by Kayla Carson
I checked the local news stations whenever I could, hoping to get another glimpse of Cole, but I hadn't been that lucky. I scoured the house for a telephone, or internet connection, but always came up empty. There was an old landline jack in the wall, but I couldn't find a telephone. My only connection to the outside world, were the news stories that I watched. Even going outside to sit on the back deck made me miserable.
I snuck out once, when everyone was asleep, but I didn't make it very far. There was a silent alarm that I'd somehow triggered. Luckily, I was able to convince Vanessa that I couldn't sleep, and needed some air. It was getting harder, and harder to keep deceiving her though. Deep down, I knew Vanessa loved me. As soon as I began to play along, Vanessa's attitude changed completely. It was as if we had never been apart. If it wasn't for the fact that I was being held against my will, I may have actually enjoyed this time with my sister.
“Harper! I'm back!” Vanessa called from the kitchen. “I got some really pretty hibiscus flowers for you.” She smiled, setting the large pot on the floor beside the dining room table.
“They're beautiful!” I gushed, rushing over to smell the large plant. “I'm going to put it out on the back deck, It will do great in this heat. Did you know that they bloom the best in the humidity?”
“No.” Vanessa laughed. “Where did you learn so much about flowers anyway?”
This was a test. She wanted to know if I remembered California, and working at Lily's. I had to be smarter than Vanessa, I had to convince her that; that part of my life was over. “Television, I guess. I don't really remember though.. maybe when I stayed at Polaris?”
“You certainly didn't get it from me. My thumb is definitely not green.” She joked, as she put the rest of the groceries away. “I was thinking nachos for dinner tonight? We could watch pitch perfect 3!”
“Sounds great.” I said.
“I also invited a friend over, I hope you don't mind. His name is Robert, and he's kind of my boyfriend.”
“You have a boyfriend?”
“You'll like him Harper, I promise.”
“I don't know Vanessa. You know how I get around men I don't know.”
“It's OK Harper. I trust him. You know I'd never let anyone hurt you right?” She asked, stepping towards me, and brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “You can trust me.”
I nodded slightly, taking in a sharp breath. I knew of Robert Drake by reputation, but I couldn't let on. I was terrified he would somehow see through my act though. He didn't know me, but that didn't mean he couldn't read me. Vanessa was easily tricked, because she wanted my love, but Robert? He didn't want anything but Vanessa.
Vanessa had made dinner as promised, which included all the fixings for nachos. She made me a plate, like I was a small child, and placed it on the table in front of me. A few minutes later, Vanessa joined me. “Robert is running a little late, but he'll be here for the movie.” She said.
“Alright.” I said, shyly. I couldn't help but be afraid that I'd revert back into my old self. The woman who was afraid of her own shadow. The more that I had to suppress my true self, the more worried I became. What if, when I finally found my way back to Cole, I was just a shell. What if he couldn't love the woman I had to become to save myself?
“Harper? Did you hear me?” Vanessa asked, shaking me from my thoughts.
“Sorry, I guess I'm just a little nervous.”
“I told you already, you don't need to be. Robert has always been good to me. He's been looking out for me for as long as I can remember.”
“I thought you just started dating?”
“We did, but I've known him for a long time.”
The way that Vanessa could lie at the drop of a hat, was really something else. I could throw a million curve balls her way, and she'd hit them out of the park every damn time. And worst of all, she'd claim it was all out of love. She came into my room last night while I was pretending to sleep. She told me how much she loved me, and that everything she'd done was to protect me. It took everything in me not to sit straight up, and lose my shit. I hated playing the victim again, and I hated pretending to forget Cole even more.
“Knock knock!” A deep voice called from the garage entry way. “It smells delicious in here.” He added, when he finally came into view. I could feel my heart practically pounding out of my chest as he approached the table. “You must be Harper?” He asked, extending his hand to me in greeting.
I reluctantly reached out with my own hand, and met his in a loose shake. “Nice to meet you.” I said quietly, before placing my hand back in my lap.
