"Water? You just want water?"
"If it's not too much trouble..."
"There's a water faucet on the side of the house." She pushed back a tendril of hair that had escaped from the bun before she closed and locked the door, and moved away without another word. He could hear her scolding a little girl who had pulled back a curtain nearby. "Jessie! Get away from the window!"
He filled up his canteen quickly and left before he spooked her more. Prometheus ran ahead of him, sometimes darting into the woods to chase squirrels. About half a mile from the house, they passed a large rustic sign in the shape of an arrow pointed east. The words "Grenadah Springs" were painted in red. It sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had heard it before.
Darkness fell, but he continued walking until exhaustion overcame him. He found a place under the trees, laying the gun beside him. Prometheus curled up at his feet.
Although tired, he stared up through the tree branches at the stars, glittering in the heavens, glorifying God.
He closed his eyes and prayed for Gisa. Perhaps he would see her soon. Surely God was keeping her safe.
* * *
Gisa
Gisa awoke to the aroma of frying chicken. Her mouth watered, and she followed the smells into the kitchen.
Mrs. Holland was on the phone, her back to Gisa. "Oh, that will do. Thank you so much," she said before hanging up.
For some reason, Gisa felt uneasy. "Who were you talking to?" The question sounded rude, but she had to know.
Mrs. Holland turned around, her hand on her heart. "Oh, my dear! You startled me."
"I'm sorry." Gisa looked around the tiny kitchen. The table was laden with a pan of dressing, bowls of dumplings and butterbeans, a platter of biscuits, and a serving plate piled high with fried chicken.
Gisa shook her head and smiled. "Mrs. Holland, this is enough food to feed an army."
"I thought the boys might be hungry when they get here?"
Gisa's uneasiness increased. "Boys?"
Mrs. Holland's face was wreathed in smiles. "Yes, I just called the police. They'll be here in a minute."
"The police?" Gisa could only gape at the old woman.
Mrs. Holland looked momentarily taken aback. "Yes, two police officers. Known them since they were knee-high to a grasshopper. They won't let your boyfriend get away with hitting you like that. He could've hurt the baby!"
Gisa swallowed. "I understand your concern, but I can't talk to anyone about this."
Gisa rushed back to the bedroom to retrieve her bags, Mrs. Holland following. She grabbed Gisa's arm, her fingers surprisingly strong.
"Your boyfriend or husband..." Her eyes brimmed with curiosity.
Gisa didn't want to lie so said nothing.
Mrs. Holland's grip tightened. "You don't want him to get away with this?"
Gisa shook off her irritation. "No, ma'am. But he's been taken care of. I've got to get going. I'm sorry."
The woman's eyes widened in dismay. "All this food I cooked for you t'will go to waste." She looked genuinely upset, making Gisa feel guilty.
"Maybe I could take some with me?" She didn't want to wait, but the happiness shining from Mrs. Holland's eyes at her words persuaded her to stay a few more moments.
The old woman found a paper plate, and Gisa took it from her and hastily dipped a little of everything. Mrs. Holland wrapped it with foil, and Gisa thanked her again.
She made it to the door when Mrs. Holland stopped her once more. "Just a moment, dear."
What could she want now? The police would be here any second. Or else Die Auserwählten. She had to get going.
Mrs. Holland was digging in her purse. She came up with a hundred-dollar bill. "I was saving this to put in the collection plate on Sunday. I think you need it more."
Tears sprang to Gisa's eyes. She took the money and stuffed it in a pocket on the backpack. She leaned over the walker to give Mrs. Holland a hug, thanked her again, and slipped out the door.
* * *
Rayden
Rayden felt the blow across his face before coming fully awake. He groped for the gun, but it was gone. He rolled to his feet, the night still dark, the moon giving only a feeble light, partially hidden by clouds. Hands grabbed his arms, and he was again struck across his face, with such force that blood spurted into his mouth. A flashlight switched on, and Rayden squinted against the brightness.
