Under the Viaduct

by H. L. Anderson

  Finally, after what seemed like hours, the ambulance pulled up next to Kaylee’s car. She met the paramedics halfway to where Mama C lay. “She’s over there. Hurry.” She led them to her.

  They asked Kaylee a bunch of questions about Mama C’s illness, her name, any family? Medical history? Kaylee answered what she could then asked, as they buckled Mama onto the stretcher, ready to put her in the back of the ambulance, “Where are you taking her?”

  “Denver Health, over in Lincoln Park area. Are you coming with her?” the medic asked.

  “Yes.” She needed to tell Blayne. “I need to go tell my…her friend first. I’ll go straight to the hospital after.”

  “Okay. You might want to hurry, she doesn’t look so good. Who knows how long her oxygen sats have been in the sixties.” They lifted her into the ambulance and sped away.

  Kaylee rubbed her hands across her face and gulped air into her lungs. She had to calm down before telling Blayne. She got in her car, hoping he would be clear-headed when she got there. Hell, hoping he would be home.

  The car skidded to a halt and Kaylee looked up at the darkened windows of Blayne’s apartment. Maybe he just went to bed early. She rummaged in her backpack for a pen and piece of paper so she could leave him a note if he didn’t answer.

  Stumbling up the stairs in her hurry, she skinned the palms of her hands on the metal steps. She pounded on the door and bit her nails as she waited. No answer. She pounded louder. Still no answer. Kaylee propped the paper up against the door to write a note.

  Blayne – Mama C

  Footsteps crunched on the gravel below.

  “Well, look who we have here.”

  Kaylee dropped the pen, and the paper fluttered to the landing. Her heart raced. She gripped her keys so tight they dug into her hand. The guy Blayne had been arguing with the other day bounded up the stairs toward her, a sinister smile twisting his face. Kaylee turned and pounded on Blayne’s door, she had nowhere to go.

  The man grabbed her from behind, one arm around her waist, the other covering her mouth. He dragged her toward the stairs backwards. She kicked, and flailed her arms at his face. His hand covering her mouth slipped a little, and she sunk her teeth into it.

  Swearing, he stepped to the side and flung her down the rest of the stairs. Her left shoulder hit first, followed by her head. She landed in a throbbing heap at the bottom, her mind too fuzzy to even attempt to get away.

  Slow, deliberate steps thumped toward her. “You shouldn’t ‘a done that. We coulda done this the easy way.”

  Kaylee blinked up at him. He had her keys, swinging them around his finger. She pushed up to a half-sitting position, but a surge of dizziness and intense pain in her shoulder immobilized her. She dropped back down with a cry.

  “Let me help you to your car, sweetheart. Don’t worry, I’ll drive. You’re in no condition to man the wheel.” He laughed then spit right next to her head.

  He grabbed her under the arms and lifted. Her shoulder came alive with pain, like a dull wooden stake had been pounded through it. Her vision faded around the edges and she groaned. As he dragged her, the pain intensified to the point where everything went blissfully black.

  Her whole body ached. Every nerve ending screamed at Kaylee to slip back into unconscious oblivion. But she needed to stay awake. To think. She opened her eyes just a slit, taking in her surroundings. Her car. She laid across the back seat of her car, tires rolling beneath her. Before she could even begin to form a plan, the car came to a stop.

  “We’re heeere.” Her kidnapper’s voice raked across her brain like a dentist’s drill boring into a raw nerve.

  Should she pretend she was still out? The decision was made for her when he opened the rear door and started to pull her out by her arms again. “No!” she cried. “Let me. I’ll do it myself. Let me do it myself.”

  The kidnapper stepped back and gestured for her to go ahead.

  Kaylee held her breath and, clutching her left arm across her torso, she pulled herself up with her right, wincing at the sharp pain in her left shoulder.

  “Hurry it up. We don’t have all night.” He snorted. “Just kidding. We have all the time in the world.” His voice dripped with slime and Kaylee’s stomach heaved.

