When Betty started getting letters years ago, I did a little recon. Savvy stayed with her Aunt Cheryl for a few days while I made my way down to this little town. You can’t even locate it on a map, but I found it and set out to do some recon. It wasn’t pretty climbing up tree after tree for three days straight, but I needed to know what I was up against should they come for her. Ashlyn is like a daughter to me no matter how much she drives me crazy, but I will always have her back like she’s one of my own. Christ, she is one of my own, blood or not.
When I was here before I found an old dirt road, well it’s more like a large walking path that runs along the outskirts of the compound. My rental car should be hidden enough in the brush and I’m gonna have to hoof it the rest of the way. I grab my bow and arrows from the back seat along with my bandana. Once it’s on my head I grab my black paint smudging some under my eyes. I need to get into the right mind frame, channel my inner Chuck Norris. Be one with Jumping Jack Jenks. It’s been a while but a badass never forgets.
I backtrack a bit and cut through the woods until I hit the main road that leads you straight into Satan’s lair. As I approach the gate I pay more attention to my footing. If I remember correctly, they make teenagers guard the entrance. Peeking over I see a young man sitting on the other side of the gate. He’s not prepared at all for my arrival. I back up a bit and quietly pull a liquid bottle from my pocket. I glance at my watch, 3:38 am. Perfect. The sandman has arrived son.
I glance over the gate once again and see his drink propped up against it. As I reach my hand through, I quietly steal his bottle of Coke. Really? Coke is going to get him through the night? I quietly laugh to myself, they do a shitty job of training their soldiers.
I unscrew the cap and want to smack myself at the hiss that erupts from the bottle. Rookie mistake Jack. When I peak over he hasn’t seemed to notice. Then I see the earbuds in his ears. I throw in a dose of the sedative and close up the bottle returning it to the spot against the gate. He pounds the rest of the bottle almost immediately after he lets off a loud yawn.
Twenty minutes later I stealthily jump over the gate and look around. Nope, he’s still out like a baby bear hibernating for winter. That was almost too easy.
Keeping to the outskirts of the road, I finally come upon the thickly settled houses I could navigate in my sleep. Ashlyn isn’t safe here, so needing to be careful about how I approach this situation is important. There’s nobody around for miles and I’m the only one of us that can locate this place.
When I find one of the trees I’ve previously been acquainted with, I climb up and pick a branch that is heavily shrouded by leaves. It’s going to be a long night I think as I prop my legs up. I need to get my girl back and soon. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure a safe extraction.
*****
It’s mid-morning when I see activity outside the house. A guy goes in whom I recognize from my prior surveillance. He was much younger then, maybe just entering his teen years. But he has a distinct look with cold eyes I’ll never forget. I should have kept up to date on the goings on of this place so I was prepared.
Not even ten minutes later the assbag leaves the house leaving me wonder what he’s up to. I pick up the binoculars hanging around my neck and use them to peak in the windows. Ash’s parents are sitting on a couch in the living room but I don’t see her. Going from window to window I finally find her and another woman in a room upstairs. All three parents exit the house and start walking down the street towards the town center making my job even easier. Now I just need to get her attention without being seen by anyone else.
I look around to make sure nobody is around and drop from the tree onto my stomach. My camo gear should blend in with the grass enough to go unnoticed. While I army crawl to the edge I keep a careful eye out. I crouch low and sprint across the road, quickly hiding myself behind the house. The houses are right up against the woods so I don’t need to worry about anyone seeing me from the rear. I also know from watching this morning that the neighbors on either side have left and also gone towards the center.
The room is in the corner of the house so it has windows along the front and the side. That’s how I’m going to get her attention. Slinking along the side of the house I pick up some pebbles from the ground. As I keep my back to the house, I throw the pebbles up and over my shoulder. Clink Clink. Target hit. But the window doesn’t open. I throw a few more. Clink Clink. And nothing. Freaking hell is she fucking deaf?
I step out a few feet and look up at the window and whisper yell, “Ashlyn open the god damn window!”
Finally, I see her smiling face as she quickly opens it up. “Mr. J, thank god!”
“This is no time for unnecessary conversation Ashlyn. Listen to me carefully. You need to meet me downstairs so we can get out of here. Everyone has gone to town and now’s our chance.”
“I’ll be right do-” before she finishes her sentence I’m silencing her by slicing my hand across my neck. People are talking. When I peak around the corner I see her parents coming up around the corner of the street. Motherfucker.
“We don’t have a lot of time. The next opportunity that arises I’m coming for you.”
“But you don’t understand! They’re making me marry the cult leader tonight. I have to get out of here.” She sounds scared and it cuts me right in the gut.
“Listen to me. I won’t let anything happen to you. Just be ready for when it happens.”
“For when what happens?” But I can’t answer her because I’m already in the woods running back to my car. I’m too old for this shit but I’ll soak my old bones later. I need more stock in my arsenal. Tonight, it’s gonna get real.
CHAPTER 24
Ashlyn
“Oh, thank god, someone’s come for us!” I grab Georgette and start dancing around the room with her. She’s not moving, and when I look up, I see a sadness settle into her big blue eyes.
