Page 6 of Day Seven

  ***

  By the time they got to the murderer's house, it was starting to get dark out. They pulled up the side of the street but it was a dead end. There was a one way gravel road that Robert wasn’t going to take. He knew for sure that if he took the road, they would get caught.

  “Go on. Let’s go. Why are you stopping?”

  “I’m not going any farther. They will see my car if I drive any closer. You can see the house in the distance. That’s good enough. I am turning the car around and we are leaving. Please Hailey. This has gotten far enough and I’m having a bad feeling about this.” Robert touched Hailey’s leg.

  “No! We can’t stop now.” Hailey reached for the door handle and opened the door, but Robert caught her arm before she could step out.

  “Please, stop.”

  Hailey’s chest was hurting. She knew she was feeling what Robert felt. All he wanted was to leave and he was scared for Hailey. He was scared something was going to happen to her or both of them.

  “I’m going. With or without you.” Hailey gently pulled free from Robert’s grasp, stepped out and closed the door behind her. She knew Robert would follow. He would never let her do this alone.

  She was right. Robert sighed heavily and ground his teeth together as he got out of the car. They walked together trying to stay out of sight. They hid from tree to tree. No lights were on in the house so Hailey knew no one was there to see them, but she still wanted to take precautions.

  “Look, there’s a barn behind their house.”

  “Seriously, Hailey, this is enough now. We have gone too far. If you take one more step, I will pick you up, throw you over my shoulder, take you to my car, and tie you down with the seatbelt. We both know I am stronger than you, and I will do that.”

  All of a sudden they heard a branch crack behind them and voices followed shortly. Hailey ran for the barn and Robert ran after her, cursing to himself. Hailey’s heart pounded in her chest as she held Robert’s hand to safety. They were behind the barn.

  They tried to listen for any sign of movement or voices, but heard nothing. The silence was deafening. It was hard to listen since both their hearts were pounding so loud in their ears.

  Robert squeezed Hailey’s hand as they looked around the barn. The light in the house was now on. They saw someone walk into the back door. They had to be careful now to get back to their car without being seen. Robert’s profanities continued.

  “We have to be super careful now. Stay low or else they will catch us.”

  “Yes, stay very low,” a voice said from behind them.

  But before they could react, two people grabbed them and held them tight. They both struggled for freedom but it was no use. They both screamed and their captors both laughed. They knew no one would be able to hear them out there.

  Their wrists were tied with rope that scratched their skin and they were gagged with clothes that smelled like they hadn’t been washed in ages. The smell and taste alone made Hailey gag.

  Robert could feel his fear growing. He could feel Hailey’s fear growing in the pit of his stomach and he was disappointed in himself that he even went there in the first place.

  They were captured. There was nothing else to say or do. They were done for.

  Day 5

  Thursday March 19th 2010

  Struggling constantly and pulling on his restraints, Robert never gave up. Hailey, on the other hand, had given up over an hour ago and sat limply not saying a word. The entire time sitting there, Robert tried to remove his hands or at least loosen the ropes so he could move again, but it was no use and he was getting nowhere. His captives had obviously tied up many people before and knew what they were doing when it came to tying knots.

  After being captured outside from behind the barn, Hailey and Robert were both dragged against their will inside the small, dingy farm house. Hailey kicked and screamed the entire time being hauled through the back door. The men dragging them laughed, saying that they could scream as much as they wanted; no one was going to hear. Robert fought with all his might, but the man holding him was just too strong.

  After bringing Hailey and Robert into their small green kitchen, the captors grabbed two old, wooden chairs and sat Hailey and Robert on each. Their hands were tied behind their backs with rough rope and their legs were tied to each of the front legs of the chairs. They pushed them beside each other near the wall and left them there. Hailey was glad in the sense that at least they didn’t separate them. They had no idea where the captors had gone, but they were alone now.

  Looking around, Hailey tried to save the image of the kitchen in her mind, so she could remember what it looked like when she went to the police after she escaped; if she ever did. The kitchen looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in months. She could tell there were dirty dishes still in the sink and there was a sour smell that lingered in her nose which must have been coming from the fridge.

  Hailey heard Robert’s grunts, trying to get free but she refused to look at him. She could feel his anger radiating off him. She knew he was upset with her. She upset him and got them captured. She knew apologizing wasn’t going to change or fix anything. Sitting quietly, slowly trying to free her writs was what she was going to do without showing Robert her struggle. Slow and steady wins the race.