Three men surrounded him, perhaps more beyond the periphery of his vision. One of them was David, who smirked. The other two men forced his hands behind his back and tied them. They grabbed his arms, holding him between them.
David moved closer, glaring at him, waving the missing gun in his face. “You have chosen to do this the hard way, Dr. Brooks. Where is she?”
“Who?” Of course he meant Gisa. Rayden felt relief wash over him. Gisa was alive. Of course he had known that, had known they would keep her alive until the baby was born. But he was relieved to have it verified. And somehow, miracle of miracles, she had been able to escape.
The two men held his arms tighter, and David slammed a fist into his jaw. “Don’t play dumb with us. Where did you hide her?”
“I haven’t seen her since the day at the clinic.” Another blow loosened one of his teeth, and he spit blood.
“What are you doing here?”
“Camping out.” Rayden couldn't help but grin.
David struck him again, splitting his lip. "We know you planned to meet her somewhere. Tell us where."
"We had no plan." How stupid he had been! Yes, he had failed her. Why hadn't he thought ahead? Why hadn't they had a plan? She was in her ninth month, alone, somewhere. But at least she had managed to escape Die Auserwählten. The thought brought a smile to his lips that turned into a grimace of pain from his split lip.
David stepped back, rubbing his arm. Prometheus must have done some damage. Where was Prometheus now? Had David killed him? Rayden peered into the dark but could see nothing.
David circled, studying Rayden as if he were an insect on a pin. After three rounds, David shook his head.
"Do you expect us to believe you made no plan?"
"Believe what you want."
David made a slight nod to one of the other men who drew an object from his pocket. It was a gun-like device. Perhaps a Taser? He handed it to David.
When David pointed it at him and activated it, inches away from his skin, Rayden endured the longest five seconds of his life. He clenched his teeth, determined not to give them the satisfaction of hearing his cries. But severe muscle cramps, in every inch of his body, forced the moans through.
David gave Rayden a moment to recover. Then he asked again, “Why are you at Grace, Tennessee?”
“Out for a stroll.” The instrument was used once more, leaving him gasping for air. If the men had not been holding him, his legs would have collapsed. Had Die Auserwählten developed a device more advanced than the Taser? Whatever they were using, it delivered more pain than he could ever have imagined.
David spoke again. “It would be much quicker and much less painful if you tell us why you’re here.”
“Where else would I be? I'd be missing all the fun.”
David released him, and Rayden slumped forward. “This is getting us nowhere. Bring him.”
Prometheus dashed forward out of the dark, heading straight for David. Rayden cried out but too late. David raised his gun and fired at the dog. Prometheus yelped and veered away, out of sight and fell silent. Rayden allowed a flicker of hope. At least the dog hadn't fallen—at least not where he could be seen.
The men dragged Rayden between them. Rayden didn't fight. He knew it would be futile, and besides, the device had left his muscles practically useless. Muscles quickly recovered after a Taser was used. This device had to be something else.
When they reached the road, the men came to a halt, waiting until a van drove out of the blackness and pulled to a stop. The door slid open, and Rayden was thrown in
to the dark interior. Rayden lay on his back, still fighting to regain his strength. His eyes slowly adjusted to the dim light. Two other people, huddled in the back corner, came into focus.
WHEN GISA WAS out of sight of the house, she savored the smell of the home cooking and then regretfully dumped the plate, saving just the chicken leg. She didn't have time to eat it and it was too awkward to carry. It was nice to know kind people still existed in the world—even though Mrs. Holland had put her in a difficult situation.
She plunged into the woods, hoping the police around this area had not been infiltrated by Die Auserwählten. If Mrs. Holland had known them all of their lives, as she said, perhaps they could be trusted? No. It was still best to steer clear of the police.
