Mark Thomas woke up before dawn, his mind already racing with thoughts of the day ahead. He quickly got dressed, choosing a simple yet practical outfit for his trip to the airport to pick up his brother Alex.
He wore a pair of dark blue jeans, a crisp white button-down shirt, and a black leather jacket to ward off the early morning chill. His feet were clad in sturdy black boots, polished to a high shine.
On his wrist, he wore a sleek black watch, a gift from his father. His eyes were shielded by a pair of silver-framed sunglasses, a habit he had developed from years of working in the public eye.
Mark's hair was styled in its usual impeccable manner, every strand perfectly in place. His jaw was set, his expression determined, as he headed out the door to face whatever lay ahead.
With a final check of his phone and wallet, Mark locked the door behind him and set off into the early morning darkness, ready to face whatever challenges the day might bring.
Mark slid into the driver's seat of his sleek black BMW, the leather upholstery creaking softly as he settled in. He inserted the key into the ignition, and the engine purred to life, its smooth hum a testament to the car's precision engineering.
As he pulled out of the driveway, the headlights cast a golden glow on the darkened streets, illuminating the path ahead. Mark's eyes scanned the road, his mind focused on the task at hand: picking up his brother Alex from the airport.
He navigated through the deserted streets, the BMW's tires gliding smoothly over the asphalt. The dashboard clock read 5:47 AM, and Mark knew he had plenty of time to make the 45-minute drive to the airport.
As he drove, Mark's thoughts turned to his brother Alex, and the skills he brought to the table. With Alex's help, Mark felt a sense of hope that they might finally be able to track down Diana's kidnappers and bring her home safely.
The BMW devoured the miles, its speed and agility eating up the distance to the airport. Mark's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his jaw set in determination. He was ready to do whatever it took to bring Diana home.
Frank glanced in the rearview mirror, meeting Mark's gaze. "So, Mark, tell me about your brother Alex," he said, his tone neutral.
Mark's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes gazing out the window. "Alex is a detective with the Texas Rangers," he replied, his voice measured. "He's been working on some high-profile cases, and I think he can help us find Diana."
Frank nodded, his eyes returning to the road. "What's he like?"
Mark hesitated, a small smile playing on his lips. "Alex is... intense. He's always been driven, even as a kid. But he's also fiercely loyal and has a strong sense of justice."
Frank nodded again, his mind processing the information. He didn't ask any more questions, knowing that Mark would share more when he was ready.
The airport exit appeared ahead, and Frank took it, following the signs to the arrivals terminal. Mark's eyes snapped back to attention, his gaze fixed on the airport buildings.
"Let's go pick him up," Mark said, his voice firm.
Frank's eyes widened in surprise as he processed the information. "What do you mean, Alex knows too much about the Serpents' secret?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
Mark's expression turned grim. "Alex was getting too close to the truth about the Serpents' involvement in some shady dealings. Father knew they would stop at nothing to silence him, so he sent Alex to Texas to hide and start a new life."
Frank's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "And now he's back?"
Mark nodded. "Yes, and I'm afraid he's in grave danger. The Serpents won't hesitate to kill him if they find out he's back in town."
Frank's eyes scanned the surroundings, his mind racing with the implications. "We need to get him to a safe house, now," he said, his voice firm.
Mark nodded in agreement. "I've already arranged for a secure location. Let's get him and get out of here, before it's too late."
As they pulled up to the arrivals terminal, Frank's eyes scanned the crowds, searching for any sign of Alex or potential threats. Mark's eyes were fixed on the exit doors, his jaw clenched in anticipation.
Frank held up the sign with "Alex" scribbled on it, scanning the crowded airport terminal for a glimpse of Mark's brother. But as the minutes ticked by, there was no sign of Alex.
Mark shifted uncomfortably beside him, his eyes darting back and forth. "Where is he?" he muttered. "He should be here by now."
Frank frowned, his grip on the sign tightening. "I don't know, but I don't like it. Something feels off."
Mark's expression turned grim. "You think something's happened to him?"
Frank hesitated, not wanting to voice his concerns. But as the minutes turned into ten, then fifteen, his anxiety grew.
"Let's try calling him," Mark said, pulling out his phone.
But as they tried to reach Alex, his phone went straight to voicemail. Mark's face darkened with worry.
"Something's wrong," he said, his voice firm. "Let's get out of here and try to track him down."
Frank nodded, and they quickly made their way back to the car, their minds racing with worst-case scenarios.
Mark's eyes narrowed as he tried calling Alex again, but it went straight to voicemail. He felt a chill run down his spine as he wondered if something had happened to his brother.
"I think he's been kidnapped too," Mark said, his voice low and urgent. "We need to find him, now."
Frank's expression turned grim. "Let's get back to the car and start tracking his phone. We need to move fast."
As they quickly made their way back to the car, Mark's mind raced with thoughts of Alex in danger. He couldn't lose him too.
Just as they reached the car, Mark's phone rang. He snatched it up, hoping it was Alex.
"Alex?" he said, his voice tight with anxiety.
But instead, he heard a distorted voice on the other end. "Mark Thomas, you'll never find your brother. He's gone."
Mark's heart sank, and he felt a wave of fear wash over him. But then, he heard Alex's voice in the background, faint but unmistakable.
"Mark...help..."
The line went dead, and Mark w
as left staring at his phone in horror..