The Redemption

by David Boiani

  1:30:03, 1:30:02, 1:30:01…

  As the pair exited the tunnel, they quickened their pace knowing they had a three-mile hike along the path. They knew time was running short, but they also knew a turned ankle or twisted knee would limit their speed, so they took every precaution to light up the ground with their flashlights as they walked. The night was black, even with the glow from the stars. They were surrounded by a darkness filled with strange noises and shadowy silhouettes of what they hoped were just trees and shrubbery.

  John glanced down at the time on his watch. “Just under an hour and a half, we need to get moving.”

  They both hastened their gait as they worked their way on the down-slope of the mountainside. Suddenly, a high-pitched, muffled snarl came from the north, maybe fifty yards away.

  “What the fuck is that?” Ricky gasped.

  “Sounds like a male cougar,” John answered.

  “How do you know it’s male?”

  “Well, it sounded big. Also, the females usually chirp like a bird to communicate with their young.”

  “Fucking cougars? I should have stayed in New York where all I had to deal with was felons on the run, street thugs, and terrorists.” Ricky’s face was sour.

  “I’ll stick with the cougars, thank you,” John said.

  Ricky flashed the light into the sea of trees to chase the cat away before continuing west toward the next tunnel.

  1:00:03, 1:00:02, 1:00:01…

  The path turned around a bend, and to their right was a huge concrete wall leading the path to the west. As they quickly scrambled around the turn, a crisp breeze hit them in the face. Ricky turned to John and nodded. John aimed his flashlight up ahead and there about fifty yards away was the opening to another tunnel. John broke into a full gallop as Ricky followed closely behind. They reached the opening and slowed down to a jog. John shined his light on a sign that warned hikers of the dangers of continuing past this point.

  “How long is it?” Ricky asked as he slowed to a stop.

  “Quarter mile; let’s go,” John answered.

  John led the way, casting light on enough of the ground to advance safely as a gentle waft of air hit their faces. The deeper into the tunnel they ventured, the more it had decayed, with slabs of concrete missing from the walls and ceiling. After a ten-minute dash, John exited the west end, having found nothing. John was bent over at the waist in frustration as Ricky came through shortly after. He walked up to his friend and put his hand on his shoulder. “Come on, partner. We have one more chance.”

  30:03, 30:02, 30:01…

  John knew they had another two-mile hike to reach the next and final tunnel. He quickly calculated how long it would take the average man to run a mile in ten minutes but with the precarious level of visibility, it would take a bit longer than that. With those calculations, he determined they would reach the beginning of the tunnel in twenty-five minutes, providing they were without any delays. That would leave five minutes to search the tunnel. He quickened up his pace to somewhere between a jog and an all-out sprint, hoping each step was true. Ricky followed suit, fast on John’s heels. John heard a faint, throaty-cluck from above and glanced up to catch a night hawk in flight as it passed through the moons glow. John stumbled on a small depression, twisted his ankle a bit, but kept on running. He felt Ricky right behind him and heard his heavy breathing and his vigorous footsteps pounding the earth below. They ran up a small hill and down the slope of the other side and headed for a turn in the path to the north. John slowed to a walk and checked the time on his watch: 13:24. As he picked the pace back up into a frenzied sprint, he imagined his children in his mind; happy, innocent, and full of life and possibilities. At that moment, John ran harder and faster than he ever had before.

  8:03, 8:02, 8:01…

  John raced around the bend, heading south-west and the path widened. He stopped and shone his light forward. Up ahead, maybe one-hundred yards away, was the opening. Half was closed off by debris, earth, rock, and shrubbery. Ricky caught up and slowed to a stop next to him. The wind picked up and whipped down the path towards the tunnel. They both broke into another gallop, knowing time was running out. They reached the mouth of the tunnel with just over seven minutes remaining. John moved some debris to give them a wider opening to walk through. They each squeezed through and John checked the time.

  “Listen…” Ricky said, holding his finger to his lips. The small opening worked as a vacuum and they heard the whistle of the wind working through the circular tunnel. “This is it, John. Let’s move.”

  1:03, 1:02, 1:01…

  Gianna was losing hope. She and Ryann must have been here for at least a full day. Her stomach rumbled, her mouth was as dry as a desert, and she was growing weak. Ryann had fallen asleep again and she knew he was in rough shape. For the first time, doubt crept into her mind and a few tears fell as she slowly began to accept that her life may be over soon. Suddenly, she heard a sound echoing from around the bend in the tunnel. Her head shot up and her eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness behind the camera.

  “Ryann! Wake up, someone is coming! Ryann!”

  “Huh, what? Where…?

  The silhouette of a man’s running body appeared out of the shadows. She knew who it was before his face appeared out of the gloom and into focus: It was her father.

  “Dad! Dad!” she screamed in exaltation, knowing that this nightmare would finally be over.

  :30, :29, :28…

  John sped around the bend and as he looked ahead saw the platform from the video maybe fifty yards away. He slowed a bit to check the time. Twenty-two seconds. He picked up his pace and called back to Ricky.

