by Kayla Carson
I had eighty percent left on my battery, so I switched it to energy saving mode, and turned all the sounds off. For my plan to work, Vanessa couldn't know I was here. If I had to guess, I'd say a set lasted around two hours, which meant I'd be spending a lot of time in this trunk. Jake, and Mendez immediately started blowing up my phone, telling me to get out while I still could. I sent them both the same text again, telling them I won't be answering in order to save battery life. The texts stopped then, and I was grateful.
I could have sat in my car, and attempted to follow Vanessa to the place she'd been calling home, but she was too good. She would have spotted me, and ended up taking me on a wild goose chase instead. This was the only way. I needed to lay in wait, and when I was sure the car was parked for the night, I'd use the escape lever. I only hoped that I'd make my exit at the right time, and that wherever Harper was, it wasn't too heavily guarded.
I closed my eyes, in an attempt to make the time go by more quickly. I thought about Harper, and what I would say when I finally laid my eyes on her. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of seeing my girl again. It gave me hope, and that was something I thought I'd lost when I lost her. I counted sheep, sang songs in my head, anything to keep my mind busy, and my body awake. The heat was stifling, and I prayed I wouldn't die in this damn trunk.
I checked my phone periodically, watching the minutes tick by. Soon, an hour passed, and then two. I was beginning to get light headed, and searched the trunk again, in hopes of finding a bottle of water. No luck. I cursed under my breath, ready to slam my fist into something in frustration, but before I could make contact, the familiar chirping sound, of a vehicle unlocking stopped me.
She was getting in the car. I held my breath, and waited as I heard the car start. She rolled the windows down, and switched the radio on, and just like that, we were moving. I finally let myself breathe when I felt the car speed up, knowing we were out of the parking lot. Her voice was muffled, but I could hear her speaking to someone, or something. It was then that I heard the sound of a telephone ringing that I realized she was calling someone using her Bluetooth.
“Hello?” The small voice said. Harper's Voice. My heart was beating so hard in my chest, I thought it would explode. She was alive. She was alright. She was speaking right now, and I couldn't say a God damned thing. It took every ounce of restraint I had in me to not yell her name, to let her know that I was coming for her.
It was hard to make out the nature of their conversation. Harper mostly responded with a series of yeses, and Okays. She sounded tired, defeated even. My heart ached for her, wishing that I could pull her into my arms, and take her pain away. “Soon Sweetheart.” I whispered, wiping a lone tear from my eye. I didn't even know I could cry until I met Harper Blue.
We drove for what seemed like forever, but checking the time on my phone I realized it was only an hour. I heard a garage door open, and close as Vanessa parked the car inside. I waited until she got out, and I heard a second door open, and close, before releasing my breath. I needed to wait at least another hour. I wasn't sure what time she'd go to sleep, and I couldn't risk entering her house with her awake.
I pulled my cell from my pocket, intending to text Jake. No signal. I switched it over to emergency mode, and tried again with the same results. “Fuck” I breathed out. I checked to make sure my GPS was turned on, and I placed it in the duffle bag. If I knew Jake like I thought I did, he probably had someone tracking my phone from the minute I climbed in the trunk.
Vanessa covered all her tracks, there must have been some kind of signal jammer in the house. But if that was the case, how did Harper get that text to me? Shaking my head, I closed my eyes. I could worry about the hows later, right now I needed a plan. Even if I did manage to sneak into the house, there was probably a security system set up somewhere. Vanessa wouldn't just let Harper roam around freely, would she?
I didn't hear any beeps when she entered the house, and I could tell the garage was attached by how well I could hear her exiting, and entering. If I could slip inside, and stay hidden, I just might be able to find Harper, and sneak her back out the way I came in. Once we got to the garage, I could hot wire Vanessa's car, or at the very least we could make a run for it. It wasn't ideal, but it was all that I had. I checked my waistband, making sure my gun was still securely in place, nodding to myself.
