A Beautiful New Life (Genesee)

by Susan Irene

  Jordan pulled a blanket out of the basket and laid it down on the moist, cold ground. The blanket was thick and well insulated and the cold of the ground was held at bay. Jordan sat down, pulling Louise to him. “So what do you think?”

  “It is beautiful, how did you find this?”

  “This is a big party hangout and before I met you I would come here with the guys. I still do occasionally. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about bringing you here sooner.”

  “Well it’s beautiful and I’m glad you brought me now.” She turned to him now allowing the thundering sound of the waterfall to block out everything but the two of them. She took his face in her hands. “Don’t ever leave me, Jordan. I love you so much. Make love to me, right here, right now.”

  She pressed her lips to his and kissed him with all the pent up energy from the hectic workweek and the preparations of them leaving. He returned her kiss with the same fury. He pulled away just long enough to get another blanket out of the basket and wrap it around them. It was cold but their love wrapped them, shielding them from the elements. In the mist and thundering of the waterfall, they made love. They stayed there until the setting sun was low enough that the trees no longer allowed in any light. They gathered the blankets and basket and walked hand in hand back to the car.

  They got in and drove off heading in the same direction that they were when they had pulled off. He wanted to prove to her that this road would indeed lead back to itself and then back into town. They came to the tee in the road, turned left, and drove straight into town. They continued this heading west and then north with each time the road leading back to town. The sun was completely set now and they wondered if they should drive the last road but agreed to wait until morning before making the trip. They headed home.

  The next morning brought sunshine and Jordan and Louise headed out to explore the last road. Louise packed a picnic basket to take with them.

  “With food this time.” she told Jordan.

  Smiling, “I didn’t hear you complain about the blankets last night.”

  “Well we just need to be prepared if someone sees us, we have an excuse.”

  “We had an excuse last night too.” He was feeling flirtatious and wanted to take Louise back to bed but she wanted to get moving on their plans. With each delay it was that much longer she was without her kids. The anticipation of finally leaving was too much at times and today was one of those times.

  “Okay the basket is ready. Let’s go.”

  He tried one more time to get his way. “Are you sure you don’t want to make the bed before we leave?” He knew she had already made it but in his attempt to get her back in it, he had messed it back up again. She looked into the bedroom and saw the messy bed.

  “Well it’ll have to wait until we get home.” She was not budging so he had no choice but to follow. He grabbed the basket and her hand and they headed out. They drove into town and head northeast on the last road they had left to explore. They had expected to come across the typical housing development but they found none. The road went east and then north again through farmland. They drove several more miles when the farmlands tapered off and the landscape filled with trees. The road took a sharp left and the trees cleared giving view to a gray brick building. They both shuddered at the sight. This was the first time Louise had seen the outside of the building that started her nightmare but she knew what was inside. Jordan had only been there twice, once when he was captured and again when he learned of Louise’s fate. They got about 50 yards from the building when two security guards stopped them.

  “Hey I think we made a wrong turn. We’re looking for Karney Park.” Jordan had rolled down the window and addressed the guards before they could overreact to them being there. It had worked.

  The guard had poked his head into the window and eyed the picnic basket in the back seat. “Oh yeah you took the wrong road people do it a lot. Just take this one back into town and turn left and then take the next left.”

  “Ah that’s right. It was the first right honey not the second.” Jordan had turned to Louise and grabbed her hand. “You were right.”

  Louise leaned over Jordan. “Thanks so much for your help.”

  “Is there somewhere I can turn around?” They had made it this far and Jordan wanted to get a better look at the security around the building.

  “Ya, just flip a u-turn right here.”

  “Will do. Thanks again.” Jordan rolled up the window, guided the car to the edge of the road, and flipped around the guards still standing in the middle of the road. Jordan and Louise both waved and they headed off back into town.

  “Well that didn’t go so well. At least we know that they are guarding the road in but it would be nice to know if there was a road out. I know if we go through the trees north of the building it would eventually lead us to the road I broke down on.”

  “But if we walk we will be caught before we got any distance. We need to take a vehicle.” They drove back into town and with the picnic basket already packed, they decided to take advantage of the nice day and headed out to Karney Park.

  They arrived and found their usual spot on the knoll overlooking the lake. They both were quiet surely thinking but not wanting to say aloud that there was no way out of here. Louise felt the tears fall and for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeless. Jordan sat next to her and held her hand as she cried. He could not even imagine the pain she was going through, the loss, the despair. Her desperation broke his heart and he turned away. He did not want to see her like this and remembered a time when she was sitting getting her nails done.

  “That’s it. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier.” He was on his knees now facing her. He grabbed both of her hands. “Louise, how did you get to the resort?”

  “Huh? The resort? Oh the resort. Of course there has to be a way to the resort from here.” She wiped the tears with the back of her hand and hope started to filter back in again.

  “Okay, we need to figure out where the resort is from here.”

