"But isn't that how it always goes?"
"I don't know; maybe. We met at a diner I like to frequent. I would go there every day and have breakfast just to get out of the house and she was usually there. She was one of the waitresses. But," Jake snickered, "we just started talking one day and it went from there."
Nicholas saw his father nod. He could tell there was more Jake wanted to say. Taking the hint that his presence was hampering their honest speech, he stood, dusted off his backside, and said, "I think I'll go for a ride. You know, scout out the area and stuff. I'll be back shortly."
Jake's expression turned into one of relief. "Sure. Just be careful if you go on the new property. It hasn't been checked out real well."
"Will do."
Nicholas climbed into the saddle and rode off. Once out of sight, he dismounted and let the horse graze. Walking through the woods, he stretched his neck from side-to-side and enjoyed nature's sounds. He felt his muscles relax.
He headed deep into the woods studying the trees and noticed one with long, hanging greenery. Its name was on the tip of his tongue as he stepped closer. He stretched out his hand to touch the foliage and yelped. Without warning, his legs flew out from under him and his hands grabbed at air as he plunged downward. A stab of pain shot up his side when he landed in a dark hole. Dazed, and with his legs awkwardly twisted beneath him, consciousness came and went. Blackness enveloped him and war memories flooded his senses.
He was in a deep, damp pit that smelled of mildew and stagnant water. The dirt walls came off in chunks wherever he touched it.
His unit had been patrolling an abandoned town and he'd separated from a fellow soldier to walk around an empty building. Before either of them had walked a dozen steps, they were sailing through the air. He'd landed on his back on a pile of boards. When he'd rolled over and tried to stand, the stack of wood had wobbled and shifted, then collapsed. Down, down, down he'd fallen.
Fear threatened to overwhelm him when he realized he was alone. He wasn't sure how long he stayed there. Then there was a presence. A rope was dropped over the side. Just glad to leave his prison, he grabbed hold and was pulled to the top. He peeked over the edge and into the butt of a gun that slapped him on the side of his head.
When he awoke, he was in a new prison not made of earth, but of stone. For weeks he and fellow prisoners prayed for rescue. When placed in the cell, he'd been allowed to keep his personal items. Now, wondering if he'd ever go free, if he'd ever see his family again, he pulled out a cloth square from his wallet. Gingerly holding it in one hand, he placed it against his heart.
"What's that?" asked one of his fellow prisoners.
Nicholas held it up so the man could see the four by four square that didn't look like much with its frayed and faded strings of fabric. "A long time ago it was a blanket my mom sewed for me when I was a baby. I carry it with me as a reminder that I'm never alone."
The other prisoner leaned his head forward and wept. A single tear slipped down Nicholas' cheek as he settled beside the man and they waited for their future.
Sometime later the dream of memories left and consciousness returned. Nicholas knew he was in a bad situation. Testing his legs, he was relieved nothing was broken. He looked up. He couldn't see the sun and he didn't know how long he'd been in the hole. He started yelling until his throat became raw. Finally, realizing no one could hear him, he made a study of his prison.
The pit wasn't made with dirt but with some kind of stone. Uneven places in the wall would make for a decent foothold. With hands placed in the holes, he pulled himself up, but the ledges weren't wide enough to grab for any length of time. Assured that that plan wouldn't work, he next tried placing his back on one side of the wall and wedging his feet against the other. If he could leverage himself just right, then perhaps he could walk up the walls. But as he spread out his body, he realized the pit was too wide.
Shaking his head, he sat down, pulled his knees to his chest, and prayed. The last time he'd been in a situation like this it had been treacherous and unpredictable. He'd ended up sitting in an enemy prison for days. When release had finally come he hadn't know if he was on a journey home or a departure from this world.
Nicholas wondered if his father and Jake realized he was missing yet. Even so, it could take hours, maybe even days to find him.
Chapter Six
Dinner time came and the men still weren't home. Certain they were still working, Ellie packed a basket of food. Riding the four-wheeler, she was able to reach their location in no time at all.
