Eric was dragged from his car and thrown into the back of a van. The masked figures who had snatched him were rough and unrelenting, ensuring that he couldn't make a break for it. The vehicle's engine roared to life, and the van sped off into the night.
The drive felt endless, with the van bouncing over uneven terrain. Eric's mind raced as he tried to assess his situation and figure out a way to escape. The van eventually pulled up to an old, decrepit building on the outskirts of town. The structure seemed to have been abandoned for years, its windows boarded up and its paint peeling away in large chunks.
The kidnappers pulled Eric out of the van and ushered him inside. The basement of the building was dark and damp, filled with the musty smell of mold and decay. Eric was shoved roughly down a narrow staircase and into the basement, where he saw Star slumped in a corner, unconscious and tied up.
Eric's heart pounded as he struggled against his restraints. The duck tape bit into his wrists, and he could feel the sting of the friction. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. His immediate concern was for Star, who remained motionless.
On campus, Shaunce paced nervously. "This doesn't sit right. Eric should have been back by now."
Tera, her eyes fixed on her phone, nodded. "We need to find out what happened. If he's in trouble, we have to do something."
Tyler, usually more relaxed, was tense. "Maybe he found a lead, but if he's missing, we need to find him."
Alejandro stepped forward with a grim determination. "If Eric's not around, I'll take over as the anchor for the 4x1 relay. It's my chance to shine."
An interviewer from the campus news station approached Alejandro. "You might as well lose hope because you know how hard Eric's been working for this," the interviewer said. "We're going to find him. It's just a matter of time."
Demetrius, who still held a grudge against Eric, agreed with Alejandro. "If Eric can't make it, Alejandro's the best option. We need to move forward."
Alejandro added, "And we're not just waiting around. If Eric's out, I'm ready to step up."
Demetrius scowled. "Exactly. We have to be practical. Eric's missing, and Alejandro's ready to replace him."
Sequoya and Antasia, both worried, tried to help. Sequoya suggested they check areas around town where Eric might be, while Isaiah used his phone to look for any recent updates or sightings.
Back at the abandoned building, Eric was left alone with Star. He scanned the room for anything that might help him escape. The basement was filled with old, broken furniture and discarded items. He tried to use one of the rusty nails to fray the tape binding his wrists, but his efforts were slow and frustrating.
The kidnappers reappeared, their faces still hidden behind masks. One of them approached Eric with a sinister grin. Eric's anxiety heightened as he prepared for whatever they had planned next.
At the police station, Detective Jordan was working tirelessly. He met with Shaunce and Tera, his expression grave. "We're doing everything possible to find Eric, but it's a complex situation. We need to stay focused."
Shaunce and Tera exchanged concerned glances. "We appreciate your efforts," Tera said. "We need to find him quickly."
Jordan's phone buzzed, and he glanced at the message with a worried frown. "I have to take this. Keep me updated with any new information."
At the campus, Caden and Tyler continued to search for clues. Caden looked frustrated. "We've been at this for too long. There has to be something we're missing."
Tyler frowned. "Maybe Eric found something we don't know about. We need to think outside the box."
Von, who had been hanging around, approached them. "Hey, do you need any help? I know Eric well. Maybe I can assist."
Caden and Tyler exchanged skeptical looks but accepted his offer. "Sure," Caden said. "Any help is welcome."
Back in the abandoned house, Eric's phone buzzed with a call from Shaunce. Despite his dire circumstances, he answered.
Shaunce's face appeared on the screen. "Eric, where are you? We've been trying to reach you!"
Eric's voice was strained. "I'm in trouble. I got taken to some abandoned house. Star's here too. They've got us tied up."
Tera's voice joined the call. "Eric, stay calm. We're doing everything we can to find you. Just hold on."
Eric nodded, trying to stay composed. "I'll do my best. I don't know how long I can keep this up."
As Eric ended the call, his captors returned, their faces still hidden. One of them locked eyes with Eric, a sinister smile forming beneath the mask. "This isn't over," they said cryptically.
Eric's heart raced as he prepared for whatever came next. Little did he know that his ordeal was far from over, and the night held more dangers than he could imagine.
