Seeking Safety

by Karen Ward

  Barry proceeds to tell Jason about Ringo finding the boy and his mother on the logging road along the back of the property. He explains about bringing them to the house and giving them food. Then he asks Jason if he knows what the boy meant about a compound in Idaho.

  "Oh man, Idaho is where all of those anti-government groups have their compounds. You know the quasi-military groups. He could be talking about one of them. They're some bad dudes, Barry. Be very careful. We'll help you any way we can."

  After he hangs up with Jason, Barry places another call. A call to a friend he hasn't seen but one other time in the six years since he retired from the Marines. Scoot, Dylan Drake, is the head of Drake Security which is composed of the four former Marines that served for eight years with Barry. He tells Scoot of his dilemma and Scoot assures him they are on their way.

  Then Barry sits down in his favorite chair and thinks about the woman. She is very beautiful with long, dark blonde hair falling in waves around her shoulders. Her skin is creamy and unblemished except for the fading bruises. It doesn't show any signs she had been wearing makeup. Her eyes are green with long naturally dark lashes. She is of average height, but her face appears to be thin. He couldn't judge the particulars of her figure because of the shapeless clothes she is wearing. The calluses on her hands indicate that she is use to hard physical work. From what he has heard, those militia groups live in very primitive conditions. The calluses seem to confirm Jason's assumption she and the boy came from one of their compounds. She is obviously hurting since she grimaces every time she moves. She must have broken ribs or something. Eric's father probably beat her and that's why they are running from him. He wonders again about the boy's black eyes and why he pulled away from his touch earlier. Maybe the creep even beat the boy.

  About three o'clock in the morning, Barry hears the woman moaning and mumbling in her sleep. He walks into the room and over to the bed. When he touches her forehead he realizes she is once again burning up with fever. The boy is lying beside her wide awake and obviously scared. Barry signals to him to come back out into the great room. He makes him a bed on the sofa and tells him to go back to sleep. He then goes to the kitchen and gets more ibuprofen and a glass of water. He carries them into the bedroom and rouses the woman enough to swallow the pills. After a while, she settles back into a deep sleep.

  Barry goes back into the great room, leans back in his favorite chair and drifts into sleep, his sidearm on his belt and Ringo at his feet.

  ******

  Darren Calloway shakes his head in disgust. This damn snow! He can't see three feet in front of the truck. Well, he has no choice but to stay in this roadside park overnight and make his way down that logging road after daylight. That stupid bitch isn't going to get far in the deep snow on that unplowed road and this storm is only going to make it worse. After checking the GPS on his cell phone he laughs. Yep, it is showing that the car is stopped. He'll get them tomorrow. That is, if they don't freeze to death overnight. The heater in that car she is driving hasn't worked in years.

  Grinning at the thought of Melanie as an icicle, he calls Steve Simpson, his second in command at the compound on his cell phone. He updates him on his search for Melanie and tells him he expects to have them back in his possession by early tomorrow. He asks him the status of things at the compound. Steve assures him everything is fine. Then Calloway says,

  "Steve, listen, if for some reason, something happens and I don't make it back, look in the locked metal box in the safe. I have instructions inside that will tell you everything you need to know going forward. The key is hanging on the wall by the door in my cabin. I'll call you again after I have Melanie and Eric and we are headed back to Idaho."

  Steve replies, "Sure thing, Darren. Don't worry about anything. I'll make sure your instructions are followed to the letter."

  Darren smiles as he disconnects the call. He is confident Steve will take care of everything at the compound. All he has to do is concentrate on getting Melanie and Eric back.

  Leaning the seat back in his pickup he lets his imagination conjure up the scenario of what he's going to do when he catches Melanie. First he will tie her up and take her back to the compound. He visualizes in his mind tying her to the bed in the cabin just like he did the first night he brought her to the compound ten years ago. Then he visualizes using the biggest, most intimidating knife he can find and slowly cutting the clothes from her body piece by piece. He might even let that knife slip a time of two.

