Trapped

by Sally Mason

  I wash out my mouth and splatter more water on my face before returning to the bedroom. Squatting down in front of the desk, my eyes glare at the laptop. Sharp pain stabs at my heart at the thought of replaying the video—I should tell Roy or at least Luke. They’ll know what to do, but in all likelihood, they will also insist on involving the authorities. Roy is close friends with Larouge, who still holds jurisdiction in my old case. He never got over the blow with the warrant and would probably itch to get something on Jed. Knowing him, he will get Hallie killed within a matter of minutes.

  The grandfather clock on the wall keeps ticking monotonously while I try desperately to figure out what to do. If Jed kills Hallie, her death will be on my hands. I alone have the power to save her. Every day during my captivity, I prayed that someone would come for me and take me home, but no one ever did. It was a horrible feeling. I can’t just let Hallie go to her slaughter without at least making an effort to help her.

  With a new determination, I grab my phone off the nightstand before rewinding the video just far enough to get the phone number.

  Jed answers on the first ring. “Hello, honeybun. It’s nice to hear your voice.”

  His snarling words almost make me drop the phone.

  “What do you want, Jed?” My stomach is in knots, yet I’m surprised by the calmness in my voice.

  He chuckles crudely. “I want you, honeybun. Napoleon and I bought you a great Christmas present and are eager to spend the holidays with you. I mean, you can’t blame us. Of all the little bitches around, you’re still the best in the sack.”

  Nausea crawls up my throat as my breath accelerates. I close my eyes, forcing myself to focus. “Please Jed, just let her go. Haven’t you caused enough misery for everyone?”

  “Forget it, honeybun. You have thirty minutes to get to my house, and if you don’t show, Hallie is dead. Don’t bother bringing the cops with you—she ain’t there. She’s with Napoleon, and if I don’t call at certain times, he’ll kill her. It’s all up to you. If you cooperate and do what we tell you, we’ll let her go.”

  He cuts the line and I sink to the floor. I can’t do this. I sob into the crook of my elbow, wishing I was dead.

  I don’t know how long I dwell in self-pity before the truth finally hits home. This will be my one chance at redemption, the one way to get my revenge. The anxiety is still keeping a grip on me, but the force that used to hold onto my own free will so tightly and crippled me in any possible way has eased. I can almost think clearly—for the first time in over three years.

  A fuzzy memory enters my mind when Finn’s words break through: If you’re so unhappy, do something about it, but stop waiting around for someone else to save you. Move away and start fresh, or find Jed and cut off his balls—anything—but stop being such a crybaby. We all have a lot of shit to deal with and your whining is getting on my nerves.

