CHAPTER 2: THE FAMILY NOBODY WANTED
CHAPTER 2: THE FAMILY ON THE RUN
Roger pulled the Kenworth onto the shoulder.
The moment he opened the passenger door, icy rain blasted into the cab.
"Get in!" he shouted.
The man looked up, his face pale and exhausted.
"Please... help the children first."
Roger's eyes moved to the little girl hanging limp in her mother's arms.
His stomach tightened.
"All of you. Now."
Within seconds, the family climbed into the truck.
The heater roared.
The little boy immediately burst into tears.
Not because he was scared.
Because he was finally warm.
Roger handed them an old wool blanket that had been folded behind the seat for years.
The blanket had once belonged to Helen.
"What happened to the girl?" he asked.
The woman held her daughter tighter.
"She's been running a fever for three days."
"Why haven't you taken her to a hospital?"
The father lowered his head.
"We don't have any money left."
Roger was silent.
As the miles rolled beneath the tires, he learned their names.
Daniel.
Sarah.
Noah.
Emily.
A family that had spent two days walking through rain, cold, and darkness.
"Where are you headed?" Roger finally asked.
Daniel stared through the windshield.
"Anywhere we can survive."
Roger didn't believe that was the whole story.
Nobody dragged two small children through a storm without a reason.
"Who are you running from?"
The cab fell silent.
Sarah started crying.
Daniel finally spoke.
"I used to work as a senior accountant for one of the biggest construction companies in the state."
Roger listened.
Months earlier, Daniel had uncovered evidence that executives were stealing millions from public housing projects.
When he reported it, everything in his life collapsed.
He was fired.
His bank accounts were frozen.
False criminal charges appeared.
Then strangers began following his family.
A week ago, someone broke into their apartment.
Nothing was stolen.
Only a note was left behind.
LEAVE OR DIE.
Roger glanced at Noah.
The boy was asleep beneath Helen's blanket.
For the first time in years, something stirred inside him.
A feeling he thought had died with his wife.
Responsibility.
Without another word, Roger turned the truck north.
Daniel looked confused.
"Where are we going?"
May you like
Roger stared at the road.
"Home."
