Jessica (Tucked In 2)

by Kuhn, N

  Scooting backwards, I pull myself out of the brush. I’ve seen enough.

  “Raz, let’s go. It’s time to go get Buzz.” Jumping down from the rocks, he follows me back to the Hummer.

  “We have a five minute window man. Takes them that long to circle the whole compound. But, how we going to get past everything?”

  “I’ll figure that out, don’t worry. You won’t be coming.”

  “What do you mean Tuck? I’m part of this, part of your team. I’m coming with you. You have to let me help. There’s a kid in trouble. Plus, I’ve seen The Craft. Them bitches don’t scare me.”

  “Raz, I’m not going to worry about you getting hurt. No argument. This isn’t a fucking movie. Get in,” I motion towards the SUV. “Time to get Buzz and go home to plan.”

  “Was that her?” he asks me quietly as I turn my truck around. I ignore it.

  Chapter 7

  The sun beating down on my face is refreshing. I need this. Time alone, quiet, warmth. Inside the bunkers it’s so cold, and isolated, lonely. Christian will be here in two days with the Sacrifice. I’m really doubting this. I have no clue why The Master really wants to do this to the child, and regret is gnawing at my insides. I shouldn’t have called Tuck. All it’s done is pull up memories I thought were gone and buried. My heart aches, my skin tingles. Wanting to feel him wrapped around me again, I long for it. Clenching my legs together as I stand there, I try to push away the thoughts of how his body felt against mine. The way he made me feel, I sigh. The man’s hands felt like Heaven and I haven’t been touched in a good way for years. Not since him.

  A feeling that I’m being watched washes over me. I get that feeling a lot around here though. Scanning the area, the members are all busy with their tasks. Everyone is on high alert, gathering herbs, making motions, writing chants for the festival we were told was coming up. I look further past them, to the hills surrounding us. Nothing. As I walk around, I wonder why I stayed. Why did I let The Master keep me here, and how far will I let him go with this plan? We’re not talking about a gullible, drug using adult here, it’s a child. Can I let him sacrifice this innocent young kid for his crazy plan? Yes, I think it’s crazy. It’s insane just like him. I suppose I haven’t left because there was always a fear that he would find me. I stayed away from Tuck, so The Master wouldn’t kill him. The Master let me stay alive, and I had to allow him to keep me. He knew about Tuck. Knew I loved him, and hoped for him to rescue me. That’s what he used to keep me, bend me to his will.

  My thoughts wander back all those years ago. It was a happy time. I loved Tuck more than anything. He was more than that though. He was my escape, my way out of my Step Father’s house. That evil bastard was almost as bad as The Master. Tuck and I had been going to do some tutoring, just like we did every Tuesday afternoon. When he had fallen to the ground, I didn’t know what was happening. A bag was slid over my head, and kicking, screaming, I was hauled away from him. I remember yelling his name until my voice was hoarse. Laying in the back of a van, or vehicle, something with a hard floor, I had rolled around, tied up, for what seemed like hours. As afraid as I had been for myself, I was still worried about Tuck. Hope that he survived and would find me, kept me going. Eventually, I was led into a room, and the bag was removed. My first time meeting The Master was scary. The man just exuded evil. I had cowered, trying to back away, only to run into the two men who grabbed me. My heart had been pounding so loud in my ears, I could barely make out the words The Master spoke.

  “Jessica, your father gave you to us. He has sacrificed you, to Mother Goddess in hopes of greater fortunes in business. But you’re too beautiful and pure to be killed. You work with us and I’ll not only let you live, I’ll rescue you from his clutches.” How had he known? How could this stranger possibly know the horrors I had been through with Peter since my mother’s death? I hadn’t even told Tuck. The man knew how to twist words to make you believe and hang on every word spoken. He showed me that losing a finger would gain me my freedom, in a way. At least, he would stop torturing me, I could be his right hand man, so to speak. Sure, I would have to give up Tuck, he couldn’t know I was alive, but my freedom was worth so much more to me at the time. Little did I know, how wrong that decision had been. My life has been another horror story since then.

