The Watch

Laura Carter was halfway through deciding what to make for dinner when she saw a man talking to her daughter. She had been watching Emily through the windshield for the last few seconds, waiting for the light to change so she could pull into the school parking lot. It was the usual afternoon chaos: parents inching forward in SUVs, buses pulling away, teenagers spilling across the sidewalk in groups. Emily stood near the corner with her backpack slung over one shoulder. Fourteen years old and perpetually in a hurry, even when she had nowhere to be.

Then the man stopped in front of her.

He was at least forty years old, and of average height. Wearing a dark jacket and a baseball cap, but there was nothing about him immediately stood out. He was saying something to her child, and she shook her head as the man smiled. Then Laura saw him raise one hand in a casual little wave.

“Hello, Emily.” He called out to her.  

Laura couldn't hear him through the closed windows, but she didn't need to as she could read his lips. Her hands tightened around the steering wheel. The traffic light changed, and Laura turned into the parking lot and pulled over without bothering to find a space. By the time she got out, the man was already walking away.

“Hey!” she called out to him, but he didn't turn.

Laura started walking after him.

“Excuse me!” she called out, almost yelling at this point. Emily noticed her mother and looked confused.

“Mom?” she called out.

“Who is that?” Laura asked, pointing at the man who spoke to her.

Emily glanced over her shoulder.

“I don't know.” Emily answered.

Laura quickened her pace as the man kept walking away.

“Hey!” Laura called out again.

This time the looked back, and their eyes met. For just a second, neither of them moved, and then the man's expression changed. It wasn’t fear exactly, but recognition. As if Laura had just confirmed something for him. He turned away from her and walked faster as Laura kept walking after him.

“Stop!” She shouted, but now the man broke into a run.  

Laura tried her best to keep up but stopped at the curb. She wasn't a runner, but she also wasn’t about to chase some strange man through the streets while her daughter stood alone behind her. She kept watching as the man disappeared around the corner.

“Mom?” Emily called out as she walked up to her mother.

“Who was that?” Laura asked her again.

“I don't know.” Emily replied, as she adjusted her backpack.

“What did he say to you?” Laura demanded.

“He said hello,” Emily replied, “How did he know my name?”

Laura looked back at her daughter, as the encounter creeped her out too.

“That's what I'm trying to figure out.” She told her.

“Maybe he's a teacher?” Emily suggested with a shrug.

“Teachers don’t run,” Laura responded, “Do you recognize him?”

“No.” Emily answered.

“Did you ever talk to him online?” Laura inquired.

“Mom?” Emily said, giving her mom a look.

“What?” Laura replied.

“You just asked me if I talk to random forty-year-old men online.” Emily said, as the idea was enough to creep her out. “Eww.”

Laura looked toward the corner where the man had disappeared.

“Let's go home.” Laura said, as she started to walk her back to the car.

They didn't talk much in the car. Emily spent most of the drive looking at her phone. Laura spent most of it looking in the rearview mirror. Nothing followed them, at least nothing she could see. When they reached the house, Emily dropped her backpack by the stairs and headed toward the kitchen.

“Can we order pizza?” the young girl called out.

“No,” Laura answered, “There's chicken.”

Emily opened the refrigerator.

“Can we have chicken pizza?” Emily asked.

Laura almost smiled.

“Not a bad idea,” she conceded.

Emily grabbed a bottle of water, and then her phone buzzed. As she looked at it her expression changed. Laura noticed that and walked over.

“What was that?” She asked her daughter.

“Nothing.” Emily replied, trying to avoid it.

Emily slipped the phone into her pocket.

Laura leaned against the counter.

“Emily.” She said, now giving her the look.

“It's nothing.” Emily insisted.

“Who was it?” Laura asked again.

“Nobody.” Emily said, but in a tone she didn’t believe.

Laura stared at her daughter, and Emily stared back. There were moments when Laura could still see the little girl Emily had been. The child who used to crawl into her bed after thunderstorms. Those moments were becoming rarer as fourteen was definitely an awkward age. Old enough to want independence, but young enough to still need someone to leave the porch light on.

“Was it the guy from school?” Laura asked in a soft voice.

“No.” Emily answered. “I don't know.”

“What did the message say?” Laura inquired.

“I didn't open it.” Emily replied.

“Why not?” Laura asked.

Emily pulled out the phone.

“There wasn't a message.” Emily said, as she turned the screen toward her mother. It was a notification from an unfamiliar account. There was no profile picture, and a username that was not recognizable: @Watcher_001

“What does that mean?” Laura asked with a frown.

“I have no idea.” Emily answered.

Emily deleted the notification while Laura watched her do it.

“Maybe we should check your privacy settings.” Laura suggested.

“They're fine.” Her daughter said.

“Emily.” Laura insisted.

“They're fine, Mom.” Emily said again. The irritation in her daughter's voice was immediate, and Laura recognized it. The conversation was over.

“Okay.” Laura finally conceded.

“I'm going upstairs.” Emily said, grabbing her backpack.

“Homework?” Laura asked.

“Already done during study period,” Emily replied. “I’m going to read a book.”

Laura watched as Emily disappeared up the stairs. She remained in the kitchen and looked at the empty refrigerator. She also looked back at the staircase, and then at her own phone. She opened a browser and typed: @Watcher_001

There was nothing in the search results. She tried again and got the same result. She searched the man's description and that was too vague. Too many results were just as useless as none at all. Finally, she searched Emily's name, and that’s when she got some detailed results. She got information about her school, sports, old fundraisers, and even access to a photograph from a school field trip. Nothing that popped up explained the man nor what happened that day. Laura closed the browser and tried to tell herself that she was overreacting. That seeing danger everywhere was what all good mother did. Imagining worst-case scenarios and worrying themselv4es sick over them was just a part of the job.

Upstairs, Emily's phone buzzed again. Laura didn't hear it, but Emily did. She was sitting on her bed when the notification appeared. She stared at it and it was another notification that she received a message. This time there was no username or profile picture. Just a sentence:

You should tell your mother not to follow people.

Emily's stomach tightened. She didn't respond and another message appeared:

It makes them nervous.

Emily looked toward her bedroom door. Downstairs, she could hear her mother moving around in the kitchen. She typed:

Who are you?

The response came almost immediately.

Someone who watches.

Emily stared at the screen. Then another message appeared:

Goodnight, Emily.

She locked the phone, and for several seconds she sat perfectly still. Then, very slowly, she looked toward her bedroom window. The curtains were open. Outside, across the street, a dark figure stood beneath a tree. Emily couldn't see his face, but he raised one hand and waved to her.

Laura kept telling herself she had overreacted, and by morning she had almost convinced herself. The man from the previous afternoon had probably been some idiot who knew Emily from somewhere. Maybe a friend of a friend, someone from school, or maybe a parent whose kid shared a class with her. Maybe Emily had forgotten him, and that’s why she had no idea who it was. There were a thousand explanations, and Laura preferred all of them to the one that had kept her awake half the night. Someone was watching her daughter. That thought had Laura checking the windows twice before going to bed. She found herself had checking them again before breakfast, and this time Emily had noticed.

“You're acting weird, Mom.” The young girl told her.

“Good morning to you too.” Laura said, looking up from her coffee.

“You checked the front window three times.” Emily noted.

“Did I?” Laura asked, trying to take a position of denial.

“This morning makes four.” Emily added.

“You’re counting?” Laura asked, a little surprised.

“I was trying to eat.” Emily said as she returned to her cereal. For a few moments, the only sound in the kitchen was the clink of her spoon against the bowl.

“Mom?” Emily finally asked.

“Yes, dear?” Laura replied.

“About yesterday,” Emily responded, “I don't think that guy was from school. I don't know him.”

“Did you tell anyone?” Laura asked.

“No.” Emily answered. “I didn't think it was a big deal.”

“Did he say anything else?” Laura inquired.

“No.” Emily replied, “Just hello and my name.

“That's strange.” Laura said, leaning back. “Why didn't you tell me last night?”

“You were already freaking out.” Emily said as she gave her mother a look.

“I was not freaking out.” Laura denied.

“You were checking the windows.” Emily reminded her as she grabbed her backpack. “I've got to go.”

“Emily.” Laura called out and watched as her daughter stopped. “If anybody else talks to you… you need to tell me about it.”

“Mom.” Emily replied, sounding annoyed.

“I'm serious.” Laura said with a higher tone.

Emily's expression softened.

“Alright,” Emily conceded, “If it happens again, I'll tell you.”

Laura watched Emily leave the kitchen window until she disappeared down the sidewalk. Laura kept telling herself that she was simply being a mother.

That afternoon, Laura picked Emily up from school again and she was relieved to see no strange men watching or talking to her child. This time they stopped at a small coffee shop on the way home. It was one of their usual places which was nice but nothing fancy. There were a few tables near the windows, students doing homework, and people working on laptops. A strong smell of coffee and cinnamon coming from behind the counter. Emily ordered a hot chocolate, while Laura orders a latte.

They found a table near the front window and for the next twenty minutes everything felt normal. Emily was telling her about a science assignment, but Laura was only half listening. While they were splitting a muffin, a woman approached their table. She was probably in her early fifties, and was wearing a gray sweater, dark jeans, and had short brown hair.

She smiled at Emily as she walked over.

“You're Emily, aren't you?” the older women said.

Laura looked up, and then at Emily who was equally confused. Emily was about to say something but looked like a deer caught in the headlights. The woman laughed lightly and appeared to shrug it off.

“I’m sorry about that,” the woman said to Laura, “She looks exactly like someone I know.”

Laura felt something tighten in her stomach.

“Do you know her?” Emily asked.

“No, I’m afraid I don’t.” The woman replied, as she looked directly at Emily. “But you really do look familiar.”

Emily smiled politely.

The woman nodded.

“Well, have a nice afternoon.” She replied, as she started to walk away.

Laura watched her take one step, and then she reached out and grabbed the woman’s arm.

“Excuse me.” Laura said as she now stood up while still holding onto her arm, “How the hell did you know my daughter's name?”

The woman turned around, her expression was perfectly calm.

“I don't.” the woman replied.

“But you just said it.” Laura countered.

“It was a guess.” The woman said, as Laura kept staring at her.

“You guessed?” Laura repeated, clearly not buying it. Her grip on the woman’s arm tightened as she found her story to be total rubbish.

“She looks like an Emily.” The woman tried to explain.

Laura glanced at her daughter. Emily was looking between them.

“That's an interesting guess.” Laura said, as she didn’t believe her.

“I apologize if I upset you.” The woman said as her smile faded slightly.

“Where have you seen her?” Laura asked.

“Nowhere.” The woman answered.

“Then why did you approach us?” Laura said, refusing to let go.

“I told you.” The woman replied, “I thought she was someone else.”

“You’re lying,” Laura accused, “Because you knew her name.”

Without notice, but woman yanked her arm back and freed herself from Laura’s grip and immediately left the coffee shop. Laura watched her leave and was once again tempted to follow her.

“Mom.” Emily said, breaking the silence.

“What?” Laura asked, looking down at her.

“You're being weird again.” Emily informed her.

Laura didn't answer as she watched the woman pushed through the front door and walk past the window. The woman then stopped and turned around for no reason. She looked directly at Emily and then smiled. Not at Laura, but at her daughter. Laura stood frozen as the woman continued walking as was gone.

“Mom?” Emily asked again.

“Stay here.” Laura ordered.

Laura walked out of the coffee shop and saw that the woman was already halfway down the block. Laura tried to call out to her, but the woman just ignored her and kept walking. Laura followed and yelled out at her again, and this time the woman glanced back as Laura finally managed to walk up to her.

“How do you know my daughter?” Laura demanded.

The woman stopped, and for a moment, Laura thought she might finally answer. Instead, the woman gave the last answer she expected to hear.

“I don't.” the woman softly replied.

“Then stop approaching her.” Laura ordered.

“I didn't mean any harm.” The woman said.

