Found and Destroyed: The Second Sarah Martin Mystery

by Danelle Helget

“Hey, there’s eggs and bacon in here! You know how long it’s been since I’ve had a good breakfast?”

  Cory degraded him by saying, “Yeah you wouldn’t know the first thing about how to even make eggs and bacon, Doofus!”

  “Shut up! That’s what a woman’s for. Fucking and cooking!” Oh no! Please no. “Woman! Get in here and make me breakfast,” he demanded. I looked fearfully at Cory, and he nodded and jacked his head toward the kitchen. Seriously? “NOW!” he screamed.

  He rushed over to the chair where I was sitting, grabbed me by the hair and pulled me to my feet. He dragged me to the kitchen and threw me towards the stove.

  “OKAY!” I yelled.

  I started opening cupboards and digging out pans. I grabbed the eggs, bacon, and milk and began. Kyle sat at the table and stared past me to the TV in the living room. If only I had a vile of poison in my pocket. Twenty minutes later I announced it was ready. Cory and Kyle dished up and even left a little for me. I wasn’t hungry, but I thought it might be a good idea to put something in my stomach to keep my strength up. I had a few bites of eggs, but that was it. I grabbed a glass out of the cupboard and drank a glass of water.

  When Kyle was finished eating he came back into the kitchen, threw his plate in the sink, and grabbed my hair again pulling me to him. I grabbed my hair below his hand in defense, it hurt so bad I thought my scalp might literally rip off.

  “That was good. Now for dessert,” he said and yanked my head back hard and bit my neck.

  I shoved his face away as hard as I could, but it wasn’t helping, he was big and strong and fat. There was no way I could fight him off.

  “Cory! Help!” I yelled.

  “Just play along, and I’ll be gentle,” Kyle said in a gross, guff voice. “Cory can have his after I get mine.”

  I could smell him. It was so gross to have his hands on me. I tried to bend down and get out of his grip but instead he just shoved me hard onto the floor. I quickly flipped on my stomach and tried to crawl away, but he grabbed my ankle and yanked me back towards him. I clawed, and squirmed but he lay on my back crushing my pelvic bone on to the linoleum floor. He was so heavy I couldn’t breathe.

  “Give it up, bitch! You ain’t gonna win,” he said, his mouth touching my right ear.

  He licked my cheek and reached around and grabbed my left breast. I screamed out of frustration, then tipped my chin down and bit his hand as hard as I could. He pulled back and sat up on his knees still straddling me.

  “OWW! You stupid bitch!”

  I scrambled to get away, but he swiftly yanked me back. He flipped me over on my back and lay on me again. He was fumbling with his pants and trying to hold me down at the same time. I looked over to Cory who was sitting on the couch watching. He was high and not caring.

  “Help, me! What kind of person are you?” I said looking at him.

  He was lighting up, doing meth this time. I started to cry and let my body go limp.

  “That a girl,” Kyle said. “It won’t hurt as much if you lie still.”

  He pushed his pants and underwear down to his knees. Then, while straddling me, he grabbed my jeans on both sides and started tugging. I punched him in the nose with all the strength I could muster. Secretly hoping it would break, shove into his brain, and instantly kill him. But no such luck. He let go of my jeans and grabbed for his nose.

  “Fuck! You bitch!”

  While he had his hands on his nose, I slid out from under him as fast as I could.

  “You broke my nose!”

  There was blood pouring out both sides. I scrambled to my feet and reached for the first thing I could find, which was a kitchen chair from the dining room table behind me. I hit him over the back as he stood over the sink bleeding, his pants and underwear still around his ankles. He leaned forward and slid down the counter to the floor. He looked unconscious. Shocked it actually worked, I looked at Cory expecting retaliation, but he was laying down on the couch now and appeared to be dead, or passed out … he hadn’t noticed anything.

  Shit! I was sweating and shaking from fear. I quickly lept over Kyle and went into the living room.

  “Cory?” I whispered.