  Back then, I could have slapped him, but now, I understand what he meant. Bad things happen to good people all the time and you can either allow your demons to destroy you or fight back. It’s time for me to crawl out of the hole I dug for myself and do what I should have done a long time ago—put Jed Edwards in his place and not allow him or anyone else to run my life. It’s time to stand up and say enough is enough.

  ~~~~

  Fifteen minutes later, I am in the woods on my way to Jed’s cabin. Roy and my mom were in the living room, decorating the Christmas tree, when I snuck out the back door. I left a note on Luke’s pillow with some bullshit story that I need some time to myself to work things out. At first, I was going to tell him the truth, but I was scared that Jed will find out. Roy has always figured that someone from the Stonehenge Police Department had tipped Jed off about the warrant, and if he truly has a friend on the force, Hallie will be dead. Luke hopefully knows me well enough to realize that something is wrong when he finds the letter and it won’t take much to convince my mom to call the police once I disappear without a trace.

  The night is freezing. I cuddle into my warm winter coat, my eyes fixed on the foggy breath streaming from my mouth. At the last minute, I grabbed a screwdriver from the garage as a weapon, which is buried deep inside my pocket. My fingers curl around the handle as my walk turns into a jog. With every step, my grip tightens as I imagine ramming the metal through Jed’s eye. That’s what Finn would do.

  It has stopped snowing, but the wind has picked up, biting at the tip of my nose and ears. I wish I put on a hat and a scarf. My eyes wander to the sky when I pause at a clearing to catch my breath. There are hardly any clouds and hundreds of stars twinkle above, a full moon hanging lazily over the trees like a big fat orange. This is so cliché—the perfect night for one of those werewolf or vampire encounters. A chill runs through me when I ask myself what I’m even doing here. This is not me—I’m a chicken. As I spin around to head back, Hallie’s scared eyes flash in my mind. I grit my teeth. I can do this.

  The creek gurgles in the distance as I get closer to Jed’s cabin. This path is full of bad memories. I hold my breath before exhaling with a small groan. Fine mist temporarily steals my vision and blurs the picture of Jed walking me here for my exercise when I was hooked up to the dog chain.

  I force myself to continue, my heart pounding heavier and heavier with every step. I fight the oncoming anxiety attack by focusing on the image of Hallie on the bed. If I lose my sanity, she’ll be dead.

  “I have to go on,” I mumble to myself, repeating the words over and over to drive myself forward. The snow crunches under my feet. I’m almost startled to death by the barking howl of a coyote. One last turn and the woods open up to the familiar sight.

  The cabin lies peacefully in the darkness. There are no lights other than the moon from above. I hesitate for a moment before stepping out of the protection of the forest, almost running when I close the gap between the tree line and the porch of Jed’s home. By the time my fingers wrap around the porch rail, I’m out of breath.

  “Jed, where are you?” I try to keep the fright out of my words, but my voice still trembles. My hand fumbles with the handle of the screwdriver—I am ready for him.

  “I’m right here, honeybun.”

  Every part of me turns numb when he slowly approaches from behind. I am glad to hold onto something, or I would have collapsed. My grip around the rail tightens until my knuckles turn white at the same time my fingers clamp around the screwdriver. A hitch in my throat cuts off my oxygen supply—who am I fooling? I’m so not ready.

  His warm breath grazes my neck when he halts behind me. “I knew you’d come.” His voice is hoarse and full of longing. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you, honeybun.”

  I’m frozen, my stomach revolting when he leans in and nibbles my ear. His hand glides into my free coat pocket and pulls out my phone, which disappears into his own pocket.

  “You should be more careful.” His words are scolding. “I followed you all the way from your house and you didn’t even notice. There’re some crazy folks out there. You should really glance over your shoulder once in a while.”

  His hand moves over to my other pocket, jerking on my arm to free my hand. This is my last opportunity.

  With a low growl, I turn, my arm rising with the screwdriver in my hand. The sharp metal tip glimmers in the moonlight before I stab at his face. Without any effort, he blocks my blow, his reflexes still as impeccable as they were during his boxing days. He chuckles when two of his fingers dig into the soft centers of my wrist like pincers. I cry out, letting go of the screwdriver as pain shoots up my arm. He doesn’t loosen his clawing grip until after his feet kick my weapon far away into the snow.