Gisa's skin prickled, not just with fear that the police were following her, but also from the threat of alligators and snakes. At this point, fear of what lay beneath the fallen limbs and leaves concerned her more than the police. Rattlesnakes, water moccasins, coral, and copperheads all lived in this area. She shivered although the sun was warm.
Snakes would run away if they had the chance. What good would it do to worry anyway? She took a deep breath and kept going through the underbrush. She didn't see the huge spider web until she ran into it. A large garden spider landed on her arm, and she screamed as she knocked it to the ground. At least she now had shoes on to stomp it with.
She chided herself for screaming. A garden spider would not kill her. She slowed her breathing to listen but heard nothing out of the ordinary. She started again, this time being more careful to keep an eye out for spider webs and snakes. Screaming might alert someone—perhaps even Die Auserwählten—to her whereabouts.
She ducked and weaved around the branches and undergrowth until she came to a stream. She stopped to pull off her shoes before splashing through it. The coolness of the water reminded her that it must be October, if not November. She should have checked the calendar at Mrs. Holland's house. But she was sure she'd find out soon enough—when the baby came.
She continued walking until she heard the sound of traffic. She cautiously approached the edge of the tree line. Most of the cars were heading south, deeper into Florida. She must be nearing a town. Did she want to go where there were people or remain hidden in the woods? She considered it. If it were a large city, she could hide among the people until she found a bus station. If it were a tiny town, she'd stick out like a sore thumb. She didn't remember any large cities being close to Vernon, Florida. For now, it would be best to stick to the trees. To do so, she'd have to turn west. Did it really matter? All she had to do was find a town with a bus station. Shouldn't be too hard.
But it was two more days before she came across a town large enough to support one.
* * *
Rayden
The moon had come out from behind the clouds and gave enough light for Rayden to see the couple staring at him. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, with their hands tied behind them, widened their eyes. Adrenalin swept through his body. He struggled against the restraints, and the ties cut into his arms.
The men climbed in the van after him, and the driver sped away. David still had the Taser-like device in his hand and pointed it towards Betty.
“Ladies first.” David cut his eyes to the men and gestured with his thumb toward Betty. The two men moved toward her.
Rayden swallowed. “Please wait. I’ll tell you what I know. I haven’t seen Gisa since that day at the clinic.” He licked some of the blood from his bottom lip. “But I called out keshet and Esther.”
David's brow furrowed. "Keshet? What does that mean?"
"It's Hebrew for bow. I hoped she'd put two and two together, figure out it referred to moonbow, and then she'd meet me at Cumberland Falls."
David looked at him, incredulity spread across his face. "You're asking us to believe you never had a contingency plan? That you speak two words, a Hebrew word and a name, and expect her to make a connection to Cumberland Falls? How stupid do you think we are?" He nodded once more at the men.
One man, the one with brown hair with highlights that shone even in the dim light inside the van, pulled Betty forward, toward David and the device.
“I swear that’s all I know.” Rayden thrashed frantically as David moved closer to Betty, activating the device. She screamed once and slumped to the floor.
“I swear!” he shouted. “Please!” His voice broke.
The man, none too gently, rolled Betty out of the way and pulled Andy to take her place, waiting for orders from David.
"I have no idea where she might be. I wished to God I did." He licked the cut on his lip.
David made a gesture, palm down, and the man pushed Andy back, next to his wife.
“Okay. Maybe you’re telling the truth." David rubbed his knuckles. "Now, tell me about your relationship with my wife.”
Rayden hung his head. "I was trying to help your wife. That was all." Even as he said the words, he wanted to catch them back, to tell David he loved Gisa, would give his life for her. But what good would it do? It would only get him killed and wouldn't help her.
David stared at him for a long two minutes before he gave a short nod. "If you ever touch her or even so much as look at her, I'll rip you apart with my bare hands." He spit in Rayden's face. "If I had not specifically been given orders to keep you alive, I would have already killed you. Oberste thinks you'll be helpful in the...organization. He wants you to work for the cause. Idiot."
