Chapter 2

"Oh Jesus...thank goodness," Joe exhaled deeply, feeling a twinge of embarrassment under Liz's piercing glare. He knew she was right to be angry - his carelessness could have had tragic consequences.

Her eyes bored into him, silently accusing. "You need to pay more attention. The kids are depending on you," she said stiffly. Joe dropped his gaze, shamefaced. "I know. I'm sorry."

In the backseat, Dan's sobs had grown louder and more frantic. Nothing Liz said seemed to console him as he curled in on himself, arms wrapped around his knees. The trauma of their brush with death had sent him into a panic.

Joe watched him with concern in the rearview mirror. "Dan, it's alright now. We're all safe." But Dan didn't seem to hear, lost in a world of his own fear and turmoil.

Liz shot Joe a look. "Take us to the beach, get the kids out of this van. Maybe the fresh air will help calm him down." Joe nodded, putting the van in drive once more.

The rest of the short drive was spent in anxious silence. As soon as they arrived, Liz pulled a still-sobbing Dan from the van while Samantha jumped out, relieved to be on solid ground.

Joe joined them slowly, guilt weighing him down. But he knew dwelling in the past wouldn't undo what happened.

All he could do now was be more careful, and help his family start to heal from this traumatic experience. It was a grim reminder of how quickly things could change, and the fragility of life they all too often took for granted.

Joe gazed out distractedly at the scene on the beach. Families and friends laughing together, enjoying the day without a care. Young people frolicked in the surf while others relaxed in the sun.

But his attention kept drifting back to one family in particular - a father playing frizbee with his three grown children, their laughter and teasing carrying on the breeze. When their mother joined them with drinks in hand, pulling her husband in for a kiss, Joe felt a pang of envy and longing.

That's what he had hoped for with his own family - a lifetime of happy memories and togetherness. But now it seemed a distant dream, one that may never be fully realized. "Only God knows what happens to us from here," he thought sadly.

Joe felt Liz's eyes on him, saw the question in her gaze before she even spoke. "What's troubling you?" she asked gently. When he didn't respond right away, too lost in turmoil, she tried again. "Joe...what's up?"

Her hand came to rest on his arm, a grounding presence drawing him back from the shadows of his mind. He met her eyes with a weary sigh. "I was just thinking...wishing things could be different. That we could have what that family over there has."

Liz's face softened in understanding. She gave his arm a squeeze. "I know. But we're doing the best we can right now, for the kids. Try to be hopeful - there's still a chance, if we work at it." Her words offered little comfort, but the kindness in her voice meant more than she knew.

Joe's small attempt at a smile didn't quite reach his eyes. Deep down, he knew Liz's words of hope rang hollow. Their problems ran too deep, and the damage was already done.

Stepping a few feet away from the kids with Liz, he turned to her with a weary sigh. "We need to talk."

Danny watched them closely, anxious. It seemed all his parents did lately was argue. Even from a distance, he could sense the tension in their bodies and strained tones.

"You didn't have to embarrass me in front of the kids like that," Joe started. Liz frowned in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Joe shook his head. "The way you pulled away from me in the car. Dan definitely saw it, I'm sure it upset him more. I love you, I'm trying here." His voice broke with emotion. "I know I messed up with the work, not being there for you all. But I want to fix this, whatever it takes."

Liz's face fell as she realized the hurt she'd caused. Reaching for Joe's hand, she held it firmly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make a scene. You're right, the kids come first."

Her words offered a glimmer of hope, but Danny watched on sadly. All the fights had chipped away at his belief that his parents' love could withstand anything. He feared no reconciliation would mend the fractured bonds of the family he still so desperately needed.

"Uh there's another thing..." Joe said hesitantly to Liz. When he couldn't continue, Liz looked at him curiously, sensing his unease.

"Never mind, don't worry," Joe replied nervously. Liz agreed and apologized, relieving some of Joe's tension. He was glad she didn't object further, worrying it might escalate an issue.

Something still troubled Joe, as Liz noticed in his regretful, fearful eyes. They hugged for a few seconds. As they pulled apart, Liz stared directly at Joe, understandings when things felt off.

"Joe, what did you want to say before?" she asked firmly. "Don't avoid it if it will affect us - I need to know the problem."

Joe's silence pained Liz. Things were alright moments ago. "Is it about me?" she asked shakily. "Or work?"

