[b]Shannon - Haywood[/b]

Lauren screamed as Katie ran outside the house. "Katie, no!" The woman ran for the girl but Shannon cut her off at the doorway. Lauren still walked with a limp, so it was easy to get ahead of her. Shannon yelled out Katie's name as well as she grabbed the young girl by the arm a few feet away from the line of cars. She held on for dear life, unwilling to let this girl run willingly into this monster's arms. "No, you can't. You can't!" Shannon found herself starting to sweat. She was out in the open now and unable to defend herself.

Tyler positioned himself behind the car's window so he could get a look at what was happening without putting himself in harm's way. Shannon watched as the man's eyes went wide at the sight of Katie. "Katie," he said, his voice low. "My little girl. Daddy's here now. He's here to rescue you."

Shannon shook her head violently. "No! You're the monster! You--"

Tyler slammed his fist against the car window. "Shut up! You are wrong! She is my-- My daughter! She belongs with me!" There was a long moment of silence. Shannon could feel the tension weighing down upon her. "Let her go and we'll leave," Tyler said, his voice more relaxed. "We'll hand over our hostage and we will leave."

Shannon shook her head. Tears stung at her eyes. "You're lying. You've come here to murder us. Your daughter ended up here of her own free will."

Tyler sighed, looking oddly weary. "You're holding my daughter against her will as we speak. She wants her father."

Shannon stared at the man defiantly, even as tears streamed down her cheeks. Then she looked down at the young girl in her grip. "Katie," she whispered. "Please don't do this. Come back inside with us. I'll let you go but please, [i]please[/i] don't leave us."