  “Mistress,” I hear Brother Elijah say from behind me. Whipping around, I look at him, anger flashing at having my thoughts interrupted. The lewd smile that spreads on his face makes me shiver. The man really creeps me out, sometimes more than The Master.

  “What do you want Elijah?” Clearing his throat, he looks down to his feet, probably trying to hide his boner for me.

  “Christian is on the phone for you,” he says, handing me the cell from my room. He’s been in my room, my sanctuary. The Master keeps close tabs on me, and fear creeps in at the thought that I hadn’t erased Tucks’ number from the call log. I’ll have to try to do this as soon as I can.

  “Christian,” I say, holding the phone to my ear. Turning my back to Elijah, to hide the shock I know is written across my face, I take a step away.

  “Mistress, I’ll be in Malibu in tomorrow, but I’d like one last night with my son before we get there. We talked about that, right? I’d like to tell him how much he’s helping The Coven, and I’d like to do it alone. Will you meet us the day after tomorrow? We’re hopping on a train now, to get there sooner. Len has been blowing up my phone, I’m late returning to set. I can’t lose my career and wife in the same week.” Trying to step away from the men, I lower my voice. Knowing this will anger The Master, I allow it anyways. Getting the location they will be staying, I shut the phone down, slipping it into my pocket.

  “They were hung up, traffic. We can retrieve them the morning after tomorrow,” I say to Brother Elijah as I push past him. Stalking down the hall, I return to my room, and lock myself in. I wonder what Tuck’s up to now. I hope I get a chance to see him. I know he’s going to be involved, or, at least I can hope he will be. Maybe the call from me was his deciding factor in joining this Buzz guy in his attempt to save the young man. For the first time in years, I went against The Masters wishes, at the expense of my life. If he finds out, he will surely kill me. He has before and I’m sure he will again.

  Chapter 8

  Over the years, The Master has not only tried to brainwash all of us, but he has brought in many wealthy ‘members’ only to take their money and make them do his bidding. He’s amassed such an enormous amount of money, and it’s never enough. He doesn’t fill Elijah or me in on any of it. I have no clue what’s going on. But, I’m going to do the right thing this time. I’m going to save Tuck and myself. Grabbing a pen and paper, I sit down at my desk to make a list. The things I do know or need to know are this:

  1. He doesn’t really have magical powers. How do I prove it?

  2. He never has enough money, what does he do with it all?

  3. What really happened to the FBI agent that ‘disappeared’ from here when he was found out? Is he still in the basement?

  4. What’s he need all these guns for?

  5. Is he worshiping the Devil and lying to us all?

  6. What does he plan to use the child’s sacrifice for?

  7. Can I get us out alive?

  8. Does Tuck still love me, even after what I’ve put him through?

  Looking over this list, a drop of water falls to the paper below me. Ok, that last one is purely for my curiosity. Reaching up, with my four fingered hand, I wipe at my face, realizing I’m crying. As the salty water leaks from my eyes, I hold back the sobs. My heart aches for Tuck in a way it hasn’t in years. Having not even thought of him until hearing his name on that recording, it’s brought back everything that it took so long to bury. Having given up my finger, the ring he gave me, and him completely, was devastating. But, The Master told me that I had to, in order to live. He claimed that God spoke to him and told him that Tuck was evil, the work he did was the Devil’s. Apparently Tuck is the tool o
f the Devil as well, part of why he claims to hate him. I believe The Master is just afraid of Lance Tucker. I put saving his life over my own. I sacrificed my life so he could go on with his. Now, maybe he’ll be my salvation.

  Having never fully took to his brain washing like everyone else, I’ve faked my way through these years pretty well, following the sacrifices, chants and ways of the religion. I fought it, but internally. I’ve become quite the actress. I see through this scam, I see the hypocrisy of his ways, his words, and his life. I see the real him. The greedy little man, using these poor people who just want something to believe in. Taking their money, and holding on to it. I know that there’s more to all of this than a battle for religion. I think its one massive scam that will either end in all these people losing their lives and him disappearing, or worse, more innocent people being hurt by him. I have to find out what is really happening, and warn someone. I have to get to Tuck.

