by Paula Nicole
“Further notice?” Lindsey murmured.
“Yes, Lindsey,” Alec said. “I have much to explain to you, and I will tell you everything I know, soon.”
Her eyes widened fearfully. Lindsey cursed herself silently, wishing she had realised there was a catch to her freedom. But she had been so excited and it had happened so suddenly. Her lack of knowledge about Alec hardly even registered at the time. But now she was alert.
“Lindsey,” Alec began. “I was sent to rescue you from Kyle.”
Lindsey looked away, secretly relived and yet all the same she was suspicious of Alec. He had lied to her, hid undercover from her and everyone else. And yet he had saved her from a life of playing happy families with Kyle. Surely her freedom was worth his deception?
“Who sent you?” She asked quietly.
She was finding it hard to believe that someone she didn’t know would care about her so much that they would make a group to rescue her. There had to be more.
“Listen Lindsey, there is a lot you don’t know about Kyle, and about why he picked you,” Alec went on as carefully as he could.
“Go on, tell me,” Lindsey pushed.
“Soon Lindsey, soon I will tell you everything,” he promised her softly. “But for now we just need to get to this place and figure out the next steps.”
“I want to know why he took me,” Lindsey said sternly. “I have the right to know, Alec.” She stared at him, trying to catch his eye, but Alec avoided her glare entirely.
“Alright then,” he sighed. “But you’ll wish you had waited.”
“I am sure I won’t,” Lindsey murmured in reply.
Alec laughed lightly, shaking his head. “If that is what you wish, Lindsey,” he began with a smirk. “Kyle took you because he believes you’re the key to some sort of power source.”
Lindsey stared at Alec, examining his face before letting out a loud laugh. Surly it was a joke?
“You can’t be serious!” She cried. But Alec’s straight face did not break.
Lindsey frowned deeply, her lips trembling now. This was not a joke. “You are serious…” She whispered. “He’s mad, he’s completely mad.”
But to Lindsey’s surprise Alec continued as if everything was normal. “We don’t know what exactly, but we do know that Kyle should not have it, or you.”
“So this rescue wasn’t out of the goodness of your own heart?” Lindsey asked in a murmur.
Alec sighed softly, shaking his head lightly. “It was all planned Lindsey, even before Kyle took you, we were planning our next steps. We have to prevent this Lindsey. I am just sorry that you are tangled in this. We should have stopped him before he got his hands on you.”
Lindsey looked out the window, gazing at the rows of green and brown fields, which seemed to go on for miles. She frowned at the thought of how far she was from home and looked to Alec once more, suddenly curious as to what the plan was.
“Once we get to this place, what is the plan?” She asked.
Alec hesitated with his response, making Lindsey’s worries grow greater. Perhaps she would have to make her own plan, at least then she would have more control again.
“We keep you away from Kyle,” Alec finally said. “And wait for more commands.”
“Commands?” Lindsey enquired.
“Well, you didn’t think I was head of this operation, did you?” Alec smirked.
Lindsey smiled politely and looked out the window once again, they had finally reached the end of the fields and now the quiet country road led onto a motorway which was busy and loud. She smiled to herself, looking at all the different people in their cars, all the people that weren’t Kyle or Lynn.
“It’s only a few miles away, so we won’t be staying here long,” Alec told Lindsey gently.
As they made their way out onto the motorway Lindsey spotted a sign for Scotland, it informed her they were fifteen miles away from its boarders. But they drove the other way.
“So I’ve been in England this whole time,” she said quietly. “I must have been unconscious longer than I thought.”
“Kyle probably gave you a good dosage of chloroform to keep you unconscious,” Alec agreed. “And I am sad to say, Lindsey, you won’t be returning home for some time.”
“But my family, they will be worried sick!” Lindsey cried in protest. She wanted to seize the wheel, to somehow turn around for Scotland and for her home, but she couldn’t. “Can’t I at least call them?” she asked hopefully. “They need to know what has happen and that I am safe.”