  With her wrists aching with a throbbing pain, Hailey was sure they were cut up and bleeding by now. The rope scratched and slowly dug its way into her skin. She couldn’t take it anymore and accepted the fact that she was tied up to a chair against her will in a random person’s house with no clue what was going to happen next.

  On the other hand, Robert would not accept being captured so easily. He screamed, and thrashed and pulled hard on the ropes. Hailey had given up on being quiet and noticed that she had to sooth him with her words before he hurt himself more. It was the only thing that would calm him down. In the beginning it didn’t work but after a few hours Robert had given up as well.

  Out of breath, he pleaded with Hailey, asking her what they should do. He cursed himself for being caught in the first place. He cursed over the fact he even let them get this far. The whole scheme was against his ruling but he had gone along with it anyway. He regretted it entirely but did not blame Hailey. It was her idea to come, but it was his final decision to go along. He should have picked her up and drove her home against her will. He knew nothing would come out from showing up at a murderer’s house in the middle of the night – and he was right.

  “I don’t know what to do.” Hailey looked down to her lap. Her hair covered her face. She didn’t want to show Robert she was scared.

  Hailey was terrified though; terrified not only for her life, but for Roberts as well. She had finally found the people who had killed her parents, even though the two men who captured her were unrecognizable through her screams and struggles. Either way, she knew they were dangerous. She would be strong for Robert. She would not show him her fear, even though he could probably feel it in his heart at the moment. She had to erase those feelings entirely. She had to think of hope. She had to imagine them getting out – alive.

  “Hailey?” Robert said, calmly.

  Hailey took a deep breath and tilted her head back and shook it to remove the hair that covered her face since her hands were incapacitated. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.” She looked into Robert’s fearful eyes and faked a smile.

  Seeing right through her lies, Robert exhaled deeply and stared straight ahead to the door leading out of the kitchen into what he assumed might have been the living room. Hailey followed his gaze.

  Suddenly, they heard voices and footsteps coming closer and becoming louder. Robert’s body instinctively tensed. Hailey stared in wonderment thinking, what now?

  The kitchen door swung open and three men walked through. Hailey instantly knew she was in the right place. Fear rose in the pit of her stomach causing everything to tighten and made it harder for her to breathe. Those eerie blue eyes stared at her
with a grotesque smile. The man from her living room walked up to her and bent down to be eye level with her. He aggressively grabbed her face and turned it from side to side, getting a better look at her.

  “It’s her, I am sure of it. You can even see it for yourself,” one of the men said. Hailey looked towards him and recognized him as the other man in her living room that day - the one with the short brown hair that ran away. She always thought he was a good man, fleeing like that. She didn’t blame him. But now that she looked at him, she realized he was just as bad. He must have lost all of his common sense in the years that passed since that day.

  The blue eyed man, Draven, stood in front of her and placed his hands on his hips. “Well, what do ya know? It is her!” He looked into Hailey’s eyes. Chills covered her body. The man who killed her parents stood there looking at her. Hailey felt like she was about to throw up.

  Hailey’s legs shook with fear. As much as she tried to make them stop, she couldn’t. She bit down on the inside of her cheek, tasting blood. She closed her eyes and calmed herself. Deep breaths in… deep breaths out. Relax. Relax. Do not give him the satisfaction of your fear. That is all he wants.

  “What do you want to do with them now?” the brown-haired man asked.

  “I don’t know Steve, I don’t know. How did they find us in the first place?” Draven rubbed his rough hands against his growing beard. It sounded like he was rubbing sandpaper. Draven turned to the other guy; the bigger one that had carried Robert in. He was bald and it looked like he ate way too much that his body didn’t know what to do with the excess fat. “What do you want to do Randy?”

  “M-me? I don’t know boss. You make the calls,” Randy said as he shifted between his weights on the balls of his feet.

  Hailey realized that Steve and Randy were henchmen who took orders from Draven.

  “No, I’m sorry but you gentlemen must be mistaken. We were lost and we have no idea how we came here. Now if you would just let us go we will be on our way. This is a big misunderstanding. We both understand.” Robert took another breath since the guys said nothing. He looked up at the clock that hung over the doorway. “It is morning and I would like to get some breakfast ready for me and my friend here,” nodding at Hailey.

