Salt

by David Chambers

  ‘I’ll show you later, just pass me the bag.’

  Emma walked over and held the rucksack open and Dan put the box inside.

  ‘What is it?’ Emma asked.

  ‘I will show you later ok? We need to get out.’ Dan said.

  Dan zipped the bag and handed it to her. ‘Carry this, I’ll get him.’

  Emma walked in front with the rucksack over her left shoulder, she was onto the landing when Dan reached down to the handle of the North Face. He lifted it, struggling to handle the weight at first but then standing it upright and extending the handle. Dan heard muffled moans inside as gravity had its effect the contents. He dragged the case across the landing, it was surprisingly easy to handle on the carpet. At the top of the stairs he put the case in front of him, step by step he worked the bag down. He did his best to minimise the sound of the bumps but that just made the groaning louder.

  Finally, he reached the bottom and dragged it behind him again. Through the door and outside drive, Emma had opened the back doors and the two managed to haul the heavy case into the back of the Transit.

  Dan pointed to the house. ‘We need to check in there.’

  Emma nodded and they walked back into the house, they used the headlights to quickly search the room’s they’d been inside.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE

  Jaz pushed hard against the fabric with his legs, there was no give and with every push his neck bent forward squashed against the top of the bag. The inside grew hotter with his exertion, his breathing growing faster trying to find oxygen inside the clammy coffin.

  He breathed deeper, desperate to control his body and avoid panic. His mouth was dry, any moisture soaked up by whatever shit they shoved in his mouth. Fucking bastard, he knew this day might come. He expected a slap or two, maybe even some broken ribs but these guys seemed determined to hurt him badly.

  He blew hard from his nose, trying to clear the snot that had built up in panic. In and out, nice and deep and slow, desperate to breathe. It was going to happen and he was determined not to let them get the better of him. A bit of a kicking and then it would all be over, he could take it out on that dumb bitch Bethany anyway.

  His head throbbed, he expected there to be a swelling where that cunt had punched him. He must have had a knuckle duster or something, it hurt like a bastard. He was some bitches older brother or dad or something, upset that their little slut had lost her cherry to a Paki. Racist bastards.

  It would be over soon, he told himself repeatedly as his breathing slowed. It would hurt for a couple of weeks and maybe Bethany would show him some sympathy. She seemed stupid enough to fall for anything. Just a few slaps and it would be over with. He expected it in a pub toilet or something though, not like this but it would probably end in a layby or field.

  He gritted his teeth as he remembered his last beating when some fool accused him of flirting with his girlfriend on Facebook. That was when he knew he needed special accounts. He should have bought a burglar alarm. The leaflet was still in the kitchen where he’d put it while he considered the purchase. As soon as this was over he’d order one, the best they had. Just let this pair of goons get it over and done with.

  The darkness felt like it was getting closer. Squeezing him with cold, black fingers tightening their grip. He screwed his eyes tight and kicked out with his legs. Nothing. Not even an inch of movement. He kicked out again as panic crept in again. Nothing. They would let him out soon and hurt him, probably kick him. He winced as he imagined the pain. They’d probably get bored after a while, just frighten him a bit. His breathing slowed again, the ache in his head throbbing with his pulse.

  The two guys, he thought there were two, would probably get bored after a few minutes anyway. Most people could be violent in a short burst but not long enough to do any real damage. What they wanted was him scared and hurt. Blood and tears are what satisfied and saved.

  Jaz shook his head inside the darkness, typical they would catch him with a full bladder. They might get more than blood and tears but that would probably save him even faster, nobody wanted to keep kicking a naked guy covered in piss and tears. Yeah it had been a good thing actually, a few tears, a load of piss and maybe no need for any blood. It wouldn’t be that bad after all, just hopefully soon. He wanted them to hurry up and get on with it, just pull into a layby or wherever they were taking him so he could get this over with.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO

  The roads were clear making driving easy but his heart still thumped in his chest almost audibly as they drove in silence.

  ‘Oh fuck, Jesus Christ.’ Emma said her breathing shallow and rapid.

  Dan turned his head quickly. ‘What’s up? You Ok?’ Concern spreading through him like black ink dropped in a glass of milk.

  ‘Nothing. Ohhh Jesus. Fuck, fuck. I’m fine.’ She was starting to hyperventilate.