  “But I saw you there. Don’t you know where it is?”

  “I was there once with Vince. It was before I really knew what this place was all about and we had made so many stops that day that I honestly didn’t even know how I got there.”

  “Okay so how to figure out where it is located. It is obviously not in town.” They sat on the blanket pondering. Louise looked out over the lake. “Maybe we can swim out of here.”

  “The lake is a good three miles wide. There is no way we could make it.” Jordan laid down looking at the clouds filling the sky. Louise laid her head on his chest and both silently watched the clouds transform from one object to another.

  “TREES!” Megan shot up.

  “Yes dear I see them too but they don’t excite me nearly as much as they are you.” He rolled over and sat up on one arm.

  “No, there were trees completely surrounding the resort. I remember driving down the mountain and seeing a grove of trees. I almost missed it because trees surrounded it. There are trees west of town.”

  “Yes but there are also trees north of town…”

  “But you came from there and you didn’t see the resort. It has to be west of here.”

  “You’re right. You have to be right. Let’s drive out there. Maybe something will look familiar and we/’ll be able to find the resort and a way out of here.”

  They both jumped up and ran to the car before realizing they had left the picnic basket and blanket. They headed back to their spot and hastily picked up the basket and blanket and ran back to the car. They stowed the items in the back seat and before Louise got into the car, Jordan pulled her into his arms.

  “I love you Louise.” Tears glistened in his eyes and she had to turn away.

  She cleared her throat and turned back to him. “I love you too Jordan. Everything is going to be okay.”

  “You…”

  “Shh.” She put her finger on his lips. “It has to be.
It just has to be.”

  She pulled herself away from him and got in the car. He stood there just a moment his head hung. He took a deep breath, walked around the front of the car to the driver’s side, and got in behind the wheel.

  They drove in silence back into town and then headed west out of town. There was not much on this side of town. Trees with pull offs every so many feet. Each pull off had a picnic table, a fire pit and a concrete pad or a clearing for a tent perhaps. There were some already filled with those campers eager to get the season started. Louise turned to Jordan.

  “How do these people camping not run into the resort. I mean, when we used to go camping we would go hiking along the trails. Oh..” The thought was interrupted with the logical answer. “They must have carefully marked trails to avoid anyone from accidently leaving.”

  She turned back to look out the front window and they continued to drive. The road winding around and they knew that the road would soon turn back onto itself.

  “There has to be a way out of here. How long is this road do you think?”

  “Probably a mile. Why?”

  Megan turned to Jordan once more. “Let’s pull into one of the campsites and park the car.”

  “Hmmm I like that idea.” His eyes twinkling now with excite as the tears from early were all gone.

  “No.” She laughed. “Is that all you have on your mind? No, don’t answer that. We’re going to walk the road. We have to be missing something.”

  “That’s a good idea, even though mine was better.” He laughed as he pulled into the first empty campsite they came to.

  They both got out and walked to the back of the car. Jordan opened the truck and they pulled out their jackets. Here in the sun it was warm, but deep under the trees the sun’s warmth was blocked. They put their jackets on and headed west along the road. They stopped from time to time and chatted with the eager campers. As far as anyone was concerned, Jordan and Louise were just some lovebirds looking for some time alone.

  They made it halfway around the loop and decided to take a rest. They walked into one of the empty campsites and sat on the picnic table drinking a bottle of water.

  “We should’ve brought a blanket.” Jordan put his arm around Louise’s waist and pulled her closer to him.

  “Really! Is that all you think about?” Even in the dark of the trees, you could see the sparkle in her eyes.

  “When I’m with you, yes all I think about is pleasuring you. I know you don’t want to think about it but…but you know that this might not end well.”

  “No!”

  “You have to face the possibilities. Even if we get out of here we may have to split up for awhile.”

  “No, we’re not going to have this conversation. Not now.”

  “Yes, we are. That’s why I want you so bad. Want you all the time. I want to remember you, every part of you.” He had his hand on her face pulling it to him. He kissed her softly and they made love on the soft bed of pine needles under the trees. As they lay nestled in the pine needles drinking in each other’s face etching it in their minds they heard an approaching vehicle. They lay still each holding their breath for fear the driver would hear them breathe. The sound came closer, louder. It was a truck. It slowed as it passed the campsite they were in and then turned into the next one. They both tensed at the thought of what luck they would chose that one but when the truck did not stop, they both sat up forgotten they were half dressed. Jordan was the first to react. He grabbed his jeans. Slipped them on and ran to the other campsite. He stood there jaw dropped to the ground. Louise came up behind him still struggling to button her shirt. There it was, their way home. They walked back to their campsite and grabbed their jackets and shoes. They walked along the road and stopped at the next campsite. From the road, you could not see that there was a road. The trees gave the illusion that there were just trees. The other thing they noticed was there was no table or fire pit, it had just a cracked concrete pad. It looked unkempt and unwanted. No one would use it to set up camp, but it blended in with the rest that at first glance nothing seemed out of place.

