by Cindy Bell
“We're going to need to come up with a way to take these guys out,” he frowned. “So we can save ourselves and the girl scouts.”
“But before you said…” Bekki began to say.
“I know what I said before,” Nick admitted and shook his head. “But now we don't have a choice. Backup isn't coming. We're alone on this mountain, and the only way we're getting out of this, is if we get the upper hand. We need a plan, a really good one.”
Bekki nodded solemnly. She wrapped her arms around herself and gazed up at the sky. It was starting to show signs of dawn approaching. She should have been waking up beside Nick in the tent. Not in the middle of the woods, planning how to rescue two hostages from a group of criminals. But dwelling on that would get them nowhere.
“If we're going to do anything, it needs to be before daylight,” she said. “Having darkness on our side is the only way we can get near that cabin.”
“I agree,” Nick said and glanced over at Morris. “What do you think?” he asked.
“Whatever you say,” Morris said mildly.
“No, Morris. Out here, I don't have rank, understand?” he said as he studied his friend. “Each one of us is taking a risk. Everyone gets a say.”
Morris had his arm around Sammy, who was doing her best not to tremble.
“Stuck on the side of a mountain with no hope of rescue or backup until several hours from now, if we're lucky, doesn't look good,” Morris shook his head.
“We could stay in the woods,” Bekki said softly. “And hope that no one finds us.”
“But what about the other two women?” Sammy asked in a whisper. “No one would be trying to help them.”
Nick put a finger to his lips and pointed to the woods surrounding them. “Don't forget, these men are experienced in these woods. They will be looking for us. Let's keep our voices down.”
Morris nodded and looked over at Bekki.
“You know some martial arts, right?” he asked.
“I have a black belt,” Bekki nodded.
“Well, that's more than me,” Morris said with a kind smile.
Bekki felt sick to her stomach as she wondered what might have happened if they had gotten into that truck. They probably would have been tied up, waiting for their demise, just like Kim and Danielle were.
“I can tell you this much,” Nick said. “I don't think they would expect us to be going back to the distillery. So, that might be the best place to be right now.”
“Let's start walking back,” Bekki nodded. As they began following Nick through the woods, Bekki realized how lost she was. Without Nick to show her the way around she would have been walking in circles forever. She shoved her hands into her pockets and hoped that somehow they would find a way out of this.
“Step as lightly as you can,” Nick said in a murmur. “We want to leave the least possible trail.”
Bekki nodded and did her best not to crush leaves and twigs beneath her feet, but with the thick dusting on the ground she knew it would be impossible. Luckily, the top layer was still wet, which prevented them from tearing so easily. She felt uneasy as it finally sank in that they were probably being hunted. They reached a thick gathering of trees and Nick led them inside. Once everyone was shielded from sight he turned back to look at them.
“Here's the situation,” he said, in a take-command voice. “We can't go back to the campsite, they likely have someone sitting on it. So, all we have is what we have on us, which isn't much.”
“We have two guns,” Morris pointed out.
“But no water, no food,” Sammy whispered.
“No cell service,” Bekki reminded them.
“Let's talk about what we do have,” Nick said. “I have a lighter, so if we need to we can build a fire. We have our cell phones, so if we get high enough we might be able to get service. But even if we do, backup will not be able to pass those roads until they dry out.”
“No one is going to come if we don't call at all,” Morris pointed out.
“And no one is going to think of us as missing until late tomorrow, or possibly even Monday,” Bekki sighed and cringed.
“That's true,” Nick admitted. “If we panic, we're never going to get out of this,” he said as he looked towards Sammy who was trying hard to be brave.
“Look, I'm not a cop,” Sammy sniffled. “I've never lived in New York City where there is a lot of crime. I've never been in a situation like this before. I'm not panicking but I'm not seeing much hope of us getting out of this, so yes, I'm scared.”
“It's okay to be scared, Sammy,” Bekki assured her. “We're all scared. But remember, we've got two cops, a black belt, and you can charm anyone, Sammy.”
