Damariscove

by Jeremy Cook

  ***.

  Elle was in shock as she stared down the man with the gun, her hands shaking as she prayed that one of the boys would come to her rescue. She raised her hands over her head, a million things running through her mind. She turned her head slightly towards the tower, hoping that Aran had seen the boat and was on his way to save her.

  “Who else is out here with you,” the man said, keeping his distance, but still holding the gun directly at her head.

  “Just my dad,” she said quickly. “He’s the caretaker out here.”

  “Where’s he at?” the man demanded.

  Elle thought for a split second, trying to decide what would be the best thing to say. “He’s in the house I think. He put me in charge of the garden.”

  “Take me to him,” the man demanded, using the gun to usher her towards the house.

  Her plan had worked. She thought that if she could get the men to the house, it would give Ellis and Aran time to figure out what to do. Elle nodded, slowly turned and started walking toward the house.

  ***

  “What the hell is happening,” Ellis said as he crept closer, trying to gain ground. He watched as Elle slowly turned around and headed for the house, her hands behind her head as the men followed. He looked back up the slope, but couldn’t see Aran anywhere now; he just had to hope that he was up there somewhere and that he had some sort of plan.