Abandoned Souls

by Marianne Spitzer

  “I understand that, Shuland, but your brother enacted revenge against the other three families. No one thought they’d find those kids. He chose to let the Price girl live and ended up in prison. It was his choice. I feel bad they killed him, but he could have gotten away with taking care of the Price kid and disappearing.” He faced Shuland and knitted his eyebrows.

  “I swore I would seek revenge for him and my family, Tully. I didn’t want to involve you. If that drug addicted idiot, Maxwell, hadn’t overdosed and died right in her backyard, we would’ve taken the Price woman. I wouldn’t have asked for your involvement.”

  Tully snapped back, “I understand that, but I have a life, family, and business to lose if things go south. Just hurry this up, okay?”

  “What the Carnfelder nephew did was unconscionable. He forced my great-uncle and his father to bring him people from town, but they didn’t deserve to be tortured and killed in the woods the night the Carnfelders escaped. My relatives helped them escape. Townsfolk captured my relatives along with the nephew. Their bodies were dumped in the mausoleum without anyone knowing who they were. My great-great-grandfather was a boy when he escaped that night, but he knew which families were to blame. All four families had to pay.”

  Tully crossed his arms and leaned on the front door. “At least they placed the bodies in the mausoleum. They could have been burned or tossed in the river.”

  “The Price family will know the pain my great-great-grandfather felt. Her parents can worry about her whereabouts for months before they find the body. I’ll enjoy every minute. Don’t leave. I’ll bring more supplies the next time I come out here.” He stood and strode up to Tully and yelled in his face. “Remember my plan. Don’t screw up.”

  Shuland left, and Marilyn heard the door slam. Afraid to move, she wasn’t sure if she was alone in the cabin or not. She lay in bed waiting to hear some sound of life coming from the other part of the cabin.

  #####

  Marilyn could see a small amount of light coming through the window where the boards didn’t mesh tightly. That’s all she could see. The minuscule space didn’t allow her to see what was outside. She exhaled loudly and said, “What difference does it make? I know I’m in the middle of nowhere. If I escaped, I wouldn’t even know which way to run.” She dropped back down on the bed.

  What she could see was that the light was beginning to fade. Her stomach grumbled. She had found two granola bars and a bottle of water on the table when she first looked around. They were good, but not enough to fill her for both breakfast and lunch. As if her kidnapper read her mind, she heard a knock on her door.

  “Get up, go into the bathroom, and close the door tight. If I see you anywhere when I come in with your supper, you won’t get another thing to eat for two days. Do you understand me?”

  She jumped off the bed and yelled, “Yes,” as she ran toward the bathroom and closed the door. It made a loud scraping sound as she pushed it closed.

  She pressed her ear to the door. Hearing the bedroom door open and some plates clatter she waited. When she heard the door close again, a voice came through the walls. “You can come out now and eat. Let me know you’re done by knocking on your door.”

  Marilyn walked out of the bathroom and saw a tray on the table. It held a bowl of stew, bread and butter, a slice of cherry pie with ice cream, a cup of coffee, and another bottle of water. A sugar packet and a restaurant size creamer lay on the saucer with the coffee. The silverware was wrapped in a napkin.

  “Why are they this good to me if they’re going to kill me?” Marilyn wondered. Other thoughts filled her mind on why they might have taken her. She did her best to push them out of her mind. Deciding she needed strength if she found a way to escape, she forced herself to finish her meal. She saved half the water for later.

  Knocking on the door to let her kidnapper know she was through, she went back into the bathroom and closed the door. After she was told to come out, she walked to the bed and sat down with the laptop.

  Opening a new document, she began to write a story of a young woman kidnapped by two deranged criminals. In her head, she decided it would have a happy ending doubting hers would follow suit.

  Four days passed. Marilyn was having difficulty falling asleep when she heard the two voices speaking again. This time she crept to the door and listened. She needed to try and discover why they were holding her or where. Maybe she could escape.