Seeing the rising tension, Joe spoke. "No, it's neither of you. It's the other."

Liz pressed, "So what happened at work?" Just then, a message drew Joe's attention, and from his worried look, it wasn't good news.

Joe checked the message on his phone and his face fell. Liz could tell it was not good news.

"What is it?" she asked worriedly.

Joe let out a long sigh before responding. "I just got laid off. The company is downsizing and my position was eliminated."

Liz gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. "Oh no, that's awful. I'm so sorry."

"Me too," Joe said sadly. "I don't know what we're going to do. We need my income to keep up with the bills and mortgage."

Liz took her husband's hands in hers. "We'll figure it out," she said supportively. "This is just a bump in the road. Maybe it's time you looked for a new job doing something you really love."

Joe nodded but still looked distressed. "I know, you're right. It's just a shock, you know? I wasn't expecting this at all."

"I know, honey," Liz replied. "But we're in this together. I still have my job. We'll tighten our belts for a while until you find something new."

Joe pulled his wife in for a hug, holding her tight. He was scared about their future, but felt better knowing he had Liz by his side through this difficult time. With her support, he was confident they would weather this storm.

His phone chimed again. Another message popped up, this time from an unknown source. When Joe opened it, he looked wildly distressed at first glance. Unable to speak, Liz's curiosity grew.

"What now?" she demanded, already on edge from Joe's strange behavior.

Joe stared blankly at his phone, lost. The picture download heightened his panic. "No!" he cried out. Liz forcefully grabbed the device, her worry overriding hesitation.

The message read: "Engineer Joe, I know you were there. You can't run from us." Fear gripped Liz as much as confusion.

Joe whispered desperately, "No no.. Rafael." His voice broke as he continued, "Honey, Rafael is dead. He was killed." Eyes weary and voice hoarse, Joe pleaded, "We have to leave now."

Liz pressed him firmly, "Joe, calm down. I need to understand what's happening."

Rushing to gather the kids, Joe apologized, "I'm sorry, but our time here is over. We must keep moving." Liz complied though demanding answers still.

They hurried to the van, strapping in silent and afraid. Joe raked fingers through his hair, despairing over unknown threats pursued them still.

Joe began hurriedly, "I don't know what I did, what I was thinking. It all happened so fast."

Liz listened desperately as her husband panted, trying to explain. "That last contract, the Empire State Building - Rafael didn't look into it closely enough. There were ownership disputes, conflicts surrounding it."

Joe's distressed voice continued, "I found out later they were battling legally and illegally over rights to the company. I got a threat to stop work, but it was too late - I'd already taken half payment."

"Stop work from who?" Liz demanded.

"The opposition parties," Joe answered uneasily. "I heard he is a mafia boss, somewhat- the Russo family"

As their car raced down the road, Joe sped on. Liz stopped him firmly. "You never told me any of this. Is this why we're running? Your passion for this job has put our lives in danger. How could you do this?" Her voice broke, overwhelmed by their sudden peril.

Joe floundered for answers, the consequences of his actions now terrorizing his family whose safety he had endangered through his reckless actions and deceit.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Joe said. "My employer pressured me too."

"Then why are we running?" Liz asked desperately.

"One night I forgot a blueprint, so I went back to get it. What I witnessed..." Joe still couldn't speak of it. "This man stabbed Mr. Ben Toya five times, with his boys around. They didn't notice me until my phone beeped."

"Was that the night I called?" Liz grew faint, exhausted by these revelations.

Joe nodded. "Ben! was my employer." He shook his head painfully. "I thought I'd escaped, but..."

"Don't blame yourself, honey. This was doomed from the start," he told Liz, taking responsibility. "All we can do right now is be far way..."

Suddenly, Samantha burst out in tears and cries sensing the odd nature of mood and situation in the van.

Mr Banks turned to his frightened children. "It will be okay, I promise. Dan, hold Samantha, take care of your sister."

Liz wiped tears, shielding the kids from further distress.

As Joe drove desperately, a truck appeared without warning and collided with their van at the junction. Screeching metal and shattering glass surrounded them as the van spun out of control followed by the blaring sound of horns. A somber moment that happened so fast.

Voices in the distance yelled for help, but within the wreckage lay the family, lives hanging by a thread after Joe's fatal mistakes finally caught up to them all.