by Leah Holt
“Fuck, no, no, no.” Whispering, she yanked on the wheel, using all her strength to get us onto the side of the road. “This is not happening, not here. I do not need this shit right now.”
The tires kicked up pebbles, the small debris clanged around inside the wheel-well, popping off the metal like rock candy on your tongue. Rolling to a stop, we both sat quietly, staring off into the vast space of complete solitude.
Flickering briefly, the lights stayed on for another few seconds, only to snap off in one finalizing blink. The world outside the car dimmed with the lights, turning black, the only glow coming down from the faint light of the moon.
The trees sparkled in moon dust, the tiny grains of sand on the road glittered from the dull bulb in the sky. And we were stranded, stuck on a dirt road with no one around for miles.
Turning the key, she made a quiet whisper to herself as she tried to start the car again. But it didn't make a sound; no turnover, no searing twinge of metal, nothing.
Sara slammed the top of the dashboard, then threw her hands into her hair. “Fuck! What the hell! Stupid piece of shit car.” Kicking her foot, she laid into the plastic under the dash.
“What are we going to do now?” Setting my elbow on the edge of the door, I rested my head in my hand.
“Call for a tow truck, what else can we do?” Digging into her purse, she pulled out her phone. “Shit, no service.” Slamming it against her palm, she asked, “Does your phone have service?”
Holding it up, I pressed the button. “Nope, nothing.”
“Well, looks like we're walking until we either find civilization or get some bars on the phones.” Throwing her door open, she looked at me over her shoulder. “You coming?”
“Yeah, I'm coming.” Stepping into the sand, I dug my heels in and climbed out.
Giving the front of her car one last kick, Sara grunted in anger. “You're going to the junk yard when I get you back, how do you like that?”
“Are you really threatening your car?”
Lifting a brow, she smirked. “It makes me feel better.”
Looking up and down the road, I held my arms out. “Which way do we go? Back the way we came?”
Twisting her head, she looked both ways. “I don't know, what do you think?”
I wasn't sure which way to go. We had been driving down this dirt road for a really long time, I wasn't sure if we were only a couple miles from a town in the direction we were headed, or if back tracking was the better option.
“Fuck if I know.”
“Alright.” Sara started to spin in a circle, her body rotated over and over again as she closed her eyes tight and held her hand out.
I stood there watching her, wondering what the hell was really in that joint she smoked. “What is that? What are you doing?”
“I'm playing Russian Roulette with the road.” Spinning for a few more seconds, she wobbled on her feet as she stopped, her hand pointing in the direction we were going to begin with. “That way it is.”
“Huh, I guess that works.”
“Sure as fuck it works, we're out in the middle of nowhere, either way we go, we're walking for miles.” Her feet started forward, still slightly unsteady and shaky from her suicide twirls.
The road was dark, the woods around us creaked and cracked as the wind picked up and rocked the massive branches side to side.
The arches of my feet were aching, the pain stabbing up and cramping my calves. “Anything yet?” I asked as I held my phone to the sky. “I got nothing.”
Squinting her eyes as the bright light hit her face, she shook her head. “No, nothing here too. Damn it! What, is there never a satellite that goes over this place?”
Everything was so quiet, despite the whistle of wind and rustle of trees. There were no animals making any sounds, no engines roaring. We really were literally in the middle of nowhere, just two lost girls among a sea of leaves.
“I can't keep walking, my feet are killing me.”
As if the heavens above heard my cry for help, a set of headlights crested the hill in the distance. The vehicle dipped and disappeared behind the blackened roadway, the headlights bounced and rocked following the curves and bumps of the uneven dirt.
“Oh thank God,” Sara said as she let out a heavy sigh and slowed her feet. “Let's just stop here and wait for them, I don't want to keep walking.”
Both of us stood off to the side, lighting up the flashlights on our phones and waving them in the air. As the headlights burst against the sheet of night, we both flailed our arms over our heads.
