Page 69 of Abandoned

Will closed his Bible and set it on the coffee table in his living room. After a quick dinner of fried chicken that one of the guys had brought, the group of eight guys had studied the second chapter of the book of James. It was time to share prayer requests and pray for one another. It wasn’t Will’s favorite part of study. He loved praying, but out loud in front of the other guys wasn’t his favorite method. He would spend time praying for each of these guys this week, but it always felt awkward to be put on the spot to pray for the guy next to you.

They went around one by one and shared updates about their lives. When it was Will’s turn, he asked for prayer for Zara and that the detectives would be able to catch whoever was harassing and attacking her. He kept the details sketchy about the attack. The guys didn’t need to know about the bathroom, only that someone had broken in and scared her.

Logan leaned back against the couch with his hands folded on his stomach. “And tell them how it’s going with Zara.”

Heat rushed to Will’s face. His best friend was relentless. “Things are going well between us. Getting serious, even.”

Logan laughed.

Before the other guys had arrived, Will had told Logan about the twisty-tie ring.

Will turned the attention from himself. “How about you, Logan? How can we pray for you?”

His friend stiffened. “Nothing really. Life is life.”

Will had also told Logan that Zara was going to move in with AJ. That news hadn’t been received as well. Logan had gotten quiet before asking in a tense voice, “Why would she do that?”

“Zara or AJ?”

“I don’t know.” Logan had then left the room without another word.

Will knew how to pray for Logan, even if Logan didn’t know what he needed prayer for.

The leader of their group directed them to prayer.

When the second guy started praying, Will’s phone vibrated where it sat on the table next to his Bible. He opened his eyes.

The police station?

Will whacked Logan’s leg and pointed at the phone.

Logan mouthed, Answer it.

Will grabbed the phone and disappeared through the den and into the kitchen before answering.

“Will Cooper.”

“Hey, Will. It’s Keith. A call just came in for a kidnapping at the Walmart closest to your house.” Keith paused.

“So why are you calling me?”

“Will, the plates of the kidnapped woman came back as Zara’s. Description of the woman fits too.”

Will caught himself on the counter as the room began to spin.

“I’m going to head over and personally oversee this one. I’ll see you there.”

“Thanks, Keith.” He could barely get the words out.

They hung up, and Will looked up at Logan who had entered the room.

“Zara. She’s been kidnapped.” Will couldn’t breathe.

Logan’s fist clenched. “Where?”

“From Walmart.”

Logan grabbed his helmet and keys from the little kitchen table. “I’ll find her.”