  Draven smiled a generous smile which faded automatically. He took an aggressive step forward and wrapped his hand around Robert’s neck, pushing him backwards. His chair stood on its hind legs as Draven’s grip tightened on his windpipe.

  “You think I am stupid, boy?” Draven was inches from Robert’s face.

  Robert couldn’t breathe. “S-s-to…p.”

  “Leave him alone!” Hailey screamed. She was out of breath. Her heartbeat was uncontrollable. It beat frantically with no natural rhythm.

  “Well, we weren’t supposed to go after her until later; maybe we could just use her now,” Steve said, trying to change Draven’s attention from Robert to himself.

  Letting go of Robert’s throat, Draven looked to Steve and took a step back. Robert’s chair fell back into place with a loud thud. Robert coughed as the air rushed back into his lungs. Hailey stared at Robert as he eyed Draven with hate and disgust. Red marks instantly formed on Roberts’s throat. Hailey wanted to touch Robert, to ease his pain but she couldn’t; her hands were still constricted together. Her heart felt like it was being held just as tight as her wrists were bound. She was helpless.

  Before Draven could say anything else they all heard another set of footsteps coming into the room. “You know, there better be a good reason why you numb skulls called me here so early in the morning.” The man burst through the door rubbing his eyes. As soon as he looked to Hailey and Robert his eyes widened with utter shock. “What the hell is going on? What is she doing here?” The new man who walked in was outraged. His voice rose above all.

  Hailey looked to the man who just walked into the room and she recognized his face automatically. Her eyes started to water, but tears never fell. “F-Frank? Is that you?”

  Hailey hadn’t seen Frank Argentino in so long. She was almost relieved to see him now, but she remembered vowing not to see him ever again after she met Robert. She did not need Frank and his body anymore. She couldn’t take her eyes off him though. He saved her once from her sorrow of losing her parents, maybe now he could save her again.

  “For Christ’s sake guys! Our agreement was that you weren’t allowed to touch her. I specifically ordered you not to touch or go near her!” He let out a sigh and went to stand beside Hailey to see if she was alright. He bent down to undo the knots that tied her feet together.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Boss,” Draven said. “Your father seemed intent on keeping her tied up.”

  Frank jumped up and yelled, “My Father! You called…” He took a deep breath and calmed himself down, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You called my father?”

  “Well, yeah, it was his orders to keep an eye on her anyway. We had to report back to him. It’s not our fault she showed up at our place.” Draven grabbed a chair and sat down while Steve, Randy and Frank stayed standing.

  Frank took a step to Draven, but kept his eyes locked on Hailey. “What do you mean, she showed up here?”

  “Her and this joke,” Steve pointed at Robert, “were sneaking behind our barn. We caught them and brought them inside, not knowing who they were at first. We searched them and found this.” Steve threw Draven’s ID on the kitchen table. “After we tied them up we realized who she was, then we called your father and you at the same time. Your father said to tie them up and then wait for you to get here. We called him an hour ago when you were on your way and he told us to go through with the plans now. Might as well. There’s no point in waiting anymore.”

  “No!” Frank yelled. “That’s not going to happen. Let me call my dad and talk to him. Let me figure this out.” Frank, with shaking hands, rummaged through his pockets for his cell phone. He dialled a number and put the phone to his ear. “Dammit, no answer.” He shut his phone and put it back in his pocket. He stared at Hailey with pleading eyes, hoping that she would understand. Hailey didn’t know what to think. She had no idea what was going on.

  “Guys, go do something instead of standing there like morons.” Draven ordered Randy and Steve out back to make sure everything was set up in the barn.

  Robert didn’t have a good feeling about this. He wondered what those men were going to do. What were they planning to do all along? Did they know that they were going to show up? Was this all a set up? The sickening feeling in his stomach grew stronger. Hailey felt the exact same way.

  A loud crash, sounding like glass shattering, came from outside. Draven got up. “Idiots!” he said as he kicked open the back door and yelled profanities to Steve and Randy.

  “Frank, what is going on?” Hailey asked, exhausted. She had been up all night and her head was starting to hurt. “You have to explain everything to me right now.”

  Robert wasn’t affected by Frank’s presence. He couldn’t care less. He was only looking out for Hailey. “Hailey, how are you feeling? Are you alright? Are you cold?”

  Looking at Robert with sad eyes, Hailey didn’t have answers for him. She was exhausted and her wrists hurt and she couldn’t feel her feet. She was frozen but there was nothing Robert could do about it. They were both in the same predicament. Robert couldn’t stand seeing Hailey like that.

