𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 ◇ 𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐄𝐃

₱

The night was quiet, too quiet. Elena and Amara were sitting on the back porch of Kelly and Dorn's place, sipping on sodas and chatting about the chaotic events that had transpired recently.

"I still can't believe everything that's happening," Elena said, shaking her head. "It's like we're living in a movie."

Amara nodded, her eyes scanning the dark surroundings. "Yeah, but it's real. And that makes it ten times scarier."

Suddenly, a rustling noise came from the bushes nearby. Both women turned their heads, eyes wide with alarm. Before they could react, several masked men emerged from the shadows, guns drawn.

"Don't make a sound," one of the men hissed, grabbing Amara by the arm.

Elena tried to scream, but a rough hand clamped over her mouth. The men moved quickly and efficiently, dragging the two women away from the house and towards a waiting van.

Amara struggled, kicking out at her captors. "Let us go!" she yelled, her voice filled with defiance.

"Shut up!" one of the men barked, backhanding her across the face. "You're only making this harder on yourself."

Elena's eyes filled with tears as she watched Amara being hit. She wanted to fight back, but the fear paralyzed her. The men forced them into the van, slamming the doors shut and speeding off into the night.

---

Back at the house, Njeri was restless. She couldn't sleep, her mind racing with thoughts of Armando and the recent revelations. She decided to check on her friends and headed towards the back porch.

As she stepped outside, the eerie silence made her skin crawl. "Elena? Amara?" she called out, but there was no response.

Panic set in as she scanned the empty porch. "Guys, where are you?" she shouted, her voice trembling.

She ran back inside, bursting into the living room where Dorn, Kelly, Rafe, and Armando were huddled over a map. "They're gone! Elena and Amara are gone!" she cried.

Armando's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean, gone?"

Njeri's voice shook as she explained. "I went to check on them, and they're not there. I think someone took them."

Rafe cursed under his breath, grabbing his gun. "We need to find them, now."

Dorn quickly hacked into the security cameras surrounding the house, scanning the footage for any clues. "I've got something," he said, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "A van. It was parked a few blocks away. They must have taken them."

Kelly's face paled. "We need to move fast. Who knows what they'll do to them."

Armando's jaw clenched as he looked at Njeri. "Stay here and stay safe. We'll bring them back."

Njeri grabbed his arm, her eyes pleading. "Please, be careful."

Armando nodded, his expression determined. "We will."

The team quickly geared up, their faces set with grim resolve. As they piled into their cars, Njeri watched them drive off, praying that they would find her friends in time. The night had taken a dark turn, and the stakes had never been higher.