  “They’re here, hurry!” He heard the footsteps quicken and felt Ricky right behind him. “You grab Ryann and I’ll grab Gianna!”

  “Got it!” Ricky answered. They flew by the camera and both jumped onto the platform. John grabbed Gianna just under the waist and held her up. Suddenly half the platform fell away and John held on tight to his daughter. He moved his head around his daughter’s body to get a view of his son. Ricky had him in his arms, safely suspended above the ground.

  Ryann’s eyes met his as he said, “Hi, Dad,” and a wide smile appeared on his son’s face.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  John reached into his pocket with his free hand as he held his daughter up with the other. He grabbed his pocket knife, opened it up with one finger and started sawing the rope above his daughter’s head. After a few moments, the rope gave way and he carried her off the platform. He set her down and climbed back up to free Ryann.

  “Dad, thanks for coming and saving us,” Ryann said as the second rope was sliced through and Ryann was free.

  When John had both of his children safely on the ground his emotions let go and he cried as he held them both. He felt the wetness of Gianna’s tears come through his shirt and he kissed her forehead. The depth and strength of his feelings reverberated through his soul. All he could think or feel was the love for his children and the relief of them being safe. Ricky walked away toward the mouth of the tunnel. He knew this precious moment was something John needed to share alone with his children.

  “Daddy, I love you,” Gianna said.

  “I love you both so much. I’m so sorry this happened to you.”

  John stood and escorted the children out of the tunnel. When they reached the opening, medics ran up and quickly placed them both on stretchers, then headed for the helicopter which would transport them to the hospital. John followed close behind as the light of the moon cascaded over the landscape in a radiant, joyous overlay. He pulled out his cell phone and called Julie.

  “John?”

  “We have them. They’re safe.” John heard the phone drop followed by Julie’s sobs of happiness. After a moment, she regained her composure and continued.

  “Where are they now?”

  “They’re taking them to the children’s hospital. They need hydration and nutrients, but both are doing well.”
<
br />   “I’m on my way. John, I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  John followed the medics to the trailhead parking lot where the helicopter awaited. They loaded the stretchers into the back of the copter and prepared to depart. Before John got in he saw Ricky talking to a few feds, including agent Daniels. He approached the group and interrupted their conversation by holding his hand out to his partner.

  “Ricky, thank you. If not for you, my children would not be alive right now.”

  Ricky took his hand and hugged John. “My pleasure, I’m glad we found them.”

  John walked away from the group without saying another word and hopped into the helicopter.

  John sat in room number 101, overlooking his sleeping children when Julie ran in.

  “They’re going to be fine,” John said as he took his wife in his arms. Julie let go of her emotions and a stream of tears flowed as she held onto her husband.

  “Doctor Steinberg said with some fluids and rest they’ll be as good as new in a couple of days.”

  “Have they eaten?”

  “No, he gave them nutrients intravenously and said they’ll be able to eat in the morning.” John paused and looked into her eyes. “Julie, there’s something I need to tell you. I’m going to inform the captain that I’m done. I need to be home to protect you and the children right now. That’s what’s important.”

  “Thank you,” Julie said as she held him tight and they both watched their children sleeping peacefully.

  ***

  “You guys pissed off Daniels something fierce,” Captain Johnson said. A soft chuckle escaped Ricky’s mouth.

  “Yeah, well if we had gotten into a pissing match, John’s kids wouldn’t be alive right now. Time was running out and I knew we were in the wrong tunnel. We didn’t have time to debate with him.”

  “I understand, and I told him the focus was on John’s children. Saving them was the only thing that mattered so he should put his ego aside.”

  “That must have gone over well.”

  “No. Actually, he gave me his death look and walked away,” the captain said as he erupted in laughter. Ricky joined in and the two continued to bask in their amusement for a while.

  ***

  The children were released the following day. Doctor Phillips, a child psychiatrist, had talked to each of them and advised immediate therapy for both. Julie took a few recommendations and made a note on her phone to call and set up appointments. John drove them home and Julie cooked a hearty dinner, and the family watched movies together after eating. It grew late, so John said, “It’s time to go to bed you two. I’ll be up in a minute to say goodnight.” They both nodded and headed to their rooms.

  He entered Gianna’s room first and sat down on the side of her bed.

  “I want to tell you something, baby girl. I’m very proud of how you handled yourself and your brother through this. You’ve matured into a strong young woman before my eyes.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “Remember, you’ll always be my little girl, and when we’re together you can act that way, no matter when or where. You can always come to me to be a child again.”

  Gianna reached up and hugged her father and John pulled her covers over her shoulder.

  “Daddy, why did that man want to hurt us?”

  “He wanted to hurt me, and the easiest way to do that was to take you and your brother because he knows how much I love you both.”

  “So, we didn’t do anything wrong?”

  “Of course not, baby girl. None of this was your fault. Now get some sleep, I love you.”

  “I love you too, Daddy.”

