by Amy Dunne
Alex struggled to understand what was happening. What use was a radio when there was no one to answer?
The girl switched on the radio and it erupted into life.
“No sign and we’ve looked everywhere…what do you want us to do now?”
Alex gasped.
“We’re not going back until we find her. Keep looking,” a cold steely voice snapped back through the burst of white noise.
Before Alex could speak, the girl pressed a button and, holding the radio with both hands, spoke quietly. “It’s me, Gemma. I need help. I was attacked and the guy who tried to save me was shot. He needs to be taken to Evelyn.” She lowered her head and slumped her shoulders. The lad fell to his knees in front of her, burying his head against her stomach and hugging her tightly. It sounded like he was sobbing, too.
After a few seconds of no response other than the crackling of static, the unemotional voice spoke again. “Where are you?”
“At an abandoned petrol station. You’re looking in the wrong direction. We—I went south.”
“Don’t move!” the voice demanded.
Gemma switched the radio off and let it drop to the floor. She ran her fingers through the lad’s hair, her crying now as obvious as his.
“Who was that? On the radio?” Alex asked.
The girl turned to face her and wiped her face. “The only chance he has to survive.”
“Let’s go,” the lad said desperately, getting to his feet. “Now.”
She shook her head. “Ben, I can’t. They won’t take him unless I’m here, too.”
“Gemma,” he begged, looking into her eyes and stroking her face. “They’ll kill me.”
“You need to go. Take the rucksack and go, now. You’ve got time. Please, Ben.” She pummelled on his chest with her fists.
“Not without you.”
“Ben! Go. Now. I’ll find another way to escape. I’ll find you. I promise. Please.” She kissed his less swollen cheek and pushed him away. “I love you.”
He nodded, and after a moment of hesitation, grabbed the rucksack and took off running down the road.
Alex sensed something bad coming their way.
*
“Who were you speaking to on the radio? And why are they looking for you?” Alex asked. She wanted to know if her foreboding was warranted.
“They’re from Rapture’s Haven.” The girl looked jittery. Her eyes scanned up and down the road.
“What haven? I’ve never heard of it.”
The girl huddled down into her coat and walked over to Alex. “There really isn’t time for me to explain. Can I ask you something personal? It’s important.”
Alex glowered. “What?”
“You’re a girl, aren’t you? I mean, you look like a guy, your hair and the clothes, but you’re really a woman.” The girl knelt beside Alex. “I’m not being rude. Honestly.”
“I’d hate to see you being polite,” Alex said, her anger dissipating as quickly as it rose. With a sigh, she nodded. “Yeah, I’m a woman. My name is Alex.”
The girl looked far from relieved. “I’m Gemma. Listen, they’re going to see you’re a woman. Like I have. And take it from me, Rapture’s Haven isn’t a place you want to be if you’re a woman. That’s why I escaped. I know you’re not going to like it, but you need to take your things and your dog, and leave right now. If you see vehicles, hide. It’s your only chance. I’ll stay with him. I promise. I’ll make sure he’s taken care o—”
“No fucking way. He’s my family. I’m not just going to leave him here.”
“Please. You need to lis—”
“Suggest it one more time, and you’re going to be sorry.” Alex pressed the jumper down hard against Murphy’s abdomen, the sudden movement making the girl flinch away from her. She looked terrified. Alex felt bad. “I’m sorry. I know you probably mean well and think you’re helping, but you’re not. I’m staying with him.”
The girl gave a nod, but remained silent. Her big eyes searched the road again. Her body was trembling but whether from the cold or from fear, Alex couldn’t tell.
A gust of wind carried the far-off sound of engines. The girl tensed and started to cry again.
“Why don’t you hide?” Alex asked.
“They won’t take him if I’m not here. They’ll keep searching for me and he’ll die.”
Alex didn’t know what to say. If the girl was telling the truth, then she needed her to stay for Murphy’s sake. Her fear was palpable. Alex hadn’t ever seen someone look quite as terrified. And what kind of people wouldn’t help a dying man if they could?
