Finding Forever

by Amanda J. Evans

  We walked through the clearing towards the palm trees that lined the perimeter taking us back down the hill to the other side of the island. The ground was more uneven now and I had to hold onto the trees to keep my balance at times. We hadn’t gotten very far when John held his hand up motioning for me to stop. He turned with his finger to his lips signaling that I be quiet. I moved towards him taking in what he was looking at. It was a wooden shack, nothing special. It looked dark and deserted. There was no car, no sign of life, just a rusty wheelbarrow and a shovel sitting outside the door.

  “Wait here behind the trees while I look and keep out of sight.”

  I was glad I didn’t have to go down there. I crept behind the trees and watched as John made his way down. The dingy cabin didn’t look like much. There was one dirty window and a door, that’s all I could see. It was probably a hunting cabin or a place to shelter from the rain if the island ever had rain. I really had no idea. I knew nothing about this island except for the fact that I was to spend two blissful weeks here with Charles on our honeymoon. I sniffled. Every time I thought of Charles the tears would come. I knew I shouldn’t let them. I knew I had to be strong, but who was I kidding. I couldn’t do anything without him. It was Charles that kept me alive. Without him I was nothing. I wiped away the tears. I couldn’t see John. He’d gone around the back of the cabin. I watched in anticipation, waiting for him to signal that it was okay.

  Without warning the cabin door opened and a man stepped out. He was tall, disheveled with dark hair that flopped in front of his eyes. He raised a hand and pushed it back. I watched as he leaned forward and picked up the shovel. I gasped and ducked behind the tree.

  What do I do? What do I do? Oh, God someone please help.

  I was shaking. I didn’t know what to do. Should I shout, warn John? I couldn’t get my brain to think straight.

  Get a grip Liz. Just shut up and keep still. John will be fine.

  I bit my lip as I watched the shovel rise into the air just before John came around from the back of the house. He didn’t see him. He had no idea what was going to happen. I went to shout to warn him but my body froze as the shovel came down across the top of his head and knocked him to the ground. I stared in horror as the man reached down and dragged John by the feet into the cabin.

  Oh, my God, what am I going to do now? John’s gone, dead. I’m on my own.

  My stomach lurched as I bent over and the food we’d had for lunch spilled out onto the ground. My body was trembling. I leaned back against the tree. What was I going to do now? My mind was a useless mess of fear. I was going to die out here. I’d be next and there was nothing I could do. I pulled at my hair in frustration.

  Get a grip Liz. You’re his only chance now. You need to figure out a way to get him out of there. My inner voice screamed at me.

  I can’t, what if there’s more than one man in there? What can I do? I’m nothing.

  That’s the old you talking Liz. You are someone now remember. You are Charles’ someone and he needs you, so does John. My inner self always had a way of rationalizing things. People thought I was crazy talking to myself but it was how I worked things out. How I calmed myself when I started falling apart.

  I took a deep breath and turned back towards the beach house. If I was going to rescue John, I needed to come up with a plan. The police would be here soon too.

  CHARLES

  A dragging sound woke me from my drug induced slumber. I pried my eyes open, the throbbing pain in my head reminding me of the torture I had faced. My vision slowly came into focus and I saw my captor dragging a body through the door of the cabin. I had no idea who it was, another victim no doubt of his crazed revenge. The body was dumped beside me. I couldn’t tell whether he was still alive.

  “Looks like you have a bit of company Charlie boy. Do you recognize him?”

  I looked at the man and shook my head. I had no idea who he was.

  “Not one of yours then huh?”

  “I’ve never seen him before,” I said studying the face of the insane lunatic that stood before me.

  “Not to worry,” he said going back to close the door. “Glad to see you’re awake, though. Time for phase two of my plan. It’s a good one Charlie, you just wait and see.”

  He was grinning away to himself as I struggled to move. My hands were still bound tightly. I heard a wheeze from beside me and knew that whoever this poor guy was he was still breathing.