“Then stay away from her!” Laura said, losing her patience.

The smile disappeared.

“Of course.” The woman said, “My apologies.”

The woman turned and walked away. Laura watched until she disappeared around the corner. There was something about her that bothered Laura. It wasn't what the woman had said, but what she hadn't said. She had never once asked Laura's name, just like she never asked for Emily's. The answer to that question was pretty easy to figure out: she already knew their names.

That evening, Laura sat at the kitchen table with her laptop open. Emily was upstairs while she was doing a search of the woman's description. Like the search she did on the man before, she got nothing. She searched the coffee shop, local community groups, and still came up with nothing. Finally, she opened Emily's school website. There was a section for student activities such as sports, clubs, and various events. That’s when she saw it. School Portrait Day: September 14th.

Laura clicked on the link and a photograph appeared. It was of Emily standing in front of the school's blue backdrop. Her hair was pulled back and she was smiling. Laura remembered the day as Emily had complained about the photographer. She'd said he'd made her stand there three times. Laura smiled despite herself, and then she noticed the file name. It wasn't Emily's name, but a long string of numbers. Laura clicked on the picture and downloaded it. She then opened the image properties and realized that the photo had been uploaded to the school website two months earlier. Nothing strange about that, so she closed the file.

Then Laura remembered something, as the woman at the coffee shop had looked at Emily strangely. Not like someone who had mistaken her for another person, but like someone who had already seen her. Laura reopened the photograph and zoomed in this time. Emily's face filled the screen and Laura kept staring at it until something caught her eye. The photograph had been cropped. Not very much, but just enough that the edges of the original image weren't visible. Laura checked the school website again and noticed there was another copy. She downloaded that one too and discovered that it was an entirely different file. Same photograph except this time she could see the original frame. There was a tiny logo in the lower corner, which showed the name of the photography company.

Laura recognized the name, as she had seen it before. Every year the company photographed students throughout the district on picture day. The came in once a year to take student portraits, team photographs, class composites, and even graduation pictures. They took pictures of thousands of children. Laura clicked the company's website and then stopped. There was a banner stretched across the top of the website’s front page: SECURITY NOTICE

Laura read it and then read it a second time. There had been an unauthorized intrusion into the company's network. The investigation was ongoing, but customer information may have been illegally accessed. The company claimed no sensitive financial information had been compromised. Laura barely noticed that part as she kept reading. Photographs, names, school information, and contact details associated with student accounts had been potentially exposed.

Laura felt her hands go cold. She looked at Emily's photograph, and at the photograph file on her computer. Then back at the security notice. Someone had stolen photographs of children, and Emily's photograph was one of them. Laura closed the laptop, as for several seconds she simply sat there. Then she opened the laptop again and conducted a search on the photography company. This time she didn't search the company's name but searched for details on the breach. Several news headlines popped up on the search results:

Student photographs leaked

School pictures stolen

Private forum school photos

The results were mostly news articles, but one result wasn't. That third one was a discussion board. The page title was strange, as it was referred to as “THE WATCH”.

Laura clicked on the link, but the page wouldn't load. She tried again, and once again got nothing. She closed the tab, reopened it, and this time the page loaded. It had a Black background, white text, and no advertisements. At the top was a single sentence that stood out in bold letters:

WE WATCH. NOTHING MORE.

Laura stared at it. She then noticed that below were hundreds of usernames. Laura started to scroll through them but then stopped. A photograph appeared, and itw as Emily’s. Her school photograph. Underneath her picture was a poll:

WHO SHOULD WE WATCH THIS YEAR?

There were many names and pictures of girls. Emily's photograph had a number beside it: 84%

Laura stared at the screen as she scrolled down. A new line appeared beneath the photograph.

WATCH #18 HAS BEEN SELECTED.

Laura's breathing stopped. She kept scrolling, and there were comments below her picture:

Welcome to the Watch, Emily.

Rule One: We do not contact the Watch.

Rule Two: We do not reveal the Watch.

Rule Three: We watch. Nothing more.

Laura read the rules twice and then saw the next comment on the board which was only posted only minutes earlier.

Someone's been noticed.

Laura's hand moved to the mouse, and she kept scrolling to read more. Another comment could be seen replying:

Who broke Rule One?

A response followed:

It doesn't matter. She hasn't figured it out yet.

Then she saw another response:

It does matter! We only watch! Nothing More!

Laura stared at the screen, and then she heard footsteps on the stairs. She slammed the laptop shut as Emily walked into the kitchen.

“Mom?” Emily called out as she entered the room.

“Yeah?” Laura said as she looked at her.

“Why do you look like that?” Emily inquired.

Laura swallowed.

“Come sit down.” Laura requested, gesturing to a chair at the table.

“What happened?” Emily asked, somewhat hesitant.

Laura looked at her daughter. For the first time, she wasn't sure whether telling Emily the truth would protect her or make everything worse. Laura reached out for Emily's hand.

“Someone has been watching you.” Laura informed her.

Emily's face went pale. And upstairs, from the bedroom she had left empty, Emily's phone had begun to ring.

Midnight came and went without Laura noticing as the house had been quiet for almost two hours. Emily had gone to bed shortly after ten, after Laura had insisted she leave her phone downstairs. Emily had complained but Laura didn’t care. She had told her daughter it was because she needed sleep. That wasn't the real reason, but Laura didn't want to see another message arrive. She sat alone at the kitchen table with her laptop open. The screen illuminated the dark room as she had been reading the comments on the Watch website for almost two hours. She couldn't stop as every time she thought she'd seen the worst of it… she found something worse. Another photograph, another crude comment, and another piece of evidence that made her stomach twist. The Watch is what they called themselves. This was not a person they were taking about. They were referring to her daughter as “the watch”. Emily was apparently the eighteenth girl selected for this site. Laura didn't understand how the selection worked. She hadn't found an explanation yet, but there were hundreds of photographs in the nomination section. Hundreds of girls from different schools, and even from different cities. They varied in age, but most of them appeared to be teenagers. Some photographs were obviously school portraits while others looked like yearbook pictures and sports photographs. Laura hated those the most as the girls were smiling, laughing, and trying to enjoy life They were completely unaware that strangers had been studying their faces and voting who to stalk.

She scrolled through the comments, and while most of them were short they were clinical and boring. To Laura that somehow made them worse. She looked at some of the comments made earlier that day:

Arrived at 8:07. She was wearing a blue coat today.

Left through the east entrance.

She stopped at the pharmacy.

Laura kept staring at the screen, as her fingers tightened around the edge of the laptop. She found comments about Emily.

8:11 - Entered school.

12:14 - Lunch outside today. Salad again.

3:09 - Left through east entrance.

Laura looked at the clock on the wall. 12:17 am. Someone had been recording her daughter's movements that very day. She kept scrolling and froze when she came upon another comment:

She was with her mother this afternoon.

Laura froze. She read the comment again. Then another appeared underneath it.

They went to a coffee shop.

Another user replied:

Someone Rule One violation.

Laura's heart began pounding. She scrolled faster to read more:

Who spoke to her?

Was it a new member?

What an idiot!

Did anyone notice?

Her mother did.

Laura stopped breathing for a second. She looked toward the staircase, but the house was still quiet. She returned to the screen and read that someone had seen what happened at the coffee shop. Someone else was there too… maybe several people. Now strangers on the website were discussing it. Talking about Emily, and about her.

Laura's hands began to shake as she kept reading:

Her mother followed. She knows something’s wrong.

Another reply appeared.

It appears someone needs to remind everyone of the rules.

For several seconds nothing else appeared, and then a new comment appeared. This person’s username was different from all the others: WATCHER-001

Laura leaned closer. The account had almost no activity, and no official profile. There was no photograph, and no history that she could see. The other members immediately reacted to the comment.

Understood.

Of course.

Apologies.

Laura's eyes moved back to the original post. The comment from WATCHER-001 was very short but addressed the situation.

The two people who broke the rules have been dealt with.
I will not tolerate any further breaches.
This is your first and only warning.
WE WATCH, NOTHING MORE!

Laura read it twice, and then a third time. According to this message, two people had broken the rules, and had been promptly “dealt with” and her mind immediately returned to the man who had run from her. Then she thought about the woman at the coffee shop, and the way the woman had smiled at Emily. She had known her name and simply walked away as if nothing had happened.

Laura suddenly felt very cold as she closed the laptop. Then opened it again.

She didn't know why, but perhaps she needed to know. She needed to prove to herself that she was imagining things. She clicked on WATCHER-001's username, and the profile appeared. It was almost completely empty. He was a member of the watch since 2009, which mean the website had existed for at least seventeen years.

She scrolled through his profile and there were only a handful of comments. Most were buried in old discussions which were always short and authoritative. Then she found something else. An old thread listed: WATCH #3: COMPLETED

Laura clicked on the link and a photograph appeared. It was a young girl that was at the time around Emily’s age. She was smiling, happy, and quite beautiful. Below the photograph was a date and Laura opened another tab and searched the girl's name. The first result was an old newspaper article:

LOCAL TEEN STILL MISSING AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS.

Laura heart skipped a beat as her eyes moved across the article. The girl had disappeared shortly after her sixteenth birthday. No body as ever discovered, and no suspected were ever arrested. Their family had no answers. Laura looked up the names of other expired watched and searched their names as well. One after another returned the same result, every girl was missing and never recovered. Laura’s breathing became shallow as she looked at the photograph on the screen, and then at the staircase. Emily was upstairs and still asleep. She had no idea what was going on. The danger that was no hanging over her head.

Laura reached for her phone and quickly scrolled through her contacts. She stopped on one name. She hadn’t talked to him for over a year, and even then, they said very little to one another. Her finger hovered over one name, and despite what had happened before, this wasn’t about her. It was about Emily.

Laura knew what time it was as she pressed the button, fully aware she was about to wake someone up. She also knew she didn't care and waiting patiently as the line started to ring. It rang three times before someone finally picked up.

“Hello?” the man on the other end answered. His voice was thick with sleep, and she could hear movement which was probably him either sitting up or moving his legs over the side of the bed.

“Jack,” Laura said, pausing for a moment. “It’s Laura.”

There was a short pause, as the other side processed the statement.

“Laura?” Jack replied, “What happened?”

Laura tried to speak, but nothing came out.

Jack was suddenly more awake.

“Laura?” he said again, wondering if the line went dead.

“I need you to come here.” Laura ordered, “Right now.”

Again, there was silence.

“Are you okay?” Jack asked, as she now had his full attention.

Laura looked at the closed laptop, and then at the staircase. She then looked straight up at the ceiling that was beneath her daughter's bedroom.

“No.” Laura finally answered.

“What happened?” Jack asked again.

Laura swallowed and then said only five words.

“It's Emily.” Laura answered, “She's in danger.”

There was no hesitation and no questions asked, as Laura could hear the sound of Jack getting out of bed. He didn’t ask for details or an explanation and merely responded with four words of his own.

“I'm on my way.” Jack replied, and then the line went dead.

Jack arrived twenty-two minutes later. Laura watched headlights sweep across the living-room wall. A vehicle stopped in the driveway, and the driver’s door opened. Jack stepped out, wearing jeans, boots, and a dark sweatshirt thrown over a T-shirt. He looked like a man who had been dragged out of bed, but his eyes were wide awake. Laura opened the door before Jack had a chance to knock. Jack looked at her and didn’t even say hello as he looked past her.

“Where's my niece?” he asked her.

“She’s sleeping.” Laura answered.

“Is she safe?” Jack then asked.

“I think so.” Laura answered.

Jack's eyes hardened.

“That's not what I asked.” Jack responded, as his tone was sharp enough to cut.

“She's upstairs.” Laura said as she stepped aside.

Jack didn’t take his boots off as he walked through the house, checking the windows as he went. He also inspected the front door, back doors, the kitchen, and even the hallways. Jack also checked every lock, looked through the curtains, and even checked the driveway. Only then did he come back to the kitchen.

