29. Benji

BENJI

The Chevy was losing ground as the plane accelerated and I panicked. “Maggie, go faster. We have to catch it.”

“I’m going as fast as I can, Benji! If you hadn’t noticed, that thing’s got a bigger engine than we do.”

The emergency vehicles were coming at us from all sides now, as though the entire world was closing in.

Then suddenly, the aircraft began to power down, slowing its progress along the runway.

Maggie likewise eased her foot off the accelerator as we all looked at each other and grinned with disbelief and joy.

“Oh my God,” I breathed. “It’s stopping! We did it! We stopped the plane!”

With a lurch, the aircraft came to a stop.

Maggie hit the brakes, and we skidded to a halt beside it.

I wasn’t sure whether it was the thrill of the chase or the thought of winning Bastian back, but I felt dizzy with delight. I felt the sheer joy of Christmas enfold me, so much so that I actually saw Christmas lights flashing in my eyes.

Oh wait, those weren’t Christmas lights. They were the lights of the security vehicles that suddenly screeched to a halt all around us.

Someone called over a megaphone, “We have you surrounded. Come out with your hands behind your heads.”

In the next moment, the driver’s door was yanked open, and Maggie was wrenched out of her seat.

The two back doors flew open, and Mom and Dad were pulled out one side while Connie was pulled out the other.

As my door flew open, I blurted, “This is all my fault. Please don’t hurt them, they’re my family, they were just trying to—”

Before I could explain, I was thrown to the ground, my face hitting the snow as the authorities twisted my arms behind my back and clipped the handcuffs on.

“Sir, you’re under arrest. Merry Christmas.”