“What?” Ms. Longman shrieked in astonishment.
Charlotte, who had heard Lexie’s words, flew into a panic. She cried out, “What happened? What happened to my kids?”
“A tall man in black in a mask and a cap kidnapped them and escaped from the back of the school. The security guards have already run after him.”
“Get them quickly,” Zachary bellowed.
“Yes, Mr. Nacht.” Ben promptly ran after the man with his subordinates.
Charlotte’s mind was in a mess. Her hand on the phone was shaking, and she was yelling into her phone. “Hello? What’s going on?”
“Ms. Windt, don’t be anxious. Listen to me.”
Then, Ms. Longman explained what had happened to Charlotte.
After hearing the story, Charlotte’s legs went weak, and she slumped onto the ground.
She did not know when her call ended. All she did was holding her chest as she reminded herself to stay calm.
As Charlotte rushed home, she called Mrs. Berry.
However, Mrs. Berry was not picking up her call. She thought of calling the police, but she did not know who the kidnapper was. Will calling the cops aggravate them and make them kill my children?
Just as thoughts raced through her mind, Mrs. Berry called. “Yes, Miss.”
“Mrs. Berry, where are you?”
“I’m at home. Miss, let me tell you some good news. Fifi-”
Before Mrs. Berry could finish her sentence, a loud thud traveled out of the speaker.
Then, the call ended.
“Mrs. Berry? Mrs. Berry!” Charlotte was on the verge of a mental breakdown as she roared the cab driver, “Mister, please hurry up!”
……
“W-What are you trying to do?” Mrs. Berry pointed the broomstick at the man in black with trembling hands. “What have you done to my Jamie and Ellie?”
The man threw the two tied-up children onto the couch. Jamie was shaking his head vigorously as he groaned, trying to get Mrs. Berry to escape.
On the other hand, Ellie was sobbing, but her mouth was covered, and her sobs were quiet.
“Where’s the parrot?” Tigris’ glare was outright murderous as he strode toward Mrs. Berry.
“W-What?” Mrs. Berry stuttered as she took shaky steps back. “What are you trying to do? Don’t do anything absurd! There isn’t much money here. You’re robbing the wrong place.”
She thought the man was a robber.
“I’m asking you, where is the parrot?” Tigris questioned.
“I-I-It’s-”
“Bad guy! Bad guy!”
Before Mrs. Berry could speak, Fifi on the balcony voiced.
Tigris rushed to the balcony at once.
“Jamie! Ellie!” Mrs. Berry tossed her broomstick aside as she hurriedly untied the two children.
The moment Jamie’s tape came off, he reminded, “Mrs. Berry, call the cops now!”
“Right, right.” Mrs. Berry anxiously grasped her phone. Just as she was about to call the police, she heard Fifi shrieking, “Help!”
“Fifi!” Without hesitation, Ellie rushed over with the broomstick as she yelled at the man, “Let go of my Fifi!”
“Ellie!” Jamie rushed over with his tiny fists. With a ferocious expression, he glared at the man and shielded Ellie.
Tigris rolled his eyes. These children were not even worth his attention.
He grabbed the parrot’s cage, about to open it, when Ellie swung the broomstick to his leg. “Let go of my Fifi! Let it go!”
Tigris grabbed the broomstick mid-swing and snapped it in half easily. He then shot a menacing glare to scare the girl.
Ellie burst into tears, frightened, and her plump face turned as red as a tomato. Tears welled up in her big eyes before they rolled down her cheeks.
“Meanie, how dare you bully my sister?”
When Jamie saw his sister crying, he grabbed a bat and started swinging it at Tigris.
“Brat. You’ve got quite the strength.” The boy’s swings made Tigris take a few steps back. The man then roared, “Move aside, or else I’m going to get you.”