“Lindsey,” Alec frowned. “Did Kyle say to you why taking you was so easy? Why you were never advertised as missing?”
Lindsey froze, her blood cooled in her veins. “He-he said that he paid someone for me,” she answered timidly.
“Did he say who?” Alec pressed on.
Lindsey bit her lip gently, shaking her head slowly. “Do you know who?” She dared to ask. And to this Alec nodded once, but his eyes stayed on the road ahead of them.
“Lindsey,” he said softly. “Your parents sold you to Kyle.”
“No…” Lindsey whispered. “They wouldn’t…”
“I am very sorry,” Alec said sincerely. “I know you must feel horrible Lindsey, but you must forget you ever had a family; from now on you will be constantly on the run.”
“Why didn’t you kill him when you had the chance?” Lindsey blurted out. “If he is such a burden.”
“Because I saw your face,” Alec answered gently. “You have a tender heart, Lindsey. I don’t want it to darken any more than it has over the past few days.”
Lindsey bowed her head and could feel her stomach tighten. Alec was right; Lindsey didn’t want to see Kyle die, even after everything he had done. It was something she couldn’t explain, some attachment that had formed out of her own vulnerability. Yes she had wanted to escape him and see him punished for disrupting her life, but at the same time Lindsey had made a connection with Kyle she had never experienced with anyone before, a dark bond. She knew she had to sever it.
“Let me assure you, Lindsey, you will have your justice,” Alec continued, his tone was stern. Lindsey looked to him, seeing how his muscles tensed as he spoke of justice. There was something in Alec’s eyes which glinted, like sharp blades.
But all Lindsey said was, “good.”
Chapter Eighteen
The rest of the journey was relatively quiet. Alec refused to answer any more of Lindsey’s questions; he would tell her he had to wait for commands and that was that. Lindsey quickly felt her face redden and her frustration grew, making her head beat angrily.
“Where are we?” Lindsey asked suddenly. “I deserve at least to know where we are.”
But Alec did not reply.
Lindsey glared out of the window, looking for any sort of sign, but now that they were on another long country road and there was nothing more than fields and trees. She had no clue where they were, only that it was in England.
Alec pulled the car over and came to a stop. Lindsey watched in confusion as he climbed out and hurried over to help her out. “What’s going on?” She asked nervously as he pulled her from Kyle’s car. Lindsey tried to resist Alec’s pull but it was useless. He tugged her down the road, abandoning the car behind them.
“Someone is coming to pick it up and dispose of it,” Alec explained briefly. “The cabin is in these woods. It isn’t far.”
Again and again Lindsey tried to fight free, but Alec was determined to get her to the cabin without further explanation despite her protests.
“I want to go home!” Lindsey growled angrily. “I want to go to the police and go home! And I will if you don’t tell me everything.” But Lindsey’s threats fell on death ears. Alec simply turned around and scooped Lindsey up into his strong arms and hung her over his shoulder. “Put me down!” She demanded. She pounded his back with her fists but Alec was seemingly unaffected.
Lindsey was sick of being so petite and easy to push around.
>
“Calm down Lindsey,” he said softly. “I am trying to help you.”
“It really seems like you are just taking me to another prison!” Lindsey snarled.
Alec rolled his eyes heavily and cursed in his mother tongue with a husky voice. He continued to carry Lindsey into the woods, trying his best to ignore her threats and punches, but when Lindsey began to kick he grew tired. Suddenly he sat her down and addressed the wide eyed Lindsey with his hands upon his hips.
“What am I going to do with you?” He sighed loudly. “You are not very patient, Lindsey.”
Lindsey smiled softly, swiftly dusting herself off. “No I am not,” she agreed honestly. “But you’ve got to consider everything I have been through. Right now, it is hard to trust, especially when you offered me my freedom on a plate.”
“But you can trust me,” Alec pleaded with her. He stepped forward to take her hands, but Lindsey backed away. Her eyes never left him.
