"Is mom safe out there? Do you think she will experience the same thing that happened to Aunt Catherine?" inquired Lucas.

He gave his brothers an even closer hug and said, "Our mother is a very strong woman. I know no one will be able to capture her."

"Sterling, do you think she'll come to our rescue?" Noah enquired.

Gazing into his brother's puffy eyes, he answered, "I know she will. I'm sure Mom is searching everywhere for us right now."

Noah smiled, then Kyler murmured, "I'm hungry."

Although Sterling felt bad about it, there was nothing more he could do.

In the face of the anguish that lay ahead,...