The bus driver notices a CRYING girl every day, looks under the SEAT after getting off and FAILS at what he sees…

Perhaps Rory really was just grieving her grandmother’s death as Greg had claimed. Perhaps the birth control pills were related to a relationship with a boy her own age, troubling for someone so young but not necessarily sinister. Walter was considering leaving and allowing the principal to handle the situation tomorrow when he noticed three men approaching Greg and Rory’s picnic spot.

They were in their thirties or forties, casually dressed but with an intensity in their manner that immediately put Walter on alert. Greg stood to greet them, slapping one on the back and laughing as if they were old friends. After a brief conversation that Walter couldn’t hear from his position, Greg gestured for Rory to get up.

The five of them, Greg, Rory, and the three men began walking away from the picnic area toward a plain white building that appeared to be a maintenance shed for the park. Walter’s unease returned tenfold as he watched one of the men produce a key and unlock the door. There was no legitimate reason Walter could imagine for a grown man to take a teenage girl into a locked shed in a secluded part of the park.

His hands shaking slightly, Walter pulled out his phone and dialed 9-1-1. 9-1-1, what’s your emergency? The dispatcher answered promptly. I need to report a suspicious situation involving a minor, Walter said, keeping his voice low as he moved closer to the shed.

I’m at Lakeside Park near the maintenance buildings on the east side. A teenage girl has been taken into a locked shed by four adult men. I believe she may be in danger.

Sir, are you certain the girl is in danger? Do you know her? Yes, I’m her school bus driver. I’ve been concerned about her behavior and discovered she’s been hiding birth control pills on my bus. Now her stepfather has brought her to this remote location to meet with these men.

Walter’s voice grew more urgent. Please send someone quickly. Something is very wrong here.

We’re dispatching officers to your location now, the dispatcher assured him. They should be there in approximately 10 minutes. Can you safely remain on the line and keep the building in sight without approaching? Yes, I can do that, Walter confirmed, finding a position behind a cluster of trees where he could observe the shed without being easily spotted.

Can you describe the individuals involved? The dispatcher asked. Walter provided descriptions of Greg, Rory, and the three men as best he could, including details about their clothing and the vehicles in the parking lot. As he spoke, he crept closer to the shed, his concern for Rory overriding his normal caution.

The building had small, dusty windows set high in the walls. Walter approached one of them, wiping away grime with his sleeve to peer inside. The interior was dimly lit, but he could make out the figures of the four men gathered around Rory.

The girl was backed against a wall, her face streaked with tears. Do as you’re told, Rory, Walter heard Greg say, his voice muffled but audible through the thin walls. You know what happens if you don’t cooperate.

Please don’t make me, Rory pleaded, her voice breaking. I can’t do this. Your mother will hate you for this, Greg hissed, his voice dropping lower.

When she finds out you’re pregnant, she’s going to have a new baby, she’ll forget you even exist. Walter’s blood ran cold at the words. He relayed what he was hearing to the 911 dispatcher, his voice tight with anger.

The police are three minutes out, the dispatcher informed him. Please do not attempt to intervene yourself. Walter was about to respond when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He startled, nearly dropping his phone, as he turned to find two men in running clothes standing behind him. What are you doing peering in there, man? one of them asked, his expression suspicious. Walter hastily explained the situation, keeping his voice low.

There’s a girl in there who needs help. I’ve called the police, they’re on their way. The two joggers exchanged glances, then peered through the window themselves.

Their expressions hardened as they took in the scene inside. We can’t just wait out here, the taller of the two said, his jaw set with determination. They could be hurting her right now.

The police said to wait, Walter began, but was cut off by a sudden silence from inside the shed. The men had apparently heard something and gone quiet. Making a split-second decision, the joggers approached the door and pounded on it forcefully.

Hey, open up in there, one of them shouted. Complete silence fell, stretching for several seconds. Then, faintly, they heard Rory’s voice cry out, help, please help me.

As if on cue, police sirens wailed in the distance, rapidly growing louder. Two patrol cars pulled into the park, lights flashing, and four officers quickly approached the scene, drawing their weapons. Police, everyone inside, come out with your hands visible.

One officer commanded through the door. When no immediate response came, the officers exchanged quick words before one returned to the patrol car and retrieved a heavy tool. With practiced efficiency, they breached the door, the wood splintering around the lock.

Hands up! On your knees now, the officers shouted as they entered the shed. Three of the men immediately complied, dropping to their knees with their hands raised. But Greg remained standing near Rory, who was huddled on the floor…