  As a plan formulates in my head, I already know what I’m going to do. I’ll go see The Master now. I have to retrieve Christian in two days, I’ll just detour to Tuck’s house and warn him. I’ll tell him everything, right down to the key codes to get into the building. If he’s anything like the man I remember or loved, he will do the right thing and bring law enforcement. He will rescue all of these people, if not me, for real.

  With determination, I hide my list under the mattress and leave my room, heading for The Master. If Brother Elijah really was in my room, I don’t need him to find that list, like he did my phone. I’m sure since we are getting down to the wire now, the end game, that The Master is on high alert. But, it’s still unsettling knowing that Elijah was in here when I wasn’t. It’s time for me to find out the truth. Rapping lightly on his door, I await a response. Nothing. He’s not answering and that’s odd. The Master never leaves his room, unless he’s meeting with a ‘potential member’. He always meet with them personally. Must be easier to steal their money that way. Outside of members, no one else has ever seen The Master. We are the only ones who know what he looks like. I’ll have to keep that in mind when I finally get to see and talk to Tuck.

  As I turn, heading back to my room, The Master and Brother Elijah are walking up behind me. I had been so lost in thought, I hadn’t seen or heard them coming.

  “Mistress, can I help you with something?” The Master asks me, opening his arms. Walking over to him to allow him to embrace me, I nod my head. My eyes moving between him and Elijah, I’m not sure where to start and feel my confidence waning.

  “Master, what are your exact plans? I’ve done nothing but prove myself for years, my loyalty is not in question, please, let me know what we are doing. Why do we need the child?” He stares at me, long and hard, as if deciding how to answer.

  “My room, Mistress,” he waves me in, placing a hand on Brother Elijah’s chest to let him know he’s not needed.

  Closing the door behind us, I spin, facing him. With one giant step, he’s in front of me.

  “Mistress, will you be able to control yourself if faced with your former lover? The man from your former life? The Devil’s tool.” Inches from my face, his stare burns into my eyes.

  “I’ll handle it. That life doesn’t exist for me anymore. Only the Coven matters.” Glaring right back at him, hoping I look serious enough. Panic rises in my throat. Does he know about the call?

  “Well then,” he says, clapping his hands together and startling me, a wide grin covering his face. “Come, sit child.” He waves an arm at the chairs in front of his desk. Sitting down, I wait for him to get comfortable and nod at him to continue.

  “The child, Sebastian. His is going to cleanse our Coven, and prepare us for the Ostara. This year is much different. I have been working on a new spell, one that will make our Coven so powerful, no one will be able to rival us. Politicians and the world alike will bow down to us, want to join us, or die.” Looking at him in disbelief, I think he’s finally lost it. He wants to kill anyone who doesn’t join our Coven? This has gone too far. I’m so glad I finally reclaimed my life. This ends here, before he can hurt Sebastian. How much of a fight will Christian put up? He already knows his son is being sacrificed, does he understand what that means?

  Maybe Tuck, or his friend Buzz can get Holly out here, quick. I have to figure out how to get Sebastian out of this. I’ll be the one going to collect them. So, it will have to happen then. My only hang up is that Brother Elijah will be going with me. Every time I leave the compound, he accompanies me. Even after these years, The Master must be able to sense that I’m not fully his. That I will never be. I’m constantly being watched and under guard.

  “Jessica, are you with us?” he asks me bluntly, after our little thought filled silence.

  “Master, what do you mean? You know I am. Have I not proven myself?”

  “The Horned God tells me you still pull away from us, struggle with your beliefs. Knowing that you will be facing the chance of seeing The Devil’s Tool, this will be your true test. Will you be able to rid the world of his evil once and for all?” My eyes widen. Kill Tuck? He wants me to kill him. Oh man, my heart races, and I try to not look too shocked or scared and give myself away. Elijah. He must have seen the phone.