  “There’s no time to tell you what’s going on. I am so sorry,” Frank said. “I need to get you two out of here. I will get you home safe and sound. I promise.”

  Robert was confused. “You actually know this guy?” he asked Hailey.

  “Yeah, his grandparents live next door to me.” Hailey didn’t say any more. Robert didn’t need to know about their ‘relationship.’ Hailey felt her face flush and wondered if Robert caught on. Hailey looked down to Frank to hide her face from Robert. Frank was struggling to remove the rope from her feet. They were tied too tight so he got up and walked towards the
counter, opened one of the kitchen drawers and grabbed out a knife.

  “Hey! What do you think you are doing? Randy, grab him!” Draven ordered after walking back into the kitchen and caught Frank trying to free his captors. Frank was just too slow.

  Through the doorway, from behind Draven, Randy appeared and grabbed on firmly to Frank, holding his hands behind his back. Frank didn’t fight. He stared coldly at Draven. A smile even appeared in the corner of his mouth. He shook his head and laughed, “Fools. Wait until my dad hears about this. He will kill all of you. He doesn’t give second chances.”

  “Your dad doesn’t care if we tie you up. He knew you would go against him. We talked to him. He ordered us to tie you up if you tried to interfere. So that is exactly what we’re going to do.” Draven motioned for Randy to sit Frank down on one of the chairs and tie him down exactly like Hailey and Robert were.

  “You’re lying! I don’t believe you!” Frank spat.

  “Steve. Let’s go.”

  Steve walked in from the doorway and picked up Hailey; chair and all.

  “W-where are you taking me?” Hailey tried to shake free, thrashing her body from side to side so Steve couldn’t get a good hold of her.

  “Stop squirming or I’ll drop you on your pretty little head!”

  Steve, Randy and Draven carried Hailey, Frank and Robert into the barn. They were removed from their chairs and tied to metal rods sticking out from the ground. Their restraints were looser but they were still bound seamlessly. They were made to sit on old hay that was placed on the ground who knows how long ago. On one side of the barn, two couches were set up facing an old television that was covered in a layer of dirt and dust while on the other side, near the back, was a white drape that hid whatever was on the other side. Hailey didn’t want to know what was being hidden.

  Hailey scooted closer to Robert after they were done tying him up. She placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes to her visions. She smiled when she smelled the river and heard the breeze touching the grass. For a few seconds she believed she was in the field and not in the smelly, stale barn.

  “I wish,” Robert said, waking Hailey up from her daze. She knew he saw the same thing she did.

  When the three of them were alone, with a final sigh, Hailey tried one more time asking Frank what in the world was going on.

  “Okay. I’ll tell you. I have no other choice now, really. I am warning you ahead of time that you might not want to hear this, but since I don’t want to hide anything from you anymore, here it goes… Those were the men who robbed your house all those years ago which I am sure you probably realized by now.”

  “I know that. I know who they are and what they did. Tell me what they meant by going through with the plans? And no point of waiting? Waiting for what? What plans?”

  Frank ground his teeth together. Whatever he was about to say, he didn’t want to say it. “Alright. It all has to do with your mother, Carmella.”

  “My m-mom? But she... she’s d-dead.” Hailey’s throat tightened. She hadn’t heard her mom’s name in the longest time and she wasn’t sure if she was up to speaking about her just yet.

  “Just let me get this all out and then you can ask questions. Well, your mom wasn’t from this town. She was an out-of-towner. When she met your dad, she fell in love and married him, ignoring who she was before; ignoring her past, so to say.”

  Hailey listened intently, biting the insides of her cheeks to keep from breaking down. She didn’t know much about who her mom was before her parents got married since she never talked about it. Hailey jumped at any opportunity to learn about her mother’s mysterious past. This was her chance.

  “She got herself into trouble with my family. Not me personally, but she made many, many people angry. She was engaged to be married to one of my relatives and she blew the whole thing off. She stole a bunch of money from his bank account and then ran away so no one could find her. She changed her name and came here to create a new life with your dad and yourself. My dad is a very powerful man, one whom you should never cross. Well, your mom crossed him and he found her.