I decided to wait until one. Giving her an hour and a half to get changed, and get to bed. I only hoped she wasn't one of those night owls who never slept. The one, and only time I'd slept with her, she was playing me. The entire evening was a rouse, so there was no reason to believe her snores weren't as well.
Thirty percent battery life, and five more minutes. My nerves were starting to get the better of me, and I began to feel physically ill. I had no idea what I was walking into, and unlike Jake, and Mendez I wasn't trained to infiltrate buildings discreetly. Taking a deep breath, I pulled the trunk's release lever, waiting to hear the soft click, indicating it had been unlocked. It was louder than I thought it would be, and I winced, and waited before slowly pushing it up, and climbing out.
I stretched briefly, my limbs cramped from laying in the same position for the last four and a half hours. It was dark, but something about the garage was eerily familiar. The layout resembled our garage back home, even the cabinetry was the same. “What the hell?” I whispered, as I made my way towards the door leading into the house. Reaching for knob, I found it unlocked, and I prayed that it wouldn't squeak when I pushed it open.
Closing my eyes, I slowly turned the knob, holding it firmly in my grasp so it wouldn't click back into the frame. I gave it a small nudge, testing it's weight before pushing it open all the way. What I saw when I entered the kitchen shocked me to my core. It was an exact replica of our kitchen. The stove, the fridge, even the stain on the floor where Harper spilled the fabric dye. If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was back home in California.
If the entire house was a replica, then Harper's bedroom, our bedroom, would be at the top of the stairs. The stairs that creaked if you didn't step on them just right. If Vanessa had gone through the trouble of including stains, she probably included the damn creaks as well. Very carefully, I tip toed through the kitchen until I reached the bottom of the stairs. I glanced around, making sure no one else was around, before slowly making my ascent up the stairs, zigging, and zagging around the creaks.
When I finally reached the top of the landing, I felt my heart drop into my stomach. If I was right, then my girl was just on the other side of the door directly in front of me. My hands were shaking, as I reached for the door knob. Using the same tactic I had on the garage door, I slowly pressed the door open.
I could feel her, before I seen her. I wanted nothing more than to rush over to her, and lift her into my arms, but I had to be smart about this. I shut the door behind me, as quietly as I could, and locked it. I walked over to the bed then, kneeling down on the floor beside her. I didn't want to scare her, but I couldn't risk her alerting Vanessa either. “I'm sorry Sweetheart.” I whispered, before placing my hand over her mouth, and gently nudging her awake.
Her eyes flew open in fear, and she began to fight against me. “Shh.” I said, trying to calm her. “Shh it's me Sweetheart, I''m here.” I whispered, moving my face closer to hers, needing her to look into my eyes. “I'm here.” I said again, more insistently this time. I watched her expression change like a kaleidoscope, until finally realization hit her. “I'm going to move my hand now alright?” I said softly, and she nodded her head.
She sat up then, staring at me, as if she were trying to figure out if I was real or not. Her hand shaking, she reached out, and placed it on the side of my cheek, gasping, when she made contact. “You- you're really here.” She whispered, astonished.
“I have so much to say to you Sweetheart, but right now, we need to get out of here.”
“There- there's no way out.” She said, hanging her head in defeat. “She said you weren't real.
That I- I made you up in my mind.”
Using my thumb, I lifted her chin as I often did whenever her eyes were cast down. “What have I told you about doing that hmm?”
Tears began to fall from her eyes, and before I knew what was happening, she was in my lap, her arms wrapped around my neck crying freely. Sobbing, uncontrollable sobs, as she clung to me like she'd never see me again. “I know baby, I know, but you've got to be quiet.” I soothed, smoothing her long hair over her back. “I'm not going anywhere. Not without you. Not ever again.” I said with conviction.
Chapter 25
I kissed the top of her head, inhaling her familiar scent, as her shaking body clung to mine. “I love you so much Sweetheart.” I said. “I can't believe I found you.” Framing her face with my hands, I looked directly into her eyes. “How did you send me that text?” I asked. “I tried to use my cell from the garage, but there must be some kind of signal jammer.”