“Stop! Hey, Stop!” Sara yelled as she jumped up and down, then stepped out and fanned her arms in the air, mimicking one of those wacky inflatable guys you see outside a car dealership.
Laughing, I covered my mouth with my phone. “That's attractive.”
“It's all about getting noticed, I don't give a damn what I look like.”
A large truck slowed to a stop, the engine rumbling as the muffler purred with a loud growl. It sat idling, no one moving around inside, no other sounds but the drowning roar of exhaust.
My nerves began to swim around inside, crawling up my arms and forcing my skin to bristle. The truck looked old, rot had started to eat away over the back tires, paint was flaking off in chunks, spotting it like a disease.
The driver's side window rolled down as a man leaned his head out with a gentle smile. “You ladies alright? Need some help?” His teeth shone bright white behind the darkness, his eyes soft and holding a hint of concern.
“Yeah, we definitely need help. My car broke down a ways back, can you give us a lift to the nearest town so we can call for a tow?” Sara pointed in the direction of her vehicle, taking a step in towards the stranger.
Glancing to his right, he spoke in a low voice to a passenger who was hidden behind him. “We can do that, hop on in.” Slapping the side of his door, he gave us another big smile.
“Oh, thank you, thank you so much.” Sara skipped to the door, tearing it open and climbing inside. But I stayed in place, fiddling with my hands. “Come on, Vera, get in.”
“Are you sure?” Twining my fingers around the strap of my purse, I nervously picked at the leather. “I mean, we could walk if it's not much further.”
“Sweetheart, don't worry, there's a little store a few miles back, I'll drop you off there.”
I wasn't sure why I was so uncomfortable with the idea of getting in. I should have been happy that someone even stumbled upon us, we were walking forever and had no clue where we were going. But that inner voice, that tiny little chirp was speaking up, holding me still.
It was that lesson you're taught since a small child, the one each and every parent ingrains into the brain of their kids so they never get abducted.
You don't get into a car with a stranger.
But I wasn't a child anymore and this was a much different situation. We had waved them down, they hadn't pulled over themselves to try and hand us candy or coerce us into the truck.
Climbing in, I pulled the door closed, buckling the seat belt and observing the men in the front. The driver was a bald man with a thick beard, tattoos painted his arms from top to bottom, his eyes were sunken in with heavy bags puffing up underneath.
The passenger was a little younger looking, his hair was longer, thin, dark brown strands dangled above his shoulders, gently brushing the shirt. I couldn't really see his eyes or any distinguishing tattoos or features.
But both men gave me the creeps. I couldn't understand why, but my heart began to race anxiously, my lungs became heavy and saturated. “How far to the store?”
“It's a little ways back, not too far.” Pulling the shifter down, he pressed the gas pedal and turned the wheel hard, pulling a u-turn in the middle of the road.
Gripping the edge of the seat, my body rocked to the side, hitting the door with a hard shoulder. I wasn't sure why I felt so awkward and nervous about being in that truck, but I did. I felt so uncomfortable, forcing myself to kee
p a false smile on my face.
Sara looked out her window, appearing to not have a care or concern in the world. But that's why we clicked so well. I was the voice of reason, she was the voice of trouble.
We balanced each other nicely. But right then, neither one of us had the control, we were trapped in the belly of a monster we didn't see coming.
We were naive, I can admit that. It was one of the faults and glories about being young. The world was full of good, no one would ever harm us because that shit didn't happen in our small space of existence.
I was wrong.
The passenger twisted in his seat, lifting his arm into the back and holding out a bottle of water. “You girls thirsty?”
Sara flicked her head in his direction, snatching the bottle from his hand. “That depends, is this really water or vodka in disguise?”
“Sara!” I spat, my mouth hanging open, eyes trying to get her to focus on me.
“It's just water, go on you can share it. I don't have anymore, but you guys look like you need it.”
