Chapter Eight: The Escape
"The prisoners… they've vanished," the driver stammered, his voice trembling as he struggled to comprehend what had happened.
"Gone? What do you mean they're gone? They were right there," the partner said, looking around frantically. But the backseat was empty, as if no one had ever been there.
"I swear, we had them in the car," the driver said, his voice shaky. "I don't understand."
Unbeknownst to them, the DPO was inside the toilet, overhearing their frantic conversation through the thin walls. As soon as he heard the mention of missing prisoners, he flushed the toilet and came out, his face stern.
"Officers!" the DPO barked, startling them both.
They snapped to attention.
"Come to my office, now," he ordered, without waiting for a response.
The officers exchanged nervous glances before hurriedly following him into the station.
Once inside the DPO's office, the tension in the air was palpable. The DPO sat behind his desk, eyeing the two officers with a steely gaze.
"Explain to me what happened," he said, his voice dangerously calm.
The driver, still visibly shaken, began to recount the bizarre events, assuming the DPO had already overheard part of their conversation.
"Well, sir, we had the couple in the back of the car, and... and they just disappeared. We woke up, and they were gone."
The DPO's eyes narrowed further. "And you expect me to believe that?" he asked coldly.
The driver swallowed hard. "Sir, it's the truth. I don't know how, but they vanished."
The DPO leaned back in his chair, considering their words. After a long silence, he spoke again, his tone harsh.
"Find them," he ordered. "I don't care how you do it, but find them. Immediately."
******
Jack walked through the bustling city streets, the cool evening air brushing his skin. Despite the calm surroundings, a knot of unease tightened in his chest. As he made a call to finalize some business arrangements, his gaze drifted to a nearby police officer. The sight made his pulse quicken.
"Stop!" the officer suddenly barked, snapping Jack out of his thoughts.
Instinct kicked in. Without a second thought, Jack turned and bolted.
"Stop!" the officer shouted again, but Jack didn't slow down. His heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted through the crowded street, dodging pedestrians and weaving through traffic. Every step felt heavier, fear surging through him.
Ahead, he spotted his car parked on the side of the road. A burst of adrenaline pushed him forward. He yanked open the door, threw himself inside, and jammed the key into the ignition. His hands shook as the engine roared to life, and with a screech of tires, Jack sped away.
In the rearview mirror, he saw the flashing lights of the police vehicle. They were gaining on him. Panic clawed at his chest. He couldn't outrun them for long.
Desperation kicked in. He needed help.
With one hand gripping the steering wheel, Jack grabbed his phone and quickly dialed Stella.
"Stella! I need your help, now!" he shouted, his voice edged with panic. The police sirens wailed behind him, growing closer by the second.
Stella's voice came through, calm as ever. "Where are you?"
"Running from the police! They're right behind me. I need you here—fast!" Jack's words tumbled out, the urgency clear.
Stella didn't hesitate. She slipped on her magic ring, closed her eyes, and in the blink of an eye, she was sitting in the passenger seat beside him.
"Hang on!" she said firmly, her eyes scanning the road ahead.
Suddenly, the sharp crack of gunfire filled the air. Jack's heart leapt in his chest as he swerved, narrowly avoiding the bullets. His breath came in ragged gasps, but Stella remained calm. With a wave of her hand, the bullets transformed mid-flight, unraveling into harmless ropes before they could reach the car.
Jack blinked in disbelief. "They're... shooting ropes?"
Behind them, the police officers were just as confused. They exchanged baffled glances as more ropes spilled from their guns, tangling in the air instead of bullets.
"How...?" Jack began, but Stella cut him off.
"They won't stop unless we slow them down," she said, her voice steady, but filled with resolve.
The police car was closing in fast. Jack gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles white. "They're right behind us!"
Stella turned in her seat, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the police vehicle. She raised her hand, murmuring an incantation under her breath. The police car jolted as if struck by an invisible force, its engine sputtering and tires screeching to a halt. The officers inside scrambled, but the car wouldn't budge.
Jack let out a shaky breath, barely believing what had just happened. "I can't believe that worked."
"That should keep them off us for a while," Stella said with a satisfied smile.
Jack shot her a grateful look, relief flooding him. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Let's not stick around to find out," Stella replied, her smile widening. "Let's go."
With the police far behind them, Jack and Stella sped off into the night, leaving the chaos of the chase behind.
---
Stella stepped into Jack's house, her senses immediately picking up on his tension. She found him pacing the living room, his face a mix of frustration and confusion.
"Jack, is everything okay?" she asked, concerned.
"I can't find my phone. I've looked everywhere in the house," he replied, running a hand through his hair.
"Maybe I can help," Stella said, her eyes twinkling.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "How? I've searched every corner."
Stella smiled and reached for her magic ring, the one that had proved so useful in recent days. "Let me give it a try," she said.
Closing her eyes, she focused on Jack's phone, imagining herself being transported to wherever it was. Suddenly, she felt the familiar pull of the ring's power, and when she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the house. She stood in Jack's office.