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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Part 7

Darlene’s worst nightmare is happening in real time. Casey isn’t about to let her go easily. He tugs her into the backseat of his car while still holding the knife to her throat. Her skin is now slightly broken. So is her hopes of making it out of the vehicle alive.

Nia is biting her already short fingernails when Casey orders her to get into the driver’s seat and pull off. Nia doesn’t hesitate to let him take control anymore. She hops into the car and drives toward the highway.

“Tell me everything you know about Preston’s death,” Casey asks Darlene calmly.

“I don’t know anything else. I promise. I was just doing what I was told. I never ask questions,” she utters fearfully.

“Darlene. Darlene. You know I don’t like it when you lie to me,” Casey says with an intimidating smile and forceful laugh.

“Nia, hit the gas until you’re driving 100 miles per hour. Maybe a little speed will jog Darlene’s selective memory,” Casey demands.

Nia presses her foot down on the peddle, and everyone in the car is thrown backwards. The knife is sinking deeper into her damaged skin. Darlene realizes there’s no other way to get out of this unless she tells something of value.

Darlene shouts, “Stop the car! I’ll tell you what I know. Just please let me go. I have a daughter.”

“Go on,” Casey replies as he begins to lightly touch her scalp with the knife.

Nia quickly looks in the backseat to see what’s going on, and then she turns back around to focus on the road. She figures she should mind her business. Another car is getting over into their lane, and Nia doesn’t see it. They’re about to collide, but the other driver honks and gets her attention. Nia swerves into the next lane to avoid a crash.

“The director runs a business for women who wanna enter the United States illegally,” Darlene says firmly.

“And what the hell does that have to do with my brother?” Casey replies.

“I don’t know! You’ll have to ask the director for yourself! Now, can you please let me out of this car?” Darlene exclaims.

Casey tells Nia to slow down. Before the car comes to a stop, he unlocks the door and pushes Darlene out, and they watch as she tumbles into a muddy ditch.