“There's no need to be shy little lady, we're all family here. Isn't that right Nessa?” He said, bending down to kiss the top of Vanessa's head.
“That's right.” She smiled, gazing up at him. “Sit down baby, I'll make you a plate.”
“She's too good to me.” He said, when Vanessa was out of ear shot. “I've heard a lot about you. You're much more beautiful in person. The two of you could be night, and day. Her with her jet black hair, and seductive eyes, and you.. with almost angelic features. It's quite fitting isn't it, considering her line of work.”
“What do you mean?” I asked nervously.
“Don't play dumb Sweetheart.” He whispered, using Cole's nickname for me to taunt me. “I know you're only playing along so Vanessa lets her guard down.”
“I- I don't know what you're talking about.” I stammered.
He came to sit beside me then, so that he could whisper in my ear. “It would be in your best interest not to try any funny business. Move on. Forget about Cole Stephens, and be with your sister again. It's all she wants. Be a good girl, would you?”
Suddenly, I froze. Every single hair on my body stood up, as I tried to swallow the lump forming in my throat. “Wh- What did you just say?” I asked, my blood going cold.
“You heard me.” He gritted out, placing his hand on my thigh. “Be. A. Good. Girl.”
“You!” I roared, standing up, and knocking the chair over with me. “Don't you touch me, you piece of shit!” I yelled, clutching my stomach. I felt like I was going to vomit right there in the middle of the dining room. Hearing those words again, it was like nails on a chalkboard, making me cringe.
“What's going on here?” Vanessa said, as she came back into the room with Robert's plate.
“Ask your crazy ass sister!” He spewed, taking a step back, and looking at me like I truly was crazy.
“Say it!” I yelled, pointing my finger in his face.
“I don't know what you're-”
“Say. It!” I yelled louder.
“Darling.” He said, focusing all of his attention on Vanessa. “Clearly she isn't well. Just look at her! Maybe this was too much excitement, perhaps you need to give her another dose of her meds?”
“No!” I screamed. “It's him Vanessa! He's the one! He's the one who hurt me! Say it you bastard!”
It was then, that Robert realized his mistake. How in the hell did she remember that phrase “be a good girl” from so long ago? Surely he could spin this to his advantage, all he had to do was- Vanessa locked her eyes on his then, and the love that was there only moments ago was suddenly replaced with rage. Blind rage, and it was all pointed directly at him.
“Vanessa, wait. Please, let me explain.”
“Harper?” She asked. “Are you sure?”
“You're going to believe this bitch over me?” Robert roared, allowing his anger to give Vanessa all the proof that she needed.
Without another word, she reached into the waistband of her jeans and pointed her gun directly at his chest. “Go to hell.” She said, before pulling the trigger without a second thought.
My hands flew to my mouth, and my chest heaved. I'd never seen someone get shot before, and now the man who raped me fifteen years ago, the man that I never wanted to see again, lay bleeding out at my feet.
“He played me.” Vanessa said, her voice void of all emotion. “I'm sorry Harper. I'm s
o sorry.”
Chapter 23
Harper had officially been gone for two months, and I had officially grown tired of sitting on my hands. As understanding as my boss was, he shit canned me. I guess not showing up to work for two weeks straight will do that to a guy. I had nothing left to lose, and not a damn thing to live for. So, I hopped a plane to Mexico. I found Jake's friend, Mendez at his hotel, and the two of us put our heads together.
Mendez was able to get close to one of Robert's cousins by taking her out for drinks a few times. She let it slip one night, that he'd gone missing, which proved that he was indeed here in Mexico. When Mendez tried to press her on the subject, she quickly shut him down, but he was taking her out again tonight, and with a little luck, we might get some more information.
He said he hadn't seen Vanessa, but it wasn't like he could go around town showing her picture to everyone. She was a wanted felon after all. I wasn't delusional, I knew that the trail was ice cold, but I just couldn't give up. I would go to the ends of the earth to find Harper, even if the woman I found wasn't the same as the woman I'd lost. I had to find her.