Sammy nodded a little, but she didn't look too convinced.
“If we go to higher ground we'll be more exposed,” Morris pointed out.
“And that's what they'll be expecting us to do,” Nick nodded in agreement.
“What if we just get off the mountain?” Sammy suggested. “I hate to leave those women here, but if we got off the mountain we could come back with help.”
“That's not a bad idea,” Morris nodded and stepped closer to her. “But the problem is, on foot, it's going to be at least a six hour hike, and that's if we can find a clear path. We can't go back for the SUV because the campsite will be monitored. Even if we could get it, we wouldn't get through if the roads are still flooded.”
“Six hours is better than waiting for Monday,” Bekki said softly and glanced between Sammy and Nick.
“I don't know,” Nick shook his head. “At any point we could be caught. Remember, they're expecting us to run.”
“I think Nick's right,” Bekki finally said. “As crazy as it seems, our best option is to try to take them out. If we eliminate the threat then we can wait out the roads and hopefully get help. I think we can get us out of this situation,” Bekki said. “Right now we have the element of surprise. Nick and Morris, these men don't know that you're armed. Their assumption is going to be that we are going to try to get as far away as possible. They won't be expecting us to come back, and try to rescue the girls.”
“It's very risky,” Nick reminded them. “Even with the perfect plan, we're going to be fighting against some seriously unbalanced odds.”
“But it's our only choice,” Sammy pointed out. “Bekki's right, I can't even imagine sitting in these woods, waiting for them to find us.”
“So, it's decided?” Nick asked as he looked between them. “We're going to stage an attack?”
“Yes,” Morris agreed.
“Absolutely,” Bekki frowned.
“I'm in,” Sammy nodded and glanced over at Morris.
“Well, then let's figure out a plan,” Nick said. He crouched down and began positioning rocks and twigs to represent what he could remember of the set-up of the distillery.
“The biggest problem is how out in the open the cabin is,” Morris said. “We're going to have to surround it if we have any chance.”
“Yes,” Nick agreed. “But in order for us to get the guys out so we can get in we're going to have to create some kind of distraction.”
“Well, just about the only thing we can use for distraction is fire,” Morris suggested. “I mean, you have a lighter, we can start a fire and try to smoke them out.”
“Good idea,” Nick agreed. “There were also a few half empty bottles at the distillery. They probably contain alcohol that can be used to fuel the fire.”
“We can use Sammy's jacket to gather wood,” Bekki suggested.
Sammy shrugged out of her jacket and handed it over. As they walked the rest of the way to the distillery they gathered branches, twigs, and leaves for the fire. When they reached the opening that led to the distillery, Nick gestured for everyone to slow down and be silent. Bekki and Sammy stood close to each other. Nick surveyed the distillery, which was still fairly quiet with no evidence of any movement inside the cabin.
“Once we get close, we're going to have to move ve
ry quickly,” Nick explained as he looked between those gathered around him. “I can't express to you how dangerous this is,” he added grimly and looked with deep concern at Bekki.
“We've all agreed to the risk,” Bekki reminded him staunchly.
“I know that if it were me in there, I would want someone, anyone to help,” Sammy said. “I'm ready.”
“I'll light the fire first. Morris will go around the back of the cabin to cover the windows and rear exit. I'm going straight for the front. Bekki and Sammy, you're going to keep watch,” he paused and locked eyes with Bekki intently. “I do mean stay here, do you understand me?”
Bekki nodded wordlessly.
“Once Nick is inside, and I've cleared the rear of the cabin, I'll come around to the front,” Morris continued. “Sammy and Bekki you've got to stay alert. If you hear or see anyone coming that you don't recognize, yell as loud as you can, and then you both need to run.”
“I will,” Sammy promised. Bekki nodded in agreement.
“Once you get them out we'll keep Danielle and Kim safe,” Bekki added.
Nick held her eyes a moment longer. It felt to Bekki as if he was searching for something, or maybe waiting for a promise.
