Guidestar Combatants

The Taken and The Broken Hearted

Silently, she crept into the darkened house as the Sapp family slumbered peacefully. Her eyes darted around, taking in every detail of the familiar surroundings. She was fueled by a simmering rage towards Terry, a deep-seated resentment that boiled within her. Her jaw was set, her body tense with a pent-up fury. She was ready to do whatever it took to get what she wanted.

She moved with purpose, her steps light and calculated as she made her way towards the nursery. Her mind raced with the memories of all the wrongs Terry had inflicted upon her. She was done being the victim, done being pushed around and taken advantage of. It was time for payback.

Her hands trembled as she reached for the sleeping baby, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. She scooped the child into her arms, his tiny body stirring in response. She could feel his soft breaths against her skin, a reminder of the innocent life she was about to upend.

With a bag already packed and waiting, she quickly made her way out of the house and into her car. She strapped the baby into the car seat, his cries muffled by the darkness of the night. She couldn't help but smile wickedly as she pulled away from the house, leaving Terry and the Sapp family behind.

Her foot pressed harder on the gas pedal as she drove towards the state line, her heart racing with anticipation and fear. She knew she was taking a huge risk, but the thought of finally getting revenge on Terry was too intoxicating to resist.

As she crossed the border into the next state, she let out a triumphant laugh. She had done it. She had snatched the baby and gotten away with it. The thrill of the moment filled her with a sense of power and control that she had never felt before.

Meanwhile, back at the Sapp house, the family sat anxiously on the couch as the detective entered the living room. They were desperate for any news about their missing child, their hearts heavy with worry and fear. Little did they know, the culprit was already miles away, driven by a twisted sense of justice and revenge.

"We have no traces to track your son." The detective's words echoed in the empty living room, piercing Tia's heart like a sharp knife. She let out a guttural wail and crumpled into Terry's arms, the only source of comfort in this devastating moment.

Terry held her tight, his arms a safe haven for her tears and sorrow. He too, felt the weight of their loss, but he had to be strong for Tia. He had to be the rock she could cling to in this ocean of grief.

Three years had passed since that fateful day. Three long years of searching, hoping, and praying for their son's safe return. But now, the detective stood before them, his voice cold and detached as he delivered the news they feared the most. "We have ruled baby Cranston to be dead."

Tia's heart shattered into a million pieces. She had fed baby Cranston just this morning, her little boy now three years old and sitting in his booster seat at the table. She had patted his head and praised him for being a good boy as she served him a sandwich.

But now, the thought of never seeing him again, of never hearing his laughter or feeling his small arms around her neck, was unbearable. She took a bite of her sandwich, trying to numb the pain, but it only intensified with each passing moment.

As she absentmindedly scrolled through her Facebook feed, she came across Terry's last post. "They declared our son dead today. I am overwhelmed by this loss. I miss my son every day."

Tia's heart clenched at the sight of her husband's words. She wanted to scream, to rage against the injustice of it all, but all she could manage was a bitter smile.

She smiled an arrogant smile. Then she whipped young Cranston's face with a napkin, trying to hide the sadness and guilt that consumed her. She had promised herself that she would never lay a hand on her son, but the anger and frustration had taken over her. She went back to her food, trying to ignore the pit in her stomach that was growing with every passing day without her son by her side. Taking another bite of her sandwich, she couldn't help but think about the last time she saw him, how he begged her not to leave him with his father. But she had to, for the sake of her own sanity and safety.

As she turned her attention to Tia's post, she couldn't help but feel a surge of jealousy and resentment towards her friend. Tia had a loving and caring husband, a beautiful home, and their son was with them every day. She couldn't help but compare her own life to Tia's, and it only added to the turmoil within her.

Whoever has our son will pay for this. She thought to herself, her fists clenching under the table. The thought of someone else raising and taking care of her son was unbearable. She was exhausted from the constant fight to get him back, but she couldn't give up. She knew in her heart that her son was still alive, she could feel it in her soul. But the uncertainty and the constant worry were slowly eating her alive.

She closed out of the app and turned off her phone, trying to push away the negative thoughts and emotions that were consuming her. But they continued to linger, taunting and tormenting her.

"Not a chance in hell will he be back." Cali mumbled under her breath, trying to convince herself that she didn't need her son. But deep down, she knew that it was just a defense mechanism. She would do anything to have her son back, but the reality was that she had failed to protect him. And that was a thought that she couldn't bear to face.