  “That was really stupid of you,” he hisses. His arms wrap around my waist, holding me firmly in place when I try to wiggle free. The angry glow in his eyes reminds me of burning coals. “I should call Napoleon and tell him to punish Hallie for this stunt.”

  “Please, Jed, I’m sorry.”

  His fingers run alongside my jawbone. “Swear
you’ll behave. I promised Napoleon I’d deliver you undamaged, and it’d be such a shame if I had to break my word.”

  A few tears spring loose and trickle down my cheek. “If I come with you, do you swear you’ll let Hallie go?”

  “I do, honeybun.” His tone is soothing. “Don’t worry about a thing.”

  Even though I have my doubts, my chances to overpower him without a weapon are nonexistent. For the moment, all I can do is play along.

  His arm supports me while we make our way to his van. I stumble along with wobbly knees, my legs barely under my command. He buckles me in before kissing my cheek.

  “Smile, honeybun. The party is just starting.”

  Smiling is the last thing on my mind; I’m about to throw up all over the car. As the engine starts and the van sways forward, the feeling of total helplessness spreads once again in my chest before this incredible will to live takes over. I have two choices—die or fight to retake my life. On second thought, I fully intend to go with the latter.

  CHAPTER 15

  As we drive through the night, the icicles in my stomach multiply with every passing minute. I try to keep my mind off what is ahead, glaring out of the window to avoid looking at Jed. Soft Christmas music plays on the radio. When the song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” comes on, I bite back the tears. There won’t be any holiday cheer for me—not this year.

  A few times, Jed’s eyes fall upon me. “You okay, honeybun?”

  The nerve to even ask that question. I choose to ignore him, though I would have liked to flip him the finger.

  When we get to the highway, he heads north.

  “Where’re you taking me?” Once again, I’m stunned by the calmness in my voice, so contrary to the raging fear that chills every fiber of my body.

  “Tacoma Lakes. It’s real pretty up there.”

  It’s a popular vacation spot just north of Lewiston, maybe about a forty-five minute ride from Stonehenge. The area consists of five lakes, connected by small water passages, which are surrounded by nothing but dense woods and swamps. In the wintertime, it is totally deserted since most of the cabins are not suitable for all-year occupation. It will be a tough place to escape from.

  Roy took the family up there a few times when I was younger to go canoeing. We barbecued on the shore and roasted marshmallows by the fire. The entire waterfront is private, but his brothers own a couple of houses up there where we spent a few long weekends on Jimmy Pond. Fond memories—soon to be replaced by new, horrific ones.

  Jed turns up the heat in the van. Usually, the humming of an engine puts me right to sleep, but tonight, my heavy heartbeat thumping painfully against my rib cage keeps me awake.

  “You comfortable?” Jed asks.

  I don’t want to think about it and refuse to respond.

  He takes his right hand off the steering wheel. It lands on my thigh. I go rigid, but he doesn’t stop there. Caressing the inside of my leg, his fingers move toward my crotch until my own hands stop him.

  “Don’t.”

  He exhales with a huff. “I told you to behave. Don’t make me stop this car and tie you up. I swear you’ll regret it.”

  When I turn my head to look at him, my vision is blurred from my tears. “Please, Jed.”

  “What did you expect? Did you think we’d all just have a Christmas ham and go home? Come on, honeybun. Just don’t fight it.”

  Of course I knew that coerced sex would be on the program, but I had hoped that I would at least have a few days to adjust. This would’ve given me time to come up with an escape plan, or at least, provide me with an opportunity to mentally prepare myself for what is to come. Yet I doubt that anyone can ever prepare themselves for rape.

  Luckily, he doesn’t start again and we continue our ride in silence. The highway has been cleared from the snow, but he still drives well below the speed limit. Luke told me once that cops are on the lookout for any unusual behavior and cautious drivers are flagged since they are often drunk. When the siren wails behind us, I’m not even surprised.

  Jed shoots me a warning look. “One wrong word and Hallie is dead.” He pulls over in the breakdown lane with the trooper right behind him. Fumbling in the glove compartment for his paperwork, he lowers the window at the same time to talk to the officer who is cautiously approaching.

  “Good evening, sir.” The trooper tips the rim of his wide-brimmed hat when his eyes fall on me. “Ma’am.”

  “What’s the problem, officer?” Jed asks, his fingers tapping the steering wheel. “I know I wasn’t speeding.”

  “You swerved back there,” the trooper claims. “Could I see your license and registration?”

