Survive The Fall | Book 5 | Fight Back

by Shupert, Derek

  Russell lowered his head and sighed. “Damn it.”

  “There’s more,” David said.

  “More?” Russell glanced up at him with his fingers bound around the steel bar. His knuckles turned a pale white.

  “Yeah. When I came across Sarah in the city, she looked frantic. Scared even. Like maybe someone was after her or something. After we left in my cruiser and headed to Mandy’s place, she spotted the file I use for Jess’s investigation. She looked at it.” David held his forearm firm to his stomach, and rested the back of his head against the stack of pillows.

  Russell sighed, pushed away from the edge of the bed, then rubbed the back of his head. He turned toward the bathroom near the entrance, then paced the length of the hospital room with both hands fixed on his hips.

  “I bet it was that damn Spencer guy who attacked you and Sarah. She told me not to worry about it, and that she’d handle him.” Russell paused, ran his hand over his face in frustration and worry, and shook his head. “I should’ve pressed the matter a bit more. It was stupid not to.”

  “You’re not the only one beating themselves up at the moment,” David said, grimacing and clutching his midsection tighter. “I let Sarah and you down by not protecting her like I should’ve. I wish I could’ve gotten a better look at the guy’s face, but Mandy’s apartment was rather dark, and after he bashed the back of my skull, it made it hard to see or even think straight. I’m sorry, brother.”

  Russell looked away from the light beaming through the blinds, and back to David. “Don’t be sorry. You have nothing to apologize for. I’m glad you were with her. It could’ve been worse if you hadn’t been.”

  David shrugged. “I guess. Not sure how it could be much worse considering she’s missing now and with the city in the throes of anarchy and the power being out, it’s just adding fuel to the flames.”

  The chatter and activity beyond David’s room grew louder. Russell watched the door and listened for a moment, then strolled to the foot of his bed.

  “We’ll find her. You just worry about healing up and getting better.” Russell looked at the door, then back to David. “I probably should go. I’m not supposed to be in here.”

  “What are you going to do?” David asked with a raised brow. “Make sure it’s nothing stupid and that Tim keeps you inline and away from the alcohol. You know how you get when you’re stressed out and on edge.”

  Russell tilted his head forward, thinking of his good friend Tim and how he perished in their plane crash in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He didn’t want or have the time to sift through the painful events of the past few days. Instead, Russell agreed with simple nod. “I’m going to look for Sarah and don’t worry, I’m leaving all of the stupid here with you.”

  David smirked through the pain painted on his face. He gave Russell the finger and coughed.

  Russell patted the top of his foot and headed for the door. He reached for the silver handle and wrapped his fingers over it.

  “You know, she still loves you,” David said, offering one last word before he left. “I don’t think it’s too late for things to work out.”

  Russell lowered his head, then glanced back to him. “Hopefully not. I guess we’ll find out.”

  “Watch your back out there, brother,” David said.

  “Will do. Get better.”

  David nodded, then gave a thumbs up.

  Russell cracked open the hospital room door, and peered out into the hallway. He looked either way down the long stretch of corridor for any nurses or officers looking his way, then slipped out of the room.

  The door closed behind Russell, and the latch clicked. He made his way back down the hall toward the stairwell.

  The entrance to the stairwell door opened. Frank and another officer emerged from around the jamb, and walked out into the hallway.

  Russell lowered his head, turned, and faced the wall as the two cops strolled down the corridor toward him. He tilted his head to the side and watched Frank and his shorter, stockier friend converse as they walked by. Neither cop gave him a second look. Their attention focused straight ahead at the three doctors and nurses heading straight for them.

  Russell advanced toward the entrance to the stairwell. He pushed his way through the door, and raced down the stairs to the landing. His mind swam in deep waters, trying to sift through everything David had told him.

  Sarah’s situation sounded grim, and did little to ease his already frayed nerves. The panic and worry that had plagued Russell since the power crashed and the world spun into utter chaos only built with each passing day. The news David had relayed only added to it.

