The Chain

Kylie’s uncle Pete, Marty’s brother and an ex-Marine, is hunting in the woods by himself. It’s not hunting season, but Pete doesn’t care about laws. He notices text messages from both Rachel and Marty, but is out of cell phone reception. He isn’t close with his brother but decides to end his hunting trip early to see what Rachel needs. The phone is almost dead, so Pete decides to call her once he’s home.

Kylie is still unable to figure out an escape plan. She wonders if her mother also has to kidnap someone, and why the kidnappers targeted her and her mother.

Rachel stalks one of her potential kidnapping targets—a young boy. However, she discovers that his mother’s boyfriend is a police officer, therefore ruling the child out. She moves on to stalking the next option online, when the distorted voice behind The Chain calls and says she should share her choices’ names for vetting. The voice also allows Pete to help Rachel.

Rachel tells Kylie’s friends that she’s sick. They’re suspicious because Kylie hasn’t been texting or using social media, like she normally would.