  No response. I looked over to Kyle and he was still not moving. My heart was pumping hard and I wasn’t sure what to do first. I slowly and quietly made my way to the coffee table and carefully picked up a gun. I wasn’t sure if it was Kyle’s or Cory’s. The gun hadn’t been loaded earlier so I doubted it was then either, but I took it anyway. I tip-toed through the kitchen and grabbed a large knife from the block, then went to the closet by the entry way door. I was hoping I would find some tennis shoes close to my size.

  I quickly, but quietly, turned the knob and looked down. There was a nice selection of men’s and women’s shoes. I could tell by the styles that this home belonged to an older couple. I made a quick scan and grabbed a pair of tennies off the floor. Thank God! I threw them on as fast as I could. They were men’s, and a bit big, but would work better than my heels. I looked up and noticed a selection of jackets too. I grabbed a woman’s large, black, hooded winter coat. Yes! Maybe I’ll survive the night. After I tossed it over my arm, I closed but didn’t latch the door, and reached for the knob on the entry door.

  Just as I had stepped out and closed the door behind me, I noticed Kyle stirring. Craaap! I quickly and quietly ducked down so he wouldn’t see my head through the window. I need to hide. Fast! I turned around and quickly scanned the property. The shed! I ran as fast as I could.

  The shed was pretty big, probably enough for about six cars. It was tan with tin siding on all sides and the roof was green tin. There was a large automatic door that was tall enough to pull a big truck or camper through. Off to the right side I could see an entry door with a window. I sprinted towards it and prayed that it was unlocked. There was a window in the middle of the shed wall on that side. It was small and high up off the ground. It looked to be for natural light, and not actual use.

  I frantically reached the door and twisted the knob. It spun and the door swung open. I frantically shut it and turned the dead bolt on the inside. I stepped to the side of the window and peeked back towards the house to see if anyone had seen me or was following me. I didn’t see anything, but I knew I didn’t have much time before they came looking for me. I heard my cell phone make a funny beep. What was that beep? I pulled it out of my pocket and looked at the screen: LOW BATTERY.

  I quickly dialed Derek. I put the phone to my ear and waited. The phone was banging against my head, which made me notice how much I was shaking. Pick up, pick up! Grrr! What’s taking so long? I pulled it away from my ear and looked at the screen. It made a beeping sound and said: Call ended. Oh, no! I tried again. It said: Cannot connect. I didn’t have any lines of service. It must be the tin roof.

  I turned and looked around the shed. It was so dark. There was a tiny bit of light from the security light outside shining through the window but I couldn’t see very well. I was hoping my eyes would adjust soon and that would help. I could make out a few things. The shed wasn’t heated but felt much warmer than outside. Under my feet I noticed the floor was poured cement. Off to the right there was a large pontoon boat with a playpen cover on it. Behind that was a riding and push lawn mower. There was an older, collector pickup in multiple pieces on the right side near me. I was next to the door still, and I could see a light switch on the wall but didn’t want to turn it on.

  Scraaaaap, thump thump thump.

  “Huuumph!”

  What was that? I heard something move! Then I heard whining and a rustling around. I froze with fear, and starred hard into the darkness.

  “Mmmmmm! Mmmmmmm!”

  Oh, my God! Someone’s in here with me!

  Chapter Sixteen

  I looked towards my right. About half way down the shed, sitting on the ground between the pontoon and the shed wall, I saw two people tied back-to-back with tape over their mouths. I gasped! I carefully walked over to them with my hands cautiously
in front of me.

  “Oh, my God! Are you guys okay?” I asked as I knelt down by them.

  It was an older man and woman. Their age was somewhere in their late sixties. They were wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants but had to be freezing. They were both very nice looking. Both were clean cut and dressed nicely and both in good shape for their age. I gently removed the tape from the woman’s mouth first.

  “Oh, thank you! There are two men in the house! They did this to us! Are you the police?” she asked in a panic.

  “No, ma’am. I was kidnapped and brought here. I just escaped from the house, but they could come out here at any time. So be quiet and stay down.”

  “But you have a gun,” she said referring to the one I’d just set on the ground next to her. I had forgotten I’d had in my hand. “Why do you have a gun?”