From a distance two bronze backs were seen. Arm muscles flexed as the post-hole diggers were thrust into the ground in a repetitive motion pulling up dirt and placing it aside with each action. Shane and her dad both leaned against their tools and smiled when she drove up.
"Hey there little lady, what have you got? Is it dinner time already?” asked Jake.
"It is. I thought since you all hadn't returned, you might need some extra water, and figured you were probably hungry." Climbing off the ATV, she walked over and handed them each a water bottle, which they promptly turned upside down and poured over their heads. Laughing, she handed over two more, this time with an admonition. "You better drink these. I didn't bring that many."
Shane chugged his water. When he'd finished, he placed the post-hole digger on the ground and walked over to her four-wheeler. Using one finger, he lifted a corner of the basket lid and peeked inside. "What did you bring us?"
"Fried chicken, corn-on-the-cob, baked potatoes, watermelon, and a few other things."
"Ah, finger foods!" said Shane, and reached inside.
Ellie's giggle was hidden behind her hand. She scoured the vicinity. "Where's Nicholas?"
Her dad shrugged while taking a bite of chicken. "Not really sure. The boy took off on his horse some time ago and he hasn't come back yet."
"How long ago?"
"Couple of hours, I guess," said Shane, taking another swig of water.
"Aren't you worried? Shouldn't he be back by now?"
"Honey, don't get upset. The boy has been hanging out with me for weeks and probably just needs to be alone. I'm sure he's just out enjoying some solitude. Besides, Nicholas is a decorated military officer and a grown man. Why, if he thought I was worried, he might be embarrassed."
"Dad, do you agree?"
Jake patted her arm. "Ellie, Nicholas is a big boy. I'm sure he's fine."
The two of them removed the basket from the ATV, trekked to a tree and plopped down. Even this late in the day, the heat was stifling. Ellie chewed at her lip. Something didn't feel right. Climbing astride the ATV, she yelled, "I'm going to find Nicholas. I'll let him know about the food and be right back."
They waved an acknowledgement as she sped away. Not knowing which direction Nicholas would have taken wasn't going to make the search any easier. Bouncing over rocky ground, Ellie drove around the fence line. When she didn't spot him, she angled the ATV along the trail to the new property. Within five minutes of painfully navigating the uncharted territory, she was rewarded when she saw hoof prints. A little further in she saw a familiar horse plucking grass. Stopping the vehicle, she quietly approached, listening for Nicholas.
Tweeting birds and squirrels hopping from tree to tree broke the silence. Scouting the area, she noted a downed tree. Ellie sat on its trunk, closed her eyes, and tuned out all of nature sounds. Then she heard it. It sounded like a moan. Quickly, she rose. The crunch of dead leaves and her rapid heartbeat echoed in her ears with every step. The farther she walked the louder the noise grew.
"Nicholas?" she called.
"Ellie?" came a weak, hoarse response.
"Nicholas, where are you? Are you hurt?"
This time the voice was louder and stronger. "Ellie, be careful. I fell in some kind of hole."
"Are you okay?" Ellie's chest ached as she held her breath waiting for an answer.
"Yeah. But I wouldn't mind getting out of here. Go back and get Dad and J
ake."
"No. It's okay. I can help you."
"Ellie, please, go back and get them. If you fall in–" His words faltered. The whole time he'd talked, Ellie had moved closer. Way before she reached him she saw the wide opening in the ground. Lying down, she scooted until she peered inside. A whistle escaped her lips as she glanced into the deep well.
Startled, Nicholas' jerked his head upward. His finger pointed and moved in an angry motion. "Ellie, get away from here! Do as I say and go get your dad!"
Ellie backed away from the edge. With a clipped pace, she stumbled over downed limbs and roots until she reached the four-wheeler. She pulled her cell phone from a bag. A quick glance at the screen revealed what she already knew—no signal. This was one of those times she wished the walkie-talkies hadn't been forgotten.
