David awoke with a throbbing headache from the blow to his head. But as soon as he opened his eyes, what he saw made him wish he were still unconscious. Kneeling in front of him, several yards away were his two daughters, Sarah and Katie. The teenage girls were still in their pajamas and had their hands and feet taped together. More tape covered their mouths, muffling their screams, but the look of fear was apparent in their eyes. And standing over them, holding a pistol pointed as Sarah’s head, was Charlie Gates, Davids old partner. The man he had betrayed and left to rot in prison.

 “Ah good.” He said, noticing David waking up. “I was wondering if I’d hit you too hard… I had a hard time holding back. I guess you could say I’ve got a bit of a grudge…”

 David struggled to rise, which was when he noted his hands and feet were taped too, along with his mouth. Not that there was anything he could have said in this situation which would help matters.

 “I bet you thought you’d never see me again, that I’d rot in prison for the rest of my life.” Charlie grinned. “And I admit, I thought so to, but I had a stroke of luck and now I’m here...here to get my share of the money.”

 “Mmmppphhh!!!” David grunted, frantically.

 “Oh, I know, you spent all the money years ago.” Charlie said, “After all, why save any of it for that partner locked up in prison. But I’ll get my share one way…” He nodded down at Sarah. “Or another…” He turned to Katie to cringed, sobbing with fright. “You spent all the money we earned raising a family...including my half of the money. So I figure half of that family belongs to me. I still remember our old contacts. They’d give me a good price for either of them…” He grinned, enjoying the muffled cries of fright from the captive girls and the frantic grunting of their father. “Or maybe I’ll just keep her…”

 “So, which one shall I take?”