“I-I didn't text you.” She said, her eyes going wide with concern.
The door knob jiggled then, and Harper took a sharp breath. “Hide under the bed.” She whispered, scrambling from my lap.
“Harper! Why is the door locked?” Vanessa called out from the other side, as she knocked. “Are you okay? Harper?”
I slipped under the bed, and a few moments later, I heard Harper unlock the door, and let Vanessa in. “What's wrong?” She asked, eyeing Vanessa warily, and letting out a yawn.
“You know the rules Harper. No locked doors.”
“I feel safer when I'm locked in, you know that.”
Sighing, Vanessa took Harper by the hand and led her over to the bed. The two sat, side by side, and to anyone who didn't know them, it would have seemed perfectly normal. Just two sisters, having a talk before bed. But that wasn't the case. “He can't hurt you anymore.” Vanessa said. “You have no idea how much I blame myself. I swear to you, if I would have known, or even had the slightest inkling, I never would have let him into my life.”
My fists clenched at my sides, as I lay nearly breathless beneath the bed. Who was she talking about? Who had hurt Harper? I wanted to spring out from my hiding space, and throttle her. Woman or not, I was prepared to punch her like a man. The way that Harper spoke to her though, it was almost as if she cared. Maybe she did? Maybe Vanessa was able to get through to her on some level, and convince her that she'd changed. Maybe Harper wouldn't even want to leave with me.
I laid there, listening to the two of them talk like no time had passed. Harper even laughed when Vanessa mentioned her favorite flowers. A pit began to form in my stomach, and I wondered if I truly had lost her. Vanessa was her sister after all, and if she wanted a relationship with her, I wasn't in the position to tell her she couldn't have one. The truth is, if Harper asked me to leave Vanessa alone, and forget that I ever seen her here, I would. I wanted Harper back, more than I wanted, or needed any kind of revenge against Vanessa.
“Why were you crying?” Vanessa asked, drawing my attention back to them, and away from my thoughts.
“Oh, I uh, I don't know. Must have been a bad dream. I don't really remember much about it.” Harper stammered, thinking fast on her feet.
“You can come out now Cole.” Vanessa said, void of all emotion.
I felt the hair stand up on my skin, and it was as if I could feel the fear permeating from Harper.
“I sent the text. I wanted you to find me. I never imagined you'd stow away in my trunk to get here though.” She laughed.
I slid out then, standing slowly. Tears instantly filled Harper's eyes, and I gave her a wink, letting her know that everything was going to be okay. “You got what you wanted. I'm here. What now?” I asked.
“I knew you were playing along Harper. I could see it in your eyes. You love me, because you feel obligated to. But him? The way you look at him.. that's love. I always thought that I knew what was best for you. Everything I ever did, was for you. I bought you a house, I set you up with a job. I got you the best doctors that money could possibly buy. But there was one thing that I couldn't give you. Something, that I thought was lost on you a long time ago. A sense of self. I noticed a change in you the minute you woke up here. You fought back, you had a backbone. I never thought you would find yourself. I always thought you'd be a shell of who you could have been. And, maybe that was my fault. Maybe I was to blame. I coddled you. I kept you too close. I didn't let you spread your wings, because I was afraid that you would fly away. I blamed everyone for what happened to us when we were children. Wes, our foster father's, even myself. I thought if I punished everyone, that I would somehow feel free myself. Only, the more people I hurt, the worse I felt. And Robert! He was the worst of them all. I gave him everything. My heart, my home, my love, and the whole time he used me. It was his idea to keep you in the facility for so long. He was older, wiser, and I honestly thought he cared. To think that I slept with that man, that I loved that man, after what he did to you. It makes me physically sick. I never wanted you to see the side of me that is capable of hurting someone, but I couldn't let him live. Not with a betrayal of that magnitude.”
“Why? Why did you text Cole? Why is he here?” Harper asked, her bottom lip trembling.
“Robert's family is onto me. It's only a matter of time before one of them comes after me. I can't risk you being collateral damage.”