  Tully said, “I’ve been here long enough. I want to leave. Keeping her longer is putting me in more danger. They must be looking for her. Checking these cabins are on their list of searches, I’m sure.”

  “Calm down, Tully,” Shuland said. I’ve been watching the news and reading the papers. Sheriff Korder is pulling out all the stops since she disappeared right after they discovered the boys’ bodies. That’s why we brought her here across the county line. The county sheriff isn’t doing anything. I think he assumes she’s out of state or still in Korder’s county. It’s an ideal situation.”

  “I still don’t like it, Shuland. You’ll disappear if they catch me and I’m sure you set up solid alibis for all this time. Whatever you’re going to do, you better do it quickly.” He shoved his hands in his pocket and kicked at the kitchen doorframe. “I’m not a babysitter.”

  “She’ll be dead within a week. I’m solidifying plans. Don’t screw it up now.” Shuland glared at Tully and left slamming the door.

  Marilyn caught her breath. It was another Shuland. He’s going to kill her in less than a week. She crept back to the bed and buried her face in her pillow. Panic tried to get a hold of her, but her anger fought it off. They might kill her, but she wasn’t going down without a battle. She hoped she could kill one of them.

  Tully’s cell vibrated. He read the text and immediately pounded on Marilyn’s bedroom door. “Get in the bathroom, I’m bringing in food.”

  Marilyn knew it was too early, and the emotion in Tully’s voice made her nervous. She raced for the bathroom and closed the door. She listened and heard a lot of strange sounds coming from the bedroom.

  Tully’s voice was loud, “You can come out now. I have to leave. I hope to be back soon, but if not you should be okay.” The bedroom door slammed followed shortly by the front door.

  #####

  Marilyn opened the bathroom door and was shocked to see the small table piled high with food. Two boxes of cereal, several cans of soup and stew, crackers, pie, a box of donuts, a large package of individual bags of salty treats, candy bars, granola bars, and a plastic wrapped package of twenty four, sixteen ounce bottles of water. A box of plastic silverware was placed on top of a stack of paper plates.

  The room began to spin. She gripped the back of the chair. It was more food than she would need for the short time Tully said he’d be away. He wasn’t coming back, and he knew it when he left. It was meant to keep her fed until Shuland returned to kill her.

  “He can’t hear me if I try to break out of this room,” she said to herself. “Did he think I would sit calmly and eat waiting to be killed?”

  She dressed, grabbed a donut and a bottle of water and looked for something to help her escape. Deciding to try and pick the lock would be her best bet she looked for some type of tool.

  Marilyn searched the room but didn’t find anything useful. The chair at the table had screws, but she couldn’t remove one. After breaking three nails trying to unscrew one, she remembered she had a few loose coins in her jacket. The coins helped and after several tries; she was able to remove the screw.

  She did her best to try and unlock the door with the screw. It wouldn’t fit in far enough to do her any good. She decided to remove the other three screws and try to use the chair leg to batter her way through the door.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Tully sped down the dirt road toward the highway when he dialed his brother’s cell. “How is she? What hospital? Have you talked to the doctor? Okay, if they let you see her, tell her I’m on the way.”

  He
dropped the cell phone into his shirt pocket and pressed down on the accelerator. “Damn Shuland. I’m done and not going back to the cabin. If they arrest him, they’ll never believe I was involved. It won’t matter what he says. She never saw my face and I disguised my voice,” Tully murmured. “I’m an accountant. I have an office on Main Street. Some of my clients are the biggest businesses in town. Losing my freedom and good life for an old college friendship is too much. Why did I ever say I’d help him? I’m losing my mind.”

  Tully’s thoughts drifted back to his mom. It was her second trip to the E.R. for a heart issue. He prayed it wasn’t bad. When his dad had a heart attack, he was in the hospital for three days before he died. The thought of being gone for days is what drove him to put all their food in Marilyn’s bedroom. He shook his head thinking all he did was give her enough food until Shuland would come back and kill her.

