by Jill Sanders
She took the next few minutes to explore her prison. There was only one way in and one way out. The locked door. She was happy to find a makeshift bed, an old sleeping bag, in the far corner. She also discovered a few candles. She only wished she had matches or a lighter.
When her head started pounding again, she touched the tender area and realized that she had a bump just above her left ear. As she pulled her hand away, she assumed the wetness on her fingers was blood. The hair covering the bump was clumped together in a crunchy tangle, telling her it had been a while since she’d been attacked on the street.
She felt around the space for her purse and phone but came up empty. Moving over to the door again, she tried everything she could think of to get it opened. When her head started spinning and she was out of breath, she shook out the sleeping bag and sat down with her back against the stone wall.
She brought her knees up to her chest and hugged her legs. Her thoughts raced. She tried to remember anything about who had attacked her. But every time she played over those moments, again and again, all she came up with was hearing someone behind her just before everything went black.
She didn’t know how long she sat there, listening to the dripping water, going over the last few weeks, months, years in her mind. At one point, she must have fallen asleep, because when she heard someone coming, she jolted awake.
A weapon. What she needed was a weapon. She grabbed her shoe and held it up as she moved to the other side of the doorway. Then she waited.
Tyler’s brothers pulled him aside. “We should check with Brian. He’s been staying out with the protest group,” said Trent.
Tyler looked around the street, at the police who were still gathering clues and making a plan, and at his mother, who was starting to talk to the townspeople about what they might have seen. Talking to everyone in town would take too long—Tyler needed to take action. If Kristen was bleeding, she could be in serious trouble.
It took less than ten minutes until they pulled into the state park. The place was packed with trailers and tents. A large group of people milled about the campsite. Some were making signs like the ones he’d seen cropping up along the roads for the past few weeks. All stressing how dangerous fracking was. He had to admit, some of the signs were funny and witty. Others had the McGowan business logo beneath big red letters spelling STOP.
Tyler zeroed in on the small group where Addy was standing and approached her with urgency.
“Kristen is missing. I think she’s in trouble,” he said. “We heard Brian has been staying out here. Can you show me his tent?”
She nodded in shock, and worry played out on her face. “His group is up here.” She turned and walked down a pathway. As they went, she asked questions about when Kristen went missing. Tyler was thankful that Trent filled her in instead of him. He was having a hard time putting two thoughts together, he was so consumed with worry.
He kept up with her but pulled her to a stop before they turned the last corner.
“They’re just up ahead.” She indicated around the corner.
“Stay here,” Tyler said. “Trey?” He nodded to his brother to let him know he wanted him to stay with Addy.
Trey nodded and sighed as Trent followed Tyler around the corner. There were four tents set up around a fire pit. From what he could tell, no one was around. “You take those two.” He nodded to the ones on the left.
“What are we looking for?” Trent asked.
“Hell if I know.” He moved to the first tent. “Anyone in here?” When no one answered, he bent down and unzipped the flap and glanced in. Two sleeping bags, a lantern, and water. Nothing else. Zipping the flap back up, he moved to the next tent.
This one held basically the same with the exception of some clothes, two backpacks, and shoes. Nothing looked out of the ordinary.
He was just zipping up the tent when he saw a movement behind him and then pain shot as a fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling down to the mud.
“What the hell are you doing?” Brian stood above him, his fists clenched.
Just as the man was rearing to kick him, Trent jumped out from a tent and tackled him to the ground. Tyler didn’t waste any time—he rushed over and helped his brother hold the man down.
“What the hell?” Brian cried out after Tyler sat on his chest. “Why are you here?”
“We’re looking for Kristen,” Tyler answered.
“What are you talking about? She’s not here,” Brian yelled up at him. “I could have you arrested for breaking and entering.”
Tyler laughed. “I never went into your crummy tent. I was looking for you so we can have a nice chat.” Tyler reached down and pulled the man up. Trent helped haul him toward a picnic table and forced him to sit down.
“Now, you’re going to tell us all about your day and just how you lost your dear old daddy’s snuff box.” He stood over the man as Trey and Addy came rushing around the corner.
Brian’s eyes moved over to Addy and Tyler watched the man sneer in her direction. “I didn’t expect you to take their side,” he said to her.
“I’m not taking anyone’s side. I’m just trying to find Kristen. Safe and sound,” Addy said, stomping her foot lightly.
“Where were you today around two o’clock?” Trent asked Brian.
“Here. I’ve been here all day,” he barked.
“Are you sure?” Trent asked. Brian narrowed his eyes in his direction.
“Ask around. We were making new signs to stop your stupid company.” Brian jerked his head toward a group of people standing in an opening just through the trees.
Trey disappeared again and Tyler knew that he was going to get confirmation.
“I don’t know anything about your missing girlfriend.” He tried to jerk away, but Tyler put a hand on his shoulder, holding him still.
“When was the last time you saw your snuff box?” Tyler asked.
“What’s it to you?” he sneered.
“Whoever destroyed Kristen’s hotel room left your snuff box behind. Maybe that person is behind her disappearance.”