  Russell hit the bottom floor, and emerged to the disarray of the hospital lobby. He pushed his way through the sea of bodies shuffling through the corridor and around the large counter near the open sliding glass doors.

  The two cops from before stood at the ready on either side, pointing and speaking in raised voices at the people moving in and out of the hospital. Russell moved around the slower, ambling folks in front of him and jogged through the parking lot to where Clyde and Max waited next to the Silverado.

  The German shepherd barked and stood. His tail wagged with excitement. His pink tongue danced around his mouth as he inched forward.

  Clyde tugged on his collar, keeping him next to his legs. “Well? Are they able to see Cathy?”

  Russell slowed to a walk and nodded. “Yeah. They admitted her. Amber is staying with her.”

  Max wrestled free of Clyde’s hand. He inched his way to Russell and sniffed around his boots.

  “What are we doing with the big man here?” Clyde asked, pointing at Max.

  Russell rubbed the top of the canine’s head, then under his snout. “He’s coming with us. Cathy asked that we keep an eye on him while they’re here. There’s no way he could go inside. That place is a mad house.”

  Clyde craned his neck and looked at the entrance of the hospital. “That it is. Those two cops by the sliding doors have had their work cut out for them. A few guys got into a heated argument earlier, and a fight broke out. Crazy stuff.”

  “It is that for sure.” Russell patted Max’s side. “I spoke to a good buddy of mine inside that’s on the police force.”

  “Oh yeah?” Clyde lifted his brow. “What did he have to say?”

  Russell took a deep breath. “A lot, actually. He’s seen Sarah since all this went down.”

  Clyde’s face lit up. A hopeful grin formed. “That’s great. Where at?”

  “Well, it’s not all great,” Russell answered in a worried tone.

  “Uh oh. That doesn’t sound good.” Clyde’s wide smile changed to a frown. “What happened?”

  Russell shrugged. “I’m not sure, but from what my buddy told me, she might be in trouble.”

  Clyde chewed his bottom lip, and placed both hands on his hips. “Then we need to find her fast. Come on. Let’s get going.”

  Russell snapped his fingers at Max, then pointed at the back-passenger-side door. “Let’s go, big man.”

  Clyde ran around the bed to the driver’s side of the truck, and Russell skirted past the back end of the Suburban and opened the door.

  Max leapt up into the cab, walked across the leather bench seat, and plopped down on his haunches. His tongue dangled from his maw while staring at Clyde who scaled the side of his truck and settled into the driver’s seat.

  Russell closed the door, opened his, then climbed inside the cab. He slammed it shut, grabbed the seat belt, and secured it across his body.

  Clyde dug the keys from the front pocket of his jeans, then slipped them into the ignition. He started the truck and shifted into reverse, but didn’t take his foot off the brake.

  “Where are we heading to first?” he asked, peering over at Russell.

  “I think we should hit up Mandy’s place first,” Russell replied, rubbing his chin. “See if we can find any clues or anything else to weed out this mess. We’ll see after that on where to go next. Probabl
y head back to my buddy Tim’s place.”

  Clyde removed his foot from the brake and coasted out into the parking lot. He stopped, shifted into drive, and drove toward the exit that cut under the parking garage next to the hospital. “Hey. We’re going to find her, all right? She’s going to be okay.”

  Russell stared long and hard out of the windshield at the vehicles and people puttering along in the parking garage. “I hope you’re right, because if she isn’t, there’s going to be hell to pay. I can promise you that.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  SARAH

  Her one chance to escape the Creeper ended in disaster.

  The familiar back seat of the vehicle Spencer had stolen hugged Sarah’s battered and beaten frame. The gentle rock of the car moving swayed her back and forth. The side of her head pressed to the rigid surface of the leather. A dull, throbbing pain pulsated deep in the back of her skull, among other various portions of her body that swelled with discomfort.

