The deep ruts in the road made the truck lurch back and forth throwing me around the cab of the truck violently. I could not break the tossing and falling with my hands as they were tied securely behind me. I was sure to be black and blue with bruises. Then, the truck hit a particularly deep rut. I lurched forward, and a sharp pain reverberated through my head. Blackness clouded my vision. Then nothingness.
10. KIDNAPPED
I AWOKE TO MOVEMENT. JON WAS
carrying me toward a rickety-looking cabin sitting about fifty feet from the lake. The shore was mostly a tangled mess of vines and weeds. This looked to be more of hunting and fishing cabin than a vacation cabin. I peeked out from under my eyelashes surveying the landscape. I did not want Jon to know that I was conscious again. He must have untied me because my arms were dangling loosely at my sides. It was probably too awkward for him to carry me with my hands tied behind my back.
Jon was definitely a muscle-man. He carried me effortlessly. My face was nestled against a bulging bicep. I exerted extreme effort to remain motionless. Conceivably, if Jon thought I was unconscious, he would not tie my hands again. Perhaps, he would lay me down and leave me alone for a while waiting on me to gain consciousness. I did my best to peruse the environment around the cabin for possible escape routes. Trying to look without moving my head, I thought I caught a glimpse of a boat dock in the distance. Cautiously, I opened my eyes a little wider. There was a small fishing boat with a motor tied to the dock. I worried that it may not have gas or be hard to start. If I were to get away, I would have to be able to start it the first time. Jon would be alerted by the noise of the failed start of the boat. It was what was tied to the other side of the dock that lifted my spirits. There on the opposite side of the dock from the boat was a canoe almost as large as the fishing boat. If I could get away, I could use it to escape quietly.
Jon suddenly shifted me in his arms. As focused as I was on the canoe, I almost yelped in surprise—almost. He was just reaching for a hidden key behind a light on the porch. Precariously, he balanced me on his knee while he freed one hand to unlock the cabin door. I heard the lock click, and Jon pushed open the door. The door creakingly protested, and he gave it another shove. Pocketing the key, he slid his arm under me again. As he strode into the room, a damp musty smell invaded my senses. There was also a faint smell of fish that was most likely a remnant of the last visit here. Jon crossed the room and kicked open a door.
He walked in a few steps and dumped me on a foul-smelling mattress. I feigned unconsciousness. I could feel rather than see Jon lean over me. I must look like a ghost because he pressed two fingers to my neck to see if I had a pulse. Satisfied that I was not dead, I could hear him move away from the bed. Straining to listen, I heard the latch on the door click. Cautiously, I peered out from under my lashes, in case he was still in the room. Satisfied the room was empty, I opened my eyes wide to look around. The dark room was bare except for the bed upon which I lay and a small bedside table with a sad, dusty lamp. Even though it was mid-afternoon, the room was dimly lit. The walls were planks of musty, dark wood instead of drywall. The small window did not receive direct sunlight at this time of day.
Carefully, I tested the mattress to see if it squeaked. The squeaks were mainly in the center of the bed, so I cautiously edged to the perimeter of the mattress. A banging from the other room ceased my progress.
“There is no food in this whole damn house,” I heard Jon swearing as he banged the cupboard doors open and shut. I used the noise to cover my escape from the bed. I moved toward the single window to see if it would open. I tried the latch, and it slid to the unlocked position which surprised me considering its rusty state. With doors still banging open and shut, I tried the window. It resisted. I tried again putting more effort into opening the window. It began to rise. The racket in the next room ceased, and I froze. I heard Jon’s footsteps coming closer to the room. I slid the window back down and headed for the bed.
Easing on to the bed, I feigned unconsciousness again as Jon burst through the door. Jon quickly crossed the room. Grabbing my wrist, he tied a piece of frazzled rope to it. I involuntarily groaned as he grabbed my other wrist tying it to the first. I was already sore from the tortuous ride in the truck and having my hands tied behind my back which had strained muscles in my arms, neck, and back. At least, he was tying my hands in front this time. I tried to make space between my two wrists without Jon noticing. He took the other end of the rope and tied it to the bedpost. Then he huffed off slamming the door as he went. I heard the front door close moments later. Straining to listen for the truck, I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard gravels crunching outside as his truck drove down the drive.
