Chapter 404

Hannah sat at the small table in their temporary safe house, staring at the message on her phone. The ominous words burned into her mind:

“He’s alive. For now.”

Her heart pounded, her grip tightening around the device. She re-read the message over and over, searching for hidden meaning, a clue or anything that could give her hope. Brandon was alive. That much was certain. But the “for now” sent chills down her spine.

Across from her, Lucas and Teresa were deep in conversation. Lucas leaned against the counter, arms crossed, his jaw clenched. He was tense, ready to explode. Teresa, in contrast, looked calm as ever, but Hannah could tell she was calculating, plotting their next move.

“This isn’t random,” Teresa finally said, exhaling smoke from her cigarette. “Someone wants us to know he’s alive, but only just. They’re playing with u