“So what? You thought you'd kidnap me? Try to brainwash me for two whole months, with an exact replica of my own fucking house!” Harper yelled, before standing, and directing all of her anger towards her sister. “You tried to make me think I was losing my God damned mind Vanessa! You took me away from the only man who ever gave a damn about me, and for what huh? All so you could assuage your guilt, and we could play family?!”
“I don't expect you to understand.”
“You're damn right I don't understand! You drugged me! You let some doctor, stick a needle in my arm, and drug me! Who does that? And you think I'm the crazy one?”
“I never once thought you were crazy. A little lost maybe, but never crazy.”
It was as if their roles were suddenly reversed. Vanessa, was staring down at the floor, while Harper stood over her, radiating anger. I just stood watching, and waiting, not sure of what was going to happen next. I wanted to give Harper her space. To let her handle things on her own, but at the same time, I didn't want to kick a gift horse in the mouth. If Vanessa was really going to let us leave, we needed to leave.
“Sweetheart?” I asked cautiously. “I think we should go.”
Vanessa stood then, turning to face me. Her eyes pierced mine, and they were filled with pure, unfiltered anger. I watched as she swiftly pulled her gun from the waist band of her jeans, and aimed it at my chest. “You ruined everything.” She seethed. “I meant what I said, Harper will be leaving, and heading back to California where she's safe. But you? You aren't leaving here unless it's in a body bag.”
Everything that happened next was like a blur. I heard Harper scream “no!” As she came running towards me. I couldn't let her get hit, so I grabbed her, spinning us both in a circle, my back to Vanessa. Harper pulled the gun from my waistband, as Vanessa fired a shot into my back. I fell to the ground, and then I heard what sounded like six, maybe seven, bullets fire off in rapid succession. “I hate you!” Harper screamed, dropping my gun at her feet, and falling down to her knees beside me. “No.” She whispered, over, and over again, her hands trembling, as she tried to apply pressure to my wound. “I'm so sorry Cole.” She sobbed.
“Hey.” I breathed out. “It's okay. You're free now. It's okay Sweetheart.”
“No.” She said, shaking her head rapidly. “You don't get to leave me. You promised, remember? You said you were never going to leave me alone again. God damn it Cole you promised!”
“I'm.. I'm still here.” I said, struggling to keep my eyes open. “I'll always be here.”
I closed my eyes then, just for a second. I felt so tired, and my eyelids were so heavy. I just needed to rest, jus
t for a bit. I could hear Harper's sweet voice, telling me to hold on. I tried, I really did, but it was getting harder, and harder to hear her. Her voice started to sound softer, and more distant, and maybe it was wishful thinking, but it seemed to disappear all together, being drowned out by the sound of sirens. I smiled, knowing that whatever happened next Harper was safe. Even if I didn't make it, Jake, or Mendez, had somehow found me, and help was here.
Chapter 26
It was loud, and there were so many voices. I couldn't tell who was speaking, or what they were saying, but I could feel myself being moved. No, not moved, pushed, only I was laying down. I opened my eyes briefly, and all I could see was white. White ceiling tiles, and bright lights. It hurt, so I closed them again. Crying, someone was crying. Was it Harper? “It's OK.” I tried to say, but I wasn't sure if the words came out. The voices stopped then, and I realized they must have heard me. “It's OK.” I rasped out again.
“Mr. Stephens, I need you to stop speaking now, and relax. You've lost a lot of blood, we're taking you up to the operating room now.”
“Harper?” I asked, barely audible.
“Your fiance is here Mr. Stephens, please don't over exert yourself. For her sake.”
I stopped talking then. She was here with me. I let out a slow breath, and then everything went black. Suddenly, I was standing alone in the middle of our living room. I could feel the breeze wafting in through the open french doors, and something beckoned me towards them. When I reached the back porch, I found Harper there. She was facing away from me, admiring the beach's view.
“It's beautiful today.” She sighed, turning to face me. Her hands were laying on her belly, and she was beautiful. Pregnant, and beautiful.