  “No,” he hit the steering wheel. “I’m not going to be an accessory to murder. As soon as I know how mom’s doing, I’m going to buy a burner cell, call and report I heard a woman’s scream near the cabin, and drop the phone in the river.” He nodded as he pulled into the E.R. parking lot.

  #####

  Marilyn was able to remove the chair leg, but was worried how thick the door might be. “I think my best bet is to try and smash the doorknob. Maybe then I can get it to unlock.”

  She swung the leg as hard as she could and connected with the doorknob. The hit vibrated through the chair leg causing some pain in her arms, but she dented the knob. Two more hits and the knob fell to the floor. She saw a metal rod connected to the outer knob, and when she pushed it, the outside knob fell off. Between pushing with her fingers and wiggling the screw inside the door, she heard a click. She pulled the door open.

  Taking a deep breath, she looked into the living room. It was empty as was the kitchen. She was alone. She rushed back into the bedroom. Grabbing the pillowcase, she threw in a few bottles of water, the donuts, and snacks. After putting on her shoes and jacket, she grabbed a pillowcase and ran to the front door. Peering out the window assured her no cars were out front. The same held true when she ran to the back door window. She opened the door and stepped out into the early morning sunlight.

  Fearing Tully or Shuland might return she didn’t walk toward the drive. She ran toward the woods and planned to walk toward the road and among the trees until she found safety. Not knowing what vehicle either man drove, she was not going to try and flag down a car.

  The sound of a car made her rush a bit deeper into the trees and drop down behind a large rock. Without much foliage around, she felt exposed. Marilyn heard muffled yells coming from the direction of the cabin. They were closely followed by louder yells. Marilyn knew Shuland discovered she escaped and was outside.

  “I’ll get you. You can’t hide from me. I know these woods like the back of my hand. When I find you I’m going to kill you slowly and enjoy it. A little bit at a time and you will be unable to run.” Shuland began to laugh as he walked toward the woods.

  #####

  Kellie let Rufus out for his morning romp when her phone rang. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw it was from Mrs. Price.

  “Hello, Mrs. Price. Anything new?”

  “No, I’m sorry. I thought I would check in. No one has any idea who might take her or where she could be. I know she didn’t run away. Someone took her, but why? She’s never hurt anyone. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to burden you with my feelings.”

  “Don’t apologize. You can talk to me anytime. Marilyn is my friend and I want her found as quickly as possible. How is Mr. Price doing? I know he was ready to go looking for her on his own.”

  “Every day that passes makes him want to go, but I make him stay for my sake. I’m scared whoever took her might hurt him, too. Oh, Kellie, what if she’s dead?” Mrs. Price began to cry.

  “Please don’t worry so much you become ill. I have a feeling she’s all right, just hidden somewhere. The sheriff will find her.”

  “I’ll try. I’ll call if I hear anything new. Take care, Kellie.”

  “I will, Mrs. Price. Also, you can call even if you don’t have news. I’m always here to talk.”

  “Thanks, dear. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  Kellie clicked off and dialed Claudia’s number.

  “Hi, Kellie.”

  “Claudia, I have a friend who has been missing for five days. If she were dead, could you find out?”

  “Possibly. If the spirits are willing and she left some trace before leaving this world. She may be trapped, and I can find out. I feel her name is Marilyn. What’s the last name? It’s a bit hazy.”

  “Price. Marilyn Price. I believe someone kidnapped her, and if they killed her it wouldn’t have been easy. She would have fought.”

  “If I hear anything, I’ll let you know. Bye.” As usual, Claudia ended her calls without much notice or small talk.

  An hour later, Kellie’s cell rang.

  “Hello, Claudia. Yes, I understand. That’s good news isn’t it? Thanks, call if you learn anything.”

  Kellie called Taylor to share the news. “Hi, I called Claudia because Mrs. Price is afraid Marilyn is dead. Claudia said her contacts in the spirit world have not communicated with anyone named Marilyn.”

  “Okay, but I understand how worried she must be. We were terrified when you were missing,” Taylor said.

