Invisibility Cloak

by Jill Elaine Prim

  “So! What are you doing here?” Sophia’s snakeskin-shoed foot pushed on Amanda’s back until she stumbled forward. “How did you find this place?”

  “Oomph,” Amanda lurched over. Her bagged head hit the floor and he heard her grunt. His hands clenched, he was so ready to go in. Stand down. He wanted to rip Edgington’s head off. Hang on Amanda. It looked as if she was balancing herself on her toes, steadying herself with her shoulder that rested on the dirt floor.

  “I do not know how much I will get for you, but your daughter will bring a good sum.”

  “No!” Amanda cried out, her voice garbled by the sack over her face. “Why? Why are you doing this to me? To my children?”

  “Your husband’s stupidity,” Sophia hissed out before she walked away. Edgington’s shoes crunched on the gravel and stones as she walked further into the cave-like cellar. He needed to wait a few seconds more―to make sure Edgington or anyone else wasn’t coming back.

  Ryder listened intently for any other movement other than Amanda’s as she maneuvered around to a sitting position before she pushed herself up from the ground, and shakily stood. Not hearing anything, he started toward her.

  But then she hollered, “Sammie? Sammie! Are you here? Sammie? Sammie!” Her yell turned into a cough. “Sammie!” Half-crying and half-yelling, she shouted for her daughter as she stumbled ahead.

  Shit. Ryder faded back, worried that her yelling would cause others to come running.

  “Mom?” A confused reply came from down the way.

  Ryder’s head tilted up. Good girl. For all it was worth, Amanda’s yapper found Sammie. But now, she needed to be quiet. He could definitely locate Sammie now. He stalked closer.

  Amanda held her arms out and felt along a roughened wall yelling to her daughter, “Talk to me, Sammie. I’m here.”

  “Mom!”

  Knowing the direction Sammie was now being held at, he really needed Amanda quiet. Checking the perimeter, he darted closer to her as she stood in the middle of four hallways that led in different areas in the cellar. Edgington went to the southern-most entrance, while Sammie’s voice came directly north of that. His gaze narrowed at the other two openings that scattered perpendicular. Just where did they lead?

  Amanda leaned against the wall as she walked. “Sammie?”

  “Mom! I’m over here!”

  Stumbling a few times, Amanda followed her daughter’s voice as it echoed through the underground room and Ryder stepped out of the shadows and reached out for her.

  “Cállate!” A stocky man came out of nowhere and grabbed Amanda by the arm.

  Shrinking back against the rock wall, he stood perfectly still with gritted teeth.

  The man thrust her down another hallway yelling at her to be quiet the whole way down. Ryder swore viciously under his breath. He’d been this close at grabbing Amanda! Now, he’d have to go in for Sammie first; then haul Amanda out.

  Stalking silently down the dark, dank hallway muffled feminine murmurs and cries reached his ears. He stopped to listen, intent on hearing any lower, male voices before he sidled up to a corner and looked both ways. A man dressed in grungy jeans and T-shirt stood in front of an opening to the right. His dark head curved down as he played with the rifle slung over his shoulder. Young voices radiated out from behind the guard; from the room he patrolled. As soon as the guard turned away from him and took a few steps in the opposite direction into the hallway, Ryder crept closer and peered inside the opening. The dirt-floored, windowless room was filled with young girls. A murderous rage seeped into his body.

  Scumbags! He ground his teeth together. Six little girls all around Sammie’s age or younger cowered in the back of the room. Most had tear-streaked dirty cheeks. He easily picked out Sammie; she was the only blond-haired, green-eyed little girl in the room. Her yellow shorts and white top were covered in dust and grime. With her arms around her drawn up legs, she sat on the filthy ground with her head down on her knees. The other little girls with big dark eyes surrounded by long dark hair were in the same position as Sammie, but their shoulders jerked from their soft sobbing.