When I landed, my first stop was to a shady looking pawn shop. Buying a gun in Mexico was easier than buying one in the states. I wanted to be ready for whatever was thrown my way. I had no doubt in my mind that the minute I landed, Vanessa would know I was here. She had too many connections not to. I remember asking Wes once, what if felt like to shoot someone. He said it was a feeling that never left you. Even if you knew it was them, or you, it was something that stuck with you. When it came down to Vanessa, or myself, I was sure I could live with the guilt.
The police in California had all but given up. They'd exhausted all of their resources, and had more pressing cases to worry about. Their words, not mine. I'd managed to stay away from using, much to my sponsors astonishment. In fact, I was due for another check in call shortly. I'd never had the need to use one before, but something inside of me was broken without Harper. My emotions were always all over the place, and I couldn't control them.
I sent her a quick text, not feeling the need to update her on my day so far. I was sitting in a hotel room, while I waited for Mendez to return from his date. It wasn't exactly breaking news. A few minutes later, my phone went off signaling her reply, only it wasn't a number I recognized. I opened the message, my curiosity getting the best of me. “It's me.”
My heart started beating wildly out of my chest. My fingers typed her name faster than my mind could think it. “Harper?”
“Yes.”
“Prove it.”
“No time. Quintonil 8pm Mexico. DON'T TEXT BACK.”
“Fuck!” I yelled, searching through my contacts and finding Jake's number. When he didn't answer, I called again, and again, until he finally picked up. “Please tell me you know someone who can trace a number.” I said, before he could even finish saying hello.
“Maybe. Why? What's going on?”
“Harper sent me a text from an unknown number, and before I lose my shit trying to figure out what the hell she meant, I need to make sure it's her! Or at least make sure the phone is actually in Mexico. I need some kind of confirmation Jake, and I need it now!”
“Alright, alright. Text me the number, and I'll see what I can do. Cole? Did you tell Mendez?”
“He's on a fucking date!”
“He's on a what?”
I hung the phone up before I had to continue with pointless questions that I really didn't give a shit about. A million different thoughts began to run through my mind. Why text me? Why not text or call the authorities? Maybe it wasn't Harper at all. Maybe it was Vanessa? Or Robert Drake for that matter? I wanted to text her back so bad that it hurt, but if it really was her, I couldn't risk her being hurt because of my foolishness. Vanessa would know that though wouldn't she? If this was a trap, I was going to walk right into it. I had no other choice.
Pulling my laptop from my bag, I googled the word “Quintonil,” and found it was a popular restaurant. If Vanessa was holding Harper, how would she get to a restaurant tonight? Everything about this seemed shady, but I couldn't not go. Digging a little deeper, I realized that the restaurant was owned by the Drakes. It couldn't have been a coincidence. Was Harper being held there?
Glancing at the clock, I realized it was only an hour away from eight o'clock. If I was going to make it on time, I needed to get moving. I sent Mendez a text, telling him where I was heading, but before I could get a foot out the door, my phone was ringing. Mendez. “I don't have time.” I said, locking the door to our hotel room.
“I'm already here Cole. Drake's cousin owns Quintonil, and I'm currently wining and dining his daughter.”
“Were you with her the entire time? Did she send any texts?”
“She went into the bathroom for a few minutes. Why?”
“Someone texted me claiming to be Harper, with the name of that damn restaurant, and eight PM. Any idea what that's about?”
“The live band starts at eight.”
“So I'm supposed to go watch a fucking band play?” I snapped.
“Stay put. I'll check it out. Whoever sent you that message wants you here for a reason. It's best if we don't give them what they want.”
“What if it really is Harper, and she needs me. I can't just bail Mendez.”
“I'll be here, and I'll keep my eyes open. It's too risky for you to be here. This woman I'm with could be getting suspicious, maybe she tipped her family off? Your face has been all over the television Cole. We can't risk it.”
