The car won’t start.

She keeps twisting the key, her hands shaking, her breathing uneven. "Jack, please…" Her voice is strained, barely above a whisper, but it’s enough to make my heart pound. I can’t bring myself to look at her. If I do, I might break. I knew this would happen. I knew the second we got in the car that they wouldn’t let us leave. But still, I allowed myself to believe. I allowed myself to think maybe we’d make it out of here, just the two of us.

The red suits close in on us. I hear the sound of their boots hitting the pavement, their synchronized movements more terrifying than I care to admit. She sees them too. "No, no, no—" she gasps, her voice trembling as they open the door and yank her from the car. "Jack!" she cries out, the panic thick in her voice. "Please, don’t let them take me!" My heart stops as I run my hands through my hair, whispering, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…"

Then I hear her. "I’m pregnant, Jack…" She can barely speak between her sobs, her words coming out broken, pleading. "Please… don’t let them hurt me... don’t let them hurt our baby..."

Everything goes still. The men hesitate, their hands loosening around her as they glance at each other, unsure of what to do. Her tears streak down her face, and I feel a pit form in my stomach. She’s pregnant. Our baby. I wasn’t ready for this, for any of it, but now it’s all I can think about.

I don’t think. I don’t wait for a plan. I move, shoving the men away from her with all the strength I have. "Get off her," I snarl, my voice harsh, threatening. Her sobs echo in my chest, and I pull her into my arms, her body shaking uncontrollably. I rest my forehead against hers, whispering against her hair, "It's okay, you're safe with me now. They won't hurt you or the baby."