  “Should we follow it?” Louise asked. Her heart raced at the thought they were so close to leaving. Had the truck been an illusion? Had the truck only turned the corner and not pulled into the site?

  “Yes, but not on the road, let’s walk along side it.” He grabbed Louise’s hand and they walked along the road through the trees.

  They only walked about a quarter of a mile when the trees started to thin. From where they stood, they could see a building in the distance and Louise knew at once that it was the resort. She recognized the solarium she had enjoyed her first day there.

  “That’s the resort.” She whispered to Jordan. “Do you think we could drive your car out of here?”

  “I’m not sure. Stay here.” He pulled her behind a tree.

  “No I want to come with you.” She argued.

  “No, it will be easier if just one of us go. Just stay here. I’ll be right back.” He grabbed her and kissed her hard. “I love you.”

  He ran off through the woods toward the camouflaged road. She could see his silhouette dance from tree to tree and then he was gone. She crouched down, behind the tree peaking out waiting for him to return. The minutes crawled by. The trees waved in the wind. A storm was coming. She could feel the temperature dropping. She was moments from panic. Where did he go? Did he leave her? Did he get caught? No, he would not leave her. Where did he go? The questions swam in her head like sharks in the ocean and it was giving her a headache. She pondered heading in the direction he had went when she saw movement ahead. Was it he? Was it someone else? She held her breath, standing frozen behind the tree. She peaked out between the branches, watching, as the silhouette got closer, no longer dancing behind the trees just a straight shot for her.

  “Oh my god Jordan.” She darted out from behind the tree and ran to him when he came into clear view.

  “Quiet. The road ends at a gate that is guarded. We’re close so they might hear you.” He pulled her close to him and led her further away from the road. “I want to see what else is around here. Maybe we can come up with a different plan.”

  They continued to walk through the woods staying in the thicker part so any passersby would not see them. The afternoon sun was disappearing fast and with the thick trees, they soon had to feel their way.

  “Maybe we should head back and come again tomorrow.” Louise suggested. After unseen branches slapped her in the face, she was worried about walking into someone that would do much worse harm.

  “No, wait look.” They crept along toward the thinning trees, where the light shown. Just beyond there was a parking lot.

  “It looks like it’s not gated. If we can get our hands on some keys to one of the cars, we could leave from here.

  “Why not take my car? We know where the key is.”

  “Good idea. Stay here.” He kissed her and ran off before she could argue.

  “Damn him.” She hid behind a tree as she did earlier and waited for his return. He was not gone as long this time or it was just she had occupied herself by thinking of finally reuniting with her boys.

  “Okay there’s definitely no gate. Let’s head back, it’s getting late.”

  They headed back out to the main road being slapped by branches again in the dense dark forest. When they finally made it to the road, both Jordan and Louise looked like hell. They were bleeding from scratches on their face and hands. Louise had taken off her wig to prevent it from being tangled in the trees and was now pulling it out of her jacket and putting it back on.

  They took each other’s hand and walked back the half mile to Jordan’s car. The wind had picked up and the temperature dropped. Typical weather to be expected for early spring. Winter was holding its grasp on the world and was not giving up easily. Jordan started the car, turning on the heat and they headed for home.

  They sat in silence during the drive home. Each in their own thought about th
e recent development. They arrived at their house. Jordan had given his place up long ago and they moved into a house together. She still felt guilty since she was married to Arlin but the fact that he put her here soon dissolved that guilt and was replaced with determination to get out of here. Of course, she loved Jordan he was everything to her.

  They both headed straight for the shower and soon they were undressed letting the hot water run over them while they caressed each other. Jordan took the soap from her and lathered her all over taking extra care on her breasts. He traced the suds sliding down her navel. They rinsed off and without bothering to dry, he picked her up and carried her to bed where they made love again. He could not get enough of her. He could not fight the feeling that had been building for weeks. He feared the worst and as much as he tried to prepare her, she refused to believe that anything bad would come between them.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The days dragged on like a train climbing a steep grade. They decided they would leave the third Friday in March, during lunchtime. Jordan said that would be the best time. Everyone would be watching the basketball games, rooting for their favorite teams. He had actually heard Vince say once that if anyone was ever so stupid to try and leave, that March would be the time to do it. Louise wanted to leave immediately but Jordan needed to make sure they had thought about everything that could go wrong and plan for it. They needed to get the key again for Louise’s car. They also needed to know what Louise was going to do once she got home. It was not like she could just walk in and take her life back. Arlin would never allow it. He paid good money to see her gone.

  “Can’t I just call the police?” Now that the time had finally come, she did not want to wait another minute.

  “Really Louise? Think about what you just asked. Weren’t you the one who told me they have people on the outside? Did you get to check out everyone from your hometown to make sure who was or wasn’t a part of this organization?” He was raising his voice, which he did not like to do, but she was not thinking rationally which could cause problems.