The sound of someone whistling startled me. I looked around the room for something to defend myself with, but there was nothing but a jug of clothing detergent and a box of dryer sheets.
“Hello,” smiled the Pastor as he walked down the steps carrying a tray of food. As he stepped closer, I was surprised to find that he’d undergone some major changes. He was now dressed in jeans and a black sweatshirt, his glasses were gone, and his moustache missing.
“What in the hell are you doing?” I blurted out. “Why did you kidnap me?”
He set the tray of food down on the nightstand. “I must admit, your language and anger are quite disturbing, my dear. Please calm down.”
I stepped toward him. “Calm down?! Are you fucking nuts?”
His face turned red, and before I knew what was happening, his hand was around my neck and I was being slammed against the wall. “Shut up,” he whispered, his eyes bulging out of his face.
My own were filled with tears as I struggled to break free, but he was much too strong. “Please,” I gasped as his fingers dug deep into my neck.
“Please what?” he asked.
“Please,” I begged in a hoarse whisper. “I beg you.”
His eyes widened and he let me go, backing away. “I’m sorry,” he said.
“Why?” I choked. “Why are you doing this?”
He took a step toward me. “I didn’t mean… you shouldn’t…”
I moved away from him. “Please, just leave me alone and let me go home.”
He began wringing his hands. “No, no, no. This isn’t going the way it was supposed to.”
“Why are you doing this?” I tried again. “You’re supposed to be a man of God, aren’t you?”
“This has nothing to do with God,” he said, his lips thinning.
“Obviously,” I said, wondering if I should try to make a run for it.
“You still don’t remember me?” he asked incredulously.
“Am I supposed to?”
He sighed. “From the salon. You cut my hair in the past, several times.”
My eyes widened. I had cut his hair. The last time was about two months ago. But now, he looked so different.
Thinner.
“You’ve lost weight,” I said.
He smiled and stood up straight. “Yes. I’ve lost about forty pounds. I did it for you.”
I stared at him in horror. “For me? I just don’t understand, why?”
He ignored the question. “Here,” he said, pointing toward the tray of food. “Eat something. You’re probably very hungry.”
I licked my lips. Obviously he was crazy, but he was also obsessed with me. If I could somehow manipulate him…
“I have a headache, Pastor,” I said, forcing a smile. “Do you have any aspirin?”
“Yes, of course,” he said. “But call me Michael. I’m no longer a Pastor.”
“Oh, okay. Michael, could you please get me something for this headache?”
“Yes. Would you like to come upstairs?”
“Sure,” I said.
He reached into back of his pants and pulled out a set of handcuffs. “Okay, but I’ll need to handcuff you first,” he said, pulling a set out.
Crap.
“You don’t need to use those,” I said. “I’m not going to try and escape.”
He smiled. “That’s good, but I still can’t take that chance. Hold out your hands.”
“But…”
“The cuffs or you stay down here,” he said. “Until we come to an understanding, at least.”
“What kind of understanding?”
His eyes moved to my cleavage and I immediately understood.
“Oh, why didn’t you just say so?” I asked. There was no way I’d have sex with this guy but I could at least hurt him.
He gave me a surprised look.
I took a step toward him and pushed out my chest, hoping he couldn’t see the disgust in my eyes. “Michael.”
He touched my cheek and I tried not to shrink back. “I knew you felt the same way,” he beamed. “I just knew it.”
“I did too, the moment I met you,” I said. “In fact, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”
“Would… would you touch me?” he asked, breathing a little harder.
“Where?” I whispered, hoping he had some kind of weird hair fetish and only really wanted my hands there.
He grabbed my hand and pressed it to his lips. “Touch me wherever you’d like,” he whispered.
At that moment, I really wanted to just kick him in the balls and make a run for it, but I was still too frightened.
What if I missed or didn’t kick him hard enough?
Instead, I placed a hand on his chest and began rubbing it. “Does this feel good?” I asked.
“Yes, oh yes,” he said, stopping my hand with his. “But I need…” he lowered my hand to the bulge in his jeans, “you here.”
I swallowed back the bile in my throat and forced myself to touch the disgusting thing hidden under his pants. If he had an orgasm, there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to throw up. I had to get out of this.
“Yes,” he groaned, staring at me, his eyes half-hooded. “Now, take it out.”
Oh God, no…
“Please,” he said, unbuttoning his jeans. “Just touch… a little. It’s all I ask.”
I stared in revulsion as he pulled out his penis and began stroking it himself.
“I… I,” I stammered, glancing up toward the stairs, wondering if I could make it.
He grabbed my hand and put it on his naked penis.
Horrified beyond belief, I reached down below his penis and grabbed his balls, squeezing them with everything I had.
“Uh!” he grunted, falling to his knees.
In desperation, I ran around him and flew up the stairs to the open door. I slammed it shut and locked it.
“Bitch!” he raged from down below.
Sobbing, I ran through the small house and out the door.
