by Mary Alford
Suddenly it was hard to catch her breath, and Ella looked away. She couldn’t explain the confusing memories, but they didn’t matter. She had to keep her focus on saving Joseph’s life.
Once she was inside the SUV, he got behind the wheel and they left the airport.
Although he didn’t say as much, she could tell Kyle was concerned by the way he constantly checked the rearview mirror as if expecting trouble. Her uneasiness doubled. Had something happened?
She tried to let go of her fears as the rolling countryside passed her by. She put down her window. The air was crisp and fresh and carried just a hint of the winter to come. It was nothing like the dry desert breeze she’d left behind.
Soon, the scenic woods faded and the small, picturesque Southern town of Mountain Song spread out before them.
During the flight, Kyle had filled in some of the more personal details of her life. He’d told her she was a missionary, but she’d known that. Alhasan had said as much. What she hadn’t realized was that she’d been in the field for years.
According to Kyle, she’d met her fiancé, David, during one of her trips to Afghanistan. At the time she had been working with the homeless there, providing food and medicine. Kyle said her father had pastored one of the local churches in Mountain Song for most of Ella’s life. Both her father and mother as well as David and several other members of the church had gone on that fateful mission trip with Ella. None had returned alive.
Why did nothing about her life story make sense? Was it just because of the severity of the injury she’d suffered, or the years of torture and brainwashing?
Doubt churned inside her as they passed through town and Kyle pulled into the parking lot of a church from bygone days.
“This is where your father pastored,” he said quietly, and Ella turned to look at the simple white steeple shooting up into a cloudy afternoon sky, hoping something would ring a bell but not finding it.
The building itself held the quiet majesty of another time period. She noticed a historical marker on the front of the sanctuary and wondered how many troubled souls had passed through those doors to seek redemption. Kyle mentioned the original sanctuary had been standing for several hundred years.
He turned off the ignition and angled toward her. “Are you ready for this?” She knew he was only trying to help her regain her past, but all she could think about was the boy she’d left behind in Afghanistan. His life was now measured in days.
The nervousness in her stomach assured her she wasn’t anywhere close to being ready. She was terrified. Nothing about what she’d seen so far of the town where she’d grown up sparked any recollection. Why couldn’t she remember her hometown? Her family? Her life?
Kyle had told her he’d found someone from her past by the name of Tracy Cartwright. The church’s secretary had been good friends with her parents and worked with her father. Tracy was waiting inside for her now. Uncertainty crept in. What if she wasn’t Ella Weiss at all but really a cold-blooded killer?
She prayed for strength and found it. She’d get through this meeting, find a way to convince Kyle to take her to the Scorpions’ headquarters, and then it would be up to her to save Joseph.
Ella slowly looked at Kyle. She’d only known him for a short period of time, and yet he made her feel safe. Protected. Cared for.
She watched him swallow noticeably and then touch her cheek. For the first time she didn’t want to pull away. Was it just because of she was afraid of what waited for her inside and needed his strength? Her breath quickened in the warmth of his gaze and her thoughts drifted to things she couldn’t remember. What did it feel like to be kissed? To be touched by someone who wasn’t intent on hurting her.
Somewhere a horn blasted and the spell was broken. Heat crept up her neck and she moved away. For a moment...well, she’d let emotions get in the way. She couldn’t afford to do that ever again. Being in control was all that kept her alive.
A handful of awkward seconds passed before Kyle got out of the vehicle and came round to open her door.
They walked side by side into the sanctuary and Ella couldn’t think of a single thing to say to fill the void.
The moment she stepped inside and looked around, she realized nothing about the quiet old southern church felt like the home she longed for. Ella struggled to keep her disappointment from showing. She’d foolishly hoped everything would just instantly fall into place and her memory would return.
“Why don’t we wait for them up front? It looks peaceful there,” Kyle said to her silence. “After everything that’s happened recently, I think we both could use a little peace.”
They headed down the center aisle lined with dark wooden pews that smelled of polish. There were hymnals in the seats. Up in front stood an altar with the carved words do this in remembrance of me.
The podium where the minister delivered his message captured her attention. Her father would have stood in that very spot each week. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine him, but she couldn’t even bring up his face.
She was aware of Kyle standing beside her, watching her carefully. Was he expecting some flicker of recognition? They both realized that at some point the pieces of her life should start to fall into place if she really was who he thought she was.
A side door opened and two people, one a mid-thirties-looking man and the other a woman who appeared to be in her forties, entered the sanctuary.
The man stepped forward, smiled and introduced himself. “James Montgomery, I’m the pastor. And this is Tracy Cartwright, our church clerk.” The pastor turned to the woman by his side.
Tracy barely acknowledged the introductions. She appeared to have suffered a terrible shock. She covered her trembling mouth with her hand.
The pastor squeezed the woman’s shoulder then spoke to Ella. “Tracy and your mother were good friends. Losing her was hard. This is hard.”
Tracy came over to Ella and stared at her for the longest time, then she took her into her arms and squeezed her tight. “I can’t believe it’s you. Oh, Ella, you’re alive. You’re alive. I’m so glad.”
