Chapter 1: An Unexpected Encounter

Entering the army base went smoothly. Their military IDs were scanned without issues, and although Lara's ID was checked, it seemed inconsequential. Yet, one could never underestimate appearances.

Papa had connections on the base and wanted to meet them at the community center bar, but first, they had some time to spare. Lara and Papa enjoyed working out together, unlike Adam, who loathed physical exercise. Adam preferred early morning runs and weightlifting before work. He took the twins to one of the playgrounds on the base while Lara and Papa hit the gym.

They drove off in separate vehicles; Lara's favorite was her F-150 truck, with its four-wheel drive capable of tackling any weather. It was spacious and comfortable, ideal for a large man like Papa.

"What a lovely day! Shall we start with the elliptical?" Lara suggested, bubbling with enthusiasm. They always began their workouts on the elliptical machine, and today was no exception.

"Absolutely," she replied, eager to push herself at the gym. After the elliptical, they planned to tackle weights, with Papa cheering her on and asking any medical questions he had.

It was Good Friday, and although they had called ahead to confirm the gym's limited hours, they arrived just in time. To their surprise, the gym was nearly deserted.

"That's unusual," Papa remarked.

"Shouldn’t it be busier?" Lara replied, puzzled.

"Well, let's appreciate the lack of crowds," he said, but just as he finished, a group of armed men rushed into the gym.

Reacting quickly, Lara and Papa jumped off their machines and ducked behind the equipment, making their way to the free weights. Papa signaled Lara to grab some weights for leverage.

"What's going on here?" he demanded in his authoritative tone, honed from years in the military. He sensed something was deeply wrong.

"Drop the weights," ordered a masked leader, flanked by more masked men.

"Leave my father-in-law out of this; it's me you want," Lara interjected, leaving Papa bewildered.

"Too late, Mrs. T. This is bigger than you can imagine. No one will escape," the leader declared, and they were swiftly bound and hooded before being led away.

Meanwhile, Adam received a distressing signal over his walkie-talkie. Dread filled him as he realized they had his wife.

"Come on, boys. We need to find Mommy and Grandpa," he said, suppressing his anger as the twins looked at him with confusion. They had no choice but to follow their father's orders.

Adam was left in the dark about Lara's whereabouts but felt grateful for the signal she had managed to send. She had cleverly hidden her walkie-talkie in her workout towel, leaving it in the cupholder when the soldiers stormed in.

Lara found herself in a rough vehicle ride, losing track of the turns they took. Directions were never her strength, and all she could hope for was that Papa was holding up better than she was. Each jolt of the vehicle threatened to leave her bruised, but she remembered her strong bones, a small comfort amidst the chaos.

She found solace in prayer, reciting The Lord's Prayer repeatedly, allowing it to calm her mind. With her eyes closed, the rhythm of the vehicle transformed into the gentle sway of ocean waves.

Opening her eyes, she was astonished to see Jesus Christ seated before her on a boat, surrounded by fishing nets. He appeared weary but determined, his bruised body a testament to suffering.

"This is your training, Lara. You must stop these men. Love is on the move," he told her, and in an instant, she returned to the harsh reality of the military vehicle, feeling a fresh blow from a baton.

The vehicle abruptly halted, and she was yanked out, pushed into a building. She was relieved to sense Papa still with her, wishing she had warned him of the impending danger.

A sudden blow to her head sent her into unconsciousness. Hours later, she woke up, her face still covered by a hood. Thirsty and in pain, she sensed Papa's presence beside her.

"Papa? Can you hear me?" she croaked, but received no reply. Desperate, she pinched him, hoping to rouse