  “Who is he?” I asked.

  “No idea, caught him snooping around outside. Seems to be on his own, but I’m going out to check. You play nicely while I’m gone you hear me?”

  I watched him pick up a gun off the table as he made his way through the door.

  “Fuck, I didn’t see the gun,” I whispered.

  A knife was bad enough but now he had a gun too. I had to get out of here and fast.

  “Hey, hey you,” I said as I leaned towards the man beside me. He didn’t move. “Hey,” I repeated, louder this time.

  His body twitched and he started to stir. His hand immediately went to the back of his head as he opened his eyes.

  “You okay?” I asked.

  He shook his head, probably trying to focus before he turned to me.

  “Charles?” he stuttered.

  “Yeah. How do you know my name? Who are you?”

  “The name’s John. I’m here with Liz. Who the hell is that guy?”

  Liz. He said, Liz. She was okay. My Liz was okay, that bastard hadn’t killed her. I let out a deep breath and then the horror hit me. That fucking lunatic was gone out there with a gun.

  “Where is she? Is she okay?”

  It was all I could manage as terror gripped my body.

  “Yeah, she’s fine. I told her to stay hidden. The cops are on their way man, but I don’t know when they’ll arrive. Who is that guy?”

  I swallowed deeply. Liz was safe. She wasn’t stupid. She’d follow the rules. She’d hide. I knew she would. Liz always did what anyone told her to do. It was one of the things that pissed me off. She was a people pleaser, always looking for approval. I hated it and was working so hard on building her confidence. I don’t know what went on with her and her parents but whatever it was, they’d broken, my girl.

  John cleared his throat and I realized that I hadn’t answered his question.

  “I’ve no idea who this lunatic is, but I’m telling you he’s unstable. We’ve got to get out of here. Can you untie me? He could be back any second.”

  John sat up, wobbling. That blow to the head must have been something. He scooted over beside me and began loosening my binds. The relief was instant. Rubbing the deep welts that were now visible I stood for the first time in days. Looking down at where John sat, I paused.

  “Where are we?” I asked

  “Still on the island, not far from your beach house.”

  That’s good, I thought. At least I know where I am. A noise from outside alerted me to the fact that my captor had returned. I sat back against the wooden pole I’d been tied to and resumed my position. John quickly retied my hands, loose enough that I could escape when needed.

  “Don’t move till I give the word,” I whispered. “You’re still dizzy and I’m too weak to jump him just yet.”

  There was no point in trying to rush this guy when he came through the door. John couldn’t stand and I was too weak to do much. I nodded to John as he resumed his position. If we had any chance of escaping, we needed to take him by surprise. With renewed hope, I smiled to myself knowing that revenge would soon be mine.

  “No sign of our friend waking up then Charlie boy?” my captor said as he came through the door and looked in our direction. “Not a problem, it’s you I want anyway,” he sneered as he walked in our direction.

  He stopped in front of John looking down at his crumpled body before kicking him in the legs.

  “So you ready for phase two then?”

  I glared at him trying to restrain myself. I wanted so much to j
ump up and kick the shit out of him, beat him to a pulp. I knew there was no point, though, not until I found out what he had planned. He was still holding a bloody gun too. A knife wound I could take, a bullet was a different story.

  “Do your worst,” I spat out.

  He rolled his head and laughed.

  “Oh Charlie boy, you’re gonna love this. For my next little trick, I’m gonna make your parents disappear.”

  What the fuck. My eyes shot to his face.

  “Ha, now I have your attention, don’t I? You wanna save your parents, then you are going to sign your company and everything you own over to me.”

  I clenched my teeth. “Never,” I roared. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep still for much longer. “You touch my parents and I’ll….”

  He cut me off. “You’ll what Charlie boy? There’s nothing you can do to me. You think I care about death threats? You took everything from me remember? Now it’s my turn to return the favor. You’re going to regret ever setting eyes on my Susan.”

