Back Before Dark (33 page)

Try to sabotage their efforts.
If you’re pulled into a car, try to grab the keys out of the ignition and throw them out the window. Turn the steering wheel, step on the gas, or hit the brake—anything to try to make the driver get into an accident. Open a door and roll out onto the pavement—
yes, even if the car is moving.
Sure, you’ll feel a little pain—but people will get you to a hospital and you’ll likely be fine. That’s still a lot better than whatever the kidnapper plans to do to you.

If you’re in the trunk and it is at night, kick out a taillight.
A policeman may see it and pull you over. Feel around for a safety latch. Some trunks have them as an emergency feature so a child can escape if they’re accidently locked inside. Have your phone with you? Use is as a flashlight. And obviously, if you have it with you, call 9-1-1 immediately. It will really help if you’ve been observant. Tell them the kind of car you’re in. Anything you noticed about the abductor’s size, weight, clothes. And if you don’t know where you are, any little details may help. Did you feel the car cross railroad tracks? Did you smell anything that might help the police figure out where you are—or where the person is taking you?

Now, back to the trunk. Open the trunk and jump out—even if the car is moving. Ball up the best you can and protect your
head. If you can’t jump, signal a driver in another car for help. If you can’t get the trunk open, feel around for something you can use to punch a hole through the trunk. Another driver may see it and call the police. A tire iron would work nicely for that. Or look for anything you can use as a weapon on the kidnapper when he opens the trunk. Again, use your phone as a flashlight.

All of these are risky—and may result in some injuries, but that will still be far better than letting the predator get you to wherever he is taking you.

Try to keep your phone on you and charged.
Your phone can help lead the police right to you. Keep it charged up and on you—not just in your backpack or purse. There are tons of GPS apps out there; get one of those activated on your phone. It could be a lifesaver.

Try to remember what the kidnapper looks like.
When you do escape, you can describe him so the police get him off the street and into jail—where he belongs.

Never believe what the kidnapper says.
Often kidnappers will try to get you to believe that your parents have stopped looking for you—or that they wouldn’t want you back. Don’t believe them.

Never give up.
Your parents and friends and the police will never stop looking for you. They will do everything they can to locate you. And remember, God knows where you are.. Keep trusting him. Ask him to help you escape.

Never stop trying to escape.
Figure out something you can use as a weapon, and use it. Get away from this person any way you can.

Okay. I’ve probably hit you with a lot more information than you wanted to hear. But being aware of danger is often the best way to protect yourself from it. Use your head. Be safe. I wish you all the best!–Tim

For more information about avoiding abductions or what to do if you are abducted, check out the website for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Code of Silence

Reboot Your Brain Byte Sized Devotions for Boys

Adult Devotionals

Dangerous Devotions for Guys

Bashed Burritos, Green Eggs and Other Indoor/Outdoor

Devotionals You Can Do With Your Kids

Mashed Potatoes, Paint Balls and Other Indoor/Outdoor

Devotionals You Can Do With Your Kids

Smashed Tomatoes, Bottle Rockets and Other Outdoor

Devotionals You Can Do With Your Kids

Contact Tim Shoemaker

www.timshoemakersmashedtomatoes.com

ZONDERVAN

Back Before Dark
Copyright © 2013 by Tim Shoemaker

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Zondervan.

EPub Edition © FEBRUARY 2013 ISBN: 978-0-310-73500-7

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 5300 Patterson Ave., SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Shoemaker, Tim.

Back before dark : a Code of silence novel / Timothy Shoemaker.

      pages cm

Summary: When Gordy is abducted in the park, his cousin Cooper will do anything to rescue him and although Hiro and Lunk fear that Cooper will get himself in trouble, too, they join the race against the clock to save their friend. Includes author’s notes about friendship, discussion questions, and tips for avoiding abduction.

ISBN 978-0-310-73499-4 (hardcover)

[1. Kidnapping—Fiction. 2. Best friends—Fiction. 3. Friendship—Fiction. 4. Conduct of life—Fiction. 5. Christian life—Fiction. 6. Mystery and detective stories.] I. Title.

PZ7.S558625Bac 2013

[Fic] — dc23                     2012049855

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