  He remembers James Bixby telling him a story about how he intimidated Jasmine when he first kidnapped her. He used his knife to carve a shallow line around both her breasts. Maybe he'll try that. He can see the fear on Melanie's face and his heart starts pounding with anticipation.

  Then, he visualizes raping her, again and again. He pictures the fear and pain on her face as he is pounding in and out of her. His imagination is so vivid he feels the rush of adrenaline in his veins. Yeah! He can't wait! He feels himself growing hard just thinking about raping her and he places his hand inside his pants in order to relieve his discomfort.

  ******

  When I slowly come awake in the luxuriously soft bed, I am confused about where I am. I open my eyes and look around the spacious room lit by the light coming from an adjoining bathroom. The walls of the room are painted a pale green. A dark green comforter covers the king size bed where I am lying. The drapes on the wall have a white background and a dark green abstract design. In the corner is a dark green leather chair with a matching ottoman. An afghan in various shades of green is lying across the arm of the chair. The bed and dresser are made of a dark wood maybe pine. They look very heavy and very expensive. This room is beautiful! Where am I? How did I get here?

  I try to remember the past few days. My memory is fuzzy, probably because of the pain and fever I have been suffering from my ribs. I place my hand to my side and press lightly. Yes, I am sure some of my ribs are broken.

  I finally remember that Eric and I are trying to escape from the compound and Darren because he had beaten the boy. Tears cloud my eyes as I remember Eric's black eyes, swollen nose, and bloody back. They were driving down that really narrow logging road with all of the deep ruts. I remember the car sliding into the deep hole and I couldn't get it out. I remember hugging Eric and apologizing to him for failing in our quest to escape from Darren. Then I remember the really good looking blonde man coming to rescue us. He invited us into his home out of the cold and fed us that delicious stew. This must be his house!

  I glance at the other side of the bed and don't see Eric and panic washes over me in waves. Where are they? Where is Eric? Oh God! I've got to find him! My heart is pounding with fear. I jump out of the bed and immediately double over from the pain in my ribs. I take a minute to get the pain under control and then as quickly as I can make my way out into the great room where I see Eric asleep on the sofa. The blonde man, Barry, is sitting in a chair by the fireplace sipping from a mug. I take a calming breath as relief flows through my veins and my heart slows to a more normal pace. Thank God! Eric is safe.

  CHAPTER 4

  Barry is up before dawn the next morning. He makes a pot of strong coffee and prepares warm homemade cinnamon rolls his Mom had stored in the freezer. He grabs one for his breakfast and leaves the remainder in the warmer on the counter in the kitchen. He is sitting in his favorite chair in the great room sipping on a steaming mug of strong coffee and thinking about the situation when the woman runs into the room frantically looking around. She spots Eric on the sofa, sighs with relief and asks, "Is that coffee I smell?"

  "Sure, help yourself. It's in the kitchen along with some cinnamon rolls." Barry answers. He is struck again by how beautiful this woman is, yet she doesn't seem to realize it. It's not the made up beauty that is so common in Hollywood either. It is true natural beauty. With her sleep ruffled hair falling in waves around her shoulders she is really quite a vision to behold.

  I look around my surroundings as I make
my way to the kitchen. This is truly a magnificent place. I see two more bedrooms besides the one where Eric and I slept and a hallway leading to a huge indoor swimming pool. I see stairs leading to a second floor. This man, Barry, must be very wealthy. He is also very good looking with his blonde hair, sexy deep blue eyes, and extremely muscular body. I wish my life was different but I gave up that choice the day I ran away from home. A deep sadness flows through me. The way my life is now I can't even think about how cute a guy is. My only concern has to be getting Eric to safety.

  When I return to the great room sipping on a mug of strong, hot coffee and nibbling on a cinnamon roll, Barry says, "You look a little better this morning. Do you have any fever? The ibuprofen is on the counter in the kitchen. I have some ace wraps if you want to wrap your ribs. I couldn't help but notice they seem to be hurting you."