  His Susan. This guy was clearly deranged. I didn’t take her. All I did was help her beat her drug habit.

  “I never took her from you,” I shouted. “All I did was help the poor girl kick her drug habit.”

  I felt the gun against my temple.

  “She was mine,” he spat. “You had no right. Thought you helped her, did you? Well, you didn’t. It’s your fault she’s dead and now you’ll pay. Your parents are about to meet their maker if you don’t sign everything over to me.”

  “Okay, okay,” I shouted. I needed to keep him stable just a little longer. Once that gun was out of his hands we’d jump him. I wasn’t taking a bullet now that I knew Liz was okay and I couldn’t put John’s life at risk either. I just had to hold it together for another few minutes.

  “That’s right Charlie boy, I hold the power here,” he said waving the gun. “Your tough guy act won’t help you. If you don’t sign the papers your parents are dead.”

  “You touch my parents and I swear you’ll pay,” I seethed.

  There was no way he could harm my parents. They were in the Bahamas. Liz and I were to meet up with them for a couple of days before heading home.

  “Think I’m bluffing, do you?” He sneered before turning to walk towards the table. He put the gun down and picked up some papers and a phone. He tapped and swiped a few times before walking back with a sick grin on his face.

  “I never lie,” he said as he shoved the phone in my face.

  My entire body went cold as I looked at my mom and dad bound and gagged. The fear in their eyes would stay with me forever.

  “You sick bastard,” I shouted. “If anything happens to them I’ll…”

  “You’ll what Charlie boy, you’ll kill me,” he laughed. “It won’t make any difference, if I don’t make a call in 20 minutes they’re toast, and once again you’ll be responsible for someone else’s death.”

  I grimaced. What the fuck was I going to do now? The gun was gone but jumping him now wasn’t going to do any good. I had to make sure my parents were safe first.

  “Okay, okay,” I said. “I’ll sign the goddam papers, just make your fucking call.”

  “Wise decision Charlie boy,” he sneered. “Pity you couldn’t have done that five years ago. None of this would be happening if you had. You think you’re the big tough CEO. Well, let me tell you something. You’re nothing and by the time I’ve finished with you, you’ll know it. I’m going to take everything do you hear, and when I’m finished you’ll know what real despair is. You’ll know what it’s like to have your whole life ripped away from you. I promise.”

  He turned and walked back to the table muttering away to himself. I looked down at John. His eyes were open and I mouthed to him to stay still. Just a little longer, just till my parents were safe. He nodded his understanding. I turned back to my captor and watched as he picked up the phone. He paced back and forth in front of the table before he started talking.

  “Hold tight, he’s signing now. Five minutes and you’re good to go. I’ll text when it’s done.”

  He ended the call and grinned. I had no idea what he meant or whether this lunatic would remain true to his word. All I knew was that I had to ensure my parents were safe. Picking up the stack of papers off the table he made his way back towards me.

  “This is how it’s gonna go Charlie boy. You’re gonna sign these papers and your parents will be allowed to live.”

  I glared at him, anger rising in my body. As soon as he bent to untie me I was going to unleash hell. He had no idea what was coming to him. I would put an end to him and his sick plans. No one was taking my family away, no one. He may be a cocky fucker now but just wait till I got my hands around his throat, then I’d show him. You don’t mess with Charlie Parker, ever.

  He must have sensed it because he started laughing.

  “Don’t get any silly ideas now. I ain’t as dumb as I might look.” He still had the gun and it was pointed at John’s head. “Do we understand each other?”

  “Yeah,” I spat.

  We still couldn’t make our escape. I wasn’t going to be held responsible for getting someone shot.

  There was a loud bang outside and he turned. His grip tightened on his gun as he turned and made for the door. He turned back and laughed.

  “Stay here, I’ll be back.”

  With that, he pulled the door tightly behind him.