Twisting my wrists back and forth, I tried to free my hands. I managed a little wiggle room in my efforts but not enough to free them. Jon had not tied my hands behind me, and he had not tied my right hand to the bedpost just the other end of the rope. That meant I should be able to untie the rope. I sat up and scooted toward the bedpost. It definitely wasn’t easy, but I managed to work one knot loose. I tugged and pulled at the other knot. I know Jon must have been in a hurry, or he would have been much more careful about leaving me securely tied up. I figured he wanted to get to wherever he was headed and back before dark. What time was it? I had no idea, but I guessed I had a couple of hours of daylight left. What if a dark creature tracked me here? The thought of facing one alone sent shivers down my spine, and I speeded up my efforts to get free.
My arms ached and my wrists burned like fire from being tied up, but I still persisted. Finally, my efforts were rewarded, and the last knot slipped loose. My hands were still tied, but I was free from the prison of the bed. Cautiously, I went to the bedroom door and listened. It was possible that during my intense concentration while untying the rope that Jon had returned. I listened for any sounds coming from the next room for a long minute. When I was satisfied that he was not there, I quietly turned the knob and cracked the door open. Still no sign of him. I slid through the door and closed it behind me. I did not want him to notice an open door when he returned. Perhaps he would have to go to the bathroom, or he may fix himself something to eat before he checks on me. Minutes were precious in this situation. Minutes could be the difference between freedom and whatever Jon had planned for me. I still didn’t want to think about what Jon could be capable of. If he thought I was still tied up in the bedroom, it could buy me precious minutes on the run.
I crossed the room to the kitchen silently. A knife lying on the kitchen counter next to a roll of black duct tape chilled my blood. Why had Jon had a knife out? On closer inspection, I noticed rope fibers sticking to the end of the knife. Perhaps, his only intention for the knife was to cut the rope. I desperately wished it to be so. Jon and I had been friends for years. I could not believe he wished me harm. Even though he had kidnapped me, I realized it was an act of desperation and jealously. He was insanely jealous of Zell of that I was sure. I thought of Zell and paused. I missed him so much, and it had only been less than twenty-four hours since I last saw him. It seemed like forever though. How had Zell existed for an eternity without a family or someone to love? I pitied him then. I was sorry for every mean thing I had ever said to him. I wanted to see him now more than anything I had ever wanted in my life. I missed him desperately. Where was he?
“Snap out of this,” I reprimanded myself out loud. “First things first. You have to get yourself out of these ropes.” I grabbed the hilt of the knife. Awkwardly, I attempted to saw at the rope where it crossed over my hand.
“Oh,” I said sickly as the knife sliced through my flesh. It was difficult to control the blade with my wrists still tied. However, I could see I was making progress. Several strands of the rope lay severed. I twisted and turned my wrists and another strand that had been cut halfway through popped open. My efforts sent streams of blood running down my hands and pooling on the counter. I continued to saw away at the rope intermittently cutting my hand as I did so. Fin
ally, enough of the rope had been cut to enable me to slip my bloody hand free. I dropped the knife, and it clattered to the counter. The sound unnerved me, and I looked furtively around expecting someone to jump on me. I pulled the rope from my hands. I opened the door beneath the sink and threw the rope remnants in the dark back corner. I then washed the knife and laid it back on the counter. I opened drawers looking for a kitchen towel or something to clean up the bloody mess on the counter. I finally found what I was looking for. Two badly stained but clean kitchen towels were stuffed in a drawer with some fishing lures. I took out the most stained one and wet it under the faucet. I wiped down the bloody counter. I was still dripping blood everywhere. I took the second towel and wrapped it around my hand. Tearing off a long strip of duct tape, I wound it around the towel holding it in place. I finished cleaning up my blood from the counter and floor, and then I threw the towel under the sink in the same dark corner where I had thrown the rope.
“Now, what do I do?” I sank to the kitchen floor deep in thought. Something vibrated against my leg. I blinked. My cell phone! My cell phone was in my pocket. I thought I had put it in my book bag in English class. I knew my book bag was lying in the parking lot next to where Jon’s truck had been. Eagerly, I dug in my pocket with my good hand and pulled out my phone.