  “I snuck in on one of my dad’s meetings when I was younger. I heard what they planned to do to your house. I remembered you from all the times I visited my grandparents. I never talked to you when I was younger, but I did see you. One day, a long time ago, I think I was around eight or seven years old, I remember you were riding your bike and you fell. Your dad was there to help your scraped knee. The way he kissed it and hugged you afterwards made me so happy to see that someone had a loving father, but also made me a little jealous. I was shy and I didn’t have the guts to talk to you until almost nine years after – after the accident.”

  Hailey’s nails dug into her palm. “Your father planned the murder of my family?” she said through clenched teeth.

  “No! My dad knew that your mom had the money, even though she never revealed it. Your mom was smart and never splurged on expensive things. She kept it well hidden. He wanted to rob your house, that’s it. He was originally going to take your mother back and make her pay personally, but I wouldn’t let him. I cried and told him to leave her alone. I was only eleven back then, but I still knew what was right and what was wrong.

  “I found out afterwards that Draven had killed your parents and shot you. I freaked out. I stormed to my father and he bribed me to keep my mouth shut and in return he would keep you safe. I agreed. I would do anything to make sure you were protected. That was when I started talking to you. That first day I helped you with your flowers. I didn’t want to get too attached though. I was afraid of you finding out who I really was and hating me for the rest of your life.”

  Hailey sat there with her mouth slightly open. She stared at Frank Argentino, but wasn’t really looking at him. Her gaze went right through him like he wasn’t even there. Her mind was a million miles away; thinking of her mother, her father, the love they shared for one another and how it was so easily ripped free from her grasp in less than five minutes.

  “Randy’s mouth got away with him the other day when we were drinking. So stupid. All brawn, no brain. He told me that my father was in need of money. The economy wasn’t doing too well and he needed the money your mom stole all those years ago since they didn’t get that much when they robbed your house. So,” Frank took in a deep breath and closed his eyes so he didn’t look at Hailey. “They planned on kidnapping you when you turned eighteen. And using you to get their money back.”

  “Bastard!” Robert called out, and was about to punch Frank if his hands weren’t tied behind him. His body jerked forward. He fell over to his side and he kicked him instead.” Hay went flying everywhere.

  “Wait! I wouldn’t let them do that though! I had a plan!” Frank said trying to defend himself. They both calmed down and Frank continued. “I was going to get even closer to Hailey and make her move away with me. We would run away together and I would protect her from my family. I was willing to cut ties with them just to protect her. I knew how to make her trust me and I was going to use her trust to save her life. I didn’t mean any harmful intensions whatsoever. I care for Hailey!”

  Robert looked to Hailey. “So, what? Are you two a couple or something?” he asked.

  Feeling a ping of jealousy flow through their bond, Hailey assured Robert that she and Frank were not a couple, nor would they ever be. Hailey told Robert how Frank was there to comfort her when her parents died. That was it. Robert trusted Hailey but now despised Frank.

  They were all hungry, cold and scared. Hailey and Robert didn’t know what was going to happen next, but Frank did. Frank knew exactly what was going to happen. Frank sat there in silence, contemplating all his options. His mind never stopped working as he thought of his escape route.

  He knew that Draven and Steve were probably somewhere inside the house planning who would be first. Frank could hear Randy outside. They made him sit outside the door to make sure they didn’t escape. It was the only
exit to the barn. The only other way out of the barn was through the windows, but they didn’t open. You would have to shatter them to get through which would have made a lot of noise. They risked getting cut by the glass shards if they rushed all together. Their best bet was to get untied and run like hell out the door. Frank knew Randy couldn’t run. He could barely haul his fat body up a flight of stairs.

  Suddenly, Draven and Steve walked into the barn. “Stay there!” Draven said to Randy who was instructed to sit and wait outside to guard the door. They weren’t alone. There was another man that no one recognized with them. It wasn’t Frank’s father. Hailey, Frank and Robert, sitting on the cold ground, looked up to see who the new man was. He seemed awkwardly eerier. He did not smile and he didn’t look like someone who had many friends. He wore all black and cracked his knuckles to the sight of the three of them sitting on the ground. His bald head shone in the one light that barely lit the entire barn.

  “There she is. She is a beauty, eh?” Draven said, nudging the man’s arm with his elbow.

  The random man shrugged. “She’s alright. Worth the money.”

  Frank hung his head, knowing what was coming next.

  Worth the money? Robert wondered.

  Hailey’s heart dropped as Draven leaned down behind her and removed her restraints. As soon as she was standing, he gagged her with a white kitchen cloth that actually looked clean, which was surprising. He tied it at the back of her neck.