  Jed hands him the required documents.

  The trooper inspects them closely. “Have you been drinking tonight?”

  “No, sir.” Jed gives him a winning smile as he grabs my hand, squeezing it gently. “My girlfriend is not twenty-one yet, so we don’t do that stuff.”

  I stare ahead, afraid that the cop will notice the unrest which is spreading in my body like wildfire. If Jed gets arrested, Napoleon will kill Hallie. I have to stay calm and not show panic, yet my right eye twitches the way it usually does when I’m anxious. My chest tightens under the growing tension. I suck in a deep breath to relax. An anxiety attack is the last thing I need.

  “Are you okay, ma’am?” The trooper must have been watching me closely.

  I finally turn to him with a wide smile. “Yes. Everything’s fine.”

  He wrinkles his forehead, but his attention focuses back on Jed. “Where’re you heading?”

  Jed is thrown off for just a second. “To Bangor to visit my aunt for the holidays. She just lost my uncle and is all alone.”

  The trooper’s face softens—he’s actually buying Jed’s bullshit story. “Well, that’s nice. It’s rare these days that young kids like yourself still worry about family.” He hands Jed his license and registration and tips his hat again. “Have a safe journey and Merry Christmas.” With that, he turns back to his own car.

  Jed closes the window and chuckles. “What an idiot. Did you see his face? He almost cried when I told him that crap about my aunt. Old people really crack me up.”

  I couldn't help but giggle in a high-pitched tone the way I sometimes do when I'm really nervous. He does have a point, although the trooper wasn’t that old—maybe in his early fifties like Roy.

  He takes my laughter as a sign of comfort and squeezes my hand again. “You know, honeybun, if you hadn’t dated Justin, I would’ve probably asked you out. You and I would’ve made a great couple.” His eyes find mine and deep longing pools within them.

  For the first time I realize how lonely he must be.

  “You can be great fun and are really smart,” he continues. “Too bad we didn’t get to know each other under different circumstances.”

  I break eye contact by staring out the passenger side window. His words totally creep me out. “That was your choice, Jed. You didn’t have to kidnap me.”

  He starts up the car. “That was actually Napoleon’s idea. I just tagged along for the fun.”

  I glance at him; this is my big opportunity. He seems in a chatty mood and might spill the beans. “Who is he? Napoleon, I mean.”

  A small smile twitches on his lips as he pulls back onto the highway. “Oh, it’s someone you know.”

  I figured that much. “Is it Drake?”

  “Maybe.” He laughs softly. “Who else do you think?”

  “Dunno.” There has always been one suspect on my mind, but it is just too gruesome to imagine. “Justin perhaps.”

  The suspicion first formed during the aftermath. After my rescue, Justin was distant, like he didn’t care if I was safe or not. All he wanted was to score with me, and he refused to accept that I couldn’t stand being touched. When he broke it off, he even told me that he didn’t understand my problem. I wasn’t a virgin any longer, so sex shouldn’t be a big deal. His words hurt me to the core and made me feel totally wort
hless.

  Jed’s eyes stay fixed on the road. “Interesting guess. What makes you think that?”

  I search his face for some kind of sign which would confirm my hunch, but he doesn’t even flinch. “Well, he told my brother and all the other guys that I was a total prude and that he couldn’t wait to take my V-card. Maybe he took matters into his own hands to speed things up.”

  The smile is back on Jed’s lips. “Interesting. I’m surprised your brother let him get away with it, being your big protector and all.”

  Luke had been furious and put him in his place. “He gave him a black eye.”

  Jed snorts. “That’s your brother all right.” His jaw is clenched so tightly that his teeth are grinding together. “There’s just one problem with your theory. I absolutely hate Justin’s guts. What makes you think I would even give him the time of day, let alone kidnap a girl with him? He sent his fucking dog after me and almost killed me.”

  This has always been the flaw in my premise, but not to a point where it has erased my suspicion. “Desperate times make for the strangest allies. Look at World War II when Roosevelt joined forces with Stalin. It happens.”

  There is an amused twinkle in his eyes. “You do know your history. That’s certainly something you and Napoleon have in common.”

  “So is that a yes?”

  “You know, there’s someone else you haven’t considered.”

  I frown. “Oh yeah. Who’s that?”

  “Your new friend, Finn.”

  “Finn didn’t even live in Stonehenge when you kidnapped me.”

  “True.” I can tell he’s having fun with this. “But he and his brother visited their uncle in the summer all the time, even came up here during some of the other school vacations and on long weekends. Finn and I used to work in Andrew’s shop together, fixing up old cars.”