Sharply exhaling, she decided she couldn't leave Nicholas. She examined the wench on the ATV. Climbing astride, and placing the vehicle in gear, she moved it slowly backwards toward the opening. When she was as close as she dared, she jumped off and pulled the cable free. Again, slithering along the unstable ground, she pulled the line to the hole.
"Heads up," she yelled.
"Ellie! What are you doing? I told you to go get Jake."
"Grab the cable and walk up the sides when I pull. You know, like reverse repelling in rock climbing."
"I know what you mean. But I don't want you to–"
Ellie waited until he grabbed the cable before dashing back to the ATV. She put the vehicle in gear and gave it some gas. Then the crank stuck and the vehicle's wheels spun sideways. Sprays of dirt kicked up in the air, floating all around her.
From her location, she could hear angry words drifting toward her. More determined than ever to rescue Nicholas, she killed the engine. After she got off the ATV, she created slack in the line. With the four-wheeler in neutral, she used her shoulder to push the vehicle to a spot covered with thick grass.
She jumped astride the seat again and started the engine once more. This time it didn't spin. Slowly and steadily she inched forward. When she no longer felt a tug, she twisted around to discover Nicholas walking toward her.
"Are you crazy?" he demanded.
The anger in his voice made her look away. He placed his hand under her chin and forced her to look at him. "Are you okay?"
"Me?"
"Yes. Are you okay?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be? I should be asking if you're okay."
"I'm fine. Now where's my horse?" He looked around.
"Oh, no, you don't. We'll get him later. You're riding with me."
He dropped his hand to his side. Large welts ran along his face and arms and Ellie fought back tears.
"I guess I can if it's what you really want."
"It is."
Nicholas grunted as he climbed behind her on the ATV. He wrapped his arms around her middle and his warm breath blew on her neck as they bumped over the rugged ground. By the time they'd reached Shane and her father, he had passed out. With one hand wrapped backwards, it took all of her strength to hold him on the moving vehicle.
Once Ellie was close enough, she yelled, "Help!"
Shane dropped his tools first, running to them. He lifted Nicholas off the ATV and laid him on the ground. He placed a hand on his chest. "He's still breathing. But we should probably take him to the hospital."
"I'm on it." Her dad jumped on the idling four-wheeler and rushed off.
"What happened?" asked Shane.
"He fell into an old well. I helped him out, but he fainted before we got here."
Shane nodded, cradling Nicholas' head in his lap.
Ten minutes dragged by. The wait was killing Ellie. Where was her father?
Then, without warning, Nicholas opened his eyes. "Where am I?"
Shane whispered, "Oh, Nick you're awake."
"Yeah, and I hurt everywhere. What did that girl do to me?" A smile twitched his lips as he stared at Ellie. "What kind of driving was that anyway?" He glanced at his father. "Why so gloomy? Hey, where's Jake?"
"He left to get the truck," said Shane, in a gruff tone.
"There's no need. I'm fine. I just need to rest."
"Nicholas–"
Nicholas grasped Shane's arm, his eyes imploring. "I just need to rest."
"Yeah, I'm sure you're right."
Ellie realized the two of them were trying to make her feel better. But nothing would make her feel better. Nicholas could have been killed. Why hadn't anyone gone looking for him?
A few minutes later a truck rumbled up. Dust flew as it skidded to a stop a few feet from them. Leaving the motor running, Jake leaped out of the cab. "I'll drive Shane and Nicholas to the hospital. Ellie you'll have to take care of the horses and return home on your own."
Ellie nodded.
"I'll stay, Jake," said Shane. "Just take Ellie and Nicholas."
"Shane, don't be silly. Ellie will be fine."
The two argued back and forth until Ellie finally said, "Nicholas needs to be checked out and Shane you need to be with him. Please, just go. I'll see you at the house later."
Finally, Shane agreed and Ellie watched them speed away leaving her alone. Watching the horses graze, she realized she'd have to retrieve the other horse. The idea of chasing down the animal didn't bother her. She needed a distraction anyway.
Grabbing Shane's horse, she made her way back to the pit. Nicholas' horse was still grazing where they'd left her. Tying the two animals together, she retraced her steps and went back to the fence line to find her father's horse. With all three animals harnessed, she set out toward home.