Ella stiffened and fought back the usual revulsion whenever anyone got too close.
While Tracy continued to hug her close and weep in earnest, Ella wondered why she couldn’t remember her. She was clearly a family friend.
Slowly, she untangled herself from Tracy’s grasp.
The woman had tears streaming down her face. “Do you remember me at all?” she asked with a hopeful look on her face.
Ella shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t.” She turned to Kyle for the assurances he was quick to give.
“It’s okay,” Kyle assured her. “With everything you’ve been through, it may take some time for your memory to return in full. You just have to be patient.”
“Oh, I can’t believe it,” Tracy exclaimed and touched the ring that Ella still wore around her neck. “Your engagement ring survived. You were so proud of that ring when David gave it to you. And your mother and father were thrilled when you and David announced you two were getting married. Your mother said you were the perfect couple, with you both being missionaries and all.” Tracy leaned over and kissed her cheek.
It took every ounce of strength she could muster not to move away. Accepting human kindness as genuine was a near-impossible feat. She’d long forgotten there were nice people in the world.
“Is it okay if I speak with Tracy alone?” Ella asked Kyle, because there were so many questions she needed answered.
“Of course. I’ll wait for you by the door.” She watched as both Kyle and the pastor headed for the back of the church.
Once they were alone Tracy indicated the front pew and they sat together. Now that it was just the two of them, Ella wasn’t sure what she wanted to know, so she asked the first thing that came to mind.
“What were they like?”
Tracy smiled a watery smile. “Your mom was sweet and kind and one of the best people I’ve ever met. Your father the same. They complemented each other well. They were strong in their faith and would do anything to help a person in need. They certainly helped me enough.”
Tracy’s description didn’t really fill in any of the blanks. Being a Christian couple who served in a leadership position at the church, it stood to reason they’d both be caring people. “Do you have a photo of them?”
“Oh, yes, I do,” she said as if she’d forgotten. “I brought it with me. I thought it might help you remember them. You can keep it.” She reached in her pocket and brought out a photo and handed it to Ella. “This was taken right before you all left for Afghanistan, more than eight years ago. It shows everyone who went on the trip. You had barely been in Afghanistan a couple of weeks when the attack happened. The bodies of several members of the group were recovered. You, David and your parents were never located,” Tracy whispered in a shaky voice.
Ella stared down at the people captured in a moment in time.
Tracy pointed to the older couple in the middle. “This is your mother, Betty, and your father, Steve, and that’s you next to them with David.”
Her parents. She didn’t recognize them or her fiancé.
Alhasan had taken pleasure in telling her that his men had attacked her mission team and killed everyone except for her. Ella had life threatening injuries, but instead of killing her right away, he’d thought she might be useful to his cause someday so he’d spared her life.
Ella shook her head. She had no way of knowing if anything he told her was true.
Her attention was drawn to the photo of the woman she’d been back then. Smiling. Happy. Healthy. Her hair long like it was now. Dressed in a cheerful sweater and jeans, she wore the same silver studs as she did today.
“They were so proud of you and the work you were doing,” Tracy said and patted her hand.
Yet the woman in the photo was a stranger. Right now, Ella couldn’t imagine being that happy again.
She stumbled to her feet. She needed air. Kyle must have sensed she was in trouble, because he hurried down the aisle to her side. She was barely hanging on.
Tracy got to her feet, as well. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I know your memory is a bit fuzzy, but don’t you worry. It’ll come back. Once you’re at your parents’ house and settled in, everything will fall into place. You’ll see.”
Ella stared at her in confusion. “My parents’ house?”
“Well, yes. The one at the lake. You remember,” Tracy added and then realized what she’d said and looked away. “I’m sorry, that was silly of me. What I meant was your parents owned a house at Mountain Song Lake. I bought it a few years back when it came up for sale. I just couldn’t stand to see it go to a stranger. Now I rent it out from time to time to tourists. Other than that, it’s been sitting there all those years just waiting for...” She didn’t finish.
Ella couldn’t manage an answer. Her brain felt as if it might explode with all things she’d learned. If only they made sense.
“I thought you could use it until you figured out what you wanted to do,” Tracy added sympathetically.
Once more she turned to Kyle for help, and he didn’t disappoint.
“Being in your former home might help you pull some of the pieces together,” he said in that no-nonsense way he had of cutting through the clutter of a conversation.
Tracy’s expression lightened. “Then it’s settled. Why don’t I just get the spare key?” She hurried away without an answer.
Ella barely waited until she was out of earshot. “I can’t do this,” she whispered in a frantic tone. “I can’t go there. I don’t belong here.” When she looked at Kyle, the strength she’d seen in him since that first day in the desert seeped deep inside her like a warm cup of cocoa on a cold day.
“This is exactly where you need to be,” he assured her. “Give it time. Your memories will return, and I’ll be right here with you when they come back. You’re not alone any longer, and I won’t let him hurt you anymore.”