“Alright,” Jack said as he strolled into the kitchen, “Now you can tell me what the hell is going on here.”

Laura opened the laptop.

“I found this.” She said to her brother.

Jack leaned over the screen and read the page. Then he read another, and then another. Laura watched his expression, but it barely changed. That frightened her more than if he had looked shocked.

“Jack,” Laura said, “Please say something.”

Jack continued scrolling.

“How long has this been happening?” Jack finally asked.

“I don't know.” Laura honestly replied.

“How long has Emily been on this site?” Jack inquired.

“I only just found it myself,” Laura replied, “But according to the site, apparently six months.”

Jack stopped reading and looked up at her.

“Six months?” he repeated.

“That's what it says.” Laura confirmed.

“And she was selected?” Jack asked.

“Yes,” Laura said, “From hundreds of girls.”

Jack looked back at the screen. He read the comments about Emily's movements. The times. The locations. The coffee shop. His jaw tightened as what he was reading was infuriating him.

“Someone's physically following her.” Jack replied.

“I know.” Laura said.

“How many?” Jack asked.

“I don't know!” Laura answered, her anger flaring. “There are hundreds of users on this site, possibly thousands!”

Jack sat down, and Laura could see him processing the information.

“Jack?” she said, but he didn't answer. “Tell me I'm imagining this.”

Jack finally looked at her.

“I can't.” Jack said, as he wished this was a joke too.

Laura felt tears beginning to form.

“Then tell me what we're supposed to do.” Laura said, hoping he might have the answers she had no idea how to find.

Jack turned the laptop toward himself, and he went back to the beginning. He read the rules, and then every comment that had been posted about Emily. He even went back to the older Watch records. While he was doing this, Laura put on a pot of coffee and made one for her and her brother. She held onto her mug and watched from several feet away as Jack’s expression grew increasingly grim.

“This isn't some teenager forum.” Jack finally said.

“I know.” Laura replied. “Both people who talked to Emily were at least forty years of age, maybe more.”

Jack pointed at the screen.

“Look at the way they document her movements.” He observed, “They’re organized. They have people watching her school and watching known public places like that coffee shop you two frequent. It also looks like someone is enforcing the rules here too.”

Laura pointed at the comment from WATCHER-001.

“That one.” She said, “He’s their leader. I’m sure of it.”

Jack read it again.

“The one who broke the rules have been dealt with.” Jack read, and then he looked up at Laura. “Who was the man yesterday?”

“I don't know.” Laura replied.

“Give me a description?” Jack asked.

Laura gave it to him, and Jack memorized it. She also gave him the details about the woman at the coffee shop as well. The two people who had broken the rules and were according to the site dealt with expeditiously.

“Did either of them touch Emily?” Jack asked.

“No.” Laura answered.

“Did they threaten her?” Jack said, eager to know more. “Any attempts to take her away from you?”

“No.” Laura said again.

“Then we don't have enough.” Jack replied.

“What?” Laura said, as she could hardly believe it.

“We don't have enough to go to the police,” Jack explained to her. “We just can’t walk in and say an organized group is stalking your daughter and planning to abduct her after a certain amount of time. They’ll laugh us out of the station.”

“We have their website.” Laura reminded him.

“We have a website.” Jack corrected her.

“We have photographs!” Laura added.

“Of your daughter.” Jack reminded her.

“We have the missing girls!” Laura said, as her anger was growing.

Jack looked at her with a face that was dead serious.

“Do we have proof that these people are responsible for those disappearances?” he asked her.

Laura opened her mouth to speak but then closed it.

“That's what I thought.” Jack said, as he looked at the screen again.

“Then what do we do?” Laura asked.

Jack leaned back. For the first time since he'd arrived, Laura saw something behind his eyes that she hadn't expected. Fear. Not for himself, but for Emily. He looked toward the ceiling like Laura had done earlier.

“We have six months until the end of her Watch.” He reminded her, “And that means we’re on the clock.”

“What happens when it runs out?” Laura asked.

“I don't know, but I have no intention of finding out.” Jack confessed, as he closed the laptop. “We can't wait for them to make the next move.”

“What are you saying?” Laura asked.

Jack looked toward the staircase.

“I'm saying measures need to be taken.” Jack replied.

“What kind of measures?” Laura asked as she felt a chill run through her.

Jack didn't answer immediately, as he walked to the front window and looked outside. The street was empty and it was very dark and quiet outside. Jack watched for several seconds and then said:

“They think you suspect something,” Jack replied, as he turned to face her. “But we know more than they think we do. We’re going to use that to our advantage.”

“How?” Laura asked.

“It’s time to watch the watchers.” Jack answered, “We have work to do.”

Jack didn't sleep that night, and he didn’t even try. After Laura finally went upstairs to her room, he sat in the living room with the lights off and watched the house through the window. The street outside was quiet but to a man of his expertise it was too quiet. Jack had spent enough years in places where quiet meant something to know the difference between peaceful and waiting. What was going on was waiting rather than peaceful. Jack consulted his watch, which read 2:17 am. He got up off the couch and walked through the house. He checked the back doors again and rechecked the windows for the umpteenth time. He eventually returned to the living room around 3:04, and that’s when he spotted headlights at the far end of the street.

A car slowly approached the house, and Jack watched it pass by. The car didn’t stop and he kept watching until the taillights disappeared. At 3:19, another vehicle came through but this one didn’t slow down. Jack still watched it and wrote down every car that came by and noted what time it came by in one of Laura’s notebooks.

Jack finally made himself a cup of coffee and stood guard at the kitchen counter and looked toward the staircase. His niece was sleeping upstairs and for the first time since arriving, Jack allowed himself to think about what he'd read.

There were seventeen girls, and every one of them had disappeared. Now Emily had been chosen to be their eighteenth. He didn't like the odds at all.

At 6:13, he heard footsteps upstairs. Laura appeared at the top of the stairs wearing a robe. She stopped walking down when she saw him.

“You didn't sleep?” She asked him.

“Nope.” Jack replied as he took a sip of coffee.

“Jack.” Laura said, with a tone similar to their mother.

“I'm fine.” Jack told her.

“You've been sitting there all night?” Laura asked.

“Pretty much.” Jack answered, “I’ve also been doing hourly sweeps and checking the roads for any unusual activity.”

Laura looked toward the window.

“Did you see anyone?” she asked.

“Not anyone I'd be worried about.” Jack replied.

That answer did not comfort her but before she could say anything else, smaller footsteps came from the hallway as Emily made her first appearance of the day. Her hair was a mess, and she was still wearing pajamas. She stopped halfway down the stairs when she realized someone else was in the kitchen.

“Uncle Jack?” She called out with a face of absolute delight.

“Morning, kiddo.” Jack called out, giving her a warm smile.

Emily looked at her mother, and then at Jack.

“Why are you here?” his niece inquired.

“Your mother needed some help.” Jack replied.

Emily's eyes narrowed.

“What kind of help?” the young girl asked.

“The kind involving breakfast.” Jack said, as he pointed toward the kitchen. A plate of scrambled eggs and crispy bacon sat at the table.

“You made breakfast?” Emily asked, genuinely surprised.

“I can cook.” Jack informed the ladies.

Laura responded by folded her arms.

“You can barely boil water.” She reminded him.

“Not anymore.” Jack countered, “I’ve been taking online classes. My culinary skills have vastly improved.”

Emily walked into the kitchen and looked at the food. Then at Jack.

“Did you actually make this?” She asked, as she could hardly believe it.

“Eat before it gets cold.” Jack told her.

Emily didn’t say anything else as she sat down and took a bite. Her eyebrows lifted as she was genuinely surprised.

“This is actually good!” she said to no one in particular.

“I'll tell your mother.” Jack replied.

“I heard that,” Laura called out from the other side of the kitchen.

For a few minutes, the house almost felt normal. Emily ate her breakfast while Laura was drinking her coffee. Jack leaned against the counter and watched them both. He could almost pretend he wasn't there because a group of creepy strangers had selected his niece for something he still didn't fully understand. Almost.

Then Laura noticed him looking at the clock.

“What is it?” she asked him.

“I've got some errands to run.” Jack replied.

“What kind of errands?” Laura asked.

“The kind I don't want to explain in front of Emily.” Jack explained, as he noticed Emily looking up from her breakfast.

“You know I can hear you, right?” Emily asked.

“Since I have thing to do,” Jack said to his sister, “I can drive Emily to school.”

“Alright,” Laura agreed, because deep down she knew why her brother wanted to take care of dropoff this morning.

Emily looked between them.

“Are you two always this weird?” She asked them.

“Yes,” Jack and Laura answered together.

For the first time that morning, Jack relaxed, but only a little.

The drive to school was quiet. Emily sat in the passenger seat, looking at her phone while Jack kept his eyes on the road.

“Mom says you're staying with us for a while.” Emil said without looking away from her phone.

“Maybe.” Jack cryptically answered.

“Why?” Emily asked.

“Your mother worries.” Jack replied, “I’m here to help relieve them.”

Emily looked at him.

“Are those worries about me?” Emily asked.

“Yeah.” Jack replied.

Emily paused for a moment and then finally looked up from her phone.

“Is this because of that website?” she asked him.

Jack glanced at her.

“You saw it?” he asked her.

“No,” Emily answered, “But Mom told me about it. She told me to not talk to any strangers and not leave school grounds with out her or a teacher.”

“Good advice,” Jack said, as he nodded. “But don't worry about it. I want you to worry about more important things, like boys and your next test. Your mom and I will take care of that site.”

Emily gave him a skeptical look.

“You're a terrible liar.” She told her uncle.

“Was it that obvious?” Jack asked her.

“Just a little.” Emily answered, trying to spare his feelings.

They drove another block, and this time he slowed at an intersection. She looked back out the window.

“Emily?” Jack called out to her.

“Yeah?” Emily replied.

“If anyone talks to you today, I want you to tell me about it.” Jack requested, “I am going document every encounter.”

“I swear,” Emily said, “You two are going to drive me crazy.”

Jack smiled.

“That's what family is for.” He informed her.

The school appeared ahead, and Jack slowed down. He had driven past it twice already but not because he was lost. He used each pass to check to see what was different each time he passed and what variables were constant. He was wearing sunglasses which hid where his eyes were looking. Jack noticed the obvious places on his first drive by. The parking lot, the bus lane, and even the side entrance. There was a coffee shop across the street, and a convenience store half a block away. On the second pass Jack started to notice the people. There was a man leaning against a parked car, and he was clearly too old to be a student. He wasn’t holding a coffee and wasn’t even talking on his phone. He was just standing there and sticking out like a sore thumb. The man was looking toward the school, but Jack just kept driving.

There was another person stood near the bus shelter. A woman in her late twenties, but she wasn’t waiting for the bus. He could tell she was watching the school entrance. Jack saw her glance at Emily as they passed by and did his best not to react. That was the point as he continued driving.

“Here we are.” Jack said, as he finally pulled up to the drop off spot.

Emily grabbed her backpack and opened the door.

“Thanks for the ride, Uncle Jack.” She said to him, “And for breakfast. It was actually really good.”

“Thanks, kiddo.” Jack said, smiling back. “Have a good day.”

Emily paused and stood there with the door still open.

“You're picking me up?” she asked him.

“Of course,” Jack replied, “I’m going to be in town all day, so I’ll grab you on the way back. I thought we’d give Mom the day off.”

“Promise?” Emily asked.

“I promise.” Jack replied, giving her a wink.

Emily smiled and closed the door. Jack watched her walk toward the school, but he didn’t start the truck immediately. He stayed parked and kept watching until Emily reached the entrance. She stopped at the door and looked back. Jack smiled and waved to her, and Emily waved back. Then she disappeared inside, and Jack waited another thirty seconds. He noticed the man beside the parked car was still there, and the woman at the bus shelter was still watching the entrance.

