My six-year-old niece called me at 12:17 in the morning and whispered five words that changed the way I saw my family forever.
“Aunt Natalie, please help me.”
Promoted content
Herbeauty
Are You Cooking Eggs The Healthy Way? Avoid This
Learn more
Her voice was so faint that I sat straight up in bed before I was fully awake.
There was a pause on the line, followed by a shaky breath.
“They locked me in. I’m really hungry. I’m scared.”
Then the call went silent.
For one second, I stared at the phone in my hand, waiting for her name to light up again.
Promoted content
Herbeauty
Are You Cooking Eggs The Healthy Way? Avoid This
Learn more
It did not.
I called back immediately.
The call rang until it disconnected.
I tried a second time, then a third.
Promoted content
Herbeauty
Are You Cooking Eggs The Healthy Way? Avoid This
Learn more
Nothing.
Beside me, my husband Adam pushed himself up against the headboard and squinted at the clock.
Promoted content
Herbeauty
Are You Cooking Eggs The Healthy Way? Avoid This
Learn more
