by J. L. Drake
“How did we end up here, Garrett? We aren’t supposed to be here together.”
“Well, love conquers all, right?” he suggested with a kiss on my cheek.
“I meant in this house. Is it even going to work?” I asked, remembering how my parents had blown a gasket about this plan. They had yelled and screamed their opposition, but it went through. More people wanted Steve caught then for us to have a moment in our lives that wasn’t filled with fear.
“I hope it will. When they catch Dad, maybe we can have a normal life. He can go to jail, hopefully never come back, and we can be together.”
“You want to stay with me?” I asked hopefully. I wanted to hear him say it, to know that he honestly wanted to stay with me. I would be heartbroken if he wanted to leave, but I would understand as well. Together we would remind each other of what we went through, but we would also be the only ones to understand each other.
“I would love to if you’d have me,” Garrett stated with a small nervous smile played across his lips.
“I would.” I gave him a small kiss on his lips that spread a smile across his face.
“Well, that was just touching,” I heard a voice come from behind us. Both of us jumped up and spun around to see Steve behind us. There was dried blood on his pants leg from where he was shot, but he didn’t seem to be in much pain. Too bad, I was hoping he would be crippled.
“How do you keep finding me?” I yelled in annoyance. Steve just stomped on the only happy moment I had experienced in the last few months, and he always found a way to get out of trouble, then come right back to me. He always managed to find me when I thought I was safe. Where was James? How had Steve managed to slip by him?
“I told you. You’re mine, and what’s mine I can find.” He pulled out a phone and turned it to me so I could see. I was a little blinking dot on his screen. I had a homing device somewhere on my person, just another thing to get rid of if I lived through this. “Now, Anna, what were you thinking? I told you I’d never let anyone find out about what I did to you. I also said you belonged to no one else but me. And here you are making plans with my bastard son to live happily ever after.”
“Maybe if you wouldn’t take seventeen to eighteen year old girls they wouldn’t like me better,” Garrett mumbled under his breath.
“What did you say?” Steve yelled angrily pulling a gun from his waistband and aiming it at Garrett’s head.
“Nothing. I said nothing,” Garrett said with no emotion in his tone as he lied. I watched as Steve mentally debated on whether or not to shoot Garrett. I saw his facial features relax for a moment before Steve spoke again.
“I thought so. Now get over there!” Steve yelled angrily, pointing to the far corner of the room.
Garrett glanced at me with worry in his eyes before he got up from the couch. He took deliberately slow steps as he walked to the corner that Steve was pointing to. Steve took a few steps toward me once Garrett was where he was told to be. Steve’s movements caused Garrett to step toward me out of instinct. Steve leveled his gun at Garrett, forcing him back to the corner.
“Now, Anna, say goodbye to Garrett. You’ll never see him after this.”
“Why?” I asked with a shaking voice.
“We’re going to run away together. Somewhere far away where you can’t run off and cause trouble. I’m thinking an island in the middle of nowhere with just us. Where I can have you whenever I want, and you can enjoy the fruits of our labor by having many children,” He put his free hand in between my legs and rubbed in an attempt to turn me on.
My mind flashed back to the multiple accounts of pain and torture, allowing the unbearable feeling of worthlessness to wash over me again. I couldn’t live through a life like that again. I had to kill Steve, even if it killed me in the process. I glanced at Garrett and mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ as I elbowed Steve in the gut and reached for the gun. I spun on my heel as my fingers wrapped around the muzzle of the gun and aimed it at Steve. Steve was stunned for a moment, but then he started laughing.
“Are you going to shoot me, Anna? Well go ahead, shoot me!” he said as he outstretched his arms and didn’t move any further. “Well?” he asked.
I glanced at Garrett, confused on Steve’s sudden acceptance of death. Garrett took a few steps toward me, and Steve held up a hand to make him stop, but Garrett didn’t listen. He continued to take steps toward me until he placed his hand on the gun.
“Let it go, Anna. This is exactly what he wants you to do. He wants to make you a murderer so you’ll be trapped with him again,” Garrett whispered as he tried to remove the gun from my hands.
“I took you, Anna. Killed that precious boyfriend of yours. Had you become my wife, and made love to you multiple times against your will. Then I showed you the evil in people, even those that are supposedly bound to protect you,” he stated, listing everything that happened just to make me angry.
“Anna, don’t listen to him. The police will be here soon,” Garrett said to me, making Steve laugh.
“I killed them, and your friend, Officer Sparks. If you don’t shoot me, Anna, I’ll kill your family—your father first, maybe make love to your mother, kill your brother Kendall, and then I’ll kill Garrett,” Steve spat, causing anger to flow through me as I tightened my finger on the trigger. “Shoot me, Anna, or I’ll kill everyone you love, and I’ll be the only one left for you!” There was a loud pop that rang out through the room as the gun went off. I glanced between him and the gun in confusion, nothing happened, and Steve started laughing harder than before.
“There aren’t any bullets in there, Anna. I took them out before I got in here because I knew you would fight. I didn’t think you’d actually try to shoot me, but now I know I’ll have to watch you closer,” Steve stated as he got to his feet.