Both of them were amateurs, Jack thought as he reached for his phone. He snapped so quick photos. He didn't know who they were yet, but there was one thing that he did know. They were watching Emily, and now someone was watching them.

After his niece was safely dropped off at school, Jack drove for forty minutes and left the city behind. He even drove beyond the suburbs and the main roads. He eventually came up to an old building that from the outside looked abandoned, but it wasn’t. There were no signs, or company names, and not even any security guards. Just an old industrial building with a rusting exterior and a steel door. Jack walked towards the big door and knocked twice. A few moments later, Jack knocked again.  

A small panel opened, and a voice came from it.

“Password?” the voice on the other side asked.

Jack looked directly at the camera.

“November Rain,” Jack answered, “Your favorite Guns N’ Roses song.”

“That’s wrong.” The other voice replied.

“Still using that old joke?” Jack asked, mildly amused.

The panel closed, and seconds later a lock clicked. The door opened, and a man stood behind it. He was about Jack's age and had gray beginning to show at his temples. He also had broad shoulders and cold eyes that were staring at Jack. A few seconds later he finally smiled.

“Jack Crawford,” the man said, “As I live and breath.”

“Good to see you too, Albert.” Jack said as he stepped inside.

As the door closed behind him, the building looked nothing like it had from outside. There were computers, large monitors, a lot of high-tech equipment, radios, cameras, and various tools for all occasions. Shelves filled wit h things Jack had no intention of explaining to Laura.

“Nobody told me you were coming.” Albert said as he locked the door.

“That's because nobody knows I'm here.” Jack replied.

“That usually means you're in trouble.” Albert assumed.

“I need a few things, Albert.” Jack said as he kept walking.

Albert’s smile disappeared.

“What kind of things?” he asked.

“Cameras to start off,” Jack answered, “And I mean the best you have. The ones that can do thermal.”

“How many do you need?” Albert inquired.

“More than a few,” Jack responded, “And I’m also going to need the highest security equipment you've got.”

“What are you planning?” Albert asked, his arms crossed.

“I’m also going to need some guns,” Jack added, “Lots of guns.”

The man stared at him for another second.

“Jack,” Albert said, “Talk to me. What the hell is going on?”

Jack finally looked him directly in the eye.

“Do you have what I need or not?” Jack retorted.

“Listen here,” Albert started, as his patience was clearly thinning. “You can't just walk in here after disappearing for years and ask me for a pricey private security package and enough firepower to start a small war.”

"I know.” Jack said, well aware of what he was asking for.

“Then why should I help you?” Albert asked.

Jack turned back to face him and smile. It wasn't a friendly smile. It was the smile of two men who had shared things neither of them ever discussed for decades.

“Because you owe me, Albert.” Jack coldly replied.

In an instant Albert’s expression changed. For several seconds, neither man spoke. Then Albert let out a deep sigh.

“You really are an asshole, Jack.” He finally said.

“I missed you too.” Jack said.

Albert turned toward the back of the building.

“Come on.” He said, making a gesture. “Most of what you want is this way.”

The man looked over his shoulder.

“Jack,” Albert said, “You’re going to have to tell me what you've gotten yourself into, because if you're asking for this much... I have a feeling I'm going to need to know about it.”

Jack paused for a moment.

“It’s my niece,” He responded, “She’s in danger.”

Albert stopped walking and turned to face Jack.

“You mean Laura’s kid?” Albert said as his voice sounded less amused.

“Yeah,” Jack confirmed, “She’s being stalked.”

“By whom?” Albert asked, his aggression slowly rising. He was suddenly beginning to understand Jack’s request for firepower.

“Fire up the laptop,” Jack requested, “And I’ll show you.”

Albert sat in front of the laptop without saying a word, as Jack stood silently behind him and left him to browse the site on his own. The room had become very quiet, while Albert checked out the site. The first few pages hadn't seemed particularly alarming, as it was a private website with a collection of photographs. It was a group of people talking about teenage girls, but Albert had seen worse things on the internet. Then he continued browsing and saw the nominations. Hundreds of them, all girls from different schools, cities, and backgrounds. He saw the voting and the winner being declared “The Watch” which would go on for a whole year.

Then he saw the comments:

8:11 - Emily has entered school.

3:09 - She left through east entrance.

4:11 - At the coffee shop with her mother.

Albert's jaw tightened as he kept scrolling. Then he found the archives, which shows the previous watches, photographs, and discussions. He looked at the previous girls and opened one of the folders. He searched her name online and found the missing-person reports. And then another which was also missing.

Albert leaned back slowly.

“How many?” he softly asked.

“Seventeen,” Jack answered.

Albert looked at him.

“Seventeen girls?” he repeated.

“Seventeen confirmed.” Jack confirmed, “Maybe more, as we have no idea if this site was running on another URL before this one.”

“And Emily is next?” Albert asked.

“Yeah.” Jack said, “She’s number eighteen.”

Albert looked back at the screen.

“How long?” he asked.

“Six months.” Jack answered.

Albert frowned.

“That's not what I asked.” He informed him.

Jack didn't answer, and Albert looked at him.

“How long until her Watch ends?” Albert asked.

Jack's expression hardened.

“Oh,” Jack replied, “We’ve got less than six months."

Albert stared at the screen. For several seconds, he didn't move. Then he closed the laptop and hopped off his stool.

“And what the hell happens when it ends?” Albert demanded, his anger rising.

“I don't know, Albert.” Jack answered, “And that’s what scares me.”

“That's not good enough, Jack.” Albert replied.

“I know.” Jack agreed, “But I don’t want my mind to go there. I would rather concentrate on preventing whatever, or whoever, is coming from getting her.”

“Agreed.” Albert said as he started to walk towards a large metal cabinet at the far end of the room. He punched in a code to open the door. The lock clicked, and he walked inside. Second later he came out dragging a large container.

“Albert.” Jack called out, “You don’t have to do this.”

“I know what I have to do.” Albert corrected him, “And so do you.”

Albert proceeded to pull out several more cases. Jack raised an eyebrow as he had no idea what he was bringing out.

“That's a lot of help.” Jack observed.

Albert looked at him.

“You're protecting my friend's daughter.” Albert reminded him. “Jim’s not here to protect his little girl, so that falls on us.”

He opened another cabinet.

“And apparently some lunatics have decided they're going to take her.” Albert said as he took out a massive gun and started to inspect it. “And we’re going to do whatever is necessary to make sure not a single bastard lays a finger on her.”

The next hour was a blur of equipment. Albert inspected and then packed cameras, monitors, sensors, and communication equipment. Heavy duty locks, and other security hardware Jack recognized immediately. Albert didn't explain everything as he just packed whatever he felt was needed without even asking. Some things were better left unspoken.

Then Albert opened a smaller case, and Jack looked inside.

“Now that's the good stuff.” Jack said as he whistled.

Albert nodded.

“Military grade.” He confirmed.

Jack examined the contents of the large crate.

“You've been saving this, haven’t you?” Jack asked.

“For a rainy day,” Albert confirmed.

“And this qualifies?” Jack inquired.

Albert gave him a flat look.

“Seventeen missing girls.” He reminded him.

“Fair point.” Jack conceded.

Albert began loading ammunition into another case, and Jack leaned over to confirm what he thought he was seeing.

“Are those Hollow points?” he asked.

Albert nodded.

“We’re expecting trouble.” Albert said, “And if the people trying to abduct a fifteen-year-old girl are smart enough to wear Kevlar, these rounds will rip through them like butter. Those bastards won’t stand a chance.”

Jack didn't argue as Albert closed the case.

“I’ve got the truck here.” Jack informed him.

“That won't be enough.” Albert replied, “We’ll take mine too.”

“You coming?” Jack said, as he was a little surprised.

Albert looked at him as though the question were ridiculous.

“Of course I'm coming.” He replied.

“You don't have to.” Jack said, “This is my fight.”

Albert stepped closer.

“You've been my friend for a long time.” Albert reminded him, “Laura was always good to me, but I'm about to put a lot of holes in her walls.”

“She’ll understand,” Jack replied. “And I guess that's why you'll be installing everything.”

“Damn right,” Albert confirmed, “Let’s get packing.”

It took a few hours to load the two trucks, which was longer than Jack expected. By the time they finished, the back of one truck was packed with security equipment while the other carried cases of weapons and ammunition.

One their way back, Jack pulled up to pick Emily up from school. Jack arrived first, while Albert stayed several vehicles behind, as he had been doing this long enough to understand that you didn't protect someone by assuming nobody was following. As Jack pulled into the school parking lot Emily was waiting near the entrance. She smiled when she saw him and ran over. Her smile disappeared when she noticed the other vehicle behind him.

“Who's that?” she asked her uncle.

“That’s Albert,” Jack answered, “He’s an old friend.”

“Your friend drives like that?” Emily asked.

Jack glanced into the mirror, as Albert was several cars back.

“He's being cautious.” Jack explained, as Emily opened the passenger door.

“Is he coming to the house?” she asked.

“He is,” Jack replied. “He's helping us install some security equipment.”

Emily stared at him.

“Mom is going to freak out.” She told him.

“Probably.” Jack agreed.

“Are you going to tell her?” Emily asked.

“Eventually.” Jack replied, “When we get home.”

Emily shook her head.

“You're weird.” She informed him.

“So I've been told.” Jack replied, which was quite true.

Jack waited until she was buckled in and then pulled away from the school.

Albert followed three cars behind them as he was watching intersections and side streets for unusual activity. He kept an eye out for vehicles that appeared more than once. At first, he noticed a dark SUV that remained behind Jack’s truck for several minutes. Albert watched it and as the SUV turned away, he made a note of the license plate anyway. A sedan appeared behind Jack's vehicle and Albert watched it for two blocks before it also disappeared. Albert continued following Jack’s truck and from then he didn’t notice anyone else following them. At least nobody Albert could see.

Laura opened the front door when they arrived and smiled when she saw her daughter getting out of Jack’s truck. Then she saw Albert getting out of his own truck and her expression changed.

“Albert?” she called out to him.

Albert smiled.

“Hey, Laura.” He responded.

Laura slowly stepped outside.

“I haven't seen you in…” she paused and couldn’t complete the sentence.

“I know,” Albert recalled, “It’s been too long.”

Laura hugged him, and Albert returned it.

“How have you been?” Albert asked her.

“Better than your brother, apparently.” Laura answered.

Laura looked at Jack.

“What did you do?” she asked him.

“Nothing.” Jack replied, “Well, nothing much.”

“That usually means something.” Laura interpreted.

Emily walked past them.

“Mom,” she called out to her mother, “Uncle Jack brought a lot of stuff.”

Laura looked at the driveway and at the two trucks that were fully loaded with cases, and her eyes widened.

“Jack.” She started.

“Before you say anything,” Jack tried to reply.

“What is all this?” Laura asked.

“Insurance.” Albert responded for Jack. “We’re not taking any chances here, Laura. By eleven o’clock tonight, the only person who will have more advanced security than Emily will be the President.”

Laura looked at him.

“Against what?” Laura asked.

Albert glanced at Jack.

“Against people who might come looking for Emily.” Albert answered.

Laura stared at the equipment, then at Albert, and back at Jack.

“You said you were going to take measures.” She reminded him.

“I am.” Jack replied, “I mean I did.”

“I didn't realize you meant this.” Laura said.

“You should see what we left behind.” Albert said, smiling at her.

Laura didn't smile back.

“Jack.” She said again.

“Laura, we’re not taking chances.” Albert replied, “I saw the website, Laura.”

Laura paused and didn’t respond as she really didn’t want to say anything with Emily standing around them.

“This threat is legit,” Albert continued, “So, Jack and I are going to take whatever measures that are needed to protect her.”

Laura looked toward Emily, and her girl was standing in the hallway watching them talk about her.

“Neither am I.” Laura concurred.

Albert picked up a case.

“Good,” Albert said, “Because I’ve got some cameras to install.”

“You've already decided you're installing them?” Laura asked.