“If we don't come out, you still have to run, even if no one comes out,” Morris said in a murmur as he looked at Sammy.
“You have to come out of the cabin,” Sammy said sternly.
“It's all going to be fine,” Bekki forced out the words. She ignored the look that Nick and Morris gave each other.
“I don't know,” Nick said hesitantly. It was clear that he was second guessing the plan.
“Nick, I still think you should let me go in, too,” Bekki frowned as she shook her head. “I can fight, you know that.”
“Bekki, you have to stay here,” Nick held her gaze. “Don't even think about coming near that cabin. I can't be worried about whether you are safe, or I won't be able to focus on what I'm doing.”
Bekki pursed her lips and prepared to argue the point.
“None of that,” Morris interrupted gruffly. “If we're going to do this, we need to be in sync with each other. No showing off, and no arguing.”
“You're right,” Nick agreed.
“All right,” Bekki nodded.
“Okay, remember that we only know of three people involved, but there could be more,” Nick warned them. “Don't trust anyone but each other.”
After they had all agreed, Nick pulled Bekki close for a soft kiss.
“Don't be a hero, Bekki,” he murmured to her. “If things go sideways, you and Sammy need to get out of here as fast as you can.”
“That goes both ways, Nick,” Bekki replied as she looked into his eyes. They both knew that neither would abandon the other. There was no point in arguing.
“Okay, the sooner the better,” Nick cleared his throat. He took the jacket filled with an assortment of kindling, and dug into his pocket to make sure that the lighter was still there. “I'm going in,” he said with one last look at Bekki. “Stay here, Bekki.”
Bekki nodded. When Nick broke into a slow jog, approaching the clearing, Bekki's heart pounded with every single footstep. In the distance she could see Morris running through the woods around the back of the cabin. She mentally willed him to be a little more stealthy, because if she could see him, she was worried that the people inside of the cabin could spot him as well.
Nick kept running until he reached the barrel closest to the fire pit. He glanced over his shoulder and scanned the surroundings. Bekki knew that he was looking for confirmation that she and Sammy were safe. She flashed her flashlight once to let him know that she was safe. Nick turned back and peered around the side of the barrel. Bekki knew that he was calculating the right moment to run out into the open. Then Nick rushed forward. He kept his body crouched down so that he wouldn't be seen. Once he was directly in front of the cabin, he dropped even lower. He grabbed a bottle next to the barrel that had some brown liquid in it. He lifted it up and smelt it. As they had hoped it was alcohol.
He opened up Sammy's jacket and shook out all of the twigs and leaves that the group had collected during their walk through the woods. Then he doused them with the alcohol. He took a deep breath and flicked the lighter on. Then he touched the flame to the pile of leaves and twigs. The pile almost immediately erupted. It had paid off to take the time to look for dried leaves and twigs. As the fire started to grow, Nick used Sammy's jacket to fan the smoke in the direction of the cabin, ensuring that whoever was inside would notice the fire. His hope was that everyone inside would come out.
“What's going on out there?” a voice snapped from inside the cabin.
“I don't know, it looks like a fire,” another voice replied. Nick ducked back behind the large barrel. With the light of the burning fire, Bekki could see the door to the cabin opening. She watched as only one man stepped out. The air was filling with smoke. Bekki's heart sank, as already things weren't unfolding according to plan. They still couldn't be certain how many people were inside the cabin.
The man who stepped out had a rifle strapped over his shoulder. He looked around the clearing warily. Then he pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He placed one of the cigarettes between his lips. Bekki heard the sharp sound of his lighter being ignited, and cringed. After taking a drag on the cigarette, the man walked over to a trough. When he picked up a bucket and dipped it into the trough, Bekki could hear the sloshing of water. He filled the bucket to the brim. Then he walked over to the fire and unceremoniously splashed the water on to the fire. The flames died out quickly.
Bekki's stomach twisted with regret. Any hope they had of trying to distract the occupants of the cabin long enough to restrain them, faded. Now Nick was stuck out in the open, and he had also alerted the criminals to the fact that he was there. As the man walked slowly back into the cabin he spoke around his cigarette.