Alec frowned heavily and shook his head. “Alright,” he gave in. “I will tell you everything you need to know…but you won’t like it, Little Lindsey.”
“As far as we know, Kyle is not the leader of the cult, but he is high up. The leader, we do not know.”
Lindsey felt faint. Someone else was out there who desperately wanted to see her chained to Kyle.
“We are going to take you far away from Britain and keep you hidden from the cult,” Alec went on. “Meanwhile.” He paused, realising Lindsey was backing up now with a wide eyed expression. She looked like a cornered animal, ready to strike out.
“We will try to fix this Lindsey so that you can live the rest of your life as close to normal as possible, eventually,” Alec said very carefully.
“No!” Was all Lindsey could shout. Alec moved toward her but she lashed out, screaming again hysterically. “I will not be a prisoner to you too!”
“You are no prisoner,” Alec spoke softly, but Lindsey didn’t care.
“I am going home,” Lindsey decided.
She turned to leave, but Alec’s voice stopped her.
“You have no home,” he said.
His bitter honesty in his voice made Lindsey’s blood icy. Deep down she knew it was true, she could not go home. What was left for her there but lies?
“Come Lindsey,” Alec coaxed gently. “Let me get you somewhere warm and we will talk more. Just please, come.”
He reached out for her, quietly beckoning her forward.
Slowly she turned to him. Biting down on her lip she gave a light nod and took his hand, letting him lead her into the unfamiliar woods.
“It’s not far,” Alec repeated calmly. “Everything will be well.”
Lindsey prayed it would
Chapter Nineteen
As promised, the walk to the cabin was brief, but just enough so that the cabin was not obvious to any passers-by. Lindsey gazed into the clearing ahead of them and swallowed heavily as she watched the curtain wave gently in the window of the cabin; someone was already there.
Her heart began to race, her head began to pound. What if Kyle had found them and beaten them there? What would her punishment be for escaping him this time? Perhaps he would make her into a pie, rather than making her one to eat.
“Alec,” Lindsey gasped.
The front door swung open, revealing not Kyle, but a tall, thin woman, with long yellow hair and fair freckled skin. Her nose was slightly upturned and her blue eyes glistened like sharp knives as they examined Lindsey. She could tell the woman had been expecting them for some time.
“Alec,” the woman said. Her eyes never left Lindsey. “This is the girl all this trouble is about? This is Lindsey?”
Lindsey looked down, scuffling her feet in the dirt.
“This is Lindsey,” Alec confirmed.
Suddenly a pair of thin arms was wrapped around Lindsey and she felt a deep kiss being planted onto her cold cheek. She stared at the woman in surprise, but when she saw her grin it made Lindsey smile.
“Welcome Lindsey!” She chirped cheerfully. “Welcome back to freedom!”
Lindsey glanced over to Alec, who stood a few feet away from them as he watched with his arms folded upon his chest.
“Thank you,” Lindsey smiled softly.
“Well! Come on in! I have hot food already on the table and warm clothes for you to wear!”
Led by the temptation and an approving nod from Alec, Lindsey allowed the woman to guide her into the cabin and take her coat.
“Now, your bedroom is upstairs and there are clothes for you all laid out on the bed. We don’t plan to be staying long so don’t worry about washing up or settling in,” the woman went on as she shepherded Lindsey over to the stairs.
“Please,” Lindsey said suddenly. “What’s your name?”
“Carly,” the woman smiled. “Now get upstairs! Don’t want your food getting cold now!”
Lindsey gave a quick nod and obeyed Carly swiftly. It made her happy to meet someone so friendly, and well, seemingly sane. And once Lindsey had changed out of Kyle’s clothes she began to feel more like herself again, although she knew it would take time to recover completely. Lindsey knew this would haunt her for some time, but Lindsey knew Kyle would haunt her forever.