“Yes,” Albert confirmed, “I’m going to install them myself.”

“I can install cameras.” Jack replied.

“You can install cameras.” Albert repeated, “But you can’t install them properly.”

“What’s the difference?” Laura asked.

“The difference,” Albert replied, “Is whether the person watching the camera is the only person who knows where they are.”

“Fair point,” Laura said, as she took a very deep breath. “I’ll go make supper. You guys get to work.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Albert said with a nod.

For the next several hours, the house slowly changed. Albert worked methodically as he put every camera up. He positioned every motion sensor perfectly, and made sure the doors were all reinforced. Windows received additional protection, and monitors were installed in the room that had previously been used for storage.

Jack hauled case after case into the garage, and Emily watched from the kitchen window. She was impressed how many of those cases each truck could haul.

“What is all that?” Emily asked her mother.

Laura walked over and stood beside her.

“I don't know.” She honestly replied.

“That's Uncle Jack's stuff?” Emily asked.

“I think so.” Laura replied, “But I also think a lot of it is Albert’s.”

Emily watched her uncle carry another large black case into the garage, and then another. They looked very heavy, but Jack had no issue dragging them all inside.

“Does he own a lot of guns?” Emily asked.

Laura looked at her daughter.

“I don't know.” Laura answered, “He’s ex-military, so it should be assumed he owns a few of them since he’s properly trained.”

Another case disappeared into the garage, and this time Albert walked past the window carrying equipment. As he glanced inside Emily waved to him. Albert smiled and waved back to her. Then he turned to Jack.

“Emily’s watching us.” Albert informed him.

“I know.” Jack replied.

“She seems calm.” Albert observed.

Jack looked toward the house.

“That's what we're protecting.” Jack reminded him.

“I know.” Albert replied. He looked at the garage, and at the equipment that Jack had unloaded thus far. Then he looked toward the street.

“Jack?” Albert called out.

“Yeah?” Jack replied.

Albert lowered his voice.

“Whatever happenings,” Albert started, “We're going to make damn sure every one of those bastards regret coming after her.”

Jack nodded.

“Do you think they’re watching now?” he asked.

“I know they are,” Albert replied, “Black sedan parked half a block away.

“Should we do anything?” Jack asked.

“Not yet,” Albert replied, “He hasn’t broken any laws. Just make sure they don’t discover what we’ve got packed in these cases.”

“Understood,” Albert said, as he went back to work.

A few blocks away in the Black Sedan, the driver remained behind the wheel and kept watching the house. Watching Emily at the window. The driver reached for a phone and began to type a message.

She's still at home. Probably in for the night.

More replies appeared almost immediately.

Good. Keep watching.

Who are those men?

No idea. Keep watching.

The driver put his phone away and looked toward the house.

He smiled and continued watching.

Two months changed the house. The first thing Laura noticed was the storage room, which was no longer a storage room anymore. Albert had taken it over, and the room that had once contained Christmas decorations, old boxes, and things Laura kept meaning to throw away was now filled with monitors. Six of them covered one wall, and another four sat on a desk. Every camera around the property fed into that room. From the former storage room you could watch the driveway, the front porch, the backyard, the streets, and even the alley behind the house.

There were motion sensors, alarm systems, backup batteries, radios, and enough electronic equipment to make Laura feel as though she'd accidentally moved into a command center. There were also two military-style cots against the opposite wall. Laura had stopped asking questions, while Jack and Albert had stopped explaining anything to her. They spent most nights there. Sometimes one slept while the other watched the monitors, and some nights neither of them slept.

Emily had gotten used to finding one of them in the kitchen whenever she woke up. Jack making coffee, and Albert checking camera feeds. Both men pretending everything was normal, but Laura knew better. She also knew something else, which was that neither man had complained once. Not about the long nights, the lack of sleep, nor about missing their own beds. Not about the fact that they'd essentially moved into her house. The fact was they were not just there for her and Emily. They were there because Jim couldn’t be, and nobody needed to say it.

By the end of the second month, Jack and Albert had accumulated a considerable amount of information. They had names, photographs, vehicle descriptions, usernames, locations, and established patterns. They had documented people appearing near Emily's school and had managed to even identify several members of THE WATCHERS. They had recorded instances where people followed Emily and had even managed to identify some of the rule breakers. The one person the were unable to learn about was the Original Watcher. That bothered Jack, and it bothered Albert more.

One evening, the two men sat in the storage room watching the monitors. Albert leaned back in one of the chairs.

“I think we've got enough.” Albert said.

Jack didn't look away from the screen.

“Enough for what?” he asked.

“The police.” Albert answered, “It’s time.”

Jack finally looked at him.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“We've already got enough for the police.” Albert insisted.

“Not enough for them to do anything.” Jack replied.

Albert pointed toward the monitors.

“We've been doing this for two months.” He reminded Jack.

“Longer.” Jack corrected him.


“Exactly.” Albert agreed, gesturing toward the equipment. “We've got photographs. License plates. Time stamps. Usernames. We've got evidence that people are physically following Emily.”

“And we've got seventeen missing girls.” Jack reminded him.

Albert turned toward him.

“"Then let's give them everything.” He suggested.

Jack considered it as he looked at the screen. Emily was at school and safe for the time being.

“Okay.” Jack finally said. “Let's go.”

The first thing Jack noticed was how tired the police detective looked. The second was the stack of folders on his desk, and the third was the expression on his face. It was the expression of a man who had seen too many things that couldn't be solved. He introduced himself as Detective Mark Harris, and the two men sat patiently as Detective Harris looked through the evidence. He slowly examined the photographs, the website printouts, and their surveillance records. They also supplied previous missing-person cases. When he finished, Detective Harris placed the final photograph on the desk.

“I believe you.” Harris quickly concluded.

Albert leaned forward.

“That's good.” He said, feeling hopeful.

Harris looked at him and he wasn’t smiling.

“It's not enough.” Harris replied.

Jack's expression didn't change, as this was what he was expecting to hear.

“What the hell do you need?” Albert said, his temper flaring.

“A direct threat.” Harris answered.

“You've got seventeen missing girls.” Jack reminded him.

“We've got seventeen missing girls whose cases may have absolutely nothing to do with this group.” Harris replied.

“They disappeared after being selected.” Albert said, as his anger rose. “Even Stevie Wonder could see what’s coming!”

“Coincidence isn't evidence.” Harris informed them.

“So, what you're telling us,” Albert replied, “Is that we have to wait until somebody tries to take Emily before we can expect any action from you?”

“What I'm telling you,” Harris said, “Is that what you've brought me doesn't meet the standard for a warrant, let alone an arrest.”

“And if someone tries to take her?” Jack asked the detective.

Harris looked directly at him.

“Then you can call us.” Harris answered.

Jack laughed once. It wasn't a happy sound.

“We've been calling you.” Jack retorted.

Harris didn't respond, and instead gathered the papers.

“I'll forward everything to the FBI.” Harris offered, “Since these girls do reside in separate states, if what you state is true this would fall under their jurisdiction.”

Albert stared at him.

“The FBI?” he repeated.

“Yes.” Harris said, “They have the resources and the manpower to give this investigation the time is deserves. If what you’re suggesting is true, they are the best people to deal with it.”

“How long will that take?” Jack asked.

“I don't know.” Harris replied.

“Days?” Albert asked, “Weeks? Months?”

Harris looked uncomfortable.

“I said I don't know.” The detective repeated.

Jack stood up, and the chair scraped against the floor. Harris looked up as Jack’s voice remained calm.

“Detective.” Jack started, “If anyone connected to that group tries to abduct my niece...”

He paused, and Albert watched him carefully.

“We will respond.” Jack informed him.

“Respond how?” Harris asked.

“With extreme prejudice.” Jack replied.

Harris stared at him.

“You can't take the law into your own hands.” Harris ordered.

“Then make sure the law gets there first.” Jack said, but Harris didn’t answer.

“We're giving you everything we have.” Albert repeated.

“I understand.” Harris said, with a nod.

“No.” Jack said as he shook his head. “I don't think you do.”

He turned toward the door.

“If they come for her,” Jack continued, “There won't be time for paperwork.”

The detective watched both men leave.

That afternoon, Jack arrived at Emily's school fifteen minutes early. He parked across the street, and Albert was there with him. He was sitting in the passenger side of Jack’s truck. There was nothing unusual as the students began coming out. Groups of teenagers crossed the sidewalk, and parents waited near the curb.

Then Jack saw Emily. She was walking toward the car with a backpack over one shoulder and her phone in her hand. She looked like any other fifteen-year-old girl finishing another day of school.

Jack smiled but then he saw the man. He was approaching Emily from behind.

Jack's smile disappeared as he looked over at Albert.

“Albert.” Jack called out.

“I see him.” Albert replied.  

As the man reached Emily, he said something to her.  Emily stopped walking and Jack opened his door to get out. The man grabbed Emily's arm.

“Hey!” Emily cried out, as she tried to pull away but the The man tightened his grip on her.

“Come with me!” the man said.

Jack was already running towards her, but Albert was faster. He came around the other vehicle and crossed the distance in seconds. The man saw them both coming over and tried to pull Emily toward the parking lot.

Albert came out of nowhere and hit him from the side. The man went down hard, and Emily stumbled backward. Jack arrived just in time to catch her before she hit the sidewalk.

“Emily!” Jack called out to her.

“I'm okay!” Emily replied.

Albert was on the man before he could get back up. The man swung at Albert, and Albert has no trouble blocking it. A short struggle followed, and after a few smacks from Albert, the man lost his footing. Albert took advantage of his hesitation and proceeded to slam the would-be abductor into the ground. Albert struck him two more times for good measure, and the man finally stopped fighting. Albert pulled his hands behind his back and secured them with a zip tie.

“Stay down!” Albert ordered.

The man breathed heavily as he looked toward Emily, and then at Jack. His face changed as he recognized him. There was fear in his eyes, and Jack saw it.

“You know who she is.” Jack said, resisting the urge to kick the teeth out of his face. The man said nothing.

Sirens could be heard approaching.

“Finally.” Albert said as he looked up.

Several police vehicles pulled into the parking lot, and Detective Harris stepped out of the first one. He looked at the scene and then as Emily and Jack. He walked over to the man lying on the pavement, and Harris's expression hardened.

“Is everyone okay?” Harris asked.

Emily nodded, and Jack looked at him.

“She is.” Jack replied.

Harris walked toward the suspect.

“What happened?” Harris asked.

Albert pointed at him.

“He grabbed her and tried to walk her away.” Albert informed him.

Harris looked at Emily.

“Is that what happened?” He asked the young girl.

She nodded.

“Yes.” Emily responded.

Harris looked down at the suspect and then gestures to the officers that were standing behind Albert.

“Take this man into custody,” Harris said, as he looked down at the man being restrained, “Sir, you are under arrest for attempted kidnapping. You have the right to remain silent…”

Two officers lifted him to his feet as Harris concluded reading him his rights. After the officers took him away to their squad car, Harris looked at Jack.

Jack reached inside his jacket and the detective’s natural instinct was to move his own hand toward his own weapon.

Jack stopped as he pulled the weapon only far enough to show Harris what he was packing. It was a Glock. Seconds later, Jack put it away. His eyes never left the detective.

“You remember our conversation this morning?” Jack reminded him.

Harris nodded slowly, and Jack looked toward Emily.

“Next time someone tries to take her,” Jack continued as he looked back at Harris. “We won't wait for you to show up.”

Harris stared at him.

“You'd better hope there isn't a next time.” Harris replied.

“I hope you're right.” Jack agreed.  

Harris didn’t say anymore and walked back to the squad car where his officers were waiting for him to drive the suspect back to the station.

Emily stood beside her uncle and looked at him.

“Are we going home?” she asked.

Jack looked down at her.

“Yeah.” Jack replied, “We’re going back now.”

She nodded as Jack put an arm around her shoulders.

Albert watched the police cars slowly disappear down the street and then looked at Jack with a face that was still frustrated.