  “Where are you taking her? Leave her here! Hailey run!” Robert said as he got one look at her bulging helpless eyes.

  “Shut up, you!” Draven said to Robert, kicking his foot.

  Robert never stopped. He thrashed and went to kick Draven’s legs.

  “I said shut up! If you can’t shut up, I will make you.” Draven pulled a gun out from his pocket and placed it right up to Robert’s temple. “I’ll kill you right now if I have to. I didn’t hesitate when I killed your little girlfriend’s parents, what makes you think I won’t hesitate to kill you?”

  Robert stared intensely into Draven’s dark, empty eyes. “Kill me, I don’t care. Just, please, leave her alone.”

  “No can do. We’re going to show your little friend how to have a good time. That’s all.”

  “You piece of scum! Let her go! Hailey! No! No!” Robert screamed for Hailey. She tried to get away but she was so weak. She hadn’t eaten anything all day and she was exhausted. She didn’t even have it in her to cry. She saw tears forming in Robert’s eyes, but she couldn’t cry.

  “You asked for it.” With the gun still in his hand, Draven punched Robert square in the jaw. He fell unconscious to one side awkwardly limp since his hand restraints kept him from falling over completely.

  Hailey gasped in shock - barely - it just came out as a muffled grunt since the gag was stuck in her mouth still. Her hands shook. Her heart raced. Robert, she thought. Robert, please wake up. I need you. I’m scared. I’m sorry. I should have listened to you and never came here in the first place. What have I done?

  Draven turned the gun and pointed it at Frank. “Do you have anything to say?”

  His words sounded like a curse. They came out as a low growl from the pit of his stomach. “I will kill you. When I get out of here I will hunt you down and kill you slowly and painfully. You will be begging for me to kill you when I am through with you.”

  Draven cocked the gun. “I’d like to see you try,” he laughed.

  Hailey’s knees began to tremble when she realized Robert wasn’t waking up. He was still alive, she knew. She could see his chest rising with every breath he took. Her legs gave out but she was still conscious. She was just dizzy, very dizzy. Steve carried her in his arms, but she didn’t even realize she was moving. At first she thought the room was moving, but it was really her.

  With Hailey in his arms, Steve walked to the back of the barn with Draven and the other man. Draven pushed aside the curtain to reveal what was behind. There was nothing behind it except a ratty old mattress. It didn’t click it until after what the mattress was for.

  Steve threw Hailey on the mattress. Before they closed the curtains and that was when the ear-piercing screams began. Even though they were muffled, they stung Frank’s heart. Her screams rang in his ears and he wished that Draven had knocked him unconscious along with Robert. Her screams would haunt him forever.

  Hailey screamed, but no one else could hear. There was nothing any of them could do. The night ended horribly for all three of them.

  Day 6

  Friday March 20th 2010

  There was a certain stillness in the room that seemed almost unnatural. No one moved, for they were all asleep, lost in their dreamless unconsciousness. The air was dry and stale and hung heavy in the air. Frank spent the entire night cursing himself and his family for the turn of events that fell through last night. He failed in keeping Hailey safe. He failed in promising himself that he would make sure no harm came to her. The plans he had constructed were ruined. He couldn’t run away with Hailey anymore. He couldn’t protect her from his family. He couldn’t start a life he had dreamt of with her. Even if it had meant losing his family in the process, he didn’t care. Frank didn’t care too much for his family anyway. His mother passed away when he was little so he only had his father. He only cared for his grandparents who were oblivious as to what his father did. His father’s parents had passed away and the grandparents that lived next door to Hailey were from his mother’s side.

  The morning sun rose in the sky and lightened up the darkened barn but the cold and darkness still lingered in the shadows. Hailey lay passed out on the cot, unmoving. Robert awkwardly sat on the filthy ground still passed out. Frank slept with an exhausted and creased face. He didn’t want to sleep last night, but his body protested until he passed out without even realizing it.

  The door to the barn opened and closed abruptly, startling Robert and Frank, waking them up. It was Randy entering, heading for the curtain at the back. The early morning cold from outside rushed in with him, sending chills up Robert’s back.

  Randy didn’t utter one word to them as he passed, barely missing stepping on their feet. His steel toe boots were covered in mud and the hay that he walked on stuck to them with each step that he took. His boots made so much noise compared to the quiet that they all endured for the night.

