The man patted Ben's leg.

Take it easy.

They drove for only a few minutes, then they stopped. Ben thought they would get out, but they didn't. He heard what sounded like a power saw in the distance, and then someone else climbed into the van.

The third man, one who Ben hadn't yet heard, said, Heez owt on heez dek.

Ben had heard Cajun French and French accents for much of his life, and this was familiar, though somehow different. A French man speaking English, but with some other accent under the French. That made three of them; three total strangers had taken him.

The man who had taken him said, Roger that. I see him.

The man who held him said, I can't see shit from back here. What's he doing?

He's moving down the slope.

Ben realized that they were talking about Elvis. The three men were watching Elvis Cole. Elvis was looking for him.

The man with Ben said, This is bullshit, sitting back here.

The rough voice said, He found the kid's toy. He's running back to his house.

I wish I could see.

There's nothing to see, Eric. Stop bitching and settle down. Now we wait for the mother.

The Abduction: Part Two When they mentioned his mother, Ben felt an intense jolt of fear, suddenly terrified that they would hurt her. His eyes filled and his nose clogged. He tried to pull his arms free of the tape, but Eric weighed him down like a heavy steel anchor.

Take it easy. Stop it, goddamnit.

Ben wanted to warn his mom and get the police and kick these men until they cried like babies, but he couldn't do any of that. Eric held tight.

Jesus, stop flopping around. You're going to hurt yourself.

They waited for what seemed like hours, then the rough voice said, I'll make the call.

Ben heard the door open and somebody get out. After a minute, the door opened again and whoever it was got back in.

The rough voice said, That's it.

They drove down out of the hills, then back up again on winding streets. After a while, the van braked. Ben heard the mechanical clatter of a garage door opening. They eased forward, then the engine shut off and the garage door closed behind them.

Eric said, C'mon, kid.

Eric cut the tape holding Ben's legs, then Ben was jerked by his feet.

Ow!

C'mon, you can walk. I'll tell you where.

The man held tight to Ben's arm.

Ben was in a garage. The hood pushed up enough for him to glimpse the van-white and dirty, with dark blue writing on the side. Eric turned him away before he could read what was written.

We're coming to a step. Step up. C'mon, lift your goddamned feet!

Ben felt for the step with his toe.

Shit, forget it. This is taking too long.

Eric carried Ben into the house like a baby. Being carried made Ben mad. He could have walked! He didn't have to be carried!