“That man wasn't an amateur.” He told Jack.

“What makes you say that?” Jack asked.

Albert looked toward the school.

“He picked the exact moment when the crowd was thinning.” He replied, “And he knew exactly which exit she'd use.”

Jack's expression hardened.

“So, that means someone told him.” Jack concluded.

“Yeah.” Albert agreed, “Or he was one of them.”

Jack looked at Emily, the school, and then at the police car carrying the man away. For the first time, he wasn't thinking about the people watching Emily. He was thinking about the people feeding them information, and that somewhere behind a screen they were still being watched.

The school year ended on a Friday. For most kids, this was a time to celebrate. For Jack and Albert, it was another reminder of the approaching deadline. Albert had spent the better part of the previous week going through the records of the seventeen girls who had come before Emily. He had mapped the dates, the school calendars, and even their last known sightings. He was cross checking the day each girl had been selected, the dates their watch had ended, the days they had disappeared. After looking at all seventeen of them, Albert discovered a pattern. It wasn't perfect, but it was close enough. The Watch always ended during the summer, and every girl disappeared before the next school year had a chance to begin. Albert stood in the converted storage room, staring at the spreadsheet on one of the monitors. Jack sat beside him, and neither man had spoken for several minutes. Finally, Albert pointed at the screen.

“Look at this,” Albert requested.

Jack leaned forward.

“Every one of them.” Albert said, pointing to the screen.

“Okay,” Jack said, as he figured out what Albert was doing. “How many days do you think we have left?”

Albert checked the calendar.

“This is a rough estimate,” Albert replied, “But it’s forty-three.”

Jack stared at the number. Forty-three days until Emily's Watch ended. That meant forty-three days until the thing they'd been trying not to think about would become a possibility.

“That's not enough.” Jack said, his frustration evident.

“That's what I've been saying.” Albert agreed.

Jack walked toward the monitors. He stared at the photographs of the previous girls. Seventeen faces. Seventeen lives. Seventeen families who had probably spent years wondering what had happened to their daughters. Now Emily's photograph was among them. Jack slowly rubbed his eyes.

“Where the hell are they?” Jack asked.

Albert knew what he meant.

“You mean the police?” Albert asked.

“Yeah.” Jack confirmed.

“Still waiting.” Albert replied.

“For what?” Jack asked, “An engraved invitation?”

“"I don't know.” Albert said, also disappointed, “We've given them everything.”

“We caught a man trying to take Emily.” Jack reminded him.

“He's still in custody.” Albert informed him, “He isn’t talking.”

“And what about the FBI?” Jack asked.

Albert shook his head.

“Harris says they’re still reviewing the material.” Albert answered.

“Reviewing?” Jack repeated.

“That's what he said.” Albert confirmed. “They've had months to look at what we’ve giving them. They know there’s a group, and that there are missing girls.”

“They know someone tried to abduct Emily.” Jack said again, “And they’re still reviewing?”

“Yes.” Albert replied.

Jack turned away and for a moment he said nothing. Then he kicked the bottom of the desk, and the monitors rattled. Albert didn't react as he felt the same way.

“I'm running out of patience.” Jack finally said.

“That makes two of us, brother.” Albert agreed.

Jack turned toward him.

“I'm serious.” Jack continued, “If somebody comes for her, I'm not waiting for a warrant or for that detective to get off his lazy ass! I'm not waiting for the FBI either! I’m not waiting for anyone!”

Albert finally stood.

“Then stop waiting.” He declared.

Jack watched as Albert walked toward the door.

“Come on.” Albert said, as he left the room.

Laura was sitting at the kitchen table when they entered. She had a cup of coffee in front of her and she looked exhausted. She'd gotten used to the cameras, the monitors, and even the men sleeping in her storage room. She pretended not to notice the strange vehicles that sometimes appeared on the street. She had even gotten used to the fact that her brother and Albert seemed to have turned her home into a military installation. But she hadn't gotten used to the fear as that never went away. Laura looked at them as they walked in.

“What happened?” Laura asked them.

Albert pulled out a chair.

“School's over.” Albert replied.

“I know that.” Laura said with a frown.

“No, you don’t.” Albert said as he sat down. “The fact that school’s out is part of the problem.”

Jack remained standing, and Laura looked between them.

“What are you talking about?” She asked.

Albert opened his laptop and turned it toward her.

On the screen were seventeen names, dates, and photographs as well as the missing-person reports.

“Every previous Watch ended during the summer.” Albert explained.

“And?” Laura asked, still staring at the screen.

“Every girl disappeared before the next school year started.” Jack answered.

Laura's face changed, as she looked at Jack.

“How long do we have?” she asked.

“Forty-three days.” Albert answered.

Laura's hand tightened around her coffee cup.

“Forty-three?” she repeated.

“That's our best estimate.” Jack said.

“Are you sure?” Laura asked.

“As sure as we can be.” Albert answered.

Laura looked toward the staircase. Emily was upstairs watching television. She was probably unaware that two men downstairs were counting the days until someone might try to take her away.

“What do we do?” Laura asked.

Jack looked at Albert, and Albert looked back at him.

“We stop the Watch.” Jack suggested.

Laura nodded.

“How?” she asked.

“That's the problem.” Jack replied.

Silence filled the kitchen, and then Albert leaned forward.

“I have one idea,” Albert said, “There's more than two of us.”

Laura looked at him.

“What?” she said, unsure what he meant.

Albert looked at Jack.

“You know what I'm talking about.” Albert said.

Jack's expression hardened.

“No.” Jack replied.

“Jack.” Albert said, his tone a little higher.

“No.” Jack repeated.

“We have brothers.” Albert reminded him.

Jack shook his head.

“They have families.” Jack responded.

“So does Jim.” Albert said, “And if it was their children that were in danger, Jim would have dropped everything to help… and you know it!”

That stopped Jack in his tracks, and Laura looked between them.

“Every man who served with us knew Jim.” Albert reminded him, but Jack didn't respond. He didn’t have to say anymore because everyone in that room knew exactly what kind of man Jim was.

Albert's voice softened.

“And they know what he left behind.” He added.

Laura felt something tighten in her chest.

“You're talking about bringing more people here, aren’t you?” she asked.

“Yes.” Albert replied.

“How many?” Laura asked.

“Every damn one of them.” Albert replied.

Laura stared at her brother.

“I don't want an army of soldiers in my house.” Laura replied.

“I know.” Jack replied, “We’re just talking about our Delta Force unit.”

“I’m sorry,” Laura said, as she couldn’t believe what she had just heard. “Did you just say Delta Force unit?”

Albert whistled as he knew what just happened.

“Laura,” Jack said, as he sat down at the table. “Jim and I were never part of logistics division in Pensacola. We were special forces.”

“Dude,” Albert whispered, “That’s still classified.”

“It doesn’t matter!” Jack snapped back. “This is too important to quibble over details. She needs to be aware of what we’re really suggesting.”  

“You were special forces?” Laura repeated.

“We were the special force,” Albert corrected her. “We were the best Delta Force unit in the world. The unit that got called in for every mission that the Pentagon had deemed impossible to do.”

“And when Jim died?” Laura asked.

“That was an extraction.” Jack replied, “We took heavy fire trying to rescue hostages from a terrorist organization. We got them all out, but we lost two men that day… and one of them was your husband.”

“Thank you for that,” Laura said, wiping a tear away, “But that changed nothing about our current situation.”

Albert's expression was serious.

“There's another option,” Albert said, “We do nothing.”

She looked toward the staircase again, and the answer was obvious. Laura hated it, but the alternative terrified her more.

Albert continued.

“We can keep doing what we're doing,” he continued, “We can keep watching the street. Keep monitoring the forum. Keep calling the police and pestering the FBI.”

Albert paused and took a deep breath.

“Then we wait,” Albert added, “To see if the people who've done nothing for the last four months suddenly decide to do something in the next forty-three days.”

Laura looked at Jack, and he was silent. That was answer enough. She closed her eyes and thought about Jim. She remembered him when Emily was little. The was photographs above the fireplace of birthday parties, and how he used to carry Emily around on his shoulders. The way he'd always told her that no matter where he was, he'd come home.

But then he didn't.

Yet his brothers had. They had been coming home for him ever since.

Laura opened her eyes.

“Would they come?” She asked.

Albert smiled faintly.

“Yes.” He answered.

“How many?” Laura asked.

“Every damn one of them.” Albert replied.

She looked at Jack.

“Do you think we need them?” she asked.

Jack didn't answer immediately. He walked to the window, and outside the street was quiet. He could see the cameras they'd installed, and the ones Albert had positioned so carefully. Forty-three days, he thought to himself, before finally turned around to face his sister.

“Yes.” He told her.

Laura swallowed.

“Alright.” She replied. “Make the call.”

Albert nodded as he stood up from the table and pulled out his phone. He walked toward the hallway and then stopped. He looked back at Laura.

“You sure?” he asked her.

Laura looked toward the staircase, and she could hear Emily laughing upstairs.

“No.” Laura honestly answered, “but I hate the alternative more.”

Albert nodded as he stepped into the hallway. A moment later, Laura heard him make the first call.

“Hey.” Albert said, a pause. “Yeah. It's Albert.”

Another pause. His expression changed.

“We need you.” Albert looked toward Jack, and then toward the staircase. “Jim’s daughter is in danger.”

Another pause.

“We've got forty-three days.” He added.

He listened carefully and then nodded.

“Yeah.” Albert said, “And one more thing… bring your gear.”

Albert ended the call, and then immediately dialed another number.

Jack looked at Laura.

“Once this starts,” he warned her, “There’s no stopping it. They're going to come. No one is going to say no.”

“I know.” Laura agreed. For the first time she finally understood why.

“There's going to be a lot of people in this house.” Jack added, “And it will be far from quiet.”

Jack looked toward the staircase.

“Emily's going to ask questions.” He added.

Laura gave him a tired smile.

“She's been asking questions since she was three, Jack.” She told him.

“Fair point.” Jack said, as he smiled at her.

From the hallway, Albert called out.

“I’ve managed to reach three of them.” Albert reported, “And they are packing to make the trip.”

“How long?” Laura asked.

Albert appeared in the doorway.

“One said he’ll be here day after tomorrow,” Albert replied, “Another will be a few weeks because he’s driving from Alaska.”

Laura looked toward the ceiling.

Forty-three days.

Then forty-two.

Then forty-one.

The clock was running.

There was nothing she could do to stop it.

Yet for the first time since she'd discovered THE WATCH, Laura felt something besides fear. She felt hope. Because somewhere out there, men who had once stood beside Jim were getting ready to come home. And this time... they were coming to protect her daughter.

Two days after Albert made the first call, the doorbell rang at nine in the morning. Laura was in the kitchen, and Jack was in the living room. Albert was downstairs in the converted storage room when the doorbell rang again.

“Someone want to get that?” Albert called out.

“I got it!” Jack called back as he walked over and opened the front door. A man stood on the porch carrying two duffel bags. He was in his early forties, with thinning brown hair and glasses. He looked more like an accountant rather than a soldier. The man stood there and looked at Jack.

“Still ugly.” He said, giving him a smile.

Jack smiled back.

“Still late.” He chided back.

The man dropped one of the bags.

“Traffic.” He replied, “We can’t shoot them on this side of the pond.”

Jack stepped aside.

“Come in, Marty.” He said, gesturing or him to enter.

Marty walked inside, and he stopped when he saw Laura. For a moment, his expression softened.

“Laura.” Marty called out.

She smiled.

“Hello, Marty.” She replied.

He walked over and hugged her.

“It's been a long time.” Marty said.

“Too long.” Laura agreed.

Marty stepped back and looked around.

“How's Emily?” he asked her.

“She’s alright,” Laura answered, "She's upstairs."

“Good.” Marty said, as he picked up his bags. “Where's the equipment?”

Jack pointed toward the hallway.