  “Master, I will do what needs to be done, for the good of our Coven.” Looking down to the floor, to show my respect for him, and to hide the water welling in my eyes, I try to blink the tears back.

  “Mistress, is there anything else you need? I really must get some work done here. Once Christian and the child arrive, things will be hectic for a few days. Matters must be attended to before the Ostara.” Nodding, I stand to leave.

  “Master, I would request time to go to town today, I’d like a new dress for the ceremony,” I ask him, knowing it will please him. He tires of my choice of clothing, the pants and shirts, heels. But, he allows me to keep them, as I’ve bent to his will one everything else since joining him.

  “That would be wonderful. Take Brother Elijah with you.” I nod again, and leave. Time to kick start my plan sooner than I thought I would have to. Time is already running out. Stopping at my room only to grab my phone and list, I search out Brother Elijah.

  “Brother Elijah, The Master has granted me pass to town for a new dress. You’re not too busy at the moment are you?” I ask when I find him out sitting by the garden.

  “No, Mistress, let us go. I’m only meditating. A ride will be nice. I can continue while you shop.” Knowing that he will not follow me into the shop, but sit out front of it, I’ll have my opportunity to sneak away. He makes the shop keepers nervous, so he has learned to wait outside. I haven’t tried to escape in two years, so he won’t be expecting it.

  Taking the Jeep into Malibu, we head pull up in front of the Eclectic Wiccan. It is a store that though they follow the Wiccan practice, they are not part of our Coven. The Master scares them. They are the ones who told me they heard about his Devil Worshiping. Having thought originally that it was just vicious gossip, after watching closely, I’ve come to believe them.

  “Sara, how are you?” I ask when I enter. The owner Sara, she’s about 5’1” with long blonde hair. It flows down past her knees, and I’ve always wondered how she manages to keep it so smooth and soft. Her eyes are a soft violet, that are deep and powerful looking, but not scary. They are comforting.

  “Jessica, darling, how are you? It’s been so long.” She was the one who helped me escape the last time. So, I know she worries about me and will help me out again.

  “Sara, I have to go. I have to warn some people about something The Master is about to do. It’s life or death. Please,” my voice cracking as I beg her to help me.

  “Child, follow me.” Entering the back of the store, I take one last look at Brother Elijah on the front sidewalk as he gets comfy next to the Jeep, and begins his meditating again. Following her, we move through the storage, and towards her apartment I know to be kept back here. She hands me a wad of money, and slips me the keys to her motorcycle. Having always
worn a long flowing dress, I wonder how she rides this. As if reading my mind, she giggles and pats my hand.

  “I do wear pants sometimes, my dear. Here, please go, and I will busy myself near the dressing rooms to distract Elijah if he comes in. All is well and safe travels. I hope you make it out this time.” Standing on her tiptoes this time, she kisses my forehead and walks back to the front of the store. Pulling on the helmet, I exit to the back alley way and take a deep breath. I can do this. Images of Tuck flash in my mind as I throw my leg over the bike and it rumbles to life.

  Chapter 9

  “How was your flight man?” I ask Buzz as he climbs into the Hummers back seat.

  “Ugh, I had a whiney two year old next to me, how do you think it was? You would think that because I’m here to save her kid, that Holly would spring for first class or let me use her Jet, but no, coach. Can you believe that? Coach. I’m too old for that shit.” I can’t help but laugh. Tears actually form, I’m laughing at him so hard.

  “You should come work for me Buzz, you would make enough that you could buy your own first class tickets.” He raises his eye brow at me inquisitively.

  “That an offer Tuck?” he chuckles.

  “Well, let’s see how you can handle this job old man, then we will talk.”

  Shifting back into my seat and facing forward again, I pull away from the airport, heading back towards my home. There’s no point in Buzz staying at a hotel, we can plan our attack and what we’re going to do at my house. Being under the same roof will just be better.

  “How you doing kid?” Buzz asks Razor. Razor looks back at him, and starts chatting. It’s nice, seeing Razor like a normal kid his age would act. Rambling on, talking Buzz’s ear off the whole way, he fills him in on our recon trip from earlier.