  Sarah peered at the back of the driver’s seat. Her lids cracked open halfway. The familiar haze coating both sockets blurred the Creeper settled behind the steering wheel.

  She moved her arms a bit, then stretched her legs that sat bent at an uncomfortable angle. The soles of both shoes pushed against the inside of the door, keeping her from extending her legs. The gunshot wound in her side throbbed, refusing to let her be.

  A moan sounded from Sarah’s parted lips. She lifted her arm into the air, only to find that both wrists had been bound with a long strand of thick, coarse rope. The material cut into her flesh. The painful sting only added to the mound of suffering.

  “What the…” Sarah said in a weak and frightened tone. She blinked twice, then opened her eyes as wide as they’d go. “Why are my wrists tied together?”

  Spencer glanced back at her with an emotionless gaze. He offered no caring expression or look of concern in that fearful moment. “I believe you know why, Sarah. Because of your foolhardy attempt earlier at trying to escape through the woods, I have had to resort to such measures to ensure your safety and care. It’s for your own good.”

  Sarah tugged on the rope harder, trying to slip free of the knot. The rope bit at her sensitive, red skin. The searing pain made her stop.

  “The rope is too tight,” Sarah said, showing him the redness of her flesh around the wrists. “It’s hurting my wrists and arms.”

  “It’s good where it is.” Spencer glanced at the road ahead, then to the thick strand of rope. “I can’t have you getting loose again and trying something reckless that could get you or me killed. I gave you a chance earlier at the rest stop to do the right thing, and you broke that trust. From now on, you will be kept on a tight leash. No slack will be afforded to you. Not until it’s fully earned.”

  Sarah wrenched her arms in opposite directions. The motion caused both shoulders to ache. The muscles in her lower back seized.

  “Untie me now,” Sarah said, cringing through the waves of agony that washed over her. Tears seeped from the sides of her eyes. She jerked at the rope more, hoping to loosen the taut knot, and give her skin a reprieve from the aching and burning.

  Spencer glanced at the road, unmoved by the tears flowing from her. He reached for the dash and messed with the controls.

  Sarah couldn’t see what he was doing, but felt the temperature inside the vehicle get colder. A low crackle loomed from the speakers mounted inside the doors and behind the seat. White static filled the car as he thumbed through radio stations.

  “Don’t ignore me, Spencer!” Sarah slammed her foot of the uninjured leg against the door. “Take this rope off of me now.”

  “If you don’t stop your shouting and carrying on, I’ll be forced to shut you up,” Spencer replied while watching the road. “The back seat is a lot better than being tossed in the trunk. If you’d like to experience it back there, then I can arrange that, although, I’d rather not do that. So, please, do not force my hand.”

  Sarah stopped banging her foot against the door and tugging on the rope. Her arms dropped to the seat in defeat. More tears spilt from her red, irritated eyes to the leather she rested on.

  The whimper leaving her trembling lips grew louder. Her vision blurred once more from the mixture of emotions and pain. Despite how much she wanted to scream and beg for help, all attempts now seemed futile at best.

  “How is your pain level, on a scale from one to ten?” Spencer asked, calm and collected. “You took a rather ugly tumble down those steps back in that abandoned building. Coupled with the gunshot and the scratches on your lower legs from the coyotes, I imagine you’re hurting rather bad.”

  Sarah took a deep breath and regained her composure as best she could. The discomfort pulsating through her body seemed endless and vast.

  “I don’t know,” Sarah replied in a lifeless mutter. “An eight. Nine, maybe. Does it really matter? I don’t think you’d care either way.”

  Spencer nodded. “It does. I’ve been on the lookout for a place to stop that might have some pain meds and other medical supplies, so I can properly dress that wound on your thigh and the other cuts and bumps you have. Again, Sarah, I’m only trying to help here, but you have to let me. Fighting me at every step and turn is only making things harder for both you and me.”