  “I understand. I pushed the thoughts of Marilyn being killed out of my mind until Mrs. Price brought it up. Then I called Claudia. I feel better knowing Claudia couldn’t learn anything, but Mrs. Price would think I was crazy if I tell her. I think I’ll keep it to myself.”

  “Good idea. Let me know if you hear anything. I’ll see you after work.”

  “Okay, see ya then.”

  Kellie slipped her phone into her pocket and walked into her office hoping to get lost in the paperwork.

  #####

  Marilyn needing to get away from Shuland moved a bit further into the woods. She prayed the entire time that Shuland wouldn’t see her.

  Shuland yelled again, “I will find you. You are so deep in the woods; you will never find your way out.” He climbed into his car and drove off.

  When the car was out of sight, Marilyn ran as far and as fast as she could until she needed to stop and catch her breath. Her plan of finding the highway had gone awry in her panic. She had no idea where she was or the time. She couldn’t tell how far away from the road she might be. Without a watch, she didn’t know how long she had run. Marilyn was lost.

  Dropping to the ground to rest she was happy she could feel the warmth of the day, but it was early spring, and the night or next day could bring snow. Glancing at the sun, she hoped she was going in the right direction. She turned to her left and continued walking through the woods.

  #####

  When Tully’s cell vibrated in his pocket, he knew it would be Shuland. His mom’s emergency was being taken care of, and she hadn’t had a heart attack. Stress was responsible for her palpitations. He excused himself from the room and walked down to the waiting area to answer the call.

  “Yes, I left. My mom had an emergency. What, she got away? That’s good. I said that’s good. I’m not going to go back to the cabin. I’m done, Shuland. It isn’t my fight and being friends twenty years ago doesn’t mean I owe you today.”

  “Fine, if you can’t handle it I’ll find someone who will. Do you still have the keys to the cabin? Okay, I’ll drive to the hospital and get them from you. Meet me in the parking lot,” Shuland snapped.

  Tully agreed and headed for the parking lot. A few minutes later he saw Shuland’s car pull in and stop four rows away from the doors. He walked over to the car and handed him the keys without a word. He turned to walk back toward the hospital when he heard Shuland call his name. Tully began to turn around when Shuland lifted the gun and shot. The silencer did its job, and no one heard the shot that hit Tully. The bullet entered his temple, and as he slumped toward the ground,
Shuland drove away. He was four blocks away when a passerby noticed Tully’s body lying between two parked cars.

  “One job taken care of,” Shuland mumbled as he drove back toward the cabin. “Now it’s time to take care of the second one. That little witch will be sorry she’s putting me through all this trouble.”

  He punched the gas pedal and flew down the highway toward the woods where Marilyn was wandering and becoming more lost with each step.

  #####

  Marilyn kept moving further into the woods. “I should have found the road by now,” Marilyn said. “I must have gone the wrong way. Which way to go? Should I turn around?” The only response she received was a few birds taking flight at the sound of her voice. “No, keep going the same way. You have to find civilization at some point, and each step takes you further away from Shuland.”

  Marilyn noticed the sun was much lower in the sky, and it would soon be dark. She silently prayed the night wouldn’t be cold. After walking for nearly a mile, she found a spot to camp for the night. It was a flat area with many dry leaves that she scooped and kicked to form a rectangle for her to sleep on. Removing the food and water from her pillowcase, she filled it with leaves. It wasn’t comfortable, but it would have to do. Darkness covered the area and the clouds kept the moonlight filtered. Marilyn knew the clouds would also keep the night warmer.

  #####

  Shuland stormed around the outside of the cabin looking for signs of which way Marilyn had walked. He doubted she had come back to the cabin. The food Tully had left for her appeared untouched.

  “That idiot told me the truth. Tully had no plans on coming back. He left her all the food and water. I’m glad he’s dead.”

  He strode to his car mumbling, “If she made it to the highway someone might have picked her up, and the sheriff could be on the way. I’ll stay at the house and drive back tomorrow. If the sheriff’s not here and her rescue isn’t reported on the news, I’ll come back and look for her.” His car raced down the dirt road toward the highway and safety.