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A door opens behind her, and the police chief steps out, his uniform crisp as if it’s seen little action. The name on his chest catches the light. Granger.

“What is it?” he asks, already moving. “I have to get to The Cirrus.”

His hand is full of black jelly beans that he pops into his mouth a few at a time.

“Attempted kidnapping.”

Seeing me pulls him to an abrupt halt. Even his chewing stops. Then his eyes narrow. “Someone tried to get you?”

I nod, but my voice stays trapped.

He checks his watch, jaw tightening. “Alright. Come on back—”

Before he can finish, the officer from the desk is already crossing the room.

“I’ll take her statement, Chief. You deal with The Cirrus. It’s important.”

Chief Granger hesitates, his gaze flicking between me and the exit. Then he exhales with a nod.

“Officer Miller will help you.”

A reassuring pat lands on my shoulder as he passes. Then he’s out the door.

Officer Miller gestures us towards his desk, and Frank stays beside me as we walk over. His presence is the only thing keeping me upright. I sit stiffly in the chair. My fingers drift to my bottom lip, pinching it until Frank gently presses his hand against my knee.

For the first time since this whole mess began, it feels like someone is firmly on my side.

“I understand you’ve had a rough day,” Officer Miller says. “Tell me everything that happened. Any detail is helpful.”

I draw in a careful breath and begin. The words arrive in a slow trickle, then faster, tumbling over one another as I recount it all. From being taken from my home to my abductor chasing me again today.

I leave out the part about the Serpents.

Officer Miller’s pen scratches steadily across his notepad. His expression tightens only when I mention the tunnels.

“Those tunnels are off-limits,” he says. “How did you know about them?”

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. “I…”

He raises his eyebrows, refusing to move on over a detail that has nothing to do with the man who tried to take me.

“I saw the hatch when I was running in the woods,” I say, my voice brittle.

With a tight nod, he writes that down, and we continue. When he asks for a description, I try to focus, forcing my thoughts into order.

Then he sets down the pen.

“We’ll contact the county sheriff’s office for assistance when we go out to look for him. For now, go home. Stay inside. We’ll let you know if we find anything.”

The words don’t register at first. They float past me, meaningless.

“That’s it?”

He meets my eyes with a sympathy so distant it barely counts. “This is a small force, miss. That’s all we can do right now.”

My restraint snaps, and my voice rises. “Then call someone else. Get the FBI. Get anyone.”

Frank squeezes my hand gently. “Everything will be okay.” He stands and urges me to my feet. “Let’s get you home. They’ll patrol the house, I’m sure.”