“The people who have taken me are dangerous and well-connected. I don’t know how much time I have left, but I managed to write this note during a brief moment when my captors were distracted. Please, if you find this letter, contact the authorities and tell them what you found. This dog, Max, is my most loyal friend and managed to escape with this message. He can lead you to where I am.”

My mind raced with questions. Who was Alex Carter? Why was he kidnapped? And most importantly, where was he now? The urgency in the letter was palpable, and I could almost feel Alex’s desperation seeping through the ink. It felt like a plea not just for help, but for hope.