“What’s the matter? I thought you wanted to get out of here?” I question.
“Of course, I do. But…but they are coming for you, not me. You need to use this opportunity and run. Run like hell Ash.”
“I promise you right now you’re coming with me. Either you come or I don’t go, we’re a package deal now.” I smile at her.
“Just promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
“If something happens and I can’t get out, promise me that you’ll go. You have a baby girl to think of. You can always send someone back for me.”
Tears build up in my eyes thinking about leaving her behind, but I know she’s right. I nod my head in understanding praying it never comes to that.
“Do you have a notebook? Something you can keep hidden from everyone?”
She quickly runs over to her desk and pulls out a tiny notebook and hands it to me with a pen. I quickly write down the bars address and my phone number.
“If we get separated you come to this address. You get to start your life over and I’d love for you to be a part of mine. I can help you in any way that you need.”
She nods her head as we hear the front door slam shut.
“Crap, we need to get you ready. They’ll be expecting you soon and we don’t want them to know something is going on.”
Georgette runs to the closet and pulls out a white dress that looks like a burlap sack. She tells me to quickly undress and put it on. Once it’s on I look in the mirror and can’t stop the laughter that’s building.
“I look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Where are the Ghostbusters?” I double over laughing and have to cross my legs to make sure I don’t pee.
“The Ghost who?” She questions.
“When we get out of this we’re having a serious movie marathon. All the good stuff. She’s the Man, Dirty Dancing, The Notebook, White Chicks, Bad Boys 1 and 2…” I lose my train of thought when Gwen enters the bedroom unannounced. I hope she didn’t hear anything.
“Oh dear, don’t you look beautiful.”
“Where’s my mom? Shouldn’t she be helping me get ready?” I question.
A murderous look crosses her face. “I’m your mother, don’t ever forget that. And soon, I’ll get the opportunity to really be a mother.”
Something about her statement doesn’t sit well with me as she gazes at my swollen belly. She always references my baby and never once confirmed when I asked if they expect Mr. Caldwell to raise the baby with me. She’s a wildcard that I need to keep my eye on.
“Georgette, don’t forget about the garland, and her braid better be acceptable or else.” She stares down her daughter.
“Of course, mother.”
In the blink of an eye Gwen has Georgette up against the wall with her hands around her throat. She coughs and sputters trying to get out of her hold, but this woman’s like a freak of nature.
“Don’t start dear, know your place and know it well. Do not mess with me after that stunt you pulled. I hope you enjoyed your time on the outside because it will never happen again if I have anything to say about it.” She lets go and Georgette drops to the ground gasping for breath.
Gwen looks over towards me. “Finish getting ready, you have one hour before you’re a married woman.”
After the door shuts behind her I help Georgette off of the floor. She’s still breathing hard and visibly shaking.
“Why doesn’t anyone do something about this? Doesn’t your mom or dad know this happens?” She just shakes her head no.
“She told me if I went against her she’d out my friend Victor. He’s…gay. It’s not accepted around here and it would be an immediate death sentence for him. I can’t do that to him so I have to deal with it.” Tears slide down her cheeks as I pull her head against my chest.
“This place will get what’s coming to it. Every last one of them will pay for what they’ve done.”
*****
As promised, Mr. Caldwell picks me up shortly after Gwen exits the room. My hair is braided so tightly to my head it’s giving me a splitting headache. Georgette assured me this was how it had to be.
He helps me up into the horse and buggy, yes, I said a horse and buggy, as we make our way to the ceremony. He claims my hand in his own. They’re clammy and it’s grossing me out. I don’t know if he’s nervous or because it’s a bazillion degrees outside.
I look around constantly searching for Mr. J. He has to be around here somewhere and I know I need to be ready for anything. My full faith is placed in him and I know he won’t let me down.
My feelings slightly waver as we get to our destination. Then we’re in the gazebo at the town common standing in front of the whole town and who I presume is the priest. Still no Mr. J. I hope they didn’t catch him.
I feel a tug on my hands and look up into Tobias’ eyes. I learned his name in the buggy, Tobias. If this wasn’t such a shit situation I’d think it was pretty cool he had the same name as Four. The Divergent Series is my jam.
As I look around I see a bunch of faces I don’t know nor have I been introduced to. Never when I pictured my wedding, did I think of this. Married off to a stranger in front of a group full of people I don’t know.
I always imagined a big beautiful princess dress and the man of my dreams at the end of a long aisle looking at me with tears in his eyes wondering how he got so lucky while I think the same. Mr. J would be walking me down the aisle towards that man holding my arm tightly in his own, not yet ready to let me go. Even though I’m not blood, he’s every bit the father I never had. All of our loved ones would be there watching on as we recite the vows we wrote. I’d earn a few laughs from mine because let’s face it, I’m funny as shit.
This is all wrong and there is nothing I can do about it. Maybe if I was just thinking for myself I’d be a little gutsier, make a more ballsy move to get out of here. But it is what it is. My baby girl’s my number one priority. I just stand there staring into the eyes of a man making false promises for a life that was chosen for me. Please Mr. J…
It’s not until I’m almost forced to say “I do” that I’ve lost all hope. If he were going to come wouldn’t it have been by now? As the priest starts the vows that I’m supposed to repeat, we hear a noise out in the woods.