“Oh, thank God,” I said with a heartfelt sigh.
I looked at the number. It was Zell.
“Help me, Zell,” I whispered into the phone.
“Annie, where are you?” Zell’s voice sounded frantic.
“Jon kidnapped me. I think he brought me to a family fishing cabin on Lake Lanier.” I whispered into the phone. I knew Jon was not there, but I still could not make myself talk in a normal voice. “Where have you been?”
“I went to my shop to make some special weapons. I wanted you to have something with which to defend yourself since you seem to be determined to wander around alone. I thought you would be safe at school. After yesterday, I thought you would stick close by your friends at least for a few days. I came to meet you after school. I found your book bag in the parking lot, and your car was still parked in the lot. Kate and I have been calling and searching for you for over two hours.” I could hear a trace of panic in his voice.
“I must not have had service because this is the first time the phone has rung. I didn’t even know I had it on me until just now. I’ve got to go. Jon left for a few minutes. I think I am miles from the main road. There is a boat and a canoe by the dock. If I am on the lake, can you search for me by air?” I asked Zell still whispering as if someone were close by.
“Yes, I will find you,” Zell whispered back as if someone were listening to him also.
“Zell?” I called to him.
“Yes, sweetheart,” he answered.
My heart melted at his term of endearment.
“I . . . I . . . I’m sorry. I’m sorry about everything. I believe you. I believe you are who you say you are. I believe you are from the race of the Anak. I believe that your father is a Fallen Angel, a Watcher. I do believe my life is in danger, and you are here to protect me. I’m glad that you are here. I can’t even remember what my life was like before you. You are my life now too,” I murmured so lightly that I wasn’t even sure he heard me.
“I just wanted you to know in case . . . in case this ends badly.”
“It won’t. I am coming for you Annie.”
I ended my call and closed my eyes. I was just thankful that Zell had not left, and that I had heard his voice once more before . . . . I had a premonition that this would not end well. I could not shake the feeling. I sat in the floor with my phone clutched to my chest and my eyes closed for several minutes before I could shake myself out of the melancholy that I felt.
“Get up,” I said aloud. “Get up now!” I pushed myself up from the kitchen floor willing my bruised and exhausted body to move. I went to the front door, but it had a dead bolt. It was the kind of dead bolt that needed a key to get out. I searched the rest of the cabin for a key or a back door. There was a back door in the kitchen, but it also had a dead bolt and needed a key to unlock it. I searched the sparse rooms, but I could not find a key. Jon must have the only key. I hurried back to the bedroom shutting the door. I crossed to the window and pushed it up. I put first one leg and then another over the window sill. Next, I turned so the sill was under my belly. I pushed myself out of the window. It was a seven or eight-foot drop to the ground, but I landed easily.
I ran in a panic to the dock. I hoped a key would be in the boat, but I doubted it. Double-checking, I looked in the boat for a key. There was no key. I crossed to the motor and pulled the hose that went from the gas tank to the motor out. I threw it as far into the lake as I could manage. It did not sink but floated on top of the water. I just hoped it sank before Jon got back. If Jonny had a key and got the boat started, he could overtake me in no time rowing a canoe. Climbing back on to the dock, I crossed to the other side and jumped in the canoe. My hopes lifted when I saw two oars strapped to each side of the canoe.
Hurriedly, I untied the canoe from the moorings and pushed the canoe away from the docks. Dropping on the tiny bench between the oars, I grabbed an oar in each hand. I had never rowed before. It took several minutes of experimenting before I could head out into open water. The effort broke open the wounds on my hand. Blood soaked the towel. I ignored the blood and the pain and rowed. I rowed as if my life depended on it. Perhaps, it did. Lake Lanier was northeast of school. If I wanted to head back in the direction we came from, wouldn’t I need to row southwest? The sun would be setting in the west, and I headed in the direction just to the left of the setting sun. I rowed and rowed until the muscles in my back and arms seemed to be in knots, yet I didn’t see a house or dock anywhere. I rested letting the canoe drift with the current.
