“What the hell?” Maya ran behind the car, muttering curses to herself and trying to make out the license plate. Why was this guy taking her dog? “It’s supposed to be Christmas Eve!” Maya panted to herself. She shuffled in her pockets to find her cellphone.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Dad. It’s Maya.”
“Maya? What’s wrong? You sond out of breath.”
“Some weird guy in an overcoat took Lizzy. I’m behind the car right now. The license plate says Y78YUR . Get it down.”
“Whoa, Maya, slow down, honey-”
“There is no time to slow down! This thief is taking Lizzy away. Get the police, I’m following him!”
“Maya! Wait! You can’t-”
italic Click. Maya turned off the phone. She blew into her hands again and shook out her arms and legs to warm herself. The ragged car turned left into an abandoned warehouse yard.
“Bastard,” Maya breathed. “I’m getting my Lizzy back…” she looked defiantly up at the looming warehouse; “If it’s the last thing I ever do.”