Deadly Switch

One: Taken

On March 25th, we reached Destin, Florida for our spring break getaway. Destin has been our go-to destination for the past few years, and this time was no different. We spent a delightful week and a half soaking in every moment of our vacation. The stunning beach was, as always, a sight to behold, and I relished the feeling of the warm sand between my toes. The cool, refreshing ocean water was a welcome escape from the heat, and I couldn't get enough of it. Even now, those cherished memories of our time in Destin are what I treasure the most.

I can't quite recall the exact moment or location when I first encountered Ma or anyone associated with her. My focus during that time was primarily on relishing the vacation that I wouldn't return to for another year. It's important to note that there was never a certainty that we would have the opportunity to revisit that place again.

While enjoying the amenities of the hotel pool and unwinding in the hot tub with jets, engaging in games like ping pong and the ring hook game was always a fun pastime for me. However, my favorite activity was always finding a moment to relax in the hammock, nestled under the cool shade of the palm trees. It was the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the tranquil surroundings, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Over time, as the days flew by, we embarked on small adventures within the town, exploring captivating places such as aquariums and museums. Among these delightful outings, my personal highlight was the concept of creating a compilation of our most cherished restaurants and endeavoring to savor at least one delectable dish from each newly established eatery.

The situation seemed to be going smoothly without any hiccups. There was a sense of normalcy and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Little did I know that Ma had taken notice of me, and if Lydia hadn't been there that night, I might have never discovered it.

Meet Lydia, a teenager with an incredibly fair complexion. Her striking strawberry red hair cascades down to the middle of her back, left untouched and unattended. Despite her delicate appearance, she is exceptionally slender, with her bones protruding through her skin, reminiscent of someone battling with anorexia. Despite Lydia's delicate appearance, her demeanor was surprisingly fierce. On my way back from the beach, where my family and I had gathered to appreciate the beauty of nature, I decided to retrieve a blanket from our hotel room. The path leading back was adequately illuminated by street poles, ensuring that it wasn't completely dark.

As I made my way towards room 119 of the hotel, I felt a sudden jolt when my hand reached for the door knob. Before I could react, a cold metal object was pressed against my lower back, sending a sharp wave of pain through my body. With an arm forcefully pushing against my upper back, a chilling voice threatened me, "Don't you dare make a sound or I'll kill you!"

As I was about to hand over my money, phone, necklace, or anything else the robber demanded, I suddenly felt a drop of spit land on my skin. "119, 373, 374, and 628-" she recited the room numbers my family had rented for our vacation, creating a list. "Come with me or I will kill your entire family!" With a firm grip on my arm, she forcefully pulled me away from the door, commanding me to walk. "Try anything and you're dead," she warned, her sharp nails digging into my skin.

All I had ever heard were terrifying tales of kidnappings, but they always seemed to involve young women, often teenagers or children. The fear of speaking up and putting my family's lives in danger made me clench my teeth and keep my mouth shut. I was on the brink of losing control, feeling like I was about to have a complete mental breakdown. "Just keep moving, don't do anything foolish or they'll be killed!" She repeated those words incessantly as we continued to walk around the hotel building, "up the stairs," she directs me. "593,"

We halt in front of the door marked 593, where she knocks on the door in a specific sequence:

Three knocks - Pause