“Looks like someone started a fire out front,” he said calmly. “I'm guessing it was those campers the ranger is after. Want me to go look for them?”
“Those idiots,” the other voice muttered. “Why would they come back here causing trouble? I guess we're going to have to kill them, too. Take an extra gun, and check out the perimeter. I'll radio the ranger and let him know to stop searching the trails.”
Bekki looked fearfully over at Sammy who was huddled just beside her. Morris had already taken his position in the trees behind the cabin. Nick was still huddled behind one of the large barrels. It would offer him no protection if the criminal walked anywhere near it. His hand moved to his hip, and then withdrew his weapon. He carefully released the safety and cocked the gun so that there would be a bullet ready.
Bekki felt queasy as she watched the door to the cabin opening once more. Bekki knew that Nick hadn't counted on this happening. He wasn't prepared, and it would be one gun against many. The idea of standing by in the woods and watching it happen was too much for Bekki to take. She knew that Nick would be furious, but she'd rather he was furious and alive, than never able to get angry at her again.
There was only a moment to make a decision. Bekki knew that Nick wouldn't even need that much time. She also knew that there was only one thing he would do. He would head straight for the cabin. He would take the risk that he had warned everyone about, because there was not much chance of anything else working. Just as the man walked beside the barrel that Nick was hiding behind, Bekki picked up a rock. She threw it hard. It sailed over Nick's head and struck the barrel hard, making a clanging sound. Nick jumped at the sound, but stayed concealed. Bekki was hoping that the criminal would realize that someone had thrown the rock from further away.
“Bekki, what are you doing?” Sammy hissed as Bekki began to edge away from her. Bekki ignored her as she continued to creep towards a nearby barrel that she could hide behind and get closer to Nick.
“Bekki, don't!” Sammy whispered. She couldn't protest too loudly without risking drawing the criminal's attention.
“Ha,” th
e man chuckled. “You think I was born yesterday?” he called out as Bekki hid behind the barrel. “I'm not falling for that one!” he walked away from the barrel that Nick was hiding behind, and towards Bekki. Nick shot a look over his shoulder at her, but he didn't have time to be angry. He moved slowly around the barrel as the man walked past him. Bekki's teeth chattered with fear as she heard the gun being prepared for firing. She was beginning to realize that her plan wasn't very well thought out.
“You should have just run, not that we wouldn't have caught you,” he chuckled a little. He was so close to her that she could smell his body odor wafting over the top of the barrel. She was certain that he had already seen her. She closed her eyes tightly and tried not to panic. Just when she expected to be shot or abducted, she heard a soft grunt. She looked up to see Nick with his hand over the man's mouth and his gun pressed against his stomach. Bekki shivered a little at the sight. The man dropped his gun on the ground.
“Pick it up,” Nick hissed softly.
Bekki hesitated. She wasn't very comfortable with guns. She respected people who could use them, but she had always relied more on her own two hands.
“Bekki,” Nick mumbled desperately. “We need to use everything that we can get.”
Bekki reached down and picked up the gun quickly. She looked over to the tree line and caught a glimpse of Sammy. Then she turned back to Nick.
“Now you're here. If I send you back, then Sammy will be in danger,” Nick's words were dripping with anger, but Bekki ignored it.
“I'm here,” Bekki said. “So you're going to have to let me help.”
Nick glared for a long moment, then he begrudgingly spoke. “We're going to go in fast,” Nick whispered to her. “Morris is still behind the cabin,” he said, holding on tightly to the man who was still struggling to get away. “But they are going to be ready for us. You have to stay behind me, and Bekki, if you need to use the gun, use it,” he met her eyes intently.
“I will,” she nodded and held the gun carefully. Nick had taught her how to shoot, as he had said if there was a gun in the house she needed to know how to use it. But it was different when she was preparing to walk into a den of criminals, and hopefully free two hostages.