Chapter 9

Tears streamed down Asa's face as she frantically tried to call Oleg again.

"Hello," a voice on the other end of the line responded.

"Please, Oleg, where are you? Where is my son?" Her voice quivered, her pleas punctuated by sobs.

"I can't disclose that information to you, ma'am," the voice replied. It wasn't Oleg but one of his henchmen.

"Please, I need to know where my son is!" Asa pleaded.

"Lady, knowing where your son is won't change anything," Oleg interrupted, his voice icy.

"Please, Oleg..." Asa sobbed, but Oleg had already hung up.

Asa wailed, her sobs echoing around her. The teachers tried to comfort her, but it was no use. Her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. Her son was with Oleg, and she had no idea what she might do.

"Why has my life been suddenly plunged into turmoil?" Asa lamented in despair.

*

In a daze, Asa got back into her car and drove home, trying to clear her mind.

"How am I supposed to clear my mind when my son is somewhere I don't even