  Each movement sent a jolt of pain into her shoulder, but it was tolerable as long as she kept her arm pressed tight to her body. She scooted along the seat then stood on the cracked asphalt. Her sore left shoulder sagged lower than the right. She pushed aside the thoughts of what this snake wanted from her and concentrated on her surroundings. The outline of an enormous bowling pin peeking above the dark building made a shadow against the light of the moon. The distant sound of cars and lack of lighting nearby indicated the abandoned building was secluded. He’d parked at the back of the building—her car wouldn’t even be visible from the deserted road.

  “Come on, sweetheart.” He yanked on her injured arm and she stifled a whimper.

  She held her left arm with her right and wrenched away from him. “Don’t touch me. I’ll follow you.”

  He grabbed her face and jerked it toward him. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m going to touch you. You can bet on that.” He looked her up and down and licked his lips.

  Revulsion ran through her like flushing a toilet. Icy fingers of fear crept up her spine, and she shook her head, unable to speak.

  “Let’s get inside so I can show you what I mean.” He winked and grabbed her arm again, pulling her toward the deserted bowling alley.

  The metal door flew open before they reached it. “Carl,” a man’s shape was silhouetted against a dim light from inside, “what in the hell are you doing?”

  Carl pushed Kaylee toward the door and the other man stepped back to avoid her. “I got Blayne’s lady friend.”

  “What? Why?” A calculating smile spread across his face. “Ahh. Smart move. Let’s get her inside.”

  There were no windows in the back of the building to reveal the light from the battery-operated lanterns sitting about. “Put her over there,” the new guy pointed to a hard plastic chair, “and tie her up. I don’t want her sneaking out when we aren’t looking. We have product to cut and package.”

  “Dude,” Carl plead, “I wanted to have some fun with her first. Take her to the office.” He gestured to a door with a leering grin.

  “Are you crazy? We want Blayne to work for us not kill us. Do what I said. And don’t call me ‘dude’.”

  “Gah, Aaron, you spoiled my fun.”

  “Just shut your mouth and get her tied up. We need to get a move on.”

  Carl shoved her none-too-gently into the chair. She drew a sharp breath and grit her teeth. She couldn’t help but cry out when he grabbed her injured arm and yanked it to the armrest of the chair.

  Aaron sauntered over. “What’d you do to her?” He leaned in closer, holding a lantern up. “She’s all beat up!”

  “I didn’t do nothin’. She fell down the stairs.”

  “Yeah.” Aaron pressed on her shoulder. Kaylee squeezed her eyes shut and tried to swallow the groan forcing its way out of her throat. “Her shoulder’s dislocated.” He looked at Carl. “Idiot. Let her put her arm the way she had it and just tie the rope around her and the chair. You can tie her other arm to the armrest. Leave her feet, she ain’t going nowhere.” As he walked away, Kaylee spotted the grip of a gun sticking out of the back of his jeans.

  Carl muttered under his breath as he wrapped a long cord around her several times, pinning her left arm to her torso. He glanced in the direction Aaron had gone, then leered back at Kaylee, pausing in his duties to grope her. She raked her ragged fingernails across his face with her still-free right hand. He backhanded her, jarring her already concussed head. She refused the tears forming in her eyes, closing them tight as Carl tied her free hand to the chair.

  His stinking breath stung her nostrils as he leaned close. Her eyes flew open as he gripped her face so tight her cheeks nearly touched. “That’s the second time today you’ve
drawn blood on me. You owe me somethin’ for that.” He slammed his mouth against hers, forcing his tongue inside.

  Kaylee tried to pull away from him, twisting her head from side to side, but his fingernails dug into her cheeks, holding her face hostage. Her muffled protests only seemed to excite him more. Her stomach heaved, her throat constricting in a loud gag.

  Carl reeled away from her, but still held fast to her face. “If you puke on me, I swear—”

  “Carl!” Aaron yelled from an unseen doorway. “Get in here and help me! How long does it take to tie someone up?”

  With one more rough grope, Carl whispered, “Aaron won’t always be around.” He walked away, his footsteps echoing on the tile floor.

  Kaylee struggled against her bindings, but they were too tight, and her head was pounding, her shoulder aching. She gave up and gave in to the infuriating tears. Her breath hitched as the tears flowed freely. How had this happened? Where was Blayne? Damn him!

  Loud voices awakened Kaylee from her uncomfortable sleep. She lifted her head, wincing at the pain in her neck, and shoulder, and, well, everywhere. She had no idea what time of day or night it was.