Lindsey passed the bathroom on her way down the short hallway. She glanced inside, longing to wash Kyle’s scent completely off her body. But the smell of the hot food below took precedence at the time. She headed downstairs and easily found the kitchen; it was a small cabin. There Alec and Carly sat at the table, but Lindsey took greater interest in the fresh crusty bread ready for cutting and the piping hot soup already spooned out into a bowl for her. She took her place at the table and smiled politely.
“This is very nice of you,” she said to Carly.
“It is,” Alec agreed. “You are very kind Carly.”
“It is in my nature,” Carly grinned widely. “Now, eat. We move out tomorrow morning!”
“So soon?” Lindsey asked as she lifted her spoon to her lips. She could already feel its warmth.
“Yes,” Carly sighed. “Sadly we have to keep moving, until we get far away to somewhere safe.”
Lindsey opened her mouth to speak, but she stopped herself abruptly. She was going to suggest that Kyle would grow tired of the chase eventually and give in, find someone else to torture. But after what she had learned, it became clear to Lindsey Kyle would never stop hunting for her, not until one of them was dead.
“Lindsey,” Alec spoke softly. “Today has been difficult.”
“I am sure it has been,” Carly agreed enthusiastically. “When they told me you were brining Lindsey here I was very…surprised. But I am glad I get to meet the girl who the fuss is all about.”
Lindsey smiled tiredly and polished off the last drops of soup. For once she felt at peace, even if the future was uncertain.
“I am quite tired,” Lindsey admitted quietly. “But I want to enjoy this,” she said with determination. “I want to enjoy my freedom.”
“Then you shall,” Carly grinned. “I will make something special to celebrate while you take a nap and when you wake up we shall all celebrate a successful mission.”
Lindsey smiled gratefully. She had almost forgotten what human kindness was, and now she felt it wrapped all around her. She felt warm and secure, but more importantly she felt sleepy.
“Sounds wonderful,” Lindsey said with a nod.
She excused herself from the table and went to leave, but Alec quickly caught her arm. She looked around, catching his warm gaze. “You have no need to fear now,” he told her gently. “Kyle will not find you. I will protect you.”
Lindsey looked away, blushing lightly as she realised just how close Alec was to her. She could feel his warmth on her and his gaze was intimate. And yet she couldn’t help but think that she did not need Alec’s protection; she just had to get away from Kyle and stay away. This was her battle to fight.
However, she decided not to rock the boat.
“Thank
you,” she whispered. “I hope you are right.”
“He is,” Carly piped up. “You will never be his prisoner again.”
Lindsey turned again and left the room swiftly, making her way upstairs and into the small bedroom where she was to spend the night. She climbed into the bed and wrapped herself in the multiple blankets.
No, she silently thought as she laid her heavy head onto the pillow, she would not be Kyle’s prisoner again, but for the rest of her life she would never be entirely free if she stayed with Alec and Carly.
Was that really the life Lindsey wanted?
Chapter Twenty
Lindsey lay in the long, lush grass, staring dreamily up at the light, blue sky. She smiled softly as she stroked her hands down her body, savouring the soft, silken fabric of the pale, pink dress she wore. Gently, she rose up and glanced around the long peaceful meadow. The surroundings were familiar and comforting; this was her piece of Heaven.
On her feet now, Lindsey quickly dusted herself off and started to brush through the grass. The wind was blowing gently now and the trees of the near-by wood rustled a quiet lullaby. Lindsey never ventured near those woods.
She spotted a wooden swing, which hung from an old tree. Flowers were blooming on the green vines which held the swing up and little flakes of pink petals were softly cascading down in the breeze. Lindsey put out her hands and after a moment they were full of pink petals. Happily, she threw them into the air and watched as they were caught in a cycle of wind.
“Lindsey,” a soft voice called.
Lindsey spun around, but she couldn’t see anyone.
“Lindsey…” The voice echoed all around her.
She gulped heavily, turning towards the woods. They seemed to be darker now; the leaves were beginning to fall away and wither.
