It was hard for me to swallow because I was still sleepy. “Yes,” I replied with care. “I walked her from the graveyard to her house.” “Is something wrong?”
The police officer gave me a calm look. “Her sons said she didn’t come home last night.” “She’s not there.”
“What?” It made my stomach hurt. “That’s not possible!” I led her inside myself. I stayed for tea too.
The elder boy stepped forward, his face red with anger. “Then where is she?” Since we checked out the house. “She’s not there.”
I couldn’t believe it. After I left, did something happen to Kira? Had she gone off by herself? “Look, officer, I promise she’s safe. I left her.” You could check with the neighbors. Or the cameras that watch over the neighborhood?”
The cop gave a nod. “That’s what we’ll do.” We need you to answer some questions until we find her, though.
Even though my hands were shaking the whole time, I agreed to go to the station. I played yesterday over and over again. She was fine. Feeling tired and sad, but fine. Where could she have gone?
The police let me go after questioning me for an hour. I felt uncomfortable as I walked home. There was something wrong with this case.
Then I got a call that night.
“Hello?” I hesitated before answering.
“Help me,” a rough voice begged.
I couldn’t breathe. “Kira?” Is that you? “Where are you?”
“I…” I’m not sure. I believe it’s a basement. “Please… hurry.”
After that, the line stopped working.
I didn’t think about it. I quickly took my keys and left the house. I had to move quickly if she was in trouble. But how do I even begin? Going back to her house was the first thing that came to mind. There may have been something the cops missed if she had been taken.
The house was dark when I got there. Their kids were not at home. The police must have looked already, but I wasn’t a cop and I was in a hurry. I looked at the front door. Locked. I saw a small basement window slightly open when I walked around the back of the house. My heart beat fast.
I got down on my knees and called out softly, “Kira?” “Are you there?”
Keep quiet. Then there was a soft tapping sound.
She was inside.
It was dusty inside when I got inside, so I took a deep breath and climbed in. It was very dark. As I reached for my phone and turned on the flashlight, I saw her.
Kira was on the ground with her hands tied and looked pale and weak. Without being able to see, she gasped as her eyes turned to the light. “You came…”
As I ran to her, I freed her hands. “What did you do?” “Who did this to you?”
She said in a whisper, “My sons.” “They need my money.” They told me they would say I was lost… You should take the blame… Then tell them I was crazy so they could take everything.
I felt cold anger run through me. For money, these guys were ready to lock their own mother in the basement.
I helped her get up and said, “Come on, we’re leaving.”
I heard the front door slam right then. Heavy footsteps echoed through the air.
She whispered in fear, “They’re back.”
As I led Kira to the basement window, I picked up the phone and called 911. “We don’t have time.” “Can you get up?”
“I’ll do my best.”
She clenched her teeth as she pulled herself through with my help. I was about to get out when I heard a voice behind me.
“Heading somewhere?”
The bigger kid. He had an angry look on his face.
It started to thrill me. I pushed him hard, which threw him off balance just long enough for me to get out the window. We ran down the street as fast as we could while my phone was still in touch with the cops.
Soon after, alarms could be heard everywhere. The brothers didn’t even have time to respond before police slammed them to the ground.
She was going to change her will and give most of her money to charity, it turned out. Her kids found out and planned to get rid of her before she could do it. They thought that if she was found to be mentally unfit, they could take control of her property.
But they didn’t think their mother or a stranger would be so kind.
There were charges brought against the sons, and they were given years in jail for kidnapping and elder abuse.
What about Kira? There was peace for her finally. She moved to a retirement home where she could be with friends and caregivers who cared about her. And she did change her will. This time, she made sure that her money would go to people who really needed it.
She told me, “You saved my life,” and then she left. “Thanks.”
I smiled even though my eyes were teary. Kera, you’re stronger than you think. You kept yourself safe. I only helped.
When you help a stranger, it can change your lives forever. Never turn your back on someone who is in need. You never know, you could be their only chance.
Tell someone who needs to hear this story if it touched you. Let’s be kind to everyone. ❤️