Unscrewing the cap, Sara held the edge to her lips as she spoke. “Hell ya, we've been walking for almost two hours.” Passing it to me, she swallowed the giant gulp.
“I don't—”
“Vera, it's fine, it's just water, not vodka.” Nudging it towards me, she whispered. “These guys are doing us a favor, don't be rude.”
Through slit lids, I eyed the man who gave us the bottle. He sat with a normal smile on his face, no devious expression was there.
But there was something about his eyes, something that didn't sit well with me. They were onyx black, glinting with a yellow shimmer from the dash lights, forcing my muscles to tense. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and shook off the uneasy feeling.
She's right, I'm just being crazy.
Taking a large gulp from the bottle, I passed it back. We both definitely needed it, I hadn't realized how thirsty I really was or how dry my tongue felt until I took my first sip.
“Here, you can finish the rest, I'm good.”
Taking the bottle from Sara, there was still a good amount inside. So I finished it, allowing myself to accept the generosity of these two men. After quenching my thirst, I actually started to feel better, a lot more relaxed.
My body felt warmer as a tiny flame heated the inside of my belly and my arms and legs began to tingle, but only slightly. It wasn't enough to raise a red flag or make me question anything.
“Thank you,” I said, replacing the cap and setting the empty bottle between my thighs.
The driver spoke, his eyes lighting up in the rearview mirror as he looked back at me. “No problem. I'm Glenn and this is Dev.”
Dev nodded his head at us with a gleam in his eye. “I wish I had more for you ladies, but hopefully that did the trick.”
“It was fine, thanks,” Sara said, giving me an elbow and rolling her eyes. “Are we getting close?”
“Not much further.” Glenn's eyes danced between his mirrors as he adjusted himself in his seat. “You girls can just sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Pressing my face into the window, I could see a faint glow lighting up the sky. “Is that it up there?”
“Uh, yeah, it's coming up.” Dev looked back at me as he slipped his hand through between the seats, and started gently stroking my thigh.
My stomach clenched as my breath began to slow down. His hand was on me and I didn't want it there, I didn't want this man touching me at all. Moving my leg away from him, I pushed closer into the door, crinkling the bottle between my thighs.
Don't fucking touch me!
I wanted to yell at him, but I held it in. I didn't know him, I didn't know what he was capable of, so in the moment, moving out of reach was the best option.
Sara seemed oblivious, her face was planted out the window, gazing off into the blackness.
Lifting my head, I could see the lights getting brighter, and I felt a little more at ease. We were almost there, almost at the safety of a public place. Looking at my phone, I checked for service, and I still had none.
Sighing, I checked to see how much closer we were. I could see the shape of the building as it grew in the darkness from a black mass to a fully lit store. All the lights were bright, the window blinking with an open sign.
And then it was gone, shrinking as we drove right past.
“Wait, you passed it,” I said, turning my head to watch it disappear behind us.
Sara sat up straight, leaning forward and wrapping her hands around the headrest. “What the fuck, stop and let us out.”
“Oh, whoops, did I just miss it?” Glenn let out a deep, eerie chuckle as his hand snapped up to stroke his beard. “Sorry bout that, my bad.”
“Just pull over and let us out here, we can walk back to it.” Reaching my hand out, I touched Sara's arm. “Right, Sara, we can walk back.”
Her face was scrunched up, brows dipping in with anger. “Let us out, Prick!” she yelled, slamming her fist into the back of the seat.
“Yeah, about that, I don't think that's going to work for us.”
I felt my heart drop into my stomach as my blood ran cold with ice. This was exactly what all those parents had warned their children about, and I was about to live it.
Grabbing the handle to the door, I attempted to yank it open. I didn't give a shit, if I had to jump out, I would. I would take the pain of a few broken bones over being raped or worse any day.
But the door wouldn't budge, it was locked in place, sealing us inside. “Let us out, just let us out and we won't say a word to anyone about it.”