  “Oh … I took it from them, inside, before I escaped. It’s their gun, but it’s not loaded. Or at least I don’t think it is,” I said removing the tape from the man’s mouth.

  He took a deep breath.

  “Those bastards are never going to get away with this! What’s your name?” he asked me.

  “Sara … Martin,” I said reaching between them to see how they were tied together.

  It was duct tape.

  “I’m Sam Hilland and this is Betty,” he said a bit winded. “Is there anyone else in the house with you?”

  “Who can help us? No. Both of the men are high on drugs right now. I just hit one pretty hard with a chair. He wasn’t moving much,” I informed them.

  “Were there any other cars in the driveway or did you see anyone else?” Sam asked.

  “No. Is there a knife or scissors around here I could use to cut the tape?” I asked Sam.

  He looked at me confused and Betty spoke up.

  “There! Check on the counter over by the lawn mower,” she answered.

  I went over and felt around and found a scissors. It was actually more like a tin snips, but it would work. I went back to them and told them both to lean forward so I could see and feel what I was doing. They obeyed and after a moment I was able to free them. They both sat there and rubbed their wrists for a second.

  Out of nowhere Betty gasped, “Shhh, I hear someone coming.”

  We all froze and I heard the house door slam shut followed by voices. I quickly grabbed the gun and tucked it into the back of my pants.

  “Stay here!” I said shoving their shoulders back together.

  I put the tape back over their mouths and ran to the door. Quietly, I unlocked the deadbolt and stepped back into a dark corner and ducked down. Immediately, the door swung open and Cory stepped in. He flipped on the light. I could see I wasn’t very hidden so I side-stepped behind a large barrel and ducked down.

  “They’re still here! Everything’s fine in here.”

  He did a quick scan of the shed and then looked at Sam and Betty. He shone a flashlight in their faces.

  “Did you see anyone come in here?” he shouted at them.

  They both shook their heads. What? He expects the truth?

  “Good,” he yelled, “stay here!” he slammed the door and walked out.

  Outside the door, I could hear both men talking. Cory sounded pissed.

  “She’s not in there! You let her get away! You get your ass out there and find her!” Cory yelled.

  “No way. I ain’t going out in that woods! I didn’t let her get away! She hit me with a chair and knocked me out. You should have been watching! You go get her,” Kyle demanded.

  “Go get your flashlight, moron!” Cory yelled.

  Then there was mumbling and a door slammed shut. A few seconds later I heard a door slam again. The mumbling got quiet and then I couldn’t hear anything. Good. They’re gone. I peeked out the window and noticed two flashlights scanning the area across from the house. They were headed deeper into the woods. I didn’t expect them to be out there very long. I ran back over to Sam and Betty who were standing up and dusting off.

  “Do either of you have cell phones on you?”

  “No. They took them,” Sam told me.

  “Do you have a land line in the house that works?” I asked Sam.

  He looked at Betty.

  “Yes, unless they cut the line. But it worked earlier,” Betty answered.

  “I think we should run to the house and try to call for help quick before they get back,” I suggested.

  Sam offered, “Maybe they left the keys to the car.”

  “Yes, we can check that, too.” I said. “We need a plan. Sam are there any guns in the house?”

  “Uuuhhh,” he looked at Betty again, and she again answered for him.

  “No, there aren’t,” she told us both.

  Weird, why doesn’t he answer me?

  “The phone’s in the corner of the kitchen by the door. There are knives on the counter. That’s all I have that might work for defense.”

  “Okay, okay, okay,” I stammered, trying to think fast. “Um … Okay, here’s the plan. We’ll open the door and run to the house. If they see us we’re screwed! So be quiet and fast. I’ll go first, then Betty, then you Sam. Sam, you make sure you shut this door … quietly. And you shut the house door quietly. That way it looks the same in case they happen to glance back. As soon as we get in the house, Betty, you get on the phone and call 911. Sam you grab knives or anything else we can use as a weapon, and then both of you grab jackets to keep you warm in case we have to make a run for it. Sorry Betty I’m wearing yours, and I borrowed some sneakers. I was barefoot. Grab any waters and snacks from the fridge that you can fit into your pockets, too. I’ll look for the car keys and try my cell again. It worked in there earlier. We need to be in and out fast and get to the main road. We can meet the police there. Anything else you two can think of?”