  LIZ

  I watched frozen in terror as the man who’d attacked John appeared at the door of the cabin again. He was looking around, looking for me. He walked around the cabin his eyes searching. I knew I would have to move. If he walked towards me he’d see me. I crawled backward, watching him, making sure he didn’t see me. When he went back around the cabin again I jumped up and ran. I didn’t dare look back. I just ran, my heart thumping in my chest. When I reached the clearing I stopped. I couldn’t run any further. My hands rested on my knees as I bent over gasping for air. What was I going to do now? John was gone? How was I going to find Charles? John said the police were coming but how long would they take? John could be dead and it was all my fault. I made him come with me to look for Charles. I put his life in danger. I should never have come here. I should have stayed on the beach and waited for the police. What was I thinking? I couldn’t rescue Charles. I couldn’t do anything on my own. I couldn’t survive on my own. My father’s voice drifted to my mind now and I knew he’d been right. He told me I could never do anything on my own. He told me that I needed him to survive, that I was worthless without him. He was right. I was worthless. What had I done since they died? Nothing. I was nothing. I’d curled up ready to die when they left. I knew I wouldn’t make it on my own. I fell into darkness and it was only Charles that saw my light. He dragged me from the pit of despair that held me captive and helped me to live again. I never shared the horrors that I had endured with him. I never told him of the torment my father had placed in my mind. I wanted Charles to see me, to free me, and he did. I lived through him and now he was gone too. I couldn’t be alone. I couldn’t let the demons consume my mind again. I had to be strong. I had to fight.

  You can’t be alone.

  My father’s words went around and around in my mind. I knew they were right. I knew I couldn’t do this. I would give anything right now to be back in the hospital. To have nurses and doctors looking after me. I would take the medication, feel the numbness it brought. I would be a good patient. I would. I was losing it. My mind was taking over and my father’s words continued to taunt me. I took in a deep breath. Maybe I couldn’t be alone. Maybe I was worthless, but for Charles, I could be strong. For Charles, I would do anything. I felt the little box in my pocket. Charles knew our love was eternal. What would he think if I gave up now?

  You need to be strong Liz. You need to do this for Charles.

  My inner voice was right. I needed to be strong right now. I needed to help John and find Charles. I took a deep breath and thought about what my next move should
be. I could do exactly what John had done. I could sneak around the cabin, but unlike John, I would be prepared. I would be armed and waiting for that man when he came through the door. I’d be waiting and I’d bash him over the head with the shovel. I could rescue John and then together we’d find Charles. I felt a weight lift. I felt lighter now that I had a plan to follow.

  I made my way back through the trees crouching low when I spotted the man from the cabin. He was shaking his head, giving up. I followed him back to the cabin. My eyes were peeled watching for any sudden movements. The shovel was outside the cabin. As I looked at it I realized that it was too heavy for me to lift and swing. I needed something smaller but strong at the same time. I spotted a small branch. That would do the trick. I grabbed it with both hands and made my way towards the cabin.

  Now all you have to do is get him to come back outside.

  My hands were shaking. My father’s voice screaming inside my mind, but I refused to listen. I’d put John in danger and I needed to get him out of it. Gripping the branch as hard as I could I raised it over my head and brought it down with a bang against the side of the cabin. I raised it again as I waited for John’s captor to step through the door. I was ready. I heard him muttering as I waited with my breath held and my hands trembling. As the door creaked open I swung the branch as hard as I could. I felt it connect and I watched as he fell to the ground. I turned and ran into the cabin. Stepping through the door I froze as my eyes met Charles’. He was alive. He was here.

  “Charles,” I said rushing towards him.

  “Liz, what are you doing here? It’s not safe,” he said wrapping his arms around my waist, bringing his lips to my forehead.

  I held him as hard as I could. He was alive. My Charles was here and he was alive. I was never letting go of him again. He stepped back, his arms still holding me.

  “Are you okay, you’re not hurt, are you?”

  “I’m okay,” I spluttered as the tears fell down my cheeks. I heard another sound and turned to see John standing, smiling at me.