  “Dammit, Carl! Now she has bruises on her face. Blayne’s gonna’ freak.” Aaron and the object of his ire stood a few paces off.

  “Come on, dude. It’ll just make him more likely to cooperate with us.”

  Aaron glanced at Kaylee then back at Carl. “Maybe. Where’d you put her phone? Let’s get this over with, we have a ton of product to move.”

  Carl dug in his pocket and handed him Kaylee’s phone.

  “Where did you get that?” she asked.

  “You dropped it.” Carl smirked. “And finders keepers.”

  No wonder Allie hadn’t been able to find it when she’d gone to look.

  “Your boyfriend’s been texting and calling non-stop for the past few days. Too bad we couldn’t figure out your code so we could mess with him a little.”

  “Speaking of code,” Aaron said, “what is it?”

  Blayne had been trying to get ahold of her. Why hadn’t he just come to her apartment?

  Aaron snapped in her face. “The code, princess.”

  “Why should I tell you?” She lifted her chin in defiance.

  He leaned in close to her face. “Because us getting ahold of Blayne is your only ticket out of here.”

  “Use your own phone.” Her wobbly voice gave away her fake bravado.

  “Listen, princess, he’ll answer if he thinks it’s you. Now, I’m only going to ask one more time and then I’m gonna let Carl have his way with you if you refuse again—what’s the code?”

  Kaylee glanced at Carl and swallowed. “Two, nine, four, six.”

  He patted her on the arm. “Good girl.” He stood and jabbed at the screen of her phone. “Here are the rules. They’re simple. I’m going to talk to your boyfriend and you are going to keep quiet. One peep from you, and, again, Carl.”

  Carl mimed an obscene gesture as he leered at her.

  Kaylee looked away from him and nodded.

  Aaron thumbed through what she assumed were her text messages. “Wow. Blayne has it bad for you. ‘I’m so sorry.’ ‘Let me explain.’ ‘Kaylee please.’ ‘Please just answer me so I know you’re okay.’” He rolled his eyes and laughed. “Who knew Blayne was so fragile? Let’s see what his voice messages say, shall we?”

  “No!” Kaylee fought against her restraints. “That’s none of your business!”

  He ignored her and put it on speaker-phone. “Kaylee, I’m so sorry. Please just call me back, I can explain.”

  “Oh,” Aaron said mockingly, “he sounds so upset.”

  “There are just too many to listen to all of them, let’s skip to the end.” Blayne’s voice sounded distant and hoarse. “Kaylee, I won’t bother you again. It’s obvious that you don’t want to talk to me. But I still want to explain. That guy I was talking to was from my old life. He’s dangerous and his friends are dangerous and I didn’t want him to know you’re someone I care about. They wanted me to sell drugs for them again, but I said no. I’m done with that life, for good. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I hope I see you around sometime.” His voice hitched on the last word, and it broke Kaylee’s heart.

  He sounded so defeated. She was so stupid! Why had she ever doubted him? Hot tears spilled from her eyes.

  “See, even your boyfriend knows we’re dangerous. Now remember,” Aaron said, “not a sound from you.” He pushed against her injured shoulder for emphasis.

  He moved away from her and put the phone to his ear, his back toward her. “Well, hello there, Blayne. Sorry to disappoint you, you sounded so excited, but this isn’t Kaylee.”

  He paused and listened for a second.

  “Good job. I’m so flattered that you recognized my voice.”

  Another pause.

  “No need for name-calling. She’s right here, wanna see?” Aaron turned to her, Carl looking on with a grin. “Remember the rules, princess.” He switched it to speaker and hit the Facetime icon, holding the phone up in front of him as he turned his back again, the camera capturing Kaylee in the background.

  “Wave to your boyfriend, princess.” He and Carl laughed. “Oh, wait, you can’t. You’re all tied up at the moment.”

  “Aaron,” Kaylee had never heard Blayne sound so furious before. “I will kill you.”

  “Now Blayne, I think we can reach a non-homicidal solution here.”

  “Let me see her close up!”

  “Now hold on,” Aaron said. “I believe I hold all the cards here and I’m not done speaking.”