  ‘Emma, what the fucks wrong?’

  ‘We did it. We really fucking did it. Kidnapped a guy. Fuck.’ Emma said between breaths.

  ‘Yes we did, but you need to calm down. It’s done now.’ Dan said.

  ‘I can’t believe we actually did it.’ Emma said.

  ‘We planned for it though. Have you changed your mind?’ Dan asked.

  ‘No, no, we’ve done it now haven’t we? I just never expected us to really do it. You know?’

  ‘I guess but you can get out now if you want to?’ Dan said.

  ‘How?’

  ‘I don’t know, just pull over and dump him in a ditch so he has a long walk home naked. Or I can drop you off at a train station and you go home while I deal with him alone.’ Dan said.

  ‘No. No way. We’re in it together and we started so we’ve got to finish it. I’m just nervous and kind of excited but scared too.’

  ‘That’s ok baby.’ Dan said reaching across and squeezing her thigh. ‘I haven’t done this before so its new for me too. We just need to stick to the plan. The layby’s not far now.’

  ‘Ok babe. I love you you know.’ Emma said.

  ‘I love you too.’ Dan said as he indicated and pulled into the same layby they used earlier.

  The orange Focus had gone, the occupants having done whatever it was people did in laybys at night. The van rolled to a stop and they both stepped out and walked to the side of the van so they were shielded from the road. They both undressed, putting their ninja outfits into a black dustbin bag and slipping on jeans and t-shirts. The black boots went into the bag and were replaced by trainers.

  Dan reached into the bin bag and pulled out a bottle of white spirit and a rag. He walked to the front of the Transit and wiped the number plate. It took some effort but eventually the plate was back to normal. He walked around the van and did the same to the rear. Once he was done he dropped the white spirit and rag into the dustbin bag on top of their clothes and tied it closed.

  Dan opened the back door to the Transit and froze when he saw the North Face hold all in the boot.

  ‘What’s up babe?’ Emma asked.

  ‘Nothing, I just kind of forgot we had him for a minute.’

  Emma stood beside Dan and looked at the bag. ‘Yeah I had too to be honest.’ She reached for Dan’s hand and held it.

  ‘Right let’s get cracking.’ Dan threw the bin bag into the back of the van and turned to kiss Emma.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

  ‘Oh fuck.’ Dan said as his eyes locked on the door mirror.

  ‘What. What’s up?’ Emma said panic flushing through her body.

  ‘Oh fuck.’ His blood leaving his body and heading straight for his feet.

  ‘What’s wrong? What’s happening?’

  ‘The police.’ Dan said

  ‘What police?’

  ‘They’re behind us, fuck knows why but they’re pulling us over.’ Dan said taking a deep breath. His hands automatically moved to ten and two on the steering wheel.

  ‘Oh fuck, we’re fucked. We’re going to prison.’ Emma said hyperventilating.

  ‘No. I
don’t know. Just keep quiet. I’ll think of something.’ Dan said indicating and steering the van onto the verge.

  ‘Oh, Jesus though. What if they see him?’ Emma asked.

  ‘They won’t, just be quiet and keep calm.’ Dan pulled to a stop and turned the engine off. ‘I’ll think of something.’

  ‘Ok. Oh fuck fuck fuck.’ Emma said, her chest heaving.

  Dan watched in the door mirror as the white Ford Focus door opened and a tall thin police man stepped out, his shadow dancing in the blue strobe lights. He paused to pull his hat on, closed the door and walked towards Dan’s side of the van. Dan lowered the window and continued to watch as the long shadow flickered in the blue light.

  ‘Good evening sir. In a rush to get somewhere tonight?’ The cop spoke with the mix of sarcastic authority they always have when you’ve been caught red handed.

  Dan turned to look at the policeman. ‘No not really. I don’t think I was speeding, was I?’ His heart pounding with the adrenaline dump that came any time the police stopped you with a naked kidnap victim in a sports bag in the boot.

  ‘You weren’t speeding but you do seem to have forgotten to put your lights on.’

  ‘Oh shit, sorry officer. I hadn’t noticed.’ His mind kicking itself hard in the balls for getting caught over fucking headlights.

  ‘Where are you going this morning? It’s an odd hour to be driving.’