  "I saw the ibuprofen, thank you. I appreciate the offer but I don't think I need the ace wraps. I'm really all right, Barry? Isn't that what you told us your name is? I want to thank you for your kindness last night. You were right. I needed a good night's rest and some good food. I feel much better now. Eric and I will head out this morning."

  Barry says hesitantly, "Well, I think we need to talk about that. Your car is buried under at least a foot of new snow and that road you were on is going to be completely impassable for several days. Your car's certainly not going anywhere today. I'm not sure what you're running from but you know you can't keep running forever. I'll do everything I can to help you, but I need to know what we're facing."

  I shake my head and say dejectedly, "Nobody can help me, it's much too late. I only care about Eric. I want him to have a better life than rotting away in that compound with those maniacs. I've got to get him as far away as I can and find someone to raise him, someone who will take care of him and never let him go back to that horrible place."

  "Where do you want to go? I can take you anywhere you choose," offers Barry.

  "No, I can't let anyone else get involved. It's too dangerous. Our being here now is going to put you in grave danger." I notice for the first time he has a military issue sidearm attached to his belt and a frission of alarm slides down my spine.

  At the sound of the doorbell ringing I jump and stare at Barry panicked. Oh my God! It is barely daylight! Who would be visiting at this time of day? It's got to be Darren! My heart starts pounding with fear and I look around frantically for someplace to hide.

  Barry encourages her, "Go into the bedroom and shut the door. I'll handle it." He hurriedly picks up Eric from the sofa and carries him into the bedroom closing the door behind him.

  Barry draws his weapon and looks through the frosted panes of the front door seeing four shadowy figures standing on the porch. He flips on the porch light and slowly opens the front door and is surprised to see his former Marine buddies dressed in fatigues standing on the porch armed to the hilt.

  "Hey Farrie, don't shoot!" teases the tall one called Scoot. He raises his arms and a broad grin slides across his face. "You look surprised to see us," he adds sounding a little confused.

  A relieved smile slides across Barry's face, "It is so great to see you guys! I just wasn't expecting you this early! Come in!" After a round of back slaps and manly hugs the group walks into the great room. "You'll find coffee and cinnamon rolls in the kitchen if you're hungry."

  "Nice digs, Farrie, it looks like the movie star thing sits well on you," says the short one they call Stump. The rest of the group is composed of a tall, skinny guy they call Goose, and a redhead called Pinky. Barry was a sniper along with Pinky back when the five of them served together in the Marine Corp. Goose served as their medic and Stump was the muscle. Scoot is their team leader.

  Barry blushes, nods in agreement, smiles, and says, "You guys get comfortable while I go fetch my guests."

  About that time Barry's Mom, Virginia comes down the stairs with a surprised smile on her face. "Oh my goodness, look who is here! I haven't seen you boys in ages!" She makes the rounds speaking to each of the men and giving them a warm hug. "I was just telling Barrett last night how I wished you were still part of his life and now you're here! It is so good to see you!"

  Barry re-enters the room with the woman and her son in tow. He explains, "Ma'am, these guys are my friends. We all served together in the Marine Corp. We call the tall one Scoot, the short one is Stump, Pinky is the redhead, and Goose is the skinny one. We want to help you. Please tell us how we can help."

  I am terrified as I survey the group of men dressed in fatigues and armed to the hilt, and I mumble without thinking, "Oh God, what have I done? I have gone from one group of madmen into the clutches of another!" I clasp Eric to my side shaking in fear.

  Eric calmly says, "I don't think so Mom. These guys are real Marines. Look at their insignias. I think they really want to help us. Please Mom, at least listen to them."

  Scoot speaks up, "Yes, Ma'am. We are the real thing and we're sworn to serve and protect. If you are in danger, we will protect you with our lives. We're very good at what we do. The four of us make up Drake Security and we do intelligence work and special operations for the government and the military. Now, can you tell us which militia group Eric's father is associated with?"

  Overwhelmed by what the men are saying, I shake my head, "I don't know." My heart is pounding with fear. Can I trust these men or are they just like those men at the compound? Oh God, help us!