“You should have been watching your back closer,” a voice said from the kitchen as officers filed into the room. James slowly moved out from behind the wall, and many more officers stormed into the house from other entrances. “You’re under arrest for kidnapping, murder and the list goes on, Steve Bennett. Read him his rights, and do this by the book. I don’t want him getting out on a technicality,” James stated as he came toward us. “You guys all right?”
“What takes you so long?” I blurted out as I ran into Garrett’s arms for comfort.
“We had to take him from inside, otherwise he would have grabbed you again. Would you have preferred that?” he asked with a smirk on his lips.
“No,” I stated curtly.
“Come on. This is finally over,” James said as another officer handed Jessi to him. She was still in a deep sleep, unaware of what had been happening downstairs while she slept.
***
It had been over five months of sitting in a courtroom, making testimonies, and answering questions for the case. Now, I sat with my family in the courtroom waiting for the jury to make a decision. I had no doubt they would find him guilty of kidnapping and murder at least, but I wanted to make sure he got the death penalty. I wanted this to be put to an end for good and for his name to die, never to return.
The police were still looking into Garrett’s abduction to find his family. They couldn’t use DNA since they didn’t want to get the families hopes up yet until they had narrowed it down between families further. They had apparently acquired software used by the FBI in order to use the pictures from the files to see how the children would look around Garrett’s age. By using the software they hoped to determine which child was Garrett at a young age, and then contacting the family. Until then, he stayed with my family, keeping me company while we recovered from our ordeal.
We had been present for the burial for the officers that gave their lives in order to protect ours, the few good ones in Charleston, Springfield and Harrisonburg. The memorial was touching, but it was even better knowing that the police stations had been purged of those officers that had assisted Steve with the kidnappings.
Steve had named some of the officers
that hadn’t been found on the purge in order to get a deal. He wanted me to visit him; I agreed, but only to make sure the police were completely cleaned. I went to see him once, and he listed the names of everyone that ever worked with him, along with where he had buried the other girls. Now, the officers sat their own trials and waited for the jury’s decision, and they were likely on their way to jail along with Steve.
Garrett and I had been together almost two years now. It was a strange relationship to explain to others. They couldn’t wrap their heads around the fact we had found each other in a horrible situation and stayed together. Garrett helped when I had nightmares and memories of the rape; he was everything I needed. Now we sat holding hands, while everyone waited for the verdict. A female juror finally stood up and started talking.
“On thirteen accounts of kidnapping, we find the defendant, guilty.” I breathed a sigh of relief, but it wasn’t over yet. ”On seven accounts of murder, we find the defendant, guilty. On one account of sexual abuse we find the defendant, guilty.”
The judge nodded his head once she was done speaking, signaling that the woman to sit down. “It has also been decided that the death penalty will be accepted in this case. Steve Bennett, you’ll be held in a maximum-security prison until your execution date can be arranged. Court is adjourned.”
I watched as Steve was lead out of the courtroom, before the door closed behind him he called out, “I’ll be back for you, Anna!”
I shivered as Garrett helped me from my seat and led me from the courtroom. People allowed us to leave first, giving us plenty of space, and giving us congratulations on winning our case, but winning didn’t ease the pain or erase the memories. I would never be able to forget what he did to me or to the girls before me. He would always be a part of me, just like he wanted.
Garrett opened the door for me and wrapped me in a hug once we were out of the courtroom. “It’s over, Anna. We’re free to live our lives.”
“It will take a while to block the memories of it, though.”
“Don’t block it all, I don’t want you to forget me,” he said sweetly as he kissed my lips softly.
“I couldn’t forget you if I tried, not that I would,” I said with a smile.
“Excuse me. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have wonderful news.” I turned to see Officer Weston standing behind us. He seemed to have aged drastically within the yearlong period, because his hair had turned prematurely gray and there were bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. The trials he needed to be present for had taken a lot out of him and the department.
“What is it?” Garrett asked, putting his hand around my hip to keep me close to him. He went back to the hospital after Steve was caught in my house last year. He had finally healed properly and now had no problems with moving around.
“We’ve found your parents. The age simulator worked, and we found out that you’re Garrett Thomas, a twenty year old that was kidnapped from Wildwood, New Jersey when he was ten.”
“Hey, you’re only a year older than me. I didn’t know you liked younger girls,” I said with a smile, reminding him of my nineteenth birthday just a few weeks ago. My parents had made a big deal about it since I had missed my eighteenth birthday while I was trapped with Steve.
“You found my parents?” Garrett asked excitedly.
“Yes, they are on their way from New Jersey now. They should be here by tomorrow, and they can’t wait to meet you,” Officer Weston said, letting the pleased smile spread across his face. He quickly glanced at his watch astonished, “I’m late for a court hearing for one of my convicted officers. I’ll see you tomorrow, I hope you’re excited.” He turned and ran toward the courtroom he was assigned to.