“Downstairs.” He answered.

“Finally.” Marty said, sounding relieved. “Something useful.”

Marty spent the next four hours inspecting everything Albert had installed. He didn't criticize his work, as that would have been rude. He simply took everything apart while Albert watched from across the room.

“You know, I spent weeks getting that system running.” Albert informed him.

“I know.” Marty replied. “Sorry, but I don’t trust it.”

“You don't trust my work?” Albert said with folded arms.

“I trust your work.” Marty corrected him, “I don't trust the people we're fighting.”

That ended the argument as Marty began checking every connection, camera, and especially every network. Every device that communicated with another device and even went about replacing all the passwords and changing access protocols. He even built additional layers of security for their system. Then Marty started working on the network itself. Albert watched the screens.

“What are you doing?” Albert asked.

“Making sure nobody gets into our system.” Marty answered.

“You think they can?” Albert asked.

“They might,” Marty answered, “If they're as good as we think they are.”

“Can they?” Jack asked as he came down the stairs.

“Not anymore.” Marty replied, as he typed something. A warning appeared and then disappeared. Marty leaned back.

“There we go,” Marty said, as he finally relaxed.

Albert looked at him.

“What did you do?” he inquired.

“I just made the house harder to hack than most government buildings.” Marty answered.

“Alright,” Albert replied, “Now you're making me feel better.”

Three days after Marty showed up to upgrade the systems, another vehicle slowly pulled into the driveway. A large man climbed out and looked at the house. Jack opened the door for the big man and welcomed him in.

“Bobby,” Jack called out as he walked to the door.

“Nice to see you, Jack.” Bobby replied, “Wish it was under better circumstances.”

“As do I.” Jack agreed.

“So, where's the problem?” Bobby asked.

Jack pointed toward the house.

“Inside.” Jack replied, “Well show you everything.”

Bobby looked at the house again.

“I brought explosives.” Bobby informed him.

“I know.” Jack said, almost laughing.

“Good ones too.” Bobby added. “But you're not going to let me use them?”

“Of course not.” Jack confirmed.

“Then why did you call me?” Bobby asked.

“Because you're good at other things.” Jack reminded him.

“Name one.” Bobby dared him.

“Surveillance” Jack answered, “You’re very good at watching. Your eye is almost as good as Spencer’s”

Bobby thought about that.

“That’s true,” Bobby agreed. “Where's everyone else?”

“This way,” Jack said as he led bobby to the storage room.

“Who's on the monitors?” Bobby asked.

“Albert.” Jack answered

“Then he can work.” Bobby said, giving a slight chuckle.

The next week passed quietly. Almost too quietly according to Jack. Bobby spent long hours with Jack watching the street. Sometimes they talked, and sometimes they didn't. Albert and Marty worked almost constantly downstairs.

Emily wanted to go to the park, but that was quickly shot down. She complained about the security cameras. Life continued, but so did the clock.

Thirty-five days.

Thirty-four.

Thirty-three.

Then Hector arrived.

Laura was sitting on the front porch and reading a book with a cup of tea when a pretty impressive sports car pulled into the driveway. The driver got out and stood beside the vehicle for a moment. Then looked toward the house, but he didn't smile. He simply walked toward the porch.

Laura stood up.

“Hector?” she called out to him.

Hector nodded.

“Hello Laura.” He replied.

“It's good to see you.” Laura said as she walked over and hugged him.

“How's the kid?” Hector asked.

“Emily?” Laura replied, “She’s doing her best. She’s upstairs.”

“Good.” Hector said as he looked at the house. Then at the cameras, and then at Jack standing behind Laura. His expression hardened.

“You should have called me sooner.” Hector told him.

“I know.” Jack agreed, “Sorry.”

"How much time do we have left?” Hector asked.

“Thirty-five days.” Laura answered.

Hector swore under his breath.

“You're kidding.” He replied.

“I’m afraid not.” Jack confirmed.

Hector looked at Laura.

“Don't worry.” He said to her.

She smiled weakly.

“That's easy for you to say.” Laura replied.

“No.” Hector corrected her, “It's not.”

He looked directly at her.

“But we're here now.” Hector said as he put a hand on her shoulder. “Everything's going to be alright.”

For the first time, Laura believed him, even if it was just a little.

Three weeks later, another vehicle arrived. This one was different. When the driver got out of his vehicle, he was wearing a military uniform. Jack stepped onto the porch and watched as the man removed his sunglasses as he approached.

“Jack.” The man said as he stepped closer.

“General.” Jack said, as he couldn’t help but salute.

“I may still be in the corps,” The man replied, “But you’re a civilian.”

“I am aware of that, Sir.” Jack said, unable to break protocol.

Laura showed up at the door, and she could hardly believe who she was seeing standing there before him.

“Jonas?” Laura said as she walked closer.

“Laura,” Jonas said, as he hugged her. “Good to see you.”

Then Jonas looked toward the house.

“Where's everyone?” he asked.

“Inside.” Laura answered, “They pretty much took over my basement.”

Jonas nodded.

“Of course they did.” Jonas said, as a second man stepped out of the vehicle.

This man was younger, maybe thirty. He carried a laptop bag and looked distinctly uncomfortable standing beside a former Delta commander. Jonas turned to face the young man as he walked over.

“Everyone, this is Daniel.” Jonas said, gesturing to the small man.

Daniel raised a hand.

“Hey there.” He called out.

Bobby looked at him.

“Who's the kid?” he asked Jonas.

“I'm thirty-four.” Daniel protested.

“I don’t care.” Bobby said as he shrugged.

“Daniel works for the Department of Defense.” Jonas informed him.

Marty appeared behind them.

“Is this another tech guy?” he asked.

Daniel nodded.

“Finally.” Marty said with an evil grin.

“You said the threat was primarily online, correct?” Jonas asked.

“It is.” Laura confirmed.

“Then you need someone who understands what you're dealing with.” Jonas explained, as he gestured to Daniel.

Daniel opened his laptop.

“I've already started.” He said to Jonas.

Jack looked at him.

“Started what?” he asked the young man.

“Looking.” Daniel answered.

“Welcome to the family.” Jack said as he welcomed the young man in.

Mack arrived the next morning, as he climbed out of his jeep carrying almost nothing. He looked at Jack as he strolled up the drive.

“Where's the bloody action!” he called out.

“Nowhere.” Jack called back.

“What?” Mack said as his face showing a big frown.

“We're waiting.” Jack explained.

“For what?” Mach asked.

“The Watch.” Jack answered. “Emily is on the clock.

Mack looked toward the house.

“How long?” he asked.

“Thirty days.” Jack answered.

Mack sighed.

“Thirty days?” he repeated.

“Approximately.” Jack confirmed.

Mack looked irritated.

“I drove twelve days.” He reminded him.

“I know.” Jack said.

“Just to sit around?” Mach said, his anger sizzling.

“Pretty much.” Jack confirmed again.

Mack looked at the others, and nobody laughed.

“Where the hell is the fight?” he asked, dropping his bag.

“On it’s way.” Jonas answered as he stepped forward. The general had that tone in his voice that informed Mack that he better check his attitude.

“Sir.” Mack said, making a salute.

“Stand down,” Jonas calmly replied. “The fight is coming to us, soldier, and we need every possible minute to get ready for it. This group stalking Jim’s kid has hundreds, maybe thousands of members. If this goes the way we think it might, you’ll get your fight.”

“Yes, Sir.” Mack replied.

“Be patient,” Jonas ordered, “And help Jack and Bobby with guard duty.”

“Alright,” Mack finally conceded as he stepped inside.

There was only one member left of Jack’s force, and he didn’t arrive for another two weeks. The guys didn’t mind considering that Spencer was driving all the way from Alaska. Nobody saw him drive into town, because Spencer didn't go there first. He spent the morning driving around the area studying the roads, the surrounding buildings, and the hills. He also checked out the approaches to Laura's neighborhood as he was looking for something specific. A place with elevation and a clear view. A concealed position, from which he could see the house without being seen himself.

By late afternoon, Spencer had found it.

A house on the hills overlooking the entire neighborhood. He parked nearby the house on the hills and slowly approached. Then looked toward Laura's house and the spot was perfect. Spencer smiled.

“That's the spot.” He said to himself, before returning to his vehicle.

By the time he finally arrived at Laura's house, the sun was going down. Jack opened the door as Spencer stood there with a duffel bag. He was older than Jack remembered and leaner. His beard was beginning to gray too.

“You took your time.” Jack told him.

Spencer stepped inside.

“I came from Alaska.” Spencer reminded him. “That’s a long ass drive.”

“I am aware.” Jack replied.

Spencer looked around. His eyes moved immediately toward the cameras, and then at the windows. Then the street. Jack noticed.

“Already?” Jack asked.

“Already.” Spencer repeated.

“Find anything?” Jack asked him.

Spencer looked at him and smiled.

“Oh yeah,” Spender replied. “I found a place.”

“Where?” Jack inquired.

“In the Hill.” Spencer answered. “It’s got a good view of the house.”

Albert walked into the hallway.

“How good?” He asked.

Spencer looked at him.

“I can see everyone’s bedroom window.” Spencer replied.

Albert's eyebrows rose.

“That's creepy.” He stated.

“That's the point.” Spencer replied.

“When are you going up there?” Jonas asked as he entered the room.

“Sir,” Spencer said, making a salute. “I was thinking of setting up camp the night before. The roof is very hard to access, so once I’m up there… I’ll be quite secure.”

“You're going to sleep up there?” Albert asked.

“Maybe.” Spencer replied with a shrug.

Jack knew better. Spencer would be watching. He always watched. That was why he had been the best sniper in the unit. He didn't need to be told what the job was. He simply needed to know where to stand.

That night, for the first time in a very long time, the entire unit sat around Laura's kitchen table. Jack, Albert, Marty, Bobby, Hector, Mack, Spencer, Jonas and Daniel. Laura stood in the doorway and looked at all of them.

Nine Men.

Eight of them had once served beside her husband, and every single one of these men had travelled across the country because Jim's daughter was in danger. Jack looked around the table.

“We've got fifteen days.” He told the table.

Nobody spoke. Marty closed his laptop. Albert folded his arms. Bobby leaned back. Hector stared at the table. Jonas looked at Jack.

“So, what's the plan?” Mack asked.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Bobby asked. “We’re going to wait out the clock and prepare for these turds to make their move.”

“Hold on,” Hector interrupted, “We’re using Emily as bait?”

“I wouldn’t put it that way,” Jack replied.

“That’s how I’d friggin’ put it.” Marty retorted.

“Marty,” Jonas called out to him, “What does the Watch know about us? Have they reported our activity to the collective?”

“They’ve noticed some of us.” Marty replied, “But that have no idea who we are.”

“Good,” Mack replied, “Finally we get a benefit to having our entire career classified by the Pentagon.”  

“They are suspicious, but oblivious to what’s going on.” Marty continued.

“What do they know about our security?” Albert asked.

“They’re aware of it,” Marty answered, “But the watchers are unsure how advanced it is.”

“This is crunch-time, people.” Jonas said as his tone was sharp enough to cut. “The clock is winding down, but before it hits zero… we’re going to kick the hornet’s nest.”

“We are?” Laura said, unsure what he meant.

“One or two days before the clock runs out,” Jonas replied, “Daniel is going to hack into their website and shut it down. We’re going to break down their lines of communication and scatter them.”

“Whoa.” Jack said, as he finally understood Daniel’s true reason for being there. He wasn’t a simple tech: he was a DOD hacker.

“Once you do that,” Marty added, “They might attack early.”

“I hope so,” Jonas replied, “That will help us thin down their numbers and prevent us from getting overrun.”

“Sounds pretty logical.” Mack confessed.

“In the meantime,” Jonas continued, “I want everyone prepared for battle by the time that website goes down. We’re going to put them on the defensive, and hopefully most of them will run scared. Daniel is going to give them the impression that it’s the FBI shutting them down. Hopefully just the hint of law enforcement will send many of these rodents running for the hills.”