  Frank silently watched Randy as he walked to the back of the room. Dry tear marks covered Frank’s face, running down his cheeks, staining his skin. He never took his gaze off the curtain. He was at a loss for words and couldn’t come up with any words through the fog in his brain. He was scared to see what the curtain would reveal.

  Waking up dazed, Robert squeezed his eyes, squinting, and tried to slowly sit up. The sun was shining – barely – through the dirty windows and had woken him. He straightened and moaned at how uncomfortable he was. He passed out last night and was limped to the side awkwardly. The side of his body and his arms were so soar. When he sat up fully he realized he had an agonizing headache and tried to remember what had happened. He realized afterwards. He sneezed from all the dirt entering into his nose and yelled out loud at the pain in the left side of his face. He wiped his face on his shoulder and noticed how tender the side of his face really was. He felt like someone had punched him with a brick.

  Automatically he realized Hailey wasn’t sitting beside him anymore. He remembered them taking her away from him. She’s gone. Where is she? Robert’s asked himself.

  Pulling back the curtain, Randy grabbed the still-sleeping-Hailey off the cot and brought her to sit back with Robert. She remained unconscious when he picked her up and dropped her off. Her head lay limp on Robert’s shoulder. Robert’s heart felt like it was being clawed at by a ravenous animal. He couldn’t even produce angry words to yell at Randy. He wanted to sob. Everything in his body was telling him to start crying and never stop. He was frustrated and couldn’t do anything to dilute it. He couldn’t kick down a wall or run or punch
someone’s face since his hands were tied. He couldn’t even swear his brains out since words didn’t form. He felt like everything he knew was wiped clean. All he could think of was how utterly and uncontrollably miserable he was.

  When Randy was done tying Hailey’s bruised and cut hands to where they previously were tied, he casually walked out without even making eye contact with Robert. He acted like he wasn’t even there. He didn’t even take a second glance at Frank.

  A lump burned in Robert’s throat from holding back his tears. He wondered why Hailey didn’t wake up when he placed her down. He tried to speak but his throat was closed entirely with fear and dust. He shook his shoulder, causing her head to shake with it. Hailey moaned and Robert let out the breath he was holding.

  Hailey finally came to, slowly lifting her head from Robert’s shoulder, severing contact. At first she was confused at her surroundings. Hailey went to grab her throbbing head with her hands but she was stuck. Her hands were tied. Like Robert, Hailey snapped back to the present situation she was in. She brought her knees to her chest. She looked down and gasped at her ripped and bloodied clothes. Her lip was cut and bleeding - or at least it was bleeding. Now it was just dried up blood which no one wiped off.

  “Robert… what hap…? Oh god! Oh no! No, no, no!” Hailey dropped her head into her knees. She shivered with fear. Her eyes were shot open, staring at her legs. She didn’t have the nerve to close her eyes since it only showed memories of last night.

  Robert scooted closer and wanted to nudge Hailey’s shoulder, but Hailey flinched with fear and moved an inch away. Robert could feel the fear Hailey felt from his touch.

  Trying to cover up her body, Hailey felt used and broken. She had read about people who shared their stories of being raped, but she could never imagine it happening to her. She could still feel that monsters hands and lips on her own. She wanted to throw up. She wanted to burn her skin off. It itched like a thousand red ants were biting her and she couldn’t get rid of the feeling. She wanted to scratch her skin off, but her hands were tied, bleeding, bruised and sore behind her.

  Robert looked over Hailey’s body. He didn’t know where her pants were, but luckily her shirt was long enough that it covered most of her torso. Robert was thankful Hailey put on a loose, long fitted shirt, unlike all the other girls he knew which wore almost nothing, exposing way too much skin.

  The purple and blue marks on Hailey came from the man’s fist connecting with her porcelain skin. He beat her. Not because someone would hear her screams, he beat her because her screams were unbearable to listen to – annoying even. It was a sense of empowerment. When Robert got out, he would find that man and kill him. He would show him who was more powerful.

  The man had called her profound names while he hit her. Hailey was conscious the entire time, trying to fight him off. She heard every foul word and dirty thing he said to her. Every bad word in the book was repeated at that time. When Hailey couldn’t take it anymore, she prayed that he killed her instead of enduring another moment of that torture. She tried to drown it out. She tried to think of her forest memory with Robert. She tried to picture Robert. She couldn’t get the memory to form in her mind. She couldn’t remember what the air and grass smelled like.