  Rage boiled in Ryder’s head as he crept up behind the guard. Thrusting out one hand, he pressed his thumb against his temple while jabbing the man right under his kidney with the other. The guard withered to the ground soundlessly. His movement caught the children’s eyes across the room. As soon as Sammie saw him, her brows flew up and she opened her mouth as if to squeal.

  No! He jerked his index finger in front of his mouth and shook his head. They had to be deathly silent if he was going to get them all out of here. Sammie clamped her mouth shut immediately and looked around at the others silently telling them not to talk either.

  Ryder walked over and placed his hand on Sammie’s shoulder, crouching down to whisper in her ear. “Make sure no one speaks, squirt.”

  Her little blond head nodded before he got up and motioned for everyone to follow him. Sammie held his hand and he led them out. A lone light bulb dangling a few feet away from the ceiling caused the corridor to cast an eerie glow as they went through the long hallway before they reached the larger space that eventually led to the stairs. He glanced back at all the little girls and put his finger up to his lips before he peered around the corner. The coast was clear and he led them all the way to the stairs. Hunkering down again, he said quietly, “Sammie, take the girls out to my Jeep. Nick’s sitting in it. Walk casually. Don’t draw attention to yourselves. Got it, squirt?”

  Her smile lit up her dirty face and she whispered back, “Aye, aye, captain.”

  “Good girl.” He brushed his hand over the top of her head. “Oh, and take this back to my Jeep, will you?” He handed Sammie the small monitoring device he took from his car.

  “Okay.” She nodded.

  “Go.”

  He watched her scamper up the stairs with the other girls right behind her and hoped like hell that none of the Cartel’s goons were up there. But he couldn’t worry about that now. Flipping his wrist over, he saw ten minutes had already passed. He needed to find Amanda and took off down the tunnel she was pulled into earlier. A few yards down the dark, dirt-etched passageway, it split into two different directions. He swore silently. Which route should he take?

  Pressing on the side of his Army-issued watch, a small flashlight glowed from the illuminated face and he bent down and looked at the prints on the loam floor. Crouched in the middle of the split hallway he studied the ground for any signs to compel him to go down one corridor over the other. Holding the light up high over his head, a glint caught the corner of his eye, and he turned around quickly, but he lost the location. So he walked in a bigger circle and rotated his small light hoping to pick up the flash of whatever was on the floor, again.

  Ah, there was the sparkle―half buried in the dirt. He knelt down and rummaged through the soil and dust on the floor until he finally found the round sparkle. His fingers were so damn big; it took him numerous tries to pick it up. Holding it in front of his eyes, it looked like it could be part of Amanda’s circle bracelet. Smart girl. Now he knew which way to go. Moving smoothly against the rocky tunnel, he stopped every so often just to listen for voices or sounds. A few feet out, the ceiling dropped significantly, so Ryder hunched over as he crept down the tunnel. Another few feet down there was the choice of two ways to go―an opening carved into the rock to his left or straight ahead to a metal door. Once again, he hunkered down and pressed on the light on his watch and lifted his arm in a wide arc. A faint glint near the arc way of the corridor that veered left caught his eye. He kept his small flashlight on as he walked down the hallway because it was so damn dark.

  When he saw a lone bulb’s light swinging from the ceiling that illuminated a doorway up ahead of him, he switched off his tiny light and assessed the situation. One guard packing a submachine gun draped acro
ss his chest stood outside the opening. Ryder didn’t visibly see any other weapons, but that didn’t mean squat. The lookout could still have a few knives or pistols tucked in his boot or front-side, but he hoped to hell the SMG was all he had as he approached him from the side. The guard wouldn’t even know what hit him. Reaching behind the guard, Ryder squeezed his nape and dug his other hand into his side and the man crumbled to the ground. Edging around the large form on the dirt floor, he gazed into the opening. There was no light inside the room, only the light bulb hanging from a wire in the hallway lit the small space. Amanda’s backside faced him and her bagged head was lowered, her arms tied up behind her. Ryder ground his molars. Damn it! He wanted to maim the person that did this. Sophia. Walking silently up behind her, he snaked an arm around her waist, turned her around, and pulled her into him.