Garrett had a huge smile plastered on his face and a twinkle in his eyes I had never seen before. “This is great! We should celebrate! Let’s go somewhere, let’s do something!” Garrett said, pulling me out of the building, into the light snow that was falling onto the car that my parents allowed me to borrow after returning home.
***
“Where are we going, Garrett?” I asked with a laugh.
“It’s a surprise,” he stated with a mischievous smile on his lips.
I watched him as we drove smoothly through the snow. His smile never faded, and he had a new spring in his step that I hadn’t seen before. He must be so happy to finally have his actual family back. He didn’t talk about it much, but I knew that he wanted to meet them. Garrett just didn’t want to talk about it a lot in case the police couldn’t find his family. He probably didn’t want to make me think that he didn’t want to be around me either, I thought as I glanced out the window. I watched the snow fall and the city lights pass by while stars soon took over.
“Garrett, are we going where I think we’re going?” I asked, remembering a little spot he had taken me on our first official date over a year ago. It was slightly out of town, about ten minutes, but the view was worth any amount of traveling to see it.
“Yeah, we are. I think it’s worth it,” Garrett said with a smile as he pulled over. He locked me in the car so that he could get out and help me get out of the car. He knew I wouldn’t wait for him to be the gentlemen so he made me wait.
He took my hand and helped me out of the car. Garrett produced a blanket from the back seat and set it on the ground before he lay down with me. We looked at the trees, covered in string lights and fresh snow. It was just on the outskirts of Harrisonburg, leading into the town itself, and it was a wonderful sight when visitors came to visit. To our right was a lake that had the stars shine on the surface like a mirror and caused them to dance. This was my favorite spot I’ve ever been.
“This is beautiful. I love it here,” I said, as I took in the lights for a few more moments before I closed my eyes to remember our first date. We had had a picnic on the lake and when night came, we didn’t even notice because we were so absorbed by our conversation. We had a lot in common, but even more that we didn’t, which kept things interesting through our relationship. When we turned around to go home, the lights caught us by surprise. That’s when Garrett, at that moment, gave me our first kiss as a free couple.
“I bet I can make you love it even more,” Garrett stated with a confidence I rarely heard from him.
“How so?” I asked, opening my eyes and turning to look at Garrett. My breath caught in my throat and tears started to well up in my eyes. Garrett was on one knee with a small box in his hand. He must have seen the questions swimming in my eyes, because he answered them.
“You’re mom took me to get this from a pawn shop, it’s the one you were admiring when we went out shopping for Christmas this year. That’s when I knew this would be the ring to show you that I was serious when I said I wanted to be with you forever. We’ve been through more than most people will ever experience in their lives. I’ve been in love with you since you first stepped foot in that house. I knew that I couldn’t let what happened to the other girls happen to you. I had to get you out, even if it cost me my life. We argued because we couldn’t understand our feelings, but we understand them now. So, Anna Cowles, will you marry me?” Garrett asked with a soft smile on his face, because he knew my answer.
“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!” I screamed, as I jumped into his arms and held him tight. After a few moments like that he lightly pushed me off of him and opened the box. The ring had one large diamond in the center then had three smaller diamonds on each side with little swirls in between the stones. It had been eye catching in the store and even more now.
“Here’s to a happy life with the one I love.” Garrett took my left hand and slid the ring onto my ring finger and then planted a loving kiss on my lips.
Epilogue
***Five Years Later***
“I think it’s time to move, sweetheart,” I said, watching the re-run of my interview from when I was nineteen. Even five years later, this was still big news and people continually came to me when their child went missing. I couldn’t find their kids, but I
understand that they are desperate for answers.
“How do you feel about the Amber Alert System?” a reporter asked in the recording.
“It saved my life and many others. I thank Amber Hagerman’s mother for creating the system. Without it, I may not be standing in front of you today,” I stated, my voice hoarse from the tears of the trial so many years ago.
“What was it like to be taken?”
I remembered that question vividly, it stung like a slap to the face, and my retort was meant to hurt. “I was raped, forced to do what I needed to in order to survive. Those memories haunt me, even in my worst nightmares. So you think about how it was like!”
The reporters face was twisted as she realized what she had asked, but that didn’t stop others from asking questions. “What do you think about the other twelve girls? Do you blame them for your being taken?”
“How could I blame them? They were victims too! I say that a memorial should be made in their honor so that everyone can remember what happened to them.”
“Are you going to be there to witness the execution?”
“No, I never want to see him again,” I stated and walked off. I shut off the television and went to find Garrett in the kitchen.
“Garrett, honey.”
“Yes, Mrs. Anna Thomas,” he stated proudly, still happy to hear my name mixed with his.
“I think it’s time we moved.”
“Why is that?” Garrett asked concerned, putting down the ingredients for dinner and taking my face in his hands.
“Steve is trying to get a re-trial again. Reporters will be knocking on our door again. I don’t want to go through that again.”
“I understand, sweetheart,” he said, kissing my lips softly and offering me a soft smile.
“So can we start planning?” I asked as Garrett left the room, pushing the topic. I really needed to get out of this town. It had too many bad memories and held the monster of my nightmares.