  ‘I’m. We. Well I’m moving in my girlfriend and we’re just heading back to the house.’

  The cop bent down and looked inside the passenger compartment. He saw Emma. ‘Hello Miss, are you ok?’

  ‘Yes, sorry officer I’m fine.’ Emma said.

  ‘You look nervous. Is this your boyfriend?’ The cop said looking back to Dan.

  ‘Yes. We’re just heading home. I’m just not used to talking to the police.’

  ‘We were kind of in a rush, which is why I probably forgot the lights.’ Dan said.

  ‘And what was the rush?’ The cop asked.

  ‘We. Well I was kind of looking forward to getting home. It’s our first night together there you see.’

  The cop smiled, looked back at Emma and then back at Dan. ‘You were just heading home to.’ He paused. ‘To, settle in?’

  ‘Pretty much yes, it’s probably why she looks nervous.’ Dan said.

  ‘Is this right Miss?’ He elongated Miss as an invitation for her to continue.

  ‘Bentley. Emma Bentley officer.’ Emma said looking down at her knees.

  ‘And is what he says true Miss Bentley?’

  Dan looked at Emma, his eye brows raising in encouragement.

  ‘Erm yes officer. We just wanted to get home, you know.’ Her cheeks flushed pink as she spoke.

  ‘Ok then, well I remember being young once so what I’m going to do this time is just check there are no issues with the vehicle and then hopefully you can be on your way.’ He focused on Dan.’ Is this your van?’

  ‘Yes, well no, it’s hired. I’ve got the paperwork here if you want to see it?’

  ‘I’m going back to my car to check and you have the paperwork ready when I come back. Don’t start the engine or do anything silly ok sir?’

  ‘No officer I won’t.’ Dan said.

  The cop turned and walked back to his car.

  ‘Oh, Jesus I’m going to puke.’ Emma said.

  ‘Don’t. Its fine. Just stay calm and look like you want to be fucked.’ Dan said.

  ‘I feel like I’m going to puke and shit myself at the same time. I don’t even know if that’s possible.’ Emma said in a babble.

  ‘You aren’t going to do either and I don’t think you can. You’d end up imploding or something. Just stay calm, he’s going to be gone in a bit and we’ll be fine. I just can’t believe I left the lights off.’ Dan said squeezing the steering wheel as hard as he could. ‘I love you, just remember that baby.’

  ‘I love you too.’ Emma said.

  They sat in silence for what felt like hours. Dan’s eyes were locked on the mirror.

  ‘He’s coming back now just act horny.’

  The cop walked back to the window and bent down to the window. ‘Do you have the rental papers sir?’

  ‘Err yes sorry officer.’ Dan said reaching across to the glovebox and pulling the blue carbon paper sheet out.

  The cop took it and scanned it. ‘Everything seems to be in order here so I’m going to let you go with a warning.’

  ‘Oh, great thank you.’ Dan said.

  ‘Now you drive carefully and get home safe and make sure your lights are on please.’

  ‘I will don’t worry and thank you again.’ Dan said beginning to relax a little.

  He looked at Emma and back at Dan again. ‘Enjoy your evening together.’ He said smiling as he walked back to his car feeling a pang of jealousy.

  CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR

  He was moving inside, each movement accompanied by a grunt. Dan and Emma stood in the science fiction tent they built earlier, they wore white Tyvek overalls with their hoods up and yellow marigold gloves. They looked like a cross between someone from an episode of CSI and an early nineties raver. They watched as the fabric of the bag rippled like the flesh of a dead mouse Dan once watched as a kid. He had stared at it in the woods for what felt like hours, wondering if it was alive or not. Curiosity and the boyish desire to poke things with sticks had eventually taken over and he jumped back, shocked when the stick broke the thin skin and a mass of blood slick maggots poured out onto the ground.

  Dan no longer had an urge to poke things with a stick, his new urge was to hit this giant maggot with a stick which is exactly why he bought the baseball bat. It was beautiful in its simplicity, a modern take on the what was probably the first weapon humans had discovered.

  Dan stepped forward and swung the bat downwards, he aimed towards the bottom of the bag and the vibration through the handle told him he had hit something hard without needing to hear the muffled scream. He swung again. The bat hit something soft this time, less vibration but a higher pitched sound from the maggot.

  ‘Are you ready baby?’ Dan said.