  She immediately stiffened and cried out, “No!” Kicking out her legs, she brought her knee up and kicked her foot out.

  Ah shit.

  “Oomph.” Ryder rubbed his thigh. Feisty woman and her well-placed kicks. He’d barely missed her knee when he saw her pull it up.

  “Wait, honey, it’s me.” Ryder’s low voice breathed in her ear. “Come over here with me, you little tiger.”

  “Ryder?” She sagged against him.

  Seconds later he pulled off the bag from her head. “You okay?” He ran his hands down both her arms.

  “I am now.” Amanda wrapped her hands around his waist and pushed her face into his chest. She tilted her head up, and nuzzled his chin.

  Damn, he wanted to kiss her, but he couldn’t; not now. They needed to get to Sammie and Nickel first.

  But the need to touch her took over. Tipping her chin up, he kissed her softly at first, until the anger he felt―which shook his very soul when he saw Edgington hitting and kicking her erupted out of him. And he took it out on her with a desperate kiss. Spearing his tongue into her mouth he hiked her up closer against him. She’d gripped the back of his shirt in her fists and kissed him just as fiercely back, until they both calmed down. Gently pulling away, he said quietly, “Hey, we gotta get ‘outa here. Stay right behind me.”

  “No!” Amanda pulled away from him. “I heard Sammie, Ryder. I’m not leaving until she’s with me!”

  “I already got her. Along with a few other little girls. I need you to high-tail it to my Jeep.”

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  He led her to the rickety wood stairs he came down earlier. “Go up those stairs. I got Coolman coming from Columbus; he should be here any minute.” He tapped her bottom to propel her up the stairs. “I’ll be right behind you.”

  “Why aren’t you coming too?” She pressed her mouth together. “Come with me.”

  He swore silently. Damn woman was so stubborn! “I have to check on some other things. Just go, darlin’”

  She narrowed her eyes at him.

  He shook his head in frustration before whispering in her ear, “You need to go. Now. I don’t want any of you getting caught again.”

  “Where will you be?”

  “Sweetheart.” Ryder pulled her close and nuzzled his chin on her head. “I called my buddies at the HFPD. They’re on their way now.”

  “I don’t want to leave you.”

  “Damn it Amanda, I can take care of myself.”

  “Just go then. Hurry. I’ll wait for you in the Jeep.” She pushed at his frame and pointed down the dark underground hallway.

  “I will.” Peering back at the stairs he came down moments earlier, he wanted to get her situated in a good place for a fast getaway. “I’ll be back ASAP. Be ready to fly out of here.” But he knew how stubborn she could be and needed her to promise him she’d take the kids and get the hell out of here. “Amanda?”

  “Affirmative,” she said reluctantly.

  “That’s more like it.” He planted both of his hands on her shoulder. “See you up there.” He pointed up the stairs.

  “Humph.”

  Chuckling softly, Ryder asked, “Are you sticking your tongue out at me, again? You’ll be putting that to use, soon, darlin’.”

  “Go.” She whispered into the darkness. “Please hurry. Good luck.”

  He was already moving through the underground caves, but he still heard her. He wanted to sweep a few more passageways to make sure no more kids were being held down here.

  Damn Sophia Edgington for being involved with this shit! He knew she was off, but he had no idea she was this bad. Stalking down another passageway, he checked all the nooks and crannies.

  Nada. After looking down the other two tunnels he hadn’t gone down earlier, he breathed out a sigh of relief. No other hostages. Time to see if anyone from the HFPD was here yet. Just as he stepped on the second stair tread that leads away from the cellar, he heard the click of a gun’s safety being unlocked.

  “What are you doing here, Ryder?” Sophia Edgington clipped out behind him.

  Shit! He turned his head and glanced behind him. There she was, and she didn’t look anything like she normally did. In beige shorts and T-shirt, he didn’t think he’d ever seen her look this casual before.

  “Hey, Sophia.” He put both hands up in the air. “No need to do that is there?” Ryder inclined his head to her gun that was pointed at him.