When she arrived, the house was lit and loud music blared from the windows. There was no telling when her father would return from the ER. Carla must have thought the same thing and invited some friends over for a party in his absence.
Shaking her head, Ellie walked to the pond. The farther she walked, the more her frustration mounted. How could her father be so blind to Carla's flaws? Even if the old saying was true about loving being blind, this wasn't being blind, this was being stupid. How could he love someone bent on his destruction? Carla did nothing but drain money and resources from the farm; anyone with eyes could see that. Before the wedding, she'd readily agreed to sign a pre-nuptial agreement. Of course that hadn't bothered her since the woman obviously planned to use all the money the family had before Jake died.
At the water's edge, Ellie paused. Moonlight reflected off the still pond and fireflies danced around her. The peace and serenity of the moment was broken occasionally by arriving vehicles.
By the time Ellie returned to the house, darkness had descended. Weak and weary from the trauma of the day, she stumbled inside and edged past gyrating dancers and her step-mother's drunken friends. Irritation that her father would probably never know of Carla's vices beset her. Sometimes old sayings were correct: ignorance is bliss.
Ignoring the noise going on downstairs, she showered and collapsed on her bed. Her last thought was a prayer for Nicholas' safe return to the farm.
Chapter Seven
"Are you all right?" Shane asked, concern lacing his question.
"Do you think she's okay?" Nicholas said, as his dad pulled in front of the cabin in the early morning hours. Except for scrapes and bruises, the ER had given him a clean bill of health, but they'd warned him about soreness over the next few days and advised him to get plenty of rest. Physically that would not be a problem, but mentally his mind was already protesting.
"Do you think Ellie's okay?" he repeated.
"Of course she's okay, son."
Inside his room, Nicholas stretched across his bed, every muscle in his body screaming. When he closed his eyes, all he could see were the rough gray jutting stones of the walls of the pit mocking him. Claustrophobia flooded his senses, along with the old feelings of never being rescued. In the well he'd moaned. It was a sound he remembered from his days of worry and uncertainty in the prison camp; a sound conveying abject misery.
In the despair of the moment, he'd been shocked to see a head peeking above him. His gut reaction had been a flashback. He'd wanted to cower in the hole, refusing to be carted off to another prison. Then his heart had leapt at Ellie's voice, only to have his hope plummet. How could she help?
When she'd dangled the cable in front of him after he'd told her to go for help, he'd wanted to hope again, but not at a risk to her safety. Anger had made his heart hammer. Why had she disobeyed him? He'd heard the four-wheeler spinning and her grunting as she'd worked doggedly to resolve his rescue. Why hadn't she listened to decent advice?
****
When Nicholas awoke the next morning and staggered into the kitchen, he found a note from his dad.
Gone to work. Rest. Love, Dad.
He wadded the paper and tossed it in the garbage. It made him feel better. He'd been First Lieutenant in the U.S. Infantry and he'd survived worse injuries than this. No way would he sit around and let the old men outwork him.
The first challenge was making it to the barn of the big house, which he accomplished with a minimal of hassle. Inside the barn, he was surprised to see Ellie scooping fresh hay with a pitchfork into empty stalls. Wearing a tank top and shorts, her lightly tanned skin drew his attention. When she turned, he was drawn to a huge purple bruise on her arm. The sight made his stomach churn. He watched her place the pitchfork aside and ladle water from a bucket, lifting a drink to her pretty mouth. He shuffled his feet to keep from alarming her.
At the sound, her head lifted and her lips twitched into a grin. "Nicholas! What are you doing here? Your dad said you had orders from the doctor to rest."
A lump formed in his throat. Stalking forward, he gently lifted her arm and turned her to face him. "Where did you get this?"
Ellie twisted out of his grasp. When she did so, the fabric of her shirt caught and lifted, revealing another purple bruise across her stomach. Ignoring his question, she reached for the pitchfork and tossed more hay into a stall.
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