While I rested, my thoughts went wild. Who would find me first: Jon, Zell, or a Dark One? I searched the sky for Zell, but it was empty except for a few billowy clouds. I thought I heard a boat motor in the distance. I panicked. Could it possibly be Jon? I looked along the shore looking for a place to land and hide the canoe until the boat went past, or I was sure it wasn’t him. I had mixed feelings about hiding the boat. How would Zell find me if I were hiding? I heard the sound of a motor again, and it was getting louder. I decided that I would hide until the boat passed, then I would get back out on the lake. I began rowing furiously for the shore. Hopefully, the bend would hide me until I drug the canoe out and into the trees. About fifteen feet from shore, I jumped from the boat. Holding the rope that tied the canoe to the dock, I drug it. If I had thought rowing was hard, dragging this canoe was almost impossible. I managed to get it to land. I went to the bow and lifted it up. Then backing up, I pulled the canoe into the shelter of trees and a few bushes. I hid behind the canoe and waited for the boat to come around the bend.
I huddled behind the canoe in the trees hoping it would not be noticed. As the boat came around the corner, my heart sank. It was Jon. He was looking along the shore. He slowed the motor of the boat. I began edging toward the thick woods. He must have noticed the canoe because his motor died. It was then that I saw the tracks the canoe had left as I pulled it from the water to the trees. The tracks alerted Jon. I jumped up in a dead run. It was getting dark. Perhaps, he would be unable to find me in the dark.
Panic stricken, I ran. It was just like my nightmare. I could hear something thrashing about in the woods behind me. I tripped over a large root that protruded from the earth. Landing in the soft decaying leaves, I breathed heavily. I was drenched from head to toe from jumping out of the boat. Leaves and dirt clung to my wet skin and clothing. This day had just about done me in. I was aching all over. My hand throbbed under the blood-soaked towel that was still wrapped around it. I just wanted to lay here and rest. I was exhausted from rowing in the canoe.
I had to keep going. Wearily, I pushed myself up. I was halfway on my feet when I was tackled from behind. I landed on my stomach again with someo
ne or something on top of me. I spat out dirt and decayed leaves from my mouth. Twisting, I turned to see who was on top of me. Of course, it was Jon.
“Get off of me,” I screamed at him.
“Not until I’m through with you,” he growled. Jon tried to kiss me, but I crossed my arms in front of my face trying to push him off. That is when I heard it. Something big was coming through the woods growling as it came.
“Stop. Jon listen. We’re not alone in the woods. Something is coming.”
Jon continued trying to pull my hands from my face, but he must have heard it, too. He stopped struggling with me and lay still listening. It sounded as though a bulldozer was coming through the woods. I could hear not just twigs but small trees snapping as something came in our direction.
“What the . . .” Jon began.
“Shhhhh,” I whispered as I clamped my good hand over his mouth.
In the filtered moonlight, I could see large red eyes moving in our direction. The eyes looked to be about ten feet off the ground. Whatever it is, it is enormous. When it was fifty feet from us, I could make out another feature. White, gigantic fangs gleamed in the faint moonlight. Jon must have seen them too. He jumped to his feet, and without another word to me, he ran into the night.
“Coward,” I hissed in the direction which he ran. I scrambled to my feet. I backed up trying to keep this newest monster in my line of vision. Maybe if I could get back to Jon’s fishing boat, I would have a chance at escape. Besides, Zell would be looking for me on the lake. I had to get to him. I began to run through the forest back in the direction I had just come. Stumbling over roots and small trees, I ran. I could hear the thing behind me pick up the pace. I ran flying through the trees which I could faintly see in the moonlight, but it wasn’t good enough. I could hear the creature gaining on me. The dark trees became sparser, and I broke into an open area. I turned my head to see how close the beast was behind me. Only a few feet separated us. Then it leaped. The impact hit me like a train. I could feel teeth sinking into my body. The pain hit instantly. It radiated out from where the creature sank in its teeth and burned like I was on fire. I thought of Zell. I thought of my father. Would they miss me? Of course they would, I scolded myself. Another strong impact, I felt my flesh tearing. Was it eating me now?
Dark Angel (Anak Trilogy) Page 17