  ‘Sorry?’ Emma said shaking her head to clear it as she looked up from the bag.

  ‘Are you ready? To get him out.’ Dan poked the bag with the business end of the bat.

  ‘Yes sorry. I think so yes.’ Emma said forcing a smile.

  ‘Good. Can you just loop the end of the paracord and hold it tight when I say? Like we practiced yeah?’

  ‘I think so yeah. Shall I get the rope?’ Emma asked.

  ‘Paracord, its paracord but yes please. Give me the end with the carabiner on it.’

  ‘The what?’ Emma said walking to the bundle of paracord on the bed.

  ‘Carabiner, it’s the metal thing. Like a big clip.’ Dan said.

  ‘Oh, ok yeah. Here.’ Emma said handing the gold D ring to Dan.

  ‘Thanks babe. Put your gloves on.’ Dan said throwing the paracord over the thick oak beam above the DIY trestle. It went over his first attempt and he pulled the carabiner down so it hung at the height of his knees. ‘Now just pull it tight and loop it round the bed then pull it hard when I say ok baby?’

  ‘Yes ok babe. Just say when.’ Emma said as she looped the cord around the four-poster bed and walked away from it then slipped the ninja gloves back on.

  ‘That’s it now wrap it around your hand so it doesn’t slip and get ready. Ok?’

  ‘Yeah ok. I’m ready, I think.’ Emma said.

  Dan reached down and unzipped the holdall, the maggot squirmed when it sensed his chance to escape but Dan knelt on him to keep him in place. He pulled the carabiner lower and fed it behind Jaz’s duct taped wrists and clipped it back to the same paracord. ‘Pull it a little babe.’ Dan said pushing down to keep Jaz from wriggling free.

  Emma pulled and the paracord slipped easily through the carabiner cinching tight around Jaz’s duct taped wrists.

  ‘That’s it. Keep pulling and we’ll get him up.’ Dan said
taking his weight of Jaz and lifting him by his shoulders. He struggled, but blind and bruised he had no chance of stopping Dan dragging him to his feet. ‘Keep pulling. Hard. Baby.’

  Jaz moaned as Emma pulled hard on the rope, the simple pulley effect wrenching his bound hands higher forcing his body to go down. He tried to fight but soon the force pulling his wrists away from his back was too much to resist and he was forced to bend double. Dan grabbed his shoulders and shoved him hard across the saw horse, the wood pressed across his waist but it eased the pain on his shoulders.

  ‘Loop it around the post a few times baby. Quick.’ Dan said watching as Emma kept the line tight just as he had told her. ‘Now tie it off. Just loop it round the rope a few times and put a few knots in it.’

  ‘That’s it I think.’ Emma said.

  ‘Cool. Come and have a look then and I’ll check in a minute.’ Dan stood up straight and looked at the nearly naked wretch bent double in front of him with his hands pulled up behind him and his feet taped together.

  ‘Oh wow. Jesus that looks uncomfortable. Can he hear us?’ Emma asked.

  ‘I guess so. Hey dickhead can you hear us?’ Dan asked.

  Jaz made a muffled attempt at a reply and nodded his head.

  ‘There you go, he can hear us.’ Dan said.

  ‘That looks really painful. Will he be ok?’

  ‘No not really but that’s kind of the point? Are you listening dickhead?’ Dan didn’t wait for a response. ‘It’s called strappado, it’s from the medieval times when they perfected being horrible to each other. In those days they used to lift people up and let their arms rip out of their sockets, which is what will happen if you move around too much. The trestle’s uncomfortable but not as bad as having your arms ripped out.’

  ‘Are we just leaving him here?’ Emma asked walking closer to Jaz. ‘Shouldn’t we take off his gag and stuff?’

  ‘No. the gag needs to stay on for now so we can sleep but the balaclava can come off. No harm in him seeing his new home.’ Dan said.

  Jaz stood bent double, snot dripping from his face, his chest heaving, trying to suck in air through his nose. He jerked his head around, desperate to hear a clue about who his captors were. Dan pulled the balaclava from his head. They saw his eyes, white and water filled as he blinked against the brightness. They flicked around, wide in panic. He tried to scream through the sock when he saw the plastic sheeting and understood this wasn’t a random robbery or big brother kicking.