  When he entered his son’s room, he noticed an odd look on Ryann’s face, like he was confused, scared, or both.

  “Hi, son. What’s on your mind?”

  “Hi Dad… nothing.”

  John searched his face and knew something was there, something that he needed to coax out of him.

  “Ryann, you can talk to me, maybe I can help.”

  Ryann looked at his father and John saw a flash of trust cross his face.

  “I’m afraid of death.”

  John put his hand on Ryann’s shoulder. “We’re all afraid of death. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “I’m afraid of what it will feel like. What if it’s horrible, like being thrown into a pit of fire, or drowning? What if you just can’t breathe anymore, like being buried alive?”

  “Nature takes care of our pain and suffering. It numbs our senses when something like that happens. I think it’s like falling asleep. We fade into a deep dream to live eternity in a pleasant, peaceful place, reunited with the ones we loved in life, like me, mommy, Gianna, Simba…”

  “But, how do you know? How do you know it isn’t awful?”

  “I don’t, but it’s what I believe. I could be wrong, but probably not,” John said as he smiled at his son. “Either way, you have a long life to live before you’re going to die, so you need to get some sleep.”

  John tucked Ryann in and kissed him on the top of his forehead. When he reached the doorway he heard Ryann say, “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “You are welcome,” John answered, and shut the door.

  John walked into the bedroom and noticed Julie was already asleep. He stepped into the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth. He returned to the bedroom, flipped the light off and pulled the covers down, but paused before getting in. He leaned down into the trash bin and picked up the bible he had thrown away. He looked at the cover, then opened it and ran his hand over the smooth pages. He opened the dresser drawer and placed it safely back in its hiding spot, its home. He got in bed, said a short but meaningful prayer, and went to sleep.

  For the next few days, John stayed home with his family and they slowly returned to their usual routines of everyday life. They ate together, watched television, played games… whatever they could do together to bring a bit of normal back into their lives. John thought about how strange it was that we complain about the monotony of our boring existence yet yearn for it when it’s gone for even the shortest amount of time.

  Julie had left with the children to have dinner with her parents. They had invited John, but he took the opportunity to visit the restaurant and talk to Red. He had been holding down the fort without fail and John felt like he should update him on his plan of returning soon. It looked like a slow night as John entered and took his usual spot. John glanced over at an empty bar and wondered where the “Trinity of Jesters” were. It was the first time John could remember not having Sean, Artie, or Matt present.

  Tim, a new bartender walked behind the bar and over to John. “Mr. Corbin, I was happy to hear the good news. How are you?”

  “I’ll be better with a scotch on the rocks and please, Tim, call me John,” he said with a small grin.

  “Sure thing, coming right up.”

  Red walked out of the kitchen and immediately spotted his friend. He hurried over and took the seat next to John.

  “How is everyone?”

  “We’re all great, considering. Thanks for asking. How are things here?”

  “It’s been slow the last few days, but the weekends are packed full.”

  “Red, I want to thank you for taking this on while I was gone; you’re a lifesaver.”

  “While you were gone? Does that mean you’re back?”

  “I need a couple more days with my family, then I’ll be fully available.”

  “Welcome back, partner,” Red said as he shook John’s hand. “We missed ya.”

  “Thank you. Speaking of missed, where are the clowns?”

  Red turned his head to inspect the bar. “Huh, empty. That’s a first.”

  “There goes our liquor sales for the day,” John joked.

  “Ha, you’re not wrong about that. Those boys can drink. So, any more info on who this lunatic is?”

  “None. He’s very diligent with his crime scenes and communication. We’ve had our b
est men on the case and still haven’t uncovered one clue. It’s infuriating.”

  “Maybe you should think twice about giving up,” Red said.

  John quickly turned his head and looked at his friend. “Red, he had my children. I’m by no means giving up. That’s the only thing that can make me abandon the case. He didn’t win, not this time, but he made the stakes too rich for my blood.”

  “I understand. But can you let it go? Will it haunt you if you do? The sting will pass, but any more death by his hand will stay with you forever.”

  John finished off his drink and placed the glass on the bar with a thump. “I need to get back home. Talk soon.”

  The pair shook hands and John left, passing Sean on his way out.

  The following day, John stopped into the station to inform them of his decision. He walked into the captain’s office and shut the door behind him. His two colleagues who were in the middle of a heavy conversation with the captain looked up when they heard the door close.

  “John! I’m surprised to see you. How’s the family?” Captain Johnson said.

  “About as well as can be expected. Thankfully, I think we’ll all be fine.”

  Ricky nodded and said with a serious tone, “That’s great news, partner. Be diligent with the counseling. Problems may not surface for some time and that experience was as traumatic as it gets.”

  “I know, that’s why I came in today. I won’t be coming back. My family needs me now more than ever and I will not put them at further risk. I’m sorry.”

  Captain Johnson’s words were direct and sincere. “John, you have nothing to apologize for. You gave more than could be expected and I thank you for that. If not for your hard work and experience, we would have mourned a few more casualties at this point. Right now, your family is more important.”