Chapter 55- kidnapped continued

As we drove, every second felt like an eternity. My heart pounded as I glanced around, trying to remember every detail of the route we took. The buildings grew sparser, and soon the city's familiar landscape was replaced by vacant lots and abandoned warehouses. My captors said nothing, and I could feel their silent threats hanging heavy in the air. Finally, the car pulled up to an old, looming building. It looked like it hadn't been touched in years, with cracked windows and walls stained by the elements. The men hauled me out of the car, and I fought the urge to scream, knowing it would fall on deaf ears out here. They led me through a metal door, its rusty hinges groaning as it swung open, revealing a dimly lit staircase that spiraled upward. My stomach twisted as we climbed higher and higher, the echo of our footsteps bouncing off the walls. I clutched my son close, his small arms wrapped around my neck as he whimpered softly, sensing my fear. We reached a floor near the top, where