The Dreamer

by Mark Ernest

  The Dreamer

  Title Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  The Dreamer

  Part 1 Captured

  Mark Ernest

  Published by Prescott Press

  Copyright 2017 Mark Ernest

  License Notes

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This Book is licensed for your personal enjoyment.

  Chapter 1

  “Here is the picture of the kid.” Jose said and handed the picture to Juan.

  “How much is he worth?” Juan asked.

  “His parents are worth millions. They’ll pay a hefty fee to have him returned.”

  “How are we going to find him?”

  “Jose tapped his phone. I have an app for that, we can track him anywhere he goes. Right now, he is at the tennis court.”

  “Lot of kids might die on this one.”

  “Boss said no one gets killed. Knock them out with the butt of your gun. Boss is concerned if we kill a bunch of college kids, he won’t get his ransom money.”

  “It’s time to load up.”

  The five men began loading their equipment into the van. The early morning sun beat down on the five Mexicans. They worked efficiently while loading their guns and equipment. When they were done, they locked the safe house, and began the long drive towards Phoenix.

  Later the evening

  “Joe…This is going to be the best party of the year,” Michael said.

  “Any girls coming, besides your girlfriend?” Joe retorted.

  “Have I ever let you down? I mean ever. My girl is taking care of business and you know Charlie. If Charlie is there, girls will be there...they love that guy and he posted it on his Facebook page, and my girl invited 30 girls. Girls will not be a problem at this party.”

  “Who’s going to be at this party tonight?” Chloe asked her new roommate.

  “I invited around thirty girls, and I know Michael invited a bunch of guys. It’ll be fun, and you’re going.”

  “Any good-looking guys? If it’s a nerd fest, I don’t want to be there, besides you already snagged the cutest guy around.”

  “You haven’t met his roommate?”

  “No, what does he look like.”

  “He looks like my boyfriend.”

  “Really, are they brothers?”

  “No, no relation as far as anyone can tell.”

  “So why not date him instead of your boyfriend?”

  “My boyfriend is rich, Joe’s not.”

  Sarah opened her closet door and thumbed through her clothes. She pulled out a short skirt. She stripped off her shorts and put the skirt on and looked at herself in the mirror.

  “What do you think-- panties or no panties?”

  “Don’t be a slut-- you already have a boyfriend.”

  “Fine,” Sarah said in a huff while picking out a matching tank top to complete the ensemble. She then turned her attention to her roommate.

  “What are you going to wear?”

  “I never said I was going.”

  “Yes, you are. You should at least meet my boyfriend’s roommate. I think you’ll like him. You should wear one of my skirts.”

  “No, my short shorts show all anyone needs to see. I’m going as is.”

  “At least let me do your makeup.”

  “Don’t make me look slutty.”

  “You’ll look adorable.”

  “I better.”

  “Where’s your girlfriend and all these girls she supposed to bring. If she doesn’t get here soon, I think the few girls that are here-- are going to leave.” Joe exclaimed as he surveyed the large living room that housed a few sparse guests, and the DJ just waiting to start.

  Right then there was a knock at the door, and Michael turned to Joe and smiled. Joe just shook his head and said, “Whatever,”

  Michael opened the door to see Sarah with an entourage of girls that looked ready to party. Michael gave her a quick kiss and smelled deep of her perfume. He couldn’t help but smile. He pulled himself back and addressed the other girls in the entourage.

  “Girls make yourselves at home. There is beer in the kitchen.” Sarah stood with him as the other girls passed by him. A red head caught his eye, and He then turned his attention back to Sarah. “Glad you could make it.”

  Sarah pulled Michael close and whispered in his ear. “I want to introduce Chloe to Joe.”

  Michael gave Sarah a wink, and followed the girls into the apartment and found Chloe.

  “Hey, Chloe, glad you could make it. Come with me,” Michael said, while gently grabbing her arm above the elbow, “There is someone I want to introduce to you.”

  “Oh really, who’s that?”

  “My new roommate.” Michael said as he led Chloe across the large living room to where Joe was hanging out with some other guys.

  “Joe, I would like to introduce Chloe. This is Sarah’s roommate.”

  “Hi,” Joe said and smiled. He reached out his hand to shake her hand. Joe noticed she hesitated and then shook his hand with a delicate grip.

  “Come’on let’s grab a drink.” Chloe followed him into the kitchen. He grabbed two paper cups, and filled them from the keg.

  “I love your apartment,” Chloe said.

  “Yes, you can thank Michael’s parents for that. Not too many college students have a family room and living room that are twenty by twenty with all the furnishing, but I am not complaining. Tell me about you? What year in school are you?”

  “I’m a junior, you?”

  “Senior,”

  “What is your major?”

  “Political Science,”

  “What did you say?” Chloe asked.

  Joe motioned for her to follow him. The DJ had just cranked up the music and it became impossible to hear. He led her out to the porch. “It’s loud in there, makes it hard to talk. I said, I’m a political science major.”