Chapter Twenty-four
Reed
“Where is Sinclair?” I asked Jesse, passing him outside of the library. I was exhausted and had just spent the last hour arguing with Sela until she’d finally called a cab and left. As far as I was concerned, it was over. Fortunately, she didn’t have many things at my condo in New York, so I could ship them to her place instead of having to deal with any further tantrums.
Jesse ran a hand over his face and sighed. “I don’t know. She doesn’t have her cell phone, and the last time I saw her was with that Pastor Richie guy.”
I frowned. “What was she doing with him?”
“The valet attendant said she followed him out to his car because he had an anniversary gift or something.”
I raised my eyebrows. “And she hasn’t been back yet?”
“I know,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense. The valet said he was talking to another guest and didn’t realize they’d left until the Pastor’s car was already gone.”
“So both of them are missing?”
Jesse nodded. “Apparently.”
“Why in the world would she leave with him? I just don’t understand.”
“I don’t either. It’s not like her, at all.”
“Hmm… have you seen mother lately? Maybe she knows something about it.”
“I’m here,” she called from the top of the stairs. She was swaying slightly and looked slightly disheveled.
“Are you okay?” I asked, climbing the steps.
Mimi smiled weakly. “Oh, I’ve been better. I found out about Jack’s little scene over by the pool tonight.”
I sighed. “I’m sorry about that, mom.”
She wiped a tear from her cheek. “You have nothing to apologize for,” she sniffed. “He’s gone too far this time.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “This time?”
“Yes, I know… he’s a scoundrel. You can’t always choose who you love, and it certainly isn’t easy to love a man like that
.”
“I know, mother,” I said, hugging her. It was the same speech I’d heard growing up. She would complain but never leave. “Just remember, if you need us for anything – support, money, a place to stay, Jesse and I are always here for you.”
She nodded. “Thank you, dear.”
“Not to change the subject,” I said as she dabbed at another tear. “But, would you happen to know where Pastor Richie has gone? Apparently, he and Sinclair left together quite a while ago, and neither has returned.”
“What?” she asked. “Why in the world would she leave with him?”
I told her about the gift.
“Gift? I sent him home after I’d decided not to renew our vows. He never mentioned anything about giving us a gift,” she said.
“Do you have his phone number?” I asked.
She frowned. “Well, he called me this morning around nine o’clock on the home phone. We can see if it’s been saved.”
“Okay,” I said. “Jesse, go check the Caller ID and find that number.”
He nodded and left.
“How do you know this pastor, anyway?” I said. “Do you go to his church?”
She shook her head. “No, actually I’ve never spoken to him before in my life. He told me that a friend of the family suggested he call us to see if we wanted to renew our vows, since we were having a big anniversary party. I thought it was a lovely idea and just agreed.”
I frowned. “So, you don’t know which church he’s from or where he came from?”
“Well, he mentioned a church, but I forgot the name. He’s a man of God; surely you don’t suspect anything foul?”
“Fuck, I hope not.”
She tilted her head. “Language.”
“Sorry.”
We went in search of Jesse and he was perplexed when we found him in the kitchen playing with the phone.
“It looks like someone erased the call logs,” he said.
“You’re kidding me,” I said. “What in the hell is going on here?”
Jesse bit his lower lip. “I don’t know but Sinclair would never have taken off like this. Not without letting me know about it. Something is very wrong here.”
“And mother doesn’t really know this Pastor Richie, either,” I said. “For all we know, he could be some criminal off of the streets, who may have kidnapped her.”
“Oh,” cried Mimi, putting a hand to her lips. “Do you think so?”
“I don’t know but I think we’d better search the property again, and if we can’t find her, get the police involved,” I said. “That’s what I think.”
Chapter Twenty-five
Sinclair
I stumbled through the dark woods, not sure of where exactly I was or which way I needed to go. My head was throbbing, and my bare feet were bleeding from the sticks and rocks I couldn’t see in front of me, but felt every step of the way.
Where the hell am I?
From the shadows of mountains peeking over the trees, I knew one thing was certain; I was not anywhere near Huntington Beach anymore.
This realization was hard to swallow, but after escaping the clutches of the perverted pastor, I was happy to just be alive.
You can do this, I told myself as my side began to ache. Just keep moving.
I pushed on.
***
Reed
“You have his license plate number?” I asked the valet for the second time.
He handed me a clipboard. “Yeah, it’s right here. We write down each one, in case there are problems. See, the signature? I parked his personally.”
I scanned the information. “Great, thanks.”
“Something wrong?” the kid asked.
“I hope not. Did the woman leaving with him seem nervous or frightened at all?”
He shook his head. “No, they were very friendly. In fact, she held on to his arm as they walked down the street.”
“Did you see her get into his car?”
He shook his head. “No, I didn’t. One of the other guests came out for a cigarette, a blond with long legs, and I stopped paying attention to the other two.”
“Well, thanks for the help,” I said. “Stick around here in case we need to get the police involved.”