The sound grew louder and lights descended down the road. Three army Land Rovers came to a screeching halt beneath the canopy. The lights were blinding; Alex turned her face away. The engines continued to run. Alex tensed at the sound of metal doors opening and rushed footsteps on the gravelly cement. Squinting, she made out the silhouettes surrounding them. Finally, two men dressed in army gear marched free of the lights and into sight, the barrels of their guns pointed directly at her. They emanated anger. Altogether, she counted eight men.
Two men simultaneously stepped aside as a ninth silhouette walked out. Something about the calm deliberate steps and the urgent looks the others shot in his direction warned Alex this was the person with the cold voice. This was the boss.
Gemma slumped to the ground, her hands held out in front on her, and her sobbing loud and uncontrollable. “Please, I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry, David.”
The man called David stepped in front of the light, revealing himself. He looked in his fifties—grey hair balding on top, face tanned, his frame bulky. Unlike the others, he wore black combats, black boots, and a long leather jacket. His face looked mean; his eyes pinned Gemma, his lip curled in an angry snarl.
“Quiet,” he said in an emotionless tone. “Get her in the back.” Three of the men rushed forward and grabbed Gemma roughly, pulling her to her feet and toward the vehicles.
“Hey,” Alex said angrily. “Let go of her.” Her gun was in the holster on her hip, but her hands were still pressed on the jumper beneath the sleeping bags. She considered reaching for it, but as she still had four guns aimed at her, she decided against it.
“What do we have here?” David asked, stepping closer as he took in everything about Alex, Paddy, and Murphy, looking at them like a scientist studying an experiment.
“The girl got attacked and he saved her life. He got shot in the process. She said that you could help.” Part of Alex wished she’d taken the opportunity to escape when Gemma had warned her. It was too late now, and she couldn’t have left Murphy anyway. But she was relying utterly on the mercy of a bunch of men with guns, whose leader clearly didn’t give a shit.
“He’s as good as dead,” David said.
“No,” Alex said, “he’s still breathing and I’ve slowed the blood. Please. If there’s even a chance—”
“If our Lord God chooses to take him, there’s nothing we can do.” He tilted his head and sighed dramatically. “Your friend won’t make the journey back. I’m sorry.”
The glinting of a partially covered silver cross shone from beneath his leather jacket. She needed to think fast and make them irresistible. “He’s a qualified vet—”
“We don’t need a vet.”
“Perhaps not now, but in the future you might. We’ve got a few weapons and medical supplies we can give you. Please help us. He’s lasted this long and I know he’ll make whatever journey you’ve mentioned. Perhaps your God led you here to help him?”
David scratched his chin, his gaze boring into Alex’s eyes. A chill crept over her flesh. “Without him, she’d be dead. Doesn’t that mean something to you?”
“We don’t need any more men. Especially not one that whines like a bitch,” one of the men said with disgust.
“You really are thick, Phil,” another guy said.
“Say that again. Come on!” Phil said, raising his gun.
“Lower your weapo
n. Now,” David said, without bothering to turn around. “She’s a woman, Phil.” A murmur spread around the group and a wolf whistle came from Alex’s left.
“Shit. Are you sure?” Phil asked.
Alex ignored their conversation. “He’s a good man. Please, help us.” Seconds seemed to last an eternity. Frustration and rage festered inside Alex. If they didn’t help them and Murphy died, she would seek revenge.
“Grab that lot and put it in the back.” David pointed to Alex’s and Murphy’s belongings. “Scott,” he said, as a young lad rushed eagerly out. “Relieve her of her handgun and knife.”
Alex reached for her gun but froze as a cold muzzle pressed against the back of her skull.
“Do as I ask. Or your friend is definitely going to die,” David said. His tone sounded bored.