Rayden didn't know if David referred to him or "Oberste." The shocked reactions on the other men's faces told him that it wasn't him being called an idiot.
David ignored the looks and turned away, to stare out the window.
Rayden glanced around at the Andersons. Betty lay on the floor, pale and still. Could the device have killed her? How could he ever forgive himself if it had? Andy had knelt beside her, and his head was bowed as if in prayer.
Rayden closed his eyes, but his prayers had gotten him nowhere. All he could do was ask why? But there were no answers.
GISA APPROACHED THE bus station but didn't immediately go in. Instead, she watched from outside, partially hidden in an alleyway. A contraction hit, and she breathed through it. It faded away, and she waited a few more minutes. She didn't have another one. Probably just Braxton-Hicks. She didn't have time to go into labor; she had to get as far away from here as possible.
She didn't see anyone suspicious. Perhaps Die Auserwählten were not watching bus stations. She finally entered, every sense alert. The hundred dollars, actually ninety-six dollars and fifty-eight cents, paid for a ticket to Grace, Tennessee. The ticket agent said that the town was a couple of hundred miles away from Cumberland Falls. Grace, Tennessee. The name sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.
She joined the short line of travelers loading the bus. After finding her seat, she stowed her backpack. Her other bags had been loaded into the baggage area.
Grace, Tennessee. She closed her eyes and tried to remember, and it came to her. She and David... a pang pierced her heart at the thought of his name... Could it be that he, too, was a product of genetic manipulation? And Tom...or was it Ralph?... had told her David had done this to other women. Yet, he had seemed to love her. Was it just an act or had he actually loved her? Perhaps they had lied to her. But why would they lie?
She opened her eyes and shook her head. She was trying to remember why Grace sounded familiar. They had traveled there one time. She and David. Her forehead furrowed as she tried to concentrate, blocking out the stale smell of the bus and the sounds of the crying child in the seat ahead of her. She closed her eyes again to better picture it. They had gone scuba diving in a cave. Not at Grace but near there. A place called Grenadah Springs. Her cheeks warmed as she remembered that day, picnicking after the dive and then...she wrenched her thoughts from the memory. How could he have made love to her so tenderly and all the time been part of Die Auserwählten? He must have loved her! They had lied. That was the only possibl
e explanation.
She suddenly had an urge to see the place where she had been so happy with David. It was just north of Grace, and she was headed north anyway to get to Cumberland Falls. A voice seemed to whisper in her ear to go there. Was God leading her?
Why not? It was on the way. She leaned back in her seat and settled into a more comfortable position.
* * *
Rayden
Rayden and the Andersons had been taken to an apartment complex. When the two men had carried Betty into a bedroom, she had still been unmoving, her face pale. Andy had been allowed into the room with her.
However, they tied Rayden to a kitchen chair. David leaned back against the tan granite countertop, scratching his chin. Just that small gesture caused the muscles in his arm to ripple.
Rayden did his best to keep his voice under control. “Mr. Jackson, may I please check on Mrs. Anderson.”
"She doesn't concern you. Hey, Ralph, rustle up some coffee."
Rayden glanced around the apartment. The kitchen, living room, and dining room were open concept. All the windows he could see were barred. He searched for anything he might be able to use as a weapon—if he ever managed to get untied. The possibility of getting loose seemed unlikely. The restraints cut into his skin with the slightest movement.
The apartment was modern in design, all of the furniture sleek and high end. The kitchen appliances and even the sink were oiled bronze.
Nothing in here looked as if it could be used as a weapon. The countertops were cleared of clutter. Even if he found anything, they all had guns. He didn't even have a knife to bring to a gunfight. And it was three against one.
Sure, in the movies, one man often defeated dozens of others, barehanded. But Rayden had seen his share of fights, even got into a few himself. He had never seen one guy successfully take on two people, much less three. And these were obviously three trained men he was dealing with. Still, if he were untied, maybe something would come to mind.
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