  “What can you do with that?”

  “Something in government…not sure what course my career will take, but I would love to work in government. How about you, what is your major?”

  “Elementary Education,”

  “Kids, oh that sounds rough,”

  “I would take kids over lying sleazy government, anytime.”

  “Ouch,”

  “You know what I mean.” Chloe said nervously and took a long drink of beer.

  “Where you from?” Joe said trying to ease the tension.

  “I grew up in Virginia,”

  “Wow, why did you come to school way out here,” Joe asked.

  “I wanted to get away…you from around here?”

  “Yes, I grew up in Arizona. I have never been to Virginia; Do you miss it?

  “Sounds crazy, but I miss winter. Don’t get me wrong, the weather here is great, but I do miss the snow.

  “Do you plan on going back after you graduate?”

  “I think so, unless I have a reason to stay.”

  “A reason to stay?” Joe asked with raised eyebrows.

  “Let’s just say, that I have not found that reason.”

  Joe’s ears perked up. He heard a slow song starting. “Tell me, do girls dance in Virginia?

  “It ha
s been known to happen.”

  “May, I have that pleasure.”

  “Yes,” Chloe said and extended her hand for Joe to take, which he took and led her back into the living room.

  Joe led her to the center of the room. He placed his hands on her hips and she put her hands up around his neck while they slowed danced together. Chloe felt herself being pulled into this guy. His sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. Maybe she could forgive him for the government thing. She stared into his eyes. She wanted to kiss him. What was wrong with her? She had never even kissed a guy on a first dance, not even on a first date. She had always prided herself on waiting. She had only met this guy, and she wanted to throw herself in his arms. She looked away from his eyes hoping to break the trance. She could feel him staring at her. She brought her eyes back to his, and she could tell he wanted to kiss her as well. What the hell, I’ll only be in college once. She closed her eyes and leaned in towards his face. His lips were strong and soft. The kiss lasted but a moment, but every sense in her body came to life. Her mind and body tingled with excitement. The song ended and they awkwardly let go of each other.

  Next, she heard a man yell. “EVERYBODY DOWN!” Chloe was confused, was this a prank, but before she could process what was happening she felt herself forced to the floor. Her breath knocked out of her, she tried to understand. Next, she tried to raise up, but felt an arm holding her down. Then she heard a whisper in her ear.

  “I’ve got you, just stay down.”

  Chloe breathed out on the sound of Joe’s voice. She could hear the men yelling in Spanish. Even with Joe there she began to tremble. She felt his grip tighten around her. She kept waiting for the guns to sound, for her friends to start dying. Fear gripped her heart.

  For a moment, everything seemed to pause in the room. She could hear the men talking amongst themselves. Her trembling increased, she tried to tighten her muscles so that she would stop shaking. Then she heard one of the men speak in broken English.

  “Anyone who gets up dies. Stay down.”

  She thought I’m going to die with the last thing I remember is kissing Joe. Men kept yelling for everyone to stay on the floor. If anyone got up she heard the men say, they would be killed. The last command from the armed men was to count to a thousand before getting up from the floor. Chloe counted silently and prayed she would not die. She began counting through her tears running onto the floor.

  When she reached two hundred, she felt a hand on her shoulder. “Chloe they’re gone it’s okay to get up. Chloe sat up to see Macy there.

  “What happened?”

  “I’m not sure,”

  “Where’s Joe?”

  “Joe and Michael are gone. They took them.”

  Chapter 2

  Joe awoke suddenly and realized he couldn’t move. He opened his eyes but only blackness. He tried to scream, but nothing came out. His tongue touched cloth in his mouth and it dawned on him that he had been gagged. He did his best to slow his breathing and calm down.

  Once the initial panic subsided, Joe realized that his head was covered. He could feel the hood over his head flexing while he breathed. He noticed his hands were tied behind his back and then tied to his feet with rope.

  Joe tried to remember what had happened. With effort, he began to recall what had happened. He had been dancing with Chloe and then a commotion. Then it went black.

  Joe focused his mind on his surroundings. He knew he had to be in a vehicle, because he could sense the bouncing of the road. Joe wondered how much longer he had to live, as he laid in a crumpled position which caused his body to ache. He could hear his captors talking in low tones, but couldn’t make out what they were saying. Then it dawned on him that they were speaking Spanish.

  Joe continued in this position for what seemed another hour before the vehicle came to a stop. He felt hands on him. The shroud that had kept him in darkness lifted. He squinted against the dome light as his eyes adjusted to the intrusive light. Five guys surrounded him with guns. He saw a door open and he realized he had been sitting in the back of the van. One of the men approached, Joe felt apprehensive. The man pulled out a long knife. He grabbed Joe and spun him around and cut the rope between his legs and arms.

  “Get out,” the man said to Joe.