  Sarah lifted her arms, showing him the raw skin around her wrists. “You have a funny way of wanting to help me. Case in point.”

  “And you are being rather ungrateful,” Spencer shot back. “Perhaps you should take a moment, and really think of what all I’ve done for you here. If it wasn’t for me, you’d be in the clutches of Kinnerk or Bryce’s crew heading to Valintino.”

  “Yeah, well, you’re also a major part of the reason I’m in this mess and why my life has taken its awful turn over this past year.” Sarah rested her arms on the seat. “But I guess that little nugget doesn’t really matter. If you wanted to really help, you shouldn’t have aided them in the killing of my daughter.”

  Spencer focused on the road. He spun the steering wheel, then pumped the brake. His gloved hand pointed out of the windshield as the car rolled over a slight dip in the road. “I think I found a place that I can check out for any pain meds and other essentials before we continue on.”

  The crunching of gravel sounded from outside the car.

  Sarah looked to the side window, trying to see where they were. She blinked twice to clear the haze away from her vision. A cloudless sky filled her gaze along with a snippet of greenery from the tree’s canopy that dangled below the top of the window.

  The car rolled to a gentle stop. Spencer shifted into park, then looked out of the windshield. He killed the engine, nodded, then peered to the back seat. “Yeah. I think this will do.”

  “Where are we?” Sarah asked, struggling to sit up. Her sore muscles and aching bones made it challenging.

  “A convenience store in some back woods town off the highway,” Spencer answered. “I’m going to run inside, and see what I can gather up. You’re not going to try anything else, are you?”

  Sarah shook her head. “No.”

  “Good. I’d like to avoid having to restrict your movement any further,” Spencer said. “And just to let you know, there is no one around here. So, screaming or calling for help will do little good. Actually, on second thought…” Spencer opened the driver’s side door. He stepped out and moved to the back seat.

  Sarah scooted away on her side as he opened her door. Both arms lifted in the air, fingers balled into tight fists in front of her.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “Just ensuring your compliance while I’m inside,” Spencer answered, reaching to the floorboard behind the driver’s seat. He retrieved another long strand of rope and grabbed her ankles. “I’ll remove this once I’m back.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” Sarah protested. “I’m not going to try anything else. Look at me. Do I look like I’m going to be able to run far?”

  “It’s either the rope or
the trunk. You pick.”

  Sarah wasted little time mulling it over. She had no desire to be stuffed in the trunk. “The rope is fine.”

  Spencer grabbed her shoes and wrapped the rope around her ankles. He gave it a good pull, securing the knot. He reached for her wrists and tied another knot, connecting the two together.

  “There. That should do it.” He reached in his back pocket and pulled a black rag out.

  “That won’t be necessary,” Sarah said, eyeing the cloth rag clutched in his fist. “I already told you I’d comply. I won’t make a single sound. I promise.”

  Spencer unfolded the rag and smoothed it out. He leaned further into the car and slipped it around her mouth, then tied it off at the back of her head. “This is only temporary. I’d like to trust your word, but, well, you’ve proven to be a cunning liar. This is just to make sure you stay silent.”

  Sarah tried to speak through the gag, but it muffled her venomous words. She squinted at the Creeper and moved her jaw up and down, trying to rid her face of the intrusive rag.

  “I’d take these moments to think, and decide how you want things to go on from here,” Spencer said, touching her leg. “This doesn’t have to be a bad or hard thing on either of us. I’m committed to doing what is necessary to making this work. I hope you’ll come to your senses, and stop all of this fighting me. It won’t do you any good.”

  Sarah yelled through the gag, and pulled at her arms.

  Spencer ducked out of the car, and slammed the door closed. The locks engaged, sealing her inside the silent space.

  The rag cut into the sides of her mouth. She chewed on the material–saliva soaking the fabric.

  Sarah moved her head around and worked the bottom of her jaw up and down to try and loosen the rag. She continued pulling her arms with the hopes that the knot would unravel, but it wouldn’t give.