“I lost it last year. Reported it stolen to get some insurance money.” Brian shrugged. “I was due. That box was worth a grand.” He glanced back to Trent. “I was staying with Darla at her place. I came back one night and she kicked me out. Tossed my shit out on the street. When I went back to get my snuff box, she said it wasn’t there.”
“You think she kept it?” he asked.
“Yeah, like I said, it was worth a grand.” He stood up and Tyler let him go this time. “Go ask her; she probably knows more about your girl. After all, she’s had it bad for the three of you for years.” He turned and walked away just as Trey was coming back.
“I’ve got three guys and two women over there that can vouch for him all day.”
“Damn.” Tyler slammed his fist down on the table. It was getting dark. And cold. He had to find Kristen soon.
Kristen held her shoe over her head and was prepared to swing, but instead of the lock and door being opened, a small box was shoved under the planks.
She cried out and banged on the door, but whoever it was just walked away.
She must have screamed for a few minutes until she knew that whoever it was had gone.
Then she knelt and picked up the box. When she opened it, she half expected something to jump out at her. Instead, there was a sandwich and a bottle of water.
The water was still sealed, so she quickly opened and downed half of it. She hadn’t realized she’d been so thirsty until then. How many hours had she been in this cave?
The sandwich, however, she questioned. She smelled it, opened it and tried to scrutinize it in the dim light. Ultimately, she decided that dying by poison was probably better than starvation.
She nibbled on the sandwich and immediately decided to keep half of it for later. After all, she didn’t know when she’d receive another delivery.
After tucking the food and water back into the
brown box, she slowly walked around the space again. This time, searching with her hands for any weak spots. Especially around the wood-planked wall.
She even took her one Jimmy Choo shoe and used it as a hammer, trying to loosen boards and the dirt on the walls. Nothing moved.
Giving up, she went back into her corner and sat down in defeat. Whoever had taken her knew that she couldn’t escape her prison. How long would they keep her alive? Did they expect to drop food off to her every day for the rest of her life?
Suddenly, sheer panic hit her. How long was she going to be kept here? Why? Her mind turned to Tyler, to her mother, to everything she’d wanted to do in life but hadn’t yet.
She’d quit her job. That didn’t cause her panic, but the possibility of not being able to pursue her new dreams did.
Her mind went over and over all the things she wanted to do in the future. She tucked her knees up to her chest and felt the moment the cold air rushed in and knew that it was snowing outside again. She’d avoided zipping herself up in the sleeping bag since she didn’t know how clean it was, but looking down at herself now, she realized she was probably dirtier than anything she’d find inside its warmth.
When she crawled inside, she tucked herself into a tight ball and made sure no cold air could get in. Then she buried her head under the covers and tried not to cry.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
They drove back into town together, Tyler’s worry increasing with each flake of snow that fell. They planned to question Darla at the Wet Spot but wanted to check in at the police station first.
Tyler wasn’t surprised to see his mother there, working with the police to set up volunteer search parties to go out at first light. He was surprised to see Mr. Burnett helping. The man looked as concerned as he was. Maybe Tyler had misjudged him.
Everyone spent a few minutes updating the group and debating their next move. Then Mr. Burnett pulled him aside.
“I think we should call Kristen’s mother,” he said.
“I . . .” He hadn’t thought about calling Kristen’s family. At least not yet. Not until they knew more.
Tyler’s throat closed, so he turned and walked over to Mike’s desk.
“Have you contacted Kristen’s family?” he asked.
“Not yet,” Mike said. “We were just about to . . .”
“I’ll do it,” Tyler said.
“It’s against protocol, Tyler.”
Tyler sat down and listened while Mike made the call. He couldn’t hear the words Kristen’s mother was saying, but the worried tone in her voice carried loudly from the phone. Mike seemed out of his depth.
After a moment, Tyler’s mother walked up and put a hand on Mike’s shoulder. “Let me.” She held her hand out for the phone. “From one mother to another.”
He listened to every word his mother said to Kristen’s mother, and something changed inside him. The fear and pain started to fade, replaced only by anger and a desperate need to find Kristen. No matter the cost.
Once his mother was off the phone, he grabbed his brothers and headed back out to the Wet Spot.
Addy had followed them to the station and stopped them before they left. “Did you know that Darla and I used to be friends in grade school?” she asked, looking between the three brothers.
“No,” Tyler said slowly.
“I have an idea, but it will require some acting on your part.” She bit her bottom lip.
“Okay.” He stretched the word out. “What do you have in mind?”
She smiled and briefly went through her plan. Five minutes later, Tyler and Addy walked into the Wet Spot, holding onto each other.
Addy had removed her jacket and had unbuttoned her top buttons on her flannel shirt. Her arms were wrapped around Tyler tight as they walked into the dark room.
Instead of heading over to where Darla was serving drinks, they took a back booth and sat on the same side, really close to each other.
“Is she looking?” Tyler asked Addy. He was sitting on the outside, giving him a view of only the window and the back corner.
Addy leaned closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Let me check,” she whispered in his ear and he could tell her eyes were scanning the room. “Yes, and boy, does she look pissed.” She giggled and batted her eyes as she pulled away from him. “In the end, she turned out very mean to me and her seeing me with you is a wonderful payback.”
