Chapter 7 - THE ABANDONED PIER
The old boathouse loomed over the dark, churning waters of Lake Michigan. Rusted iron chains rattled in the wind. Waves crashed violently against the wooden pylons. Vanessa dragged Sofia out of the SUV. The little girl stumbled on her weak legs. “Move faster!” Vanessa snapped, shoving her forward. “I can't!” Sofia cried. “My legs hurt!” “Good!” Vanessa sneered. “That's how your father is going to feel.” They burst through the rotting wooden doors of the boathouse. Inside, dust and damp air filled the space. Vanessa pulled a heavy metal chain from the wall. She tied it around Sofia's waist. “Sit on the edge,” Vanessa ordered. “Right over the water.” “No! Please!” Sofia begged. “Shut up!” Vanessa screamed, pressing a heavy boot against Sofia's back. “When your father arrives, he's going to make a choice.” “Give me the entire Moretti estate, or watch his precious daughter sink to the bottom of the lake.” Sofia looked down at the dark, freezing water below. “My daddy will never give you anything,” Sofia said bravely. “Oh, he will,” Vanessa smiled darkly. “Because he loves you too much.” Suddenly, headlights cut through the darkness outside. The sound of screeching tires echoed across the pier. Car doors slammed shut. Heavy footsteps surrounded the boathouse. “Vanessa!” Luca's voice boomed through the stormy night. “It's over!” Vanessa grabbed a rusted iron pipe. She pressed it against Sofia's shoulder. “Stay back, Luca!” she shrieked. “One step closer and she takes the plunge!”