  “Why did you bring that bitch, here?”

  At that precise moment, Mimi Carlyle walked up to stand next to Sophia, her eyes wide.

  “What is Ryder Stevenson doing here, Sophia?”

  “Arrrggh!” Sophia looked at Mimi. “That is what I’m trying to find out!”

  Mimi planted her hands on her hips. “Enough, Sophia. You must stop hurting these children.”

  “Yeah, well they’re gone now. So my shipment to Alejandro has been cancelled.” Sophia’s face contorted into a sadistic cartoon’s; her eyes and mouth widened before her lips pursed together as she said again, “Cancelled! Just what do you think he will do to me?”

  Mimi put her hand on Sophia’s shoulder. “Roger and I will protect you. Bring your children over to our house.”

  “No!” Sophia shook her head. “I’ll give Alejandro, Ryder.” She sneered at him. “Things could’ve been different, but not now. Get down here.” She motioned to him with her gun.

  Ryder walked down the two steps he’d made it to. “Alejandro Castillo? Just who is he to you, Sophia?”

  “My ex-husband and the father of my two children.” She aimed the gun at his chest. “Walk, Ryder.”

  “Sophia.” Mimi grabbed her elbow. “Please don’t do this!”

  Ryder figured if there was any time to run it would be now and he took off down one of the passageways until a bullet hit him in the leg and he fell over.

  Damn it!

  “I have expert marksmanship, Ryder. Unless you want to die right now, turn your ass back around. Now!” Sophia walked over to him. “Hands on top of your head.”

  He lifted both hands up and limped around to Sophia.

  “Like I said earlier, get in front of me and walk.” She guided him to the eastern-most corridor.

  “Sophia, stop this!” Mimi urged quietly. “Please!”

  “Shut up, Mimi.” Pushing him down the dark hallway she spat out, “We’re already late for the drop off.”

  Chapter 19

  Amanda checked the time on Nickel’s cell phone for the tenth time.

  Where in the heck was Ryder? After he pushed her up the stairs, she found Nickel with Sammie, praise the lord, and five other young girls were sitting in the back seats as well.

  She turned the key in the ignition and drove to the side of the yellow structure, not wanting to cause any unwanted attention to herself. Sammie explained to her what happened after the cartel’s thugs grabbed her.

  Amanda pressed her mouth togeth
er keeping her composure as she listened to her daughter, when she really wanted to scream at the world that her children were even put in this position in the first place. Apparently her daughter wore a burlap sack over her head, like she had earlier, while she was transported here. When the sack was pulled off her head, Sammie was thrust into a room with the other young girls. All of whom were in the back of Ryder’s Grand Cherokee huddled together.

  She heaved in a deep fortifying breath needing to exorcize the terrible feelings she had for these animals that would do such a thing to little girls! An absolute rage swept through her―and it was scary. Feelings rushed through her. Dark thoughts at what she would do to adults that would exploit children. Just as she touched her daughter’s arm reassuringly, a big sedan pulled up to her on the driver’s side and she immediately stiffened.

  The driver’s side window slid down. She’d braced her left foot on the brake with her right foot ready to slam on the accelerator in case a fast getaway was needed.

  That detective friend of Ryder’s came into view. Oh praises be! “Ms. Harris? Pardon me, ma’am. Where’s Ry?”

  Jeremy Coolman, that’s what his name was.

  “Ryder Stevenson, that is.”

  “Oh, am I relieved to see you, Detective Coolman!”

  “Yes, ma’am. I was positioned in Columbia, but Ry called and told me to hustle to this locale.” He paused before adding, “Are you feeling better, ma’am? You seemed pretty shook up last night, Ms. Harris. Do you remember, after the dance?”

  Ohmygod. He was there last night, too? She didn’t remember him, then. She remembered meeting him in the squad car on Sunday after going to Institute of Physics. Heat permeated her face. “I, uh, I’m sorry Detective I really don’t remember much of last night.”