  Joe was surprised to hear English. He obeyed as best he could. He tried to get up, but stumbled and almost landed on his face. The man that had cut the rope grabbed his shirt and stopped him from slamming onto the floor of the van. He then slid Joe to the edge of the door. Joe swung his legs around.

  “Wait,” the man said.

  Joe waited for his captor. The man reached down and cut the rope between his feet. Joe stepped out of the van and stood facing a small house. He looked to his right and saw another van with Michael standing beside it looking haggard. Joe wondered what had made him and his roommate so deserving.

  He felt a gun his back pushing him towards the small house. He walked towards the house with a feeling of dread coming over him. He couldn’t explain it, but he sensed he would die in that house. This was the end of his short life. What had he done to deserve this? He didn’t want to die. His feet felt heavy the more steps he took. He thought he would not make it, but he managed to keep going. He crossed the threshold of the house, and felt his life had ended. He felt the gun in his back again.

  “Over there in the corner…Sit!” the captor repeated. Joe took a seat. A few moments later, Michael took a seat by him. The door closed. The men began speaking amongst themselves in Spanish. Joe stole a glance at Michael. He looked worried. Joe knew that Michael was as confused as him. The discussion went on for some time. Then the men went to the refrigerator took out a couple of sandwiches and sat one down in front of Michael and Joe.

  Joe picked up the sandwich, smelled it and considered eating it. He took a bite…chicken salad…he took another bite. Joe looked over to Michael and gave a nod. He saw Michael began to eat and one of the captors brought each of them a bottle of water. Joe finished his sandwich and polished off his bottle of water. Joe looked over to Michael, and then he noticed that the captors where watching them with interest. He figured out why. He could feel himself getting sleepy. He rolled over on the floor and fell fast asleep.

  He felt himself falling….falling…falling until he hit hard. He picked himself up off the floor. His heart sank—he must be dead. Joe looked around the room. He could see himself lying on the floor. Michael lay close by and the captors were lying around different parts of the room sleeping.

  He paced around the room not sure what to do. He looked out the window and could see the sun rising. Off in the distance, he saw a couple of black Suburbans approaching. He watched them drive up and park outside. Joe didn’t get to alarmed. All the guys were asleep.

  Men with guns stormed out of the SUV’s and surrounded the building. Joe ran back to the corner of the room and waited. The man that had talked to him began to stir. The door busted opened and the men opened fire. In mere minutes, everyone in the room including Joe and Michael were dead.

  Joe woke and sat up drenched in sweat. “Help me,” he called out through a strained voice. “Help me,” he said again.

  “Shut-up”

  “No, help me,” Joe pleaded.

  The English-speaking captor came over to Joe with the butt of his automatic weapon raised. “Shut-up or I will make you shut-up.”

  “Please, you don’t understand. We have to leave.”

  “You’re not going anywhere.”

  “No, that’s not it. We all have to leave. We have to leave now, or all of us will die.”

  “No one knows we are here.”

  “Men in black Suburbans with guns and all of us are dead.”

  The captor got up and walked to the window. He stared out the window for a long time. He then came back over to Joe and squatted down in front of him. “There are no Suburbans.”

  “My dream, they will be here in the morning, two black Suburbans men with guns. Please, I don’t want to
die.”

  The captor squatted down, and looked Joe in the eye. “You had a dream?”

  “Yes, a few minutes ago.”

  The captor stood up, turned on the lights and began barking instructions in Spanish. The men began scurrying around. In a few moments, Joe and Michael were loaded onto the vans and sped off into the night.

  Joe expected to be gagged and blindfolded, but that didn’t happen. Several minutes after leaving, the captor that spoke English approached.

  “We left one guy behind. He is some distance from the house. He is going to watch the house and see if anything happens.”

  “Where are we going?” Joe dared to ask.

  His captor gave him a long look, but did not speak. He rose and walked back to the edge of the van and sat. Joe leaned his head against the side of the van and tried to relax. He wondered what would happen if his dream didn’t come true. Joe wondered if it would matter anyway. What were the chances of him living any way. He closed his eyes and thought about that kiss from Chloe. It could be the last kiss he ever had.

  Joe and Michael were forced to eat again, and soon they both feel asleep. As Joe eyes closed he wondered if they would open again.

  Chapter 3

  Joe and Michael were escorted out of a van and into a large Mansion. Joe looked over at his roommate and could see the dread on his face. They were taken to a large room and forced to sit down. The captor that had spoken to Joe and one other guy with a gun stood behind them. They waited wondering what would happen.

  Several minutes later, a middle age man in a pin-stripe suit came and sat down across from them. “Are you two brothers?”

  Joe shook his head no.

  “Which one of is Michael Robinson?”

  Joe and Michael looked at each other. The communication between them was clear. Don’t turn on each other.

  “I’m not going to harm either of you, but this is a simple thing. I need to know who is who, so I get the ransom.”

  Joe looked over to the Michael and gave a nod.