Something gets thrown through the air and lands in the aisle between all the townspeople. Immediately something hisses and smoke begins to pour everywhere. A couple of large men that almost look like they’d make great bouncers at the bar, grab Tobias and pull him to safety leaving me where I stand. Chivalry is clearly not a top priority here. As if everything’s in slow motion, I turn around and see Mr. J in all his glory sprinting for me as the fog thickly settles over everyone. It hasn’t reached me yet when he wraps his arms around me, careful of my midsection, and starts running towards the woods.
“I can’t leave Georgette!” I yell.
In the distance, I hear her faint voice. “Go!” Cough. “I’ll find you.”
“Ash don’t fight me, we need to get you out of here now.” I can hear the struggle in his voice as he continues carrying me. I’m definitely not at my lightest right now.
We reach the woods and he places me on the ground but doesn’t stop. We’re running through the woods as fast as we can, heading god knows where. Tears form in my eyes at the thought of leaving my sister behind.
We stop and Mr. J pulls me into a hug.
“I promise someone will come back for her, you have my word. I would’ve come for her a long time ago had I known she existed.” An emotion that looks like sorrow passes over his face.
I wipe my eyes and nod. I’ll be of no help to her if I can’t get out of here. So with a new determination, I decide that we’re going to get out of here so we can get help.
“I found a hidden road that runs parallel to the town. We just need to make it to the car and we’ll be in the clear.” I nod my head and we take off again.
This dress makes it difficult to run, but I hike it up and run as fast as my legs will take me. I’m seriously happy I haven’t given up jogging yet. I’m still huffing and puffing but at least I’m not a heap of a mess on the ground right now.
A sob bursts out of my mouth when we get to the car, at the relief in knowing that after this crazy nightmare, I get to go home. We jump in the car and Mr. J floors it out of there.
“Breathe Ash.”
I didn’t even realize I had been holding my breath. Taking in a lung full of air I lie my head back on the head rest.
“Can I use your phone?” I ask.
He doesn’t even answer, just hands it to me.
I dial the number I know by heart and listen for the voice I have been craving to hear over the past few days of hell. He answers on the second ring.
“Jack? Jack, where are you? We think we have a lead on where they took Ashlyn.”
“Josh.” I whisper.
And suddenly, everything’s okay again.
CHAPTER 25
Josh
“Where the hell is she?” I yell. I’m at my wits end and ready to kill somebody. How could Ash just up and vanish without anybody seeing something?
“Bro, I know things are looking bleak right now, but you have to hold it together. You know we’ll get your girls back.”
I go and sit down on the bed. I’ve been cooped up in this hotel room for way longer than I’d have liked and I’m about to lose it. Maybe taking a walk and clearing my head will give me a new perspective.
“I’ll be back.” I walk out the door ignoring Zander and Savvy as they call my name.
It’s been four days since Ashlyn was taken. Anything could have happened to her at this point and the what ifs are slowly driving me out of my mind. Zander has his private investigators on it, but they know jack shit. What the hell is he paying them for? Aren’t they supposed to be the best that money can buy? Yet here I am, no closer to finding Ashlyn than I was five minutes ago.
My phone chimes with a message from Jay. He’s holding down the fort at home in case Ashlyn shows up. Still nothing. I release a frustrat
ed sigh and run my fingers through my hair.
And there’s still the question of Jack. Nobody’s seen or heard from him since Savvy talked to him. If he went to get my girl, why wouldn’t he have asked me and Zander for help? There are just so many unanswered questions right now.
We’re currently in a little town in Tennessee. There was a lead that led us here after we landed. A horrible lead, but a lead no less. One of the PI’s contacts said they saw a woman fitting Ashlyn’s description pulled off to the side of the road with two other women. They didn’t get a clear view, but said she appeared to be pregnant and matched the brown hair and short stature description. I know we’re close to her, I can feel it.
Help me out here dad. I’ll do anything. I pray.
I hear heavy footsteps and turn around to see Zander sprinting towards me.
“Josh get your ass back here. They got a tip to where Ashlyn’s being kept.
For the first time in days, I hear something that doesn’t make me wanna punch something. As I’m running Zander’s way, my phone rings and I fish it out of my pocket. I look at the screen and see Jacks name. Finally.
“Jack? Jack, where are you? We think we have a lead on where they took Ashlyn.”
“Josh.”
I stop dead in my tracks. It can’t be. “Ash?”
“You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice.” She sounds tired and on the verge of tears.
“Are you alright? Where are you?”
“Yeah, I’m with Mr. J. I’m on my way home.” I hear her voice break on the last word.
“We’re in Tennessee. Did you leave the state already?” Getting to her is the only thought on my mind right now as I run back towards the hotel with Zander on my heels.
“No, we literally just busted out of that hell hole. Where are you? I’ll come to you.”
Rampage (Bound by Cage Book 2) Page 17