The car came to a sudden halt after a brief but nerve-racking drive. The sound of doors opening caused me to flinch. I reached out instinctively for my son, but he was yanked away from me.

"Please don't take him!" I begged, my voice cracking with desperation. "Not without me!"

"Shut up and get out," a stern voice demanded.

I crawled out of the truck, blinded by the thick fabric over my eyes, my heart thumping so fiercely that I felt it would burst. I could hear muted sobs from my mother nearby.

"Mom?" I called out, my voice trembling.

"I'm here, Sophie," she answered, her voice strained but steady....