Tracy returned a few minutes later and handed Ella the key. “I stop by from time to time to tidy up, so the place should be clean.” She gave them directions. “When I heard you were coming back home, I stocked the fridge and pantry for you.”
When Ella couldn’t manage a response, Kyle was there for her. “Thanks for the use of the house and for your hospitality.” He turned to Ella. “Can you give us a minute?” She nodded slowly and Kyle led Tracy a little ways away and spoke with her briefly.
She couldn’t hear the discussion, but Tracy didn’t appear pleased by it.
After a second longer they rejoined her and the pastor. “I’d like to talk to you more at a later time, if I may?” he asked Tracy.
“Of course,” she managed after a second, then dug in her purse and handed him a card. “My cell number is there along with the phone number here. You can reach me at one of those numbers anytime.”
“Thanks.” Kyle glanced at Ella. “Why don’t we get you settled in?”
Once they were outside, Ella could no longer keep her worries to herself. “I don’t understand why I can’t remember anything she just told me.” She pulled out the photo. “Tracy showed me this photo of my parents and my fiancé. I don’t recognize them. How can I not recognize my own parents?”
She felt herself sinking in despair when he stepped closer. He didn’t touch her again, and yet she could feel his calming personality quieting her frayed nerves. “You’ve been through more than most people could survive in a lifetime. Cut yourself some slack and don’t expect the memories to just automatically return. It could take a while.”
She wished she could believe what he said, but she didn’t. For the longest time she didn’t answer as she struggled to keep the hopelessness at bay.
Something soft and wet touched her face, capturing her attention. Ella stared up at the sky in wonderment. Tiny snowflakes had begun to fall.
“What is it?” With a bewildered frown, Kyle glanced up, as well.
“It’s snowing,” she said in amazement.
Some of the worry eased from his face and he smiled. She hadn’t seen him smile since she’d met him, and yet she couldn’t get over the feeling that she recognized it from...somewhere.
Alhasan’s photos of each of the eight member Scorpion team had been taken during what appeared to be combat situations.
“It is,” Kyle said in agreement.
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen it snow. It must have been...” She remembered a cabin in the mountains. Snow falling. Someone else was there with her. It was... The memory disappeared and she closed her eyes trying to recapture it. In her heart she knew it was real and important, but it was gone.
“What month is it?” she asked puzzled. She’d been gone for years. She had no idea what day it was, even.
“It’s December 13. It’s almost Christmas.”
Christmas! Tears stung her eyes and she squeezed her hands into fists to fight them. “I remember...” She stopped. Who was the person at the cabin with her?
“What?” he asked with urgency, as if her answer was the most important thing in the world to him.
Her face creased into a frown. “I don’t know.”
All around them were the sounds of small-town life. People talking. A car honking. Children laughing. All things that should make her feel at home, only they left her empty inside.
With one final glance at the sky, Kyle said, “It’s getting colder out. Let’s get you warm.”
They were halfway to the SUV when the sound of tires squealing close by captured her attention. Kyle whirled at the same time as Ella. A nondescript beige car with blacked-
out windows charged through the parking lot straight for them.
“Run,” he yelled and grabbed Ella’s hand, all but hauling her along with him to the vehicle. They’d just reached the cover of the SUV when the occupants of the car opened fire.
Kyle pushed her behind one of the SUV’s massive tires. “Stay as low as you can.” He dropped down next to her, pulled out his Glock and eased forward until he had a clear shot.
Ella leaned forward in time to see the armed man in the passenger seat duck down quickly to avoid being shot. The driver did the same but not before she got a good look at him. It was Alhasan.
Her gut knotted in fear. He’d managed to track her here. How had he found them? Another far more disturbing thought raced through her head, seemingly confirming her earlier suspicions. Had it all been a lie? Had he deliberately put her in Kyle’s path, staged her escape even, so that she could be used as bait to kill Kyle and draw out the rest of the team? If that were true, then there would be no second chance for her or Joseph. They had both been nothing more than a means to accomplish his deadly end.
* * *
Ella screamed and covered her ears as bullets from multiple automatic weapons took out the SUV’s engine and riddled holes along its side.
Kyle spotted the pastor and Tracy on the steps of the church and he feared they’d catch a straying bullet. “Go back inside. Call 911,” he yelled and they rushed into the sanctuary.
The car brazenly came to a stop a few feet from the side of their SUV. Kyle glanced at Ella. She was visibly terrified. He eased closer. If they wanted her dead, they’d have to take him out first.
He could hear a heated argument followed by a door opening. Then footsteps. He pushed Ella farther behind the cover of his body as a man cleared the front of the vehicle. Kyle didn’t give him time to spot them before he opened fire. The weapon flew from the man’s hand and he screamed in pain as the bullet struck his chest. He stumbled backward and onto the asphalt.
In the distance, multiple sirens could be heard over the noise around them. Help was on the way.
“Kyle, there’s another man,” Ella shouted and grabbed his arm. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a second man circling around the back of the vehicle. He whirled and fired before the man got off a shot, hitting him in the head. He dropped to the ground, lifeless.