Finding Hannah by John R. Kess Page B

asked.
    “No,” Blake said.
    “Why not?” Gina asked.
    “It’s been what, a month?” Blake said. “No leads, no suspects. Most kidnappings end like this. I really hope she’s alive, but it doesn’t look good.”
    “He’s right,” Luke said. “The majority of victims are never heard from again. Even if they catch the guy, the odds of her being alive are slim.”
    I put my head down and thought about Hannah. I pictured her standing at the stairs laughing before she went to bed the night she was taken. Anger swelled up inside me.
    “I hope she’s dead,” Jake said.
    I popped my head back up.
    “What did you say?” Blake asked.
    “If what you say is true—no leads, no suspects, and they aren’t going to be able to find her—it would be better if she’s dead.”
    “What? Are you serious?” Erin asked.
    “I am,” Jake said.
    “Okay, Hannibal Lecter,” Luke said.
    “No, I’m serious, and you know why. You’re all thinking it. You just won’t say it.”
    “Say what?” Blake said.
    “If she’s still alive, what is he doing to her?”
    “You mean like forcing her to listen to polka music?” Luke asked.
    “Oh, that’s real mature,” Gina said.
    “Oh, and hoping she’s dead is better?” Luke replied.
    “No,” Jake said, sounding angry. “Put the pieces together. The guy targeted Hannah. It wasn’t some random abduction. He knew enough to know where she slept. He wanted her alive and was willing to risk breaking into her house. I mean, he broke into a cop’s house! The house had other people in it at the time. Now that’s determination. Then you have to ask, why did he want her? What was he planning to do with her? Hannah is really hot. You think he wanted a partner for board games? Is that what you think? None of you are willing to say it, but you all know why he took her. If she’s alive, I can’t imagine the hell she’s going through right now.”
    An uncomfortable silence fell over the group like a midnight fog.
    I put my head down in my hands as a tear rolled down my cheek.
    Molly put her arm around my shoulders and gave me a hug. “Don’t listen to him, Dylan,” she whispered.
    “We have to leave,” I whispered as more tears flowed. I crawled for a little while, then stood and walked away.
    “Even if what you say is true,” Blake said in the distance, “I hope she’s still alive. I hope she holds on and comes home. The sooner the better.”
    I wiped my eyes and heard Molly walking just behind me as we moved far from the group toward our campsite.
    I remembered Amy telling me the man had a gun. I remembered feeling the grip of my bat as I got to the top of the stairs and the shock of finding Hannah’s room empty. Again I saw the open front door and heard Hannah’s scream.
    I stopped moving through the trees and Molly’s hand found my back. Both of my hands covered my eyes as I lost the battle to hold back my tears.
    Molly put her arms around me.
    “Why?” I said. “Why didn’t I wake up? Why didn’t I hear him? Why didn’t I do anything?”
    “You didn’t know,” Molly said, as she held me.
    “I’m sorry, Molly.”
    “Don’t say that. You have nothing to be sorry about.”
    “I’m sorry you know me.”
    “Dylan, don’t say—.”
    “I’m going to kill him. I’m going to find him and I’m going to kill him.”
    “Shhh. Don’t say that.”
    “I know what happened. I’m sure of it. He pointed his gun at Hannah and told her he’d kill Amy and me if she didn’t stay quiet. I’m sure that’s what he did. That’s why Hannah didn’t scream. I want him dead. You shouldn’t be around me.”
    “I’m not going anywhere.” Molly squeezed me in her arms.
    “I failed her. I failed her, Molly. It’s that simple.”
    “You’re not a failure. Far from it. Hannah is lucky to have a brother like you.”
    I cried like I was five years old. Molly wrapped her arms around me as weeks of bottled-up pain poured out.

Chapter 5
    Molly and I spent the next