  “Ummm, no. Do you know what time it is?” Betty asked.

  “Not really. Around 3:00 a.m., I think. Why?” I asked annoyed.

  Why the hell would she care what time it is?

  “No reason. I was just curious,” she stated then looked at Sam’s face.

  Sam shot her a shut up warning look. I had a feeling they weren’t telling me something, but I didn’t have time for it.

  “All righty then. Are we ready?” I said beckoning to them and moving close to the door. I peeked out the window and didn’t see the boys, so I slowly turned the knob and whispered, “GO!”

  I took off running as fast as I could to the house. Betty was right on my heels, and Sam a moment behind. I swung the house door open and stepped out of the way. Betty flew in right behind me and Sam jumped through the door and quickly and carefully shut it and locked it. Betty went straight to the phone on the wall but the cord had been ripped from it. I tried my cell but as soon as the light came on it went back off again and said low battery. I tried to dial 911 with it anyway. But it kept shutting off. I doubted that the signal went out. Dang it.

  We all grabbed warm stuff from the closet and each took bottled water from the fridge. Betty grabbed a bunch of weight watchers meal bars and shoved them in her pockets. Sam ran to the bathroom quick and then checked the living room for car keys. There was nothing there. I left the heavy, useless gun on the counter. We each grabbed a knife from the block and held it in our hands. We all gathered around the door, near the kitchen window. We peeked out the window, looking in all directions. We were all terrified but held it together pretty well.

  “Okay we really need to get far away from this house quickly,” I said. “Those jerks will be back soon. Let’s go out the door and get a ways into the woods so that we are not easily spotted and then head to the main road and follow along that. Are there any neighbors around here that we can head towards?” I asked them as they stepped up to the door with me.

  Betty answered, “The closest one is a mile from here. I’ve never met them. We just moved out here a couple months ago ourselves.”

  “How far from town are we?” I asked Betty.

  “About twenty
miles.”

  “Ooooh, shit.” I said, thinking that we couldn’t make it that far in this cold. I thought that heading towards the neighbor’s was a better idea. “Well, which direction is the closest neighbor?”

  “To the main road, then go right. They’re down the first driveway approach on the right.” Betty answered again.

  “All right, let’s go far enough into the woods that we’re hidden, then run to the main road. Don’t make noise, and don’t get hurt! Okay?”

  “Okay,” they said in unison.

  I unlocked the door, and carefully and slowly opened it. “Wait! Do you guys have any flashlights?” I asked.

  Betty said, “Maybe in the basement,” and ran down quick to look. She returned empty handed. “I don’t know where else to look. I didn’t unpack those.”

  I looked to Sam. He shrugged. I shook my head in frustration and opened the door. We took off running to the right and followed alongside the house. When we got to the end of it I stopped and put my fingers to my lips. We listened quietly. I didn’t hear anything.

  “Okay, when I say go, you two follow me into the woods.”

  I looked at Betty and she seemed ready to get out of there. Sam looked concerned and seemed to be just following along with us like a lost puppy. I could tell who wore the pants in that marriage.

  The rusty, blue Chevette was about twenty yards further down the driveway. I gave them a “let’s move” hand gesture and darted into the dark woods. We went opposite from where I’d seen the lights from the men earlier. My spine was tingling. I didn’t like the woods. Something caught my eye and I whipped my head around to the left. No freakin’ way! Was that the car keys dangling from the trunk lock?

  “Oh, my God! You guys, look!” I whispered loudly. “The keys are in the trunk lock!” We all squinted in the darkness and agreed. “Yes! Let’s go! Get in the car!” I yelled and took off.

  I ran to the back, grabbed the keys out of the lock and then launched myself into the driver seat. Betty climbed in the front passenger seat and Sam was approached the car on my side, a bit slower than us, and reached for the handle.