As far as flirting went, Addy knew how to act. He figured he needed to step up and pulled her closer and whispered in her ear, “You’re good at this.”
She giggled again and slapped playfully at him.
Then her eyes moved past him and her smile fell away slightly. “Oh, hi Darla. I didn’t know you worked here.” He could hear the surprise in Addy’s voice that she’d added just for Darla’s benefit and decided never to go up against her in anything.
“What are you doing back in town?” Darla blurted out.
“Oh, just visiting.” Addy wrapped his hair around her fingers playfully. “And I ran into Tyler here.” She sighed. “And we decided to have some drinks.” She leaned up and placed a kiss just below his ear.
Since he doubted he could hide his anger toward Darla, he kept his eyes toward Addy. “I can’t believe my luck,” he said.
“What about that city girl? I heard she came back to town but that something happened to her this afternoon,” Darla said.
“Hmm?” He closed his eyes and gathered his strength to mask his emotions, before turning toward Darla. “Oh.” He shrugged. “She probably just got lost on her way back to the hotel.” He chuckled and turned back toward Addy, who squeezed his hand under the table for encouragement. Then he turned back toward Darla. “We’ll have a couple beers,” he said, then turned back to Addy as if dismissing the other woman.
He could tell that Darla hadn’t moved, so he leaned in and started raining kisses on Addy’s neck, causing Addy to sigh and pull him closer. A moment later, Addy tapped his arm. “Now for me to make my move. Let me up, I’ll run back to the ladies’ room.”
He scooted out of the booth, making a show to help her out.
Then he watched Addy make her way toward the back. The hallway was dark and he watched as Darla’s eyes followed Addy, then she set her tray of drinks down and followed her into the bathroom.
He wanted to go after her but knew it wouldn’t do any good.
A few minutes later, Addy came out of the bathroom, looking a little haggard but with a bright smile.
“Well?” he asked when she sat back down.
“Oh, she’s pissed.” Addy kept the smile on her face.
It was then that he saw a bright-red mark on Addy’s cheek. “Did she hit you?” he asked, feeling his anger grow.
“Not as hard as I hit her.” Addy smiled again.
“Did she say anything?” he asked.
Here was where Addy’s smile fell away. “She hinted that I might have something to do with Kristen’s disappearance since I’m now with you.”
“What does that mean?” He chanced a glance and watched as Darla came out of the restroom. Sure enough, a bright-pink mark just under her left eye.
He turned back to Addy. “I could always tell when she was lying. She wasn’t.” Addy sighed and looked defeated.
“So now what?”
Everyone ended up at Tyler’s mother’s place. It was past midnight and his worry for Kristen had tripled since five hours ago. The snow was falling relentlessly and the temperature was dangerously cold since the sun had set.
His mother’s living room was packed with people he knew and some he didn’t. He’d been surprised to see the other two leaders of the protest group standing by the fireplace talking to his mother. Addy walked over to join them. Mr. Burnett was there too, looking haggard and worried.
“How are you holding up?” his mom asked him.
“We should be out there, looking . . .”
“Honey, we’re doing what we can. If we all go around stumbling in
the dark, someone could get lost or . . . god forbid, get hurt.” She patted his hand. “We’re organizing search parties for first light and arranging for water and food for all the volunteers.”
He felt his heart kick. He hadn’t thought about any of that. To be honest, he hadn’t thought about anything other than finding Kristen. If he had to, at this point, he figured he could go without food and sleep until he saw her again.
“I’m sure we’ll find her.” Addy reached over and laid a hand on his arm. “I just want you to know that we are all here for you. We plan on starting first thing in the morning.”
“Why? Why would your group be willing to help—after all, they’ve been protesting our family since you got here.”
“We’re protesting what big oil companies do to our lands and environment. We don’t want any harm to come to anyone,” she said.
When the preparations were finished and most of the group had gone home to rest before the search, his mother said, “Tyler, I’ve made you soup and sandwiches.”
“I’m not hungry.”
His mother gave him one of those “mom” looks, so he sat down and ate a couple spoonfuls of the warmth.
Then she insisted he go into the guest room and lay down. She didn’t want him driving to his trailer in his state of mind with the weather how it was.
He laid there, not able to sleep. His eyes were glued to the ceiling as he wondered where Kristen was. If she was safe. If she was scared and thinking of him.
Kristen had lost track of time. Lost track of everything. She’d eaten the rest of the sandwich and drank the rest of the water. Then, when she had to use the restroom, used the lid of the cardboard box as a shovel and dug a hole in the soft dirt near the front of the cave and sucked it up and went. She felt completely gross, and desperately wished for a shower, but refused to let it get to her anymore. She’d cried enough.
Her mind was focused on two things: escape and Tyler.
She was dozing again, unable to keep her eyes open, either from exhaustion or because of the bump on her head, which still throbbed painfully, when she heard someone coming again. She screamed. Once again, another box was shoved under the door without a sound. A moment later, a scraggly blanket, rolled up to fit through the small space, followed.