  Kaylee could see the murderous rage in Blayne’s eyes from several feet away. Seeing him made her cry even harder.

  An inhuman roar rose from the depths of Blayne’s bowels and he ripped at his hair with his free hand, his camera shaking around violently.

  “Calm down, man.” A touch of fear sounded in Aaron’s voice. Carl even backed away from the phone like Blayne would come lunging through it at any minute. “Look, we just wanted to get your attention. The chick is fine, see?” He backed up closer to her and tilted the phone so the camera captured more of her face than his.

  Hoping that Aaron’s attention was solely on the rage-filled Blayne, Kaylee mouthed the words, “Bowling alley. I’m at a deserted bowling alley.”

  “Let me see just her, up close.” Blayne’s voice had changed slightly. Had he seen her attempt to communicate with him? “Now!”

  Aaron jumped then tried to cover it up with a laugh. “Fine, but then we negotiate.”

  He shoved the phone close to her face.

  “Kaylee,” he breathed. “Are you okay?”

  She glanced at Aaron then back at the phone. She nodded.

  “She ain’t allowed to talk,” Carl yelled from behind Aaron.

  Blayne’s eyes narrowed. Anger and frustration painted lines on his forehead. He signed: I’m coming. Kaylee shook her head, her eyes widening with the fear running rampant inside her. Fear for him, not for herself. They have guns! She wanted to yell. She bit her lips and cried harder, audible sobs erupting from her throat now as she shook her head harder.

  Blayne pleaded, “I’m sorry, Kaylee. I’m so sorry you got brought into this mess.” He swiped an angry tear from his cheek.

  Aaron pulled the phone back to his own face. “Enough. You seen that she’s fine—”

  “Fine?” Blayne interrupted. “She is not fine! She has bruises and scrapes all over her face!”

  “Well, she ain’t dead yet.” Aaron’s voice deepened ominously.

  “What do you want?” Blayne asked.

  Aaron turned off the Facetime but left it on speaker. “I just want you to come back to the fold, brother. You were our best dealer before that old hag got ahold of ya. Just help us unload this shipment. The cartel gave us three days and we know you can do it in two.”

  “And what about Kaylee?”

  “Oh, we’ll keep her here with us until it
’s done. Insurance. Carl will take good care of her.”

  “Don’t you let that bastard anywhere near her!”

  “Hey! I thought we were friends.” Carl laughed.

  “Okay, okay,” Aaron said. “I’ll send him to you with the product, and I’ll stay here with the princess. Do we have a deal?”

  Blayne growled. “Yeah. We have a deal. When and where will Carl make the drop?”

  “No!” Kaylee shouted.

  Aaron backhanded her. “I told you to stay quiet!”

  The quiet, low rumble of Blayne’s voice was more terrifying than any outburst Kaylee had ever heard. “Touch her again, and I will skin you alive and feed your own flesh to you.”

  Blood trickled down her chin from a cut on her lip. She was glad the camera was off. She didn’t want Blayne to endanger himself for her.

  “Sorry,” Aaron mumbled. “I won’t touch her. Sorry, man.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Meet Carl tonight at ten at the old drop off.”

  “Blayne…” Kaylee wanted to tell him about Mama C. Maybe that would keep him away, convince him to just call the police to find her.

  Aaron ended the call and stepped up close to her. “I told you to shut up.” He slapped her again.

  Kaylee narrowed her eyes and spit in his face.

  A bloody glob of spit dripped from the corner of his mouth. He raised his hand again, but Carl grabbed it. “We got what we want, dude. Let’s not make Blayne any madder.”

  Aaron jerked his arm out of Carl’s grasp. “Fine. Let’s get it all sorted and packed into the bags. We have three hours before the drop off.”

  Kaylee had to think of a way to escape before then. The low-life men walked toward the closed door where she assumed they kept the drugs. “Wait,” she said. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “I’ll take her,” Carl quickly volunteered with a leering smile.

  “No,” Aaron shoved him toward the door. “You get started and I’ll take her.”

  He pulled out a large pocket knife and cut the ropes near the knots Carl had tied. He untwisted the ropes from around her and then pulled her up by her right arm. She wavered, her head swam and her feet tingled. She unwillingly leaned into her captor rather than fall to the ground.