He nodded vehemently. “Yeah, no problem. I hope that lady is okay. She was something else, you know what I’m saying?”
“Oh, I know what you’re saying,” I answered, grabbing my cell phone. I dialed a number on my contact list – an ornery New York cop who was also one of my best friends.
“Benny, it’s me,” I said into the phone.
“What the hell? Do you know what time it is?” he grunted. “Jesus Christ.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry but it’s an emergency.”
He snorted. “It’s always an emergency with you. Let’s hear this particular one.”
I chuckled. “What’s wrong? Jenny cut you off again?”
“I got a piece yesterday, asshole. I’m just fucking tired. It’s late.”
“I can tell.”
“Come on, I don’t have all damn morning. What’s the story?”
I gave him a rundown of what I knew and he sighed. “Okay, the car could be stolen but let me make some phone calls and see what I come up with.”
“Thanks, Ben. I owe you.”
“Damn right you do.”
I hung up and went to go find Jesse to see if he’d heard anything yet.
***
Sinclair
When I finally cleared the woods and stumbled upon a dirt road, I was so relieved I almost started crying. I knew I wasn’t out of the clear, but surely this road would lead to someone who could help me.
It had to.
I pushed on and on until the sun peeked over the horizon and the dirt road finally led to one with pavement. After another thirty minutes or so of walking, I saw a gas station in the distance and it gave me the adrenaline I needed to get me there.
“Holy shit,” said the old woman behind the counter as I limped into the store. Both of my feet felt like they were on fire.
“Where am I?” I asked.
She looked at me like I was high. “What do you mean, where are you?”
“Please, what city is this?”
“You’re in Big Bear Lake.”
That was almost two hours away from Huntington Beach.
“Call the police,” I said, knowing I probably looked like hell. My hair was now a tangled mess, my mascara was probably all over my cheeks, and my expensive designer dress – it was ruined.
“You hurt?” she asked, staring at me. “You want me to call an ambulance?”
I shook my head. “No, just call the police for now. Please,” I said.
As she reached for the phone, I noticed a car pull up to the station. When I recognized the model and the driver, my heart stopped.
“Oh, my God,” I choked. “That’s the man who kidnapped me. Call the police, hurry!”
“Pastor Michael?” asked the woman, staring back at me in shock. “Why surely he would never…”
“He did this to me!” I hollered, spreading my arms out. “Please, call the police!”
“But…”
“Fuck,” I said, annoyed that she didn’t even believe me. “Just don’t tell him about me when he gets inside. Please.”
She frowned. “Well, all right.”
I raced to the back of the store and locked myself into the bathroom, which smelled like sewage and stale cigarettes. I waited, wondering if he’d seen me walk into the station and if so, what he’d do. I closed my eyes and leaned against the door, praying that he’d just go away and I could get help.
A few minutes later, when the handle to the bathroom began to jiggle, I choked back a terrified scream and backed away from the door.
“Hello?” called the woman from the counter. “Miss?”
I sighed in relief. “Is he gone?”
“You can come out now. You’re safe.”
I unlocked the door and s
tepped warily out of the bathroom.
“Come on now,” she smiled, beckoning me with her hand. “Let’s get you something to drink.”
“Thanks,” I said, following her to the front of the store. When we reached the counter, I gasped in horror.
“Hello, Sinclair,” smiled Pastor Richie, wearing his disguise once again.
“Oh, my God!” I cried, backing away. “You lied to me!”
“Calm down, miss,” said the woman. “Pastor Michael explained everything. You’re going to be fine.”
I shook my head vehemently. “No, he’s crazy. He tried raping me!”
Pastor Richie took a step toward me, his hands raised. “It’s okay, honey. You’re confused. You know that I would never hurt you. Now, come with me and we’ll find your pills, then everything will be okay.” He turned to the cashier. “She went out last night and didn’t take her meds, now her parents are frantic with worry.”
“No!” I hollered. “He’s lying. Please, call the police!”
The woman frowned and reached for the phone. “Well, I think that maybe I should call the police, Pastor. They might have better luck calming her down.”
He sighed and reached behind his back. “I’m truly sorry about this, Cindy,” he said, pulling out a gun.
“Oh, my God!” gasped the cashier.
“No!” I cried, as he pointed the revolver at Cindy and shot her in the face without any hesitation.
“This was your fault,” he said, now aiming the gun at me. “You’ve ruined everything, you know.”
I raised my hands. “I’m… I’m sorry. Please don’t shoot me,” I sobbed.
His face softened and he opened his mouth to say something, but then a man stepped into the store, startling the both of us.
“What the hell?!” hollered the customer.
“Run!” I screamed.
As Pastor Richie aimed his gun at the shocked man, I turned and ran to the back of the store through a set of swinging doors.
“Oh, my God,” I moaned as the Pastor’s gun went off again. I couldn’t believe how insane he was, killing those two without remorse.
“Come out, Sinclair!” hollered the Pastor. “We can work something out if you just quit resisting me.”
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