  Barry touches my shoulder and I jump, "You can't keep running forever. You'll never be free if you do and you can't handle this by yourself. My friends deal with these quasi-military groups all the time. They know what they are up against and how to handle them. Trust us, please."

  Eric pleads, "Please Mom, trust them!"

  I look down at my son and see his pleading face and take a deep calming breath. "Well, all right," I say shakily as I look around the group of armed men. Finally, I sit on the edge of the sofa, careful to keep from hurting my ribs. Please God, I pray this is the right decision and that you will protect Eric and me.

  I brush my hair back from my face and cautiously take another deep breath before I begin my story, "When I was fifteen I ran away from home, from Seattle. A decision I sorely regret. I was picked up while I was hitchhiking by a man that drugged me and took me to the compound in Idaho. I have been held prisoner at the compound ever since. My name is Melanie Brentwood. I had Eric when I was sixteen. I'm twenty-five now. The man that picked me up along the highway that day and Eric's father is named Darren Calloway. He is one of the leaders of the militia group. I'm not sure what they are called."

  Scoot interrupts, "Yeah, we are familiar with Calloway."

  Barry looks at his Mom, "Would you take Eric out to the kitchen and feed him some breakfast Mom?"

  "Sure, come on Eric," says Virginia as she leads Eric into the kitchen. Poor Melanie! She has read about those quasi military groups. Those men are crazy! How did she survive being kidnapped by such a cruel man? From what she has read life in one of those places if very primitive, usually without electricity or running water. How did she stand living in such primitive conditions? This poor child, how sad it must be to be raised in one of those horrible places by a bunch of crazy men.

  After they have left the room, I continue my story. "Four days ago I got the opportunity to escape from the compound with Eric and I took it. Darren is going to be furious with me. If he catches us, he will kill me. I understand that, but I want Eric to have an opportunity to live a normal life," Tears fill my eyes.

  "Can you tell us what happened that made you decide to risk leaving?" asks Scoot.

  Nodding my head, I continue, "Darren was drinking heavily that night. When he came back to our cabin he was roaring drunk and furious about something. I don't know what made him mad. As usual, he started knocking me around, hitting and kicking me. I'm sure you can still see the bruises." I wave my hand in front of my face and neck. "Eric tried to step between us and Darren turned on him. It's the first time he ever hit E
ric in anger. He socked him in the nose then beat him with a belt. I couldn't stop him!" Tears are streaming down my face and I brush them off my cheeks. Barry hands me a clean handkerchief and I nod my thanks. "He kept hitting Eric over and over with a belt across his back. Oh God, I couldn't stop him." I am sobbing openly now.

  Barry understands now why Eric pulled away from his touch last night. The boy probably has bruises on his back.

  Pinky says, "Melanie, since you have lived with those guys at the compound for all these years, you can be a great resource to us, if you're willing. We have been trying to break up this particular group for years. Will you help us?"

  "I don't know what I can do. I was never involved in any of the meetings or anything. They are very careful to make sure the women don't know anything."

  "You know things like the layout of the compound and where everyone lives, what times they eat, change guards, where they shower and when. You know all types of regular routines that they practice. Information like that will be a tremendous help to us," adds Pinky. "And once all this is over, we'll make sure you have a new identity and a new home where you will be safe."

  I nod, "I don't think I have any choice now. I'll help if I can." Please God, don't let this be a mistake. Please God, keep Eric safe!

  Scoot says, "All right, guys, let's get busy. We have a job to do."

  The four members of the Drake Security team leave to check out the security weaknesses in and around the house and to make plans for the coming confrontation with Darren Calloway.

  CHAPTER 5

  After the men leave, Virginia and Eric come back to the great room where Barry and I are sitting on the sofa quietly talking. Barry is assuring me that I made the right decision in trusting the members of the Drake Security team. Eric sits down on the sofa next to me and places his arms around my waist.

  "You did the right thing Mom. These men are right. We can't keep running. I want someone to fight for you, Mom." He wipes tears from his eyes. "I don't want him to hurt you anymore," he says as tears stream down his face.