My granddaughter’s voice tore through the night. “Grandpa… they locked me in the basement. I won’t come out until morning.” I swallowed my anger. “Tell me where—” A man cut in, sounding smug and laughing loudly: “Relax, old man. She’s entertaining us. Just stay home.” Powerless? He had no idea what I used to be. One call. One team. By midnight, we were at their door—when she gasped, “Go on my signal.” The next morning… and the basement left me stunned.
My granddaughter Lily’s voice tore through the night. “Grandpa… they locked me in the basement. I won’t come out until morning.” For a second, I couldn’t breathe. It was 10:17 p.m. I had been half-asleep in my recliner, the TV murmuring low. Now every instinct I’d ever trained snapped awake. “Lily, tell me where you…