“Why the fuck am I even here!” I yelled, hanging the phone up, and shoving it into my back pocket. I paced in the hallway, wrestling with myself. Weighing the pros, and cons, of sitting on my hands once again. My first instinct at the prom, was to stay with her, and when I didn't all hell broke lose. If I don't follow my gut this time, something far worse could happen. My mind made up, I checked my gun ensuring it was loaded, and tucked it into the front of my pants, before I headed towards my rental car, and got inside.
I stopped at a little tourist stand on the way, purchasing a baseball cap, and dark sunglasses. Mendez was right about one thing, I stood out enough in this city. It wasn't the world's best disguise, but it was better than nothing. I slipped inside the restaurant seemingly unnoticed, five minutes before eight. I chose a corner close to the door in case I needed to make a break for it. I also didn't want Mendez spotting me.
Using the menu as a shield, I glanced around the large room. I didn't know what I was looking for really, but I assumed I'd know it when I saw it. A waitress approached my table to my left, giving me a wide smile. She asked for my order, and I chose the enchiladas. A few minutes later, the entire restaurant began to applaud, as a man walked onto the small stage. “Hola everyone!” He beamed. “Please welcome back, mi chica favorita, my favorite girl, Isabella!”
“Vanessa?” I whispered to myself, squinting behind my sunglasses. At first I wasn't sure, but when she opened her mouth, and began to sing, I recognized her voice immediately. I was gripping the sides of the small table so tightly that my knuckles were turning white. When the waitress returned with my order, I tried to look relaxed, and hoped I didn't fail.
Very casually, I pulled my cell from my pocket, and took a picture as discreetly as I could. I then, sent it to Mendez with the caption. “Are you seeing this?” It didn't take him long to respond, and of course he was pissed. I didn't give a shit though. This was the break we needed. We now had irrefutable proof that Vanessa was here. We also knew she was going by the name Isabella. I needed to get out of here.
The parking lot was packed full of cars, but I had to find out which one belonged to Vanessa. Walking around towards the back of the restaurant, I knocked on the back door. It swung open quicker than I thought it would, and I had to think fast on my feet. “Oh, hey man.” I said to the beefy guard. “I fucked up big time! I was supposed to bring the special instruments in from Isabella's trunk, and left the damn keys. Any way you could
grab them for me? You know how she is man, I really don't want to lose this job.”
The guard laughed. “Do you think I'm stupid? Isa doesn't let anyone touch her instruments. Not even Mr. Drake.”
“Exactly! Notice Mr. Drake's absence? She's rattled, and worried, otherwise she would have remembered herself. Look, I'll take complete blame, I just need to come in, and grab the car keys.”
“Alright kid, but you never saw me, and I didn't let your ass in.”
“Got it!” I said brushing past him, and making the split decision to go left, instead of right. Vanessa had just started a second song, which gave me about three minutes to find the keys. Luck was clearly on my side when I wound up directly behind the stage. There were two purses hanging behind a door, and I quickly searched them. Both had keys, but with a quick check of the wallets I was able to get my hands on the right set. I hit the trunk button on the key-fab, and aimed it out the back window pressing it multiple times, praying that I was close enough.
Placing the keys back where I found them, I followed the signs until I made it to the restroom. The window was small, but I'd crawled through worse. I landed hard on my back, the gravel doing nothing to cushion my fall. And then, I was off. I didn't know the model, but I knew Vanessa drove a Chevy thanks to the emblem on her key fab. I nonchalantly checked the trunks of every damn Chevy in the lot, praying that one of them was open.
I was just about to give up, when the final trunk I tried actually rose when I lifted it. Checking to make sure no one was around, I climbed into the trunk, and shut myself inside. If anyone could lead me to Harper, it was Vanessa, and now.. all I had to do was wait.
Chapter 24
Using my phone as a flashlight, I took a look around the trunk. It was empty, aside from a set of jumper cables, and a few odds and ends. I sent Mendez, and Jake the same text telling them where I was, and the license plate number of the car I'd climbed into. It wasn't my brightest idea, but at least they knew where I was, and hopefully it would help someone find me. The plates were probably stolen, but the make, and model of the car would help.