With no choice, Alex returned her hand to the sodden jumper. Her holster and sheath were removed from her waist. Scott was overly nervous and whispered apologies as he fumbled with her weapons. She was now completely vulnerable. “Now what?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“I’ll do anything.”
Unmoved by her desperate begging, David smiled coldly, as if she’d said something amusing.
“He’s a devout Christian. Were the tables reversed he’d help you without question.” A few of the men shifted uncomfortably. “He saved that girl. Without him, she’d be dead or taken hostage.”
“I have a duty of care to our community. It’s my responsibility to ensure whoever is invited into our haven will respect our beliefs and rules. I will protect our community at any cost. Taking you back is a risk. I don’t like risks. But I’m determined to get to the bottom of what happened here. If it’s true that you saved Gemma, then you will have our gratitude. If you were the ones who took her, you will be punished.”
“We didn’t—”
“I will ask you this only once. Think through your answer carefully. If you come with us, you will become a part of our community. We will feed you, protect you, give you a home, medical treatment, and a purpose. But you will be expected to pull your weight, follow our rules, and take on duties. There are no second chances. You give us everything, or you don’t come with us. Choose.”
Murphy’s blood was drying on her hands, the stickiness congealing and tightening her skin. His face was grey and his breathing was rapidly going downhill. She sensed there was more to the warning David was trying to impart. His words were not abhorrent or dangerous, and yet there was an unmistakable threat lacing them. Gemma’s warnings and beseeching played on her mind, too. Why was she so terrified by this group? Why try to escape? The religious shit he’d spouted gave her the creeps, and yet, she had no weapons and her belongings were already stowed in a vehicle.
There was no choice.
“I’ll follow your rules,” she said.
“Scott?” David said.
Scott ran up to David. “Yes, sir.”
“Please be kind enough to take the lady to one of our vehicles.”
Scott rushed over to Alex. “Please come with me.” In a whisper he added, “Just do as he says and your friend might be saved.”
Alex fought against her better judgment. She could easily grab the young man’s holstered handgun, which was tantalizingly close, and shoot them all. But Murphy would still be helpless. Not wanting to waste a single minute more, she stood and followed the young man to one of the vehicles. A loud wail followed and she turned around to see Paddy traipsing after her.
“Get rid of the dog,” David said.
“No!” Alex dropped to the ground and shielded Paddy with her body.
“Sir, it’s a German shepherd puppy,” Scott said.
“And?” David asked, his tone short.
“They make excellent guard dogs, sir. I had them when I was a lad. I could help her train him. He’d be an excellent deterrent. Please, sir?”
David looked about ready to explode. “Fine. But put some rope around its neck and put it in the boot. But if it so much as makes a mess or bites anyone or anything, you’re going to be the one who shoots it. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Scott said, his cheeks pink. “There’s some rope in the back.” The lad rushed away, only to return a few seconds later. As he tried to get it over Paddy’s head, the little dog squirmed and cried out. “Come on, miss,” Scott whispered. “We’re running out of time for your friend. I’ll take this little guy while you get in. He’ll be safe in the boot.”
Although it nearly killed her, she handed Paddy over to him.
“The rest of you, come and pick this up,” he said, flippantly indicating in Murphy’s direction.
Alex wanted to blow his brains out. It was all too much. She ground her teeth together so hard, pain flared up through her bunched jaws and cheeks. She rushed to the nearest open door and climbed inside. Scott sat beside her a few moments later.
“I need to put this bag over your head. You’re not allowed to see where we’re going. I’m sorry. He isn’t usually so mean. It’s just been a long day and he’s mad at Gemma.”
“Why is he mad?” Alex asked, as the thick black cotton bag doused her world into musty darkness.
“Now, don’t be saying anything else, miss, not if you want your friend to have the best chance of getting to Evelyn. Please be quiet.” His voice was muffled from the thick material.
Alex bit down on her tongue to stifle her retorts and the acidic bile that scorched the back of her throat. Another door slammed shut, making her flinch. She could still just about make out voices from outside.
