9-1-1 ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴏɴᴇ sʜᴏᴛs

Strong - Maddie Buckley

Bella Kendall/ Buckley - 9

Maddie Kendall sat on the edge of her bed, brushing her nine-year-old daughter Bella's hair. The rhythmic motion was soothing, a rare moment of calm in their otherwise tumultuous lives. Bella's long brown hair, so much like her own, was a constant reminder of the battles they had fought together. Bella's father, Doug, had been a nightmare—a source of fear and pain for both of them. But here, in this small, safe apartment, they had managed to carve out a semblance of normalcy.

"Mom, can we go to the park later?" Bella asked, her voice hopeful.

Maddie smiled, though the lingering worry in her heart never fully dissipated. "Sure, sweetie. After school, we can go to the park."

Bella grinned, her bright eyes lighting up. Despite everything, she was still a child, full of dreams and innocence. Maddie kissed the top of her head, hoping to shield her from the shadows of the past.

The day spiraled into chaos faster than Maddie could have ever anticipated. She was working a late shift at the call center when she received a frantic call from Chimney, her current boyfriend. The call was abruptly cut off, leaving her heart racing and her mind reeling. She knew something was wrong—terribly wrong.

Before she could process the situation, Doug appeared, his presence like a dark cloud descending upon her. He was there, in her apartment, waiting for her. He had stabbed Chimney and taken Bella. Maddie's world shattered in an instant.

"Doug, please, don't do this," Maddie pleaded, her voice shaking. But Doug's eyes were cold and unyielding.

"You think you can just leave me, Maddie? Take my daughter away from me?" he snarled, dragging her out of the apartment.

Maddie fought against him, her mind racing with thoughts of Bella. She had to protect her. She had to save her. But Doug was relentless, his grip like iron as he forced her into the car.

Maddie sat in the dark, dingy basement where Doug had taken them. Bella was curled up next to her, her small body trembling with fear. Maddie held her close, whispering reassurances even as her own heart raced with terror.

"It's going to be okay, Bels. I promise," she whispered, stroking her daughter's hair.

Doug had locked them in, his twisted mind convinced that this was the way to reclaim his family. He had always been delusional, but this was a new level of insanity. Maddie knew she had to find a way out, for both their sakes.

The dim light from the single bulb flickered ominously in the basement, casting long, wavering shadows on the damp walls. Maddie Kendall held Bella close, her heart pounding in her chest. Every creak and groan of the old house above made her jump, her mind racing with fear and desperation. She knew Doug would come down eventually, and she had to be ready.

The sound of heavy footsteps descending the stairs sent a chill down Maddie's spine. She tightened her grip on Bella, whispering, "Stay close to me, sweetie. Don't make a sound."

Doug appeared at the bottom of the stairs, his face twisted with rage. He held a bottle in one hand, sloshing its contents as he staggered forward. The stench of alcohol and sweat permeated the air, making Maddie's stomach churn.

"So, you thought you could escape, huh?" Doug snarled, his eyes wild. He took a swig from the bottle, then smashed it against the wall, the shattering glass echoing through the basement. "You think you can take my daughter away from me?"

Maddie stood her ground, shielding Bella with her body. "Doug, please, just let us go. You don't have to do this," she pleaded, her voice trembling but determined.