Page 18 of Forever

"Your father was about to report you missing, Heather," Morgan told her, her voice tinged with an uncharacteristic gentleness. "You left your phone behind, and he was worried sick."

Heather's eyes widened in surprise, her hand flying to cover her mouth. "Oh God, I didn't even think…" She trailed off, shaking her head. "I should call him, let him know I'm okay."

Morgan watched as Heather's shoulders sagged, her eyes flickering with a mixture of defiance and vulnerability. "My family doesn't approve of my relationship with Felix," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's twenty years older than me, but I'm an adult now. I can make my own choices."

"Choices like staying up all night partying at your friend's place without telling anyone?" Derik asked, his voice skeptical.

Heather's cheeks flushed a deep red, but she met his gaze head-on. "Yes. Like that."

Morgan studied the young woman, the stubborn tilt of her chin and the fire in her eyes. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her – after all, she knew what it was like to have people doubt her judgment and question her decisions. But their priority was solving this case, not validating Heather's life choices.

As she glanced back at Felix, who stood nervously in the background, Morgan felt a gnawing sense of frustration building in her chest. Everything about him screamed 'sleazebag,' from his greasy hair to his too-tight boxer shorts. And yet, as much as she wanted to pin these heinous crimes on him, something told her he wasn't their man.

"Alright," she sighed, rubbing her temples as if to ward off an impending headache. "I want both of you to stay put while we continue our investigation. If we have any further questions, we'll be in touch."

"Of course," Heather murmured, her relief palpable.

As Morgan and Derik made their way back to the police boat, her mind raced with the implications of this dead-end. She could almost hear the clock ticking, each second bringing them closer to the killer's next move. And though she hated to admit it, she knew that finding the truth would require more than just her instincts and determination.

"Damn it," she muttered under her breath, her frustration evident as they boarded the boat. "I was so sure we were onto something."

"Sometimes things don't work out the way we hope," Derik replied quietly, his eyes sympathetic but unwavering. "But we'll find him, Morgan. We always do."

She nodded, trying to draw strength from his words as they sped across the water, the wind whipping through their hair and the distant shoreline gradually fading into the darkness. But deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out – and with each passing moment, the killer was growing bolder, more dangerous, and increasingly out of reach.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Amber's heart pounded in her ears, drowning out the sound of her own ragged breaths. The sun was a warm kiss on her face, but it offered cold comfort as panic clawed its way up her throat. She squirmed against the restraints that held her wrists tightly behind her back, the rough fibers digging into her skin. But no matter how much she wriggled, they held fast. Her mouth was filled with the taste of stale fabric - a gag to stifle her cries.

"Please," she whimpered, her plea muffled and barely audible even to herself. "Let me go."

It defied belief. She had been kidnapped in broad daylight, snatched right off the street like a helpless child. She couldn't fathom how or why it had happened. All she wanted was to be free of this nightmare.

"Wh-what do you want from me?" Amber tried to shout, but the gag choked her voice down to a pitiful croak.

She felt a presence near her feet, and then something itchy being looped around her ankle. It had to be a rope. Her mind raced with horrifying possibilities.

"Stop! Please, I'll do anything!" she sobbed, her voice cracking with terror. She strained against the blindfold, desperate for any glimpse of her surroundings, but her world remained shrouded in darkness.

"Shh," her captor said, his voice dangerously calm. "Just relax, Amber. I won't hurt you if you cooperate."

Amber's stomach churned at the sound of him using her name. How could he possibly know who she was? Her fear intensified, and she fought to keep her breathing under control. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decay, making Amber's nostrils flare as she inhaled. She could hear the faint lapping of water against some unseen shore, and her heart pounded against her chest like a trapped bird. Was he going to drown her?

"Please," she whispered again, straining to keep her voice steady. "I don't know who you are or what you want, but I beg you, let me go."

There was no response, only the oppressive silence that hung over them like a shroud. Amber's thoughts wandered to her parents, who had both passed away recently. They had wanted so much for her to live her life after they were gone, to make something of herself, to be happy. And now fate seemed determined to play a cruel game on her.

"Mom... Dad..." she murmured, a note of despair creeping into her voice. She felt tears sting her eyes, but they remained trapped behind the blindfold.

"Your parents can't help you now, Amber," her captor said, his voice cold and mocking. Her heart skipped a beat at his words, and she couldn't suppress a sob.

"Please," she choked out again, desperation dripping from her voice. "I'll do anything if you just let me go."

"Anything?" he mused, sounding almost thoughtful for a brief moment. "Well, that's an interesting offer, but I'm afraid it's not quite enough."

Amber clenched her fists, struggling against the ropes that bound her hands behind her back. The coarse fibers dug into her skin, but she was unable to loosen them even a fraction.

"Then tell me what you want!" she cried out, fear making her voice tremble. "I'll do whatever it takes, just please don't hurt me!"

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