“What can we do?” Laura asked him.

“Keep the child in sight,” Jonas answered, “And keep calm.”

Jonas stood up from the table.

“You all have your assignments.” He reminded them. “Let’s get to work.”

As the men scattered from the table. Laura watched and was very impressed how after all these years they still functioned like a single entity. She was still scared of what was about to happen but was more confident in the team’s abilities and prayed that would be enough to keep her and Emily safe.

The countdown was two days away from expiring, but as Jonas has informed them, they were not going to let things go according to plan. Around midnight on what would officially be the last day before the watch ended, Daniel sat alone in front of his laptop in Laura's basement. Marty stood behind him as Jonas stood in the doorway.

“Daniel,” Jonas called out. “Are we ready?”

“Yes, Sir.” Daniel replied, “But once I start, there's no putting it back.”

Jonas paused for a moment and took a deep breath.

“Do it.” He ordered.

Daniel's fingers moved across the keyboard, and for several seconds, nothing actually happened. Then the Watcher's website started to flicker. Marty watched the monitors and pointed.

“There.” He called out.

“They've noticed.” Daniel said with a grin.

The site began to change, as whole pages began to disappear. User accounts stopped responding, and private messages failed to send. The archives became inaccessible, and the voting system vanished.

“Now for the showstopper,” Daniel said as he pressed one final key.

The entire website went black.

CONNECTION ERROR.

Daniel sat back and was all smiles.

“It's gone.” He told Jonas. “Like it never existed.”

Marty looked at him.

“Completely?” he asked.

“Completely.” Daniel replied. “Elvis has a better chance of coming back.”

Jonas nodded.

“Good work,” he called out to Daniel.

“There's one more thing.” Daniel said as he closed the laptop and he opened another screen. “I copied everything.”

“Everything?” Jonas asked.

“Yes, Sir.” Daniel confirmed, “Photographs. Usernames. Messages. IP addresses and even Private communications. I’ve got everything.”

“Excellent.” Jonas replied, “Now we wait.”

The Watchers did not take the shutdown well as thousands of people suddenly found themselves locked out. The messages stopped, accounts disappeared, and the archives were gone. Nobody knew what had happened. Some blamed hackers, while others believed it was the police. Some blamed each other while other had begun to panic. This was exactly what Jonas wanted.

At Laura's house, his men waited.

Jack stood beside the front window. Albert watched the monitors, and Marty monitored the cameras. Bobby sat near the rear entrance, and Hector stood beside Laura and Emily. Spencer was already on the hill and had been up there since the day before. High above the neighborhood, he lay beneath the darkness with his rifle beside him. He had a perfect view of the house, and every road leading toward it. Spence patiently waited, and that’s when he noticed something.

“We’ve got movement.” Spencer called out on the radio.

“How many?” Jack asked.

“Three vehicles.” Spencer replied.

Jack looked at Jonas, and Jonas nodded.

“We’ve got movement!” Jonas called out. “Positions!”

Everyone moved.

Hector took Laura and Emily upstairs. The men spread through the main floor of the house. The cameras continued watching as the headlights appeared at the end of the street. One vehicle, then another, and then another.

Jack looked through the window.

“Here they come.” He called out.

The first car stopped, doors flung open, and a few men climbed out. Some were carrying baseball bats, some had knives, and one even had a gun. Jack's expression hardened.

“They're not here to watch.” Jack said to his commander.

“No, they are not.” Jonas agreed, as he cocked his own weapon. “They're here to take her.”

A man shouted from the street.

“Emily!”

As the man who shouted reached the driveway, Jack stepped outside to meet him. Jack was wearing a vest, and other various pieces of armor.

“Turn around.” Jack ordered.

The man chose to ignore him and raised his weapon.

Jack immediately fired, and the man dropped.

Everything exploded into motion as gunfire cracked through the night, and the attackers scattered from the three cars. Some tried to reach the house, while others took cover behind the three cars.

Jack and the others returned fire. Bobby moved toward the side of the property while Albert covered the rear. Mack intercepted two men attempting to climb the fence and took them both down with extreme prejudice. Hector never left Laura and Emily’s side as he was their last line of defense. He walked them into the master bathroom and had them both get into the bathtub. Hector never left their sight and remained there to make sure no one got anywhere near them.

Nobody was getting through, and then one of the attackers realized what they were facing.

“They've got a team!” he shouted to his comrades.

“Get out!” another called out.

Men returned to their cars and tried to drive away. Spencer watched from above and saw the first vehicle accelerating. He fired and one of the front tires exploded. The car swerved into the curb. A second vehicle tried to escape in the opposite direction, but Spencer fired another shot. The windshield shattered and the vehicle stopped. A second shot went through the hood and instantly disabled the engine.

Spencer's voice came through the radio.

“Two vehicles disabled.” He called out.

“Nice shooting.” Jack called back.

Several attackers abandoned their cars and tried to run. Three of them tried to make another run for the house. Spencer tracked them and took them all down before any of them could get within twenty feet of the house.

Once the other realizes there was a sniper picking them off, the rest disappeared into the darkness. Within minutes, it was over. The street fell silent again but that was only short lived as sirens began to approach.

Jack lowered his weapon.

“Everybody accounted for?” He called out.

Jonas looked around.

“Everybody appears to be fine.” He replied.

In a few moments, several police cars arrived all with lights flashing. Detective Harris stepped out of one of the vehicles. He looked at the bodies and the damaged cars and then the armed men who were standing before the house. He looked over at Jack and his expression hardened.

“What the hell have you done?” Harris asked.

“We did what we had to do, detective.” Jack answered.

“Put your weapons down!” Harris ordered.

Jonas stepped forward.

“Ignore that order.” Jonas told his men.

Harris looked at him and his anger was apparent.

“This doesn't concern you!” Harris said to Jonas.

“Oh, I think it does.” Jonas disagreed.

“You're all under arrest!” Harris informed them.

“No, we’re not.” Jonas replied.

Harris frowned as Jonas slowly walked up to him.

“Who the hell are you?” Harris asked.

“I’m a two-star general,” Jonas replied, “And I’m afraid it is you who’s going to be arrested."

Harris stared at him.

“You have no authority!” Harris shouted back.

“Actually,” Jonas interrupted, “I have considerably more authority than you realize, detective.”

Harris looked confused.

“I've spent the last month pressuring the Pentagon to ask the FBI why they were not taking this matter seriously.” Jonas explained, “And last night I got finally got my answer. The FBI never received the case.”

Harris's expression changed, as Jonas watched him carefully.

“You told us you'd forwarded everything!” Jack shouted at Harris.

Harris shook his head.

“I did.” Harris denied.

“No, you didn’t.” Jonas corrected him.

“You have no proof!” Harris shouted.

Daniel walked out of the house carrying a laptop.

“Actually,” Daniel corrected him, “We do.”

Harris looked at him.

“Before I shut down THE WATCH, I copied everything.” He explained. “I was able to trace ever message, file, and private communication that was made by one specific account: WATCHER-001. I was also able to back trace his IP address and learn who the real watcher was.”  

Daniel clicked a few keys, and a series of messages appeared. Harris's name was attached to the account. The detective stared at the screen.

“No.” Harris said, as he couldn’t believe it.

“You're WATCHER-001.” Jonas declared, “And we have everything we need to open a real investigation into you and every other person who used this website. We have proof that you personally sabotaged not only this case, but the investigations into any of the girl’s disappearances.”

Harris said nothing.

“You kept the FBI out of the loop,” Jonas continued, “And you did it to protect The Watch… but now it’s over.”

Harris finally reached for his weapon, but several guns immediately pointed back at him. There was even a little red dot on the detective’s back that Spence put there as his own final touch.

“Don't you dare.” Jonas warned him. “We’ll put you down before you even get the chance. Happily, I might add.”

Harris froze as Jonas stepped closer.

“You should have left Emily alone.” Jonas said as he disarmed the detective.

Harris looked toward the house, and then back at Jonas. He looked at the other officers who came there with him.

“I already contacted the FBI.” Jonas informed him, “And they are very eager to speak with you.”

Harris’ own Police officers moved toward Harris. He resisted for a moment and then stopped as the officers there forced his hands behind his back. Cuffs clicked shut. As they led him away, Harris looked toward Jack.

“You can't stop it.” Harris told him.

“It's already stopped.” Jack replied.

Harris smiled.

“No.” he disagreed, “The Watch never ends.”

Jack stepped closer.

“Maybe not.” Jack replied as he looked at Emily's bedroom window. “But tonight your watch does.”

They all watched as Harris was taken away and stuffed into the back of one of the squad cars. The street became quiet again as Laura emerged from the house with Emily. The young girl looked around.

“What happened?” She asked.

Jack walked toward them.

“It's over.” He told them.

Emily looked at him.

“Really?” She asked.

“Really.” Jack confirmed.

“Is that guy dead?” Emily asked, pointing at one of the men Spencer shot.

“Maybe you should go back inside.” Jonas suggested.

“Good idea,” Laura said, as she grabbed Emily’s hand.

Jonas and his men kept Laura’s house secure for the next few weeks. Once the raids were all finished, the arrests made national news. Every network were reporting that THE WATCH had been completely dismantled. The Original Watcher had been identified as Detective Mark Harris and the seventeen previous disappearances were reopened by the FBI. Evidence recovered from Daniel’s copy of the site and from Harris's possessions connected him to several of them. Families finally received answers, and while some were devastating, others were still incomplete. The important part was that they finally getting answers.

The surviving members of THE WATCH were arrested across the country. The organization was systematically taken down by federal and local authorities. Even Laura's house slowly returned to normal. The monitors came down, but some of the cameras remained. Jack didn't argue when Laura said she wanted to keep some of them.

The brothers left one at a time. Marty was the first to go. He hugged Laura and told her to call if the cameras started acting strangely. Albert immediately told him that would never happen because he had installed them properly. Marty told him that was exactly why he'd changed all the passwords.

Bobby complained that he had driven halfway across the country and hadn't been allowed to blow up a single thing. Hector laughed. Mack told Laura that Jim would have been proud of her.

Jonas simply shook her hand.

“You did well,” he told her. “Jim would have been proud.”

Laura smiled.

“I had a lot of help.” She reminded him.

Jonas looked at the others.

“That's what brothers are for.” He said with a smile. Then he turned to face Daniel. “I better get this guy back to the DOD before they realize he’s gone.”

Spencer was the last to leave. He didn't say much. He never did. He walked up and hugged Laura. Then he looked toward Emily.

“Your dad was a good man.” He informed her.

“I know.” Emily replied with a smile.

Spencer nodded.

“Your dad would have done the same for us,” Spencer told her, “And that’s why we’re here.”

“Thank you,” Emily said before giving Spencer a hug that would last him the entire way back to Alaska.

Before Jack left, Emily hugged him too.

“Thank you.” Emily whispered into his ear.

“Take care of your mother.” He requested.

“I will.” Emily replied.

Laura walked Jack back to his truck and leaned against his shoulder.

“He's been gone a long time.” She told him.

“Yeah.” Jack agreed.

“But he never really left.” Laura added.

Jack looked toward the house.

"No." he said with a smile. “Not really.”

“Don’t be a stranger.” Laura ordered.

“I won’t.” Jack promised. “Apparently Albert wants to take us fishing.”

“Is that so?” Laura replied as she found that amusing.

“We’ll be around,” Jack said, “I promise.”

He gave his baby sister a big hug before getting back into his car.

After Jack drove away, Laura closed the door, locked it, and then went upstairs. Later that night, Laura checked on Emily. Her daughter was asleep, and her phone was sitting on the nightstand. Laura smiled as she pulled the blanket over Emily's shoulders. Then she quietly closed the door, it occurred t other that for the first time in a very long time no one watching her.

No one following her or reporting her movements.

The Watch was over, and this time... it really was over for good.

 

THE END