Back in Bayport, Laura, Callie, and Iola decided it was time to tell Ben and Margaret where Charlotte was. Margaret had questioned it while Ben started to tell something was wrong. They all gathered in the living room.
"Is Charlotte going to join us?" Margaret asked.
"Honey, we brought you here to talk about Charlotte," Iola said.
" Charlotte was kidnapped and we don't know where she is or if she's safe." Callie said.
"Why did they take her?" Margaret cried.
" Is she coming back, grandma?" Ben asked.
"We just have to pray." Laura said in tears.
XXXXXXXXXXX
When Charlotte woke up, she saw they once again were surrounded by trees. She turned to see Patricia next to her, but no Tonio.
"Where are we?"
"A couple miles passed Oregon," Patricia replied.
" Oh,"
"I know you want to go home, but don't be scared. I promise I won't hurt you. I always wanted a little girl."
"Are you and Tonio married?"
" Yes, we were actually going to have a baby," she started.
"What happened?"
"We lost her. It was two weeks before the due date. She was going to be named Gianna. Tonio wasn't the same after it. That's how we got here today."
"I'm sorry. Is he going to kill me?" Charlotte asked.
"I won't let him. You are like what my Gianna would've looked like."
Tonio got back in the car and drove down a trail. Five minutes later, they were deep in the woods with a medium sized cabin. Charlotte was then taken to a bedroom and locked inside.
In ways, she was a lot like her father and uncle. Immediately, she found different ways of escape. She brushed her finger against the Bobby pin in her pocket and then shivered as a draft blew through the window. Although Tonio had a gun, she felt safe knowing Patricia would keep her safe.
Outside the door, she heard Tonio talking on his cell phone. She pressed her ear up to the cold door.
" I want $120,000, or you'll never see your daughter again!" he said.
He was talking to her dad. Her eyes widened with an idea.
"Daddy! We're not in Oregon!" she yelled.
Antonio threw the door open and held the phone up to her ear. In the other hand was a knife.
" Daddy? "
" Charlotte! Are you alright?" her father said breathlessly.
" I'm okay. I'm scared."she said shaking.
"I know, we're coming. I love you." he said sounding like he was crying.
"I love you! Please come find me!" she said hysterically.
He hung up the phone and left her alone.
The sun had finally set and Charlotte lied down. During the night, she shivered ferociously. Patricia walked in the room and got in bed with her.
"I know you're cold. I'm so sorry." she whispered.
"My teeth w-won't stop ch-chattering." Charlotte said.
"I know, just close your eyes."
XXXXXXXXXXXX
In River Heights, Nancy Drew was at the police station helping to trace the call from Frank's phone. When she found the trace, she phoned Frank.
" Hello?" Frank muttered.
"They are about three miles passed Oregon. Somewhere in the forest. Look for a cabin."
"Thank you, Nancy." he said.
"Go find your girl. Good luck." she replied.
"Three miles passed Oregon. Look for a cabin." Frank commanded.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next morning marked three days of being kidnapped. Charlotte woke up and felt sick. Patricia walked in and noticed Charlotte. She placed a hand on her paper white cheek and almost flinched at how cold Charlotte was.
"I feel sick," she muttered, her lips turning a slight purple.
"I know, I'll get you some water."
She came back with some water, but Charlotte couldn't keep it down. Patricia rubbed her forehead and even wrapped her in an additional blanket. She wasn't getting better.
Suddenly, she threw up and her lips got even more dark. Patricia quickly ran and got Tonio. He looked at Charlotte and sighed.
"There's an insulated little warehouse just down the road. Take her there,"
Patricia carried the weak girl to the warehouse and shut the door whispering, "I'm sorry."