“Fuck that!” Sara yelled, her temper rising and crawling over skin. I could see her hands shaking by her sides, her eyes turned into thin slits as she balled her fists tight. “Let us out or I swear—”
“You swear what? What the fuck are you going to do?”
“I'm going to kick your ass, that's what I'm going to do.”
Dev and Glenn laughed together, punching each other in the arm. Dev spoke low, his voice changing from friendly to evil in one breath. “Good luck with that, Sweetheart. You feeling tired yet?”
Curling my lip, I growled. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Shaking his head, he smirked. “Nothing, I'm just glad you ladies enjoyed that water.”
Oh my God, what did they do?
What the hell did I drink?
Instinctively I tried to shove my hand down my throat, hoping to make myself throw up whatever the hell I had taken. A sharp pain sliced across my face, forcing my teeth to clamp down on my fingers and the taste of iron to flow down the back of my throat.
“Don't you dare,” Dev barked, holding his hand up high, ready to strike me again.
My head snapped to Sara, my eyes wide and shocked as fear settled deep inside my muscles. This was too much to understand, to even grasp in one thought.
We were being kidnapped, we had been drugged by some unknown substance that had no taste. And now, now they were willing to resort to violence to make sure we did as we were told.
Sara's eyes were starting to lower, her blinks long and heavy, drawing out for seconds at a time. “Sara, wake up, don't fall asleep on me.”
She mumbled, her voice a mere whisper under her breath. I couldn't make out what she was saying or if it made any sense at all. I had no way of knowing if the drugs were screwing with her mind or just putting her to sleep.
“Sara!” I yelled, shaking her harder. “Don't go to sleep!”
The truck began to slow, turning up a really thin path and following it deep into the woods. “Here should be good,” Glenn said to his friend as he pushed in further, driving over small trees and bushes.
“I don't give a fuck where, I just can't wait much longer.” Dev licked his lips as he eyed me with a sick and twisted smile.
I felt the blood pooling up in my mouth and dripping off my chin. Wiping it away, I sent him a bloody grin. “I hope you get ass fucked when you go to jail.”
&nbs
p; “Sweetheart, I'm not going to jail, because you're not going to remember this.”
“Like fuck I won't remember.” I wasn't feeling anything yet, my mind was still clear, my eyes not even close to being heavy. “I'll remember this and you'll be put away for it.”
Glenn growled, huffing a loud sigh. “Will you shut her up, please.”
“With pleasure.” Dev lifted his hand, curling his fingers into his palm. Pulling my knees in, I tried to curl up into a ball, I tried to hide or find some sort of cover. But it was no use. There was no place for me to go.
His hand flew in hard, landing on my leg, but he didn't stop there, he kept punching. A second hit came down on me, followed by another and another. I had my arms up in defense, doing anything I could to protect my body.
I felt his fists as they hit my thighs, my shins, my arms, my ribs. I felt each and every stab of his hand as it connected with my body. I couldn't stop him, no matter how much I screamed or begged him to stop, he didn't listen.
I felt his rage, his strength, his hatred as it morphed from fingers to fists to damage. With one final crack, he hit me across my jaw and knocked me back.
Everything went black, all my thoughts, all the voices in my head and the world around me were gone. Silence consumed me as I was swept away to an unknown, to a place where evil lived and torture thrived.
These men were not good, they were not trying to help us. . . We were mere pawns to them in their sick game.
Their voices came in first, both of them laughing and joking as my legs were lifted above my head and my body bounced across the ground. Sticks jabbed my back, rocks scraped my skull.
What the hell is going on?
I was trying to make sense of what was happening, why my body felt like it was asleep but my mind was awake. My arms were dragging above my head, rubbing against dry leaves and pine needles.
I'm being dragged. . .
But to where?
“Here should be good.” One of the men said, dropping my lower half to the ground. “Get the fire going, I want a little light for this.”