Page 3 of For my daughter, I kidnapped the entire kindergarten

I leaned against the wall, my voice dripping with sarcasm: "When a foreigner loses a watch, you'd turn the entire dump upside down. But when a living, breathing child goes missing for seven whole days, you have absolutely nothing?"

Eric fell silent for a moment, his voice low: "Ms. Lawson, maybe your daughter is right here beside you?"

I froze, unable to grasp the meaning behind his words. Anna's last known location was indeed this very kindergarten. The lockers, the restrooms, every single cornerI'd searched through them all countless times with my own hands. Nothing.

"This place has full surveillance coverage, except for the restroomthat's the blind spot," he continued. "We suspect your daughter might have been taken through the restroom. Ms. Lawson, it's not too late to turn yourself in. The police will uncover the truth."

The restroom, the restroom! I mentally traced that cramped space over and overthe unisex children's restroom, two small stalls, an inconspicuous exhaust fan in the corner, pipes stained with rust, humming constantly. I looked toward the restroom, and suddenly something strange flickered through my mind. But the feeling was too vague, like shadows underwaterimpossible to grasp or articulate.

I licked my cracked lips, my voice ice-cold: "Ten minutes left. I only want results. If you can't find my daughter, I'll make them all pay with their lives."

Eric closed his eyes, veins pulsing at his temples. Behind him, a detective quietly raised his hand, signaling the sniperthe moment there's an opening, take the shot.

I chuckled softly, my gaze sweeping across the seam between ceiling and wall: "If she really was taken through the restroom, then there must be a hidden passage leading outside. Officers, I hope you find it soon. Even if you arrest me for this, it'll be worth it."

I'd considered before whether someone might have abducted her while she was using the restroom. But that would require a passage and would leave traces. As just an ordinary person, the clues I couldn't find would have to be left to the professionals.

I lowered my eyes, fingertips gently caressing the cold edge of the gun. Everything was proceeding according to plan.

The watch's second hand ticked forward. I beckoned to a little girl: "Ruby," I curved my lips into a smile, speaking softly, "want to play a game with me?"

With only five minutes remaining, the police continued their futile attempts at persuasion. Eric had nearly shouted himself hoarse: "Ms. Lawson! Don't be rash! The entire city's police force is mobilized, everyone's helping you find your child! Not just us, but countless concerned citizens! If you turn back now, you'll still have a chance to see your daughter again!"

"Last minute, and you still haven't found her." As my words fell, I suddenly yanked open the curtain, using Ruby's small body to shield mine as the blade sliced across. A line of blood bloomed across her neck. She didn't even have time to whimper before her head drooped softly. Bright red blood sprayed across the clean glass window, blooming like flowers.

I quickly retreated behind the wall as my voice, calm to the point of being mechanical, echoed through the broadcast: "The first child is dead. This is the price of your incompetence."

The parents' wails outside were heart-wrenching. Due to the swift action, many couldn't even tell which child had fallen. I stood pressed against the wall, cold sweat streaming down my back. Even hidden behind cover, I could feel the sniper's scope locked dead center on my forehead.

Eric roared as he smashed the megaphone to the ground, his voice trembling: "You monster! Whatever grievances you have, killing innocent children is an unforgivable crime! You're surrounded! Drop your weapon and surrender!"

So now he thinks reasoning won't work and he's resorting to threats of force? I remained perfectly still, my voice calm: "I've planted bombs throughout this kindergarten. If you don't want to see more casualties, you'd better move faster. I swear, as soon as you find my daughter, I'll surrender immediately and won't harm anyone else."

The moment Eric heard the word "bombs," his face went deathly pale. They didn't dare take the risk. Even if they shot me down right now, I could still detonate the remote device before dying.

"Who the hell is she?" a young officer asked, trembling. "How does a woman who can get her hands on guns and explosives end up working as a kindergarten teacher?"

Someone nearby whispered an explanation: "She used to be a PhD in munitions engineering. After her husband was imprisoned, she returned to her hometown and took a job at this kindergarten."

Eric rubbed his temples: "What was her husband imprisoned for?"

The officer replied: "Manslaughter. He was released seven days ago. His current whereabouts are unknown."

Eric thought to himself: "Seven days ago? Anna also disappeared seven days ago. Is this a coincidence? Could Joseph have taken his own daughter?"

But reality didn't allow them time to ponder. Joseph needed to be tracked down, and Anna had to be found. A new thirty-minute countdown had already begun.

Just then, excited shouting came from the adjacent restroom: "There's a hidden passage! Really! There's a child inside!"

Eric's head snapped up as he saw his colleague crawling out of a narrow ventilation shaft, carrying a frail little body in his arms, clutching a small piece of a broken phone watch. His eyes widenedit was Anna's watch. The crowd erupted in screams and sobs. Eric quickly removed his police jacket to cover the child and shouted at me: "Elise! We found your daughter! You can let everyone go now! She's alive!"

I held my breath, peering through the peephole. The child wrapped in the police jacket had one arm hanging limply, and on her wrist was the pink phone watch I had personally chosen for Anna. My heart pounded violently, almost bursting from my chest. I could barely control myself, my fingers already reaching for the door handle, wanting nothing more than to rush out and hold her.

Just then, my phone vibrated. I glanced down at the message I'd just received and instantly regained my composure.