“You, head in that direction and keep looking. If you find him, bring him back alive. If you come across anyone else, you know what to do. We’re heading back.”
“We’ll be leaving any second,” Scott said. “I’ll pray for your friend to make it. And I just want to thank you for saving Gemma. I’m sure David will thank you when he calms down.”
“Is Gemma his daughter?” Alex asked quietly, her breathing short because of the claustrophobic confines of the bag.
A stomping of boots and revving of engines drowned out any other noises or voices. The vehicle moved. She hoped with all her might they’d get back to the camp and Murphy would still be alive.
“No, miss. She’s his wife.”
Chapter Sixteen
Alex lost all sense of time. It seemed like she’d been sitting in the back of the Land Rover for a long time. The black material covering her head made it hard to breathe, but she had to force herself to remain calm and not panic. Nothing mattered but Murphy.
She’d tried to concentrate on the movements of the vehicle. Her initial plan was to try to record all of the turns they made to memory. It didn’t take long for that plan to go to shit. The vehicle’s engine was too loud and she was rocked from side to side with the turbulence and bumps from the potholes in the road.
The bag did exactly as her inhospitable captors wanted—she was disorientated and too physically and emotionally drained to fight it. Not wanting to give up entirely, she set herself the task of listening to her surroundings and captors. She needed to gain some sort of advantage. Tuning out the roar of the engine as best she could, she identified two male voices in the front. Not a lot of what they were saying made a great deal of sense, but she made a mental note anyway. Snippets mentioning the name Elijah were spoken frequently, but everything else was drowned out by the engine. Her senses pricked when she heard Gemma’s name.
“I’d hate to be in her shoes. She better speak up and tell David everything, or else she’s going to be in for a whole world of pain.”
“David knows it’s Ben. Hell, we all know it’s that little shit.”
“We don’t know it for sure.”
“Yeah, we do. The fence was cut from outside the camp, dumbass. There’s no way Gemma could do that. Someone cut her out. There ain’t no one else who knows about the camp, and even if there was, they’d have come inside and ransacked the place, not just taken one girl away. It was Ben. A
nd there’s no way he ain’t going to be caught, and when he is, there’s going to be hell to pay. Kidnapping another man’s wife is punishable by death, but when that man is David, shit, I don’t even want to think about what the little shit is going to experience.”
“Hey, guys. Can we change the subject please?” Scott asked from beside Alex, making her flinch with surprise.
“Oh yeah. Forgot you and him were pals. I’d keep quiet about it if I was you. Guilty by association and all that.”
She felt Scott fidget but he didn’t reply. The mood became subdued and none of the guys spoke. From what she’d learnt eavesdropping, she was worried about Gemma’s safety. She needed to try and get her story straight with her. The last thing she wanted to do was create more problems for the girl, especially as her actions now seemed like a sacrifice. No wonder she’d looked scared to death. And as for the lad, Ben, she hoped he didn’t get caught, because the repercussions sounded horrendous.
She blew a breath upward, cooling the condensation on her sweaty face. Although it could be her imagination, she was sure she could still smell Murphy’s coppery blood, and it made her queasy. She couldn’t see her hands, but her skin felt taut with the dried blood. It reminded her of her childhood, when she’d smeared PVA glue over her hands, watched it dry into a thin white layer. She’d then peel it off like a snakeskin.
They’d been on the road too long. With every beat of her heart, her fear for Murphy intensified. She clung to the miniscule hope that they’d make it in time, because thinking otherwise wasn’t an option. Not if she wanted to remain sane.
“We’re nearly there, miss. Just another five minutes or so. Just to warn you, we’ve got to go off road, so it’s going to be a bit bumpy.”
Alex didn’t respond. Five minutes didn’t raise her spirits; if anything, it felt like a death sentence. Could Murphy last that long? What would she face when she got to this haven? She didn’t trust or like these people. Everything she’d seen and heard screamed that she was walking into a living hell, and yet she’d do so willingly if it meant Murphy would live.