I need you to—"
My phone buzzes again.
I look down.
Another message. This time with a photo attached.
My hands are shaking so hard I can barely open it.
The image loads.
Charlie.
Sitting in a dark room. Blindfolded. Hands zip-tied in front of him.
Tell anyone and you'll never see him again.
(Jason's POV)
For one full second, I can't breathe. Can't think. Can't do anything except stare at my son's face on that screen.
Blindfolded. Zi