  Hailey wondered if Robert would still love her after finding out what happened to her. She knew he was knocked unconscious and was glad he didn’t have to hear what was going on. On the other hand, she knew that Frank was there, listening the entire time, not helping her. Was she not screaming loud enough? Why isn’t he helping me? Hailey had wondered. She knew his restraints were too tight to escape from, because if they weren’t, she knew he would have saved her.

  With the man’s body on her, evil words spouting from his mouth, Hailey managed to drown him out eventually. Instead of Robert appearing in her mind, Gregory Barnes from school had. She remembered back to the cafeteria when he spoke to her. “You are very, very beautiful. Remember that. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.” She had wished that she wasn’t so anti-social. She wished that she took the time to talk to Gregory when she had the chance. He seemed like a nice enough guy. He could possibly have even been her friend. One friend was better than none. She wondered if anyone had even realized she was gone and missing. She knew no one cared enough for her to realize. Does Gregory realize I’m not at school? she wondered. She pushed that thought aside. Hailey now had Robert and he was all she needed.

  Hailey was devastated about what Frank Argentino had been hiding from her. How could I have been so oblivious? I’ve been treated like a fool my entire life. He didn’t even have the decency to tell me the truth. What a scum bag.

  Hailey’s thoughts came back to the present. Robert still shook his shoulder to get her to look at him.

  “H-Hailey. It is o-k-kay.” Crap, it’s not okay. How in the hell can it be okay. I can’t even comfort her properly, he thought.

  Robert knew what happened to Hailey. He could only guess but he knew he was right. Cot. Random guy. Hailey flinching from his touch. The bruise marks on her body. The man’s handprint on her thigh. He couldn’t believe it. He was angry, but Hailey’s sadness made it impossible for him to show his anger. His soul was in pain. He felt sorrow flooding through Hailey. Her sadness became one with him. He couldn’t bare it. He could only imagine how much intensified it was in Hailey’s petit body.

  Turning to face Frank who sat there like a statue, Robert noticed the veins in Frank’s neck were sticking out. “This is your entire fault!” Robert raised his leg and smashed it hard into Frank’s rib cage, sending him about a foot away from where he was sitting. He couldn’t go far since his restraints weren’t that long.

  Frank screamed in pain, coughing from the unexpected effect of the foot-to-ribcage action. His yell echoed throughout the entire barn. Robert knew it couldn’t have hurt that much, but he was glad that it seemed like it did. Robert was going to do more than that to Frank when his hands were untied, that was for sure.

  Raising her head to see what happened to Frank, Hailey could feel the anger boiling inside Robert. She felt Robert move and figured that he hit Frank somehow to release his anger. Hailey didn’t mind that Robert caused Frank pain. He deserved it.

  Frank started to laugh out loud. Robert and Hailey were curious as to what he found so funny.

  Frank lifted his weak hand to remove his dishevelled hair from his face, slicking it back. His hand shook on the way up. His hand was purple and his wrists were cut all the way around.

  “Your hand!” Robert said. “You’re out of your restraints.” Robert didn’t even comment on the condition of his hands or the fact of how much pain Frank was probably in.

  “Yeah. I have been trying to get myself loose from these stupid ropes ever since they first tied me here. Sleep got in my way, but I overcame that. Thanks to your friendly nudge, I am out completely.” Frank tried to laugh but it came out more of a cough. He was exhausted and surprisingly out of breath. He turned and tried to free his other hand. His forehead was covered in sweat and dirt. Robert finally realized the amount of pain that Frank was in. Frank couldn’t control the tremors of his hands. His wrists had old and fresh cuts from the rope, which were still bleeding.

  Wondering what his own hands looked like, Robert turned his head to get a look at his hand, but failed miserably. He couldn’t even turn around properly. He figured they were most likely purple and bloodied like Frank’s. Robert couldn’t even move his fingers anymore. All he could manage to do was pull on the ropes, causing it to dig deeper in his skin. His fingers stopped working long ago. Robert used the majority of his energy previously trying to free himself. He had no energy left. He was exhausted even though he just woke up.

  “I’ll be back,” Frank said as he sluggishly got up. He dusted off his pants and walked towards the door.

  Hailey and Robert’s gaze followed him, clicking in a moment later that he was actually free and standing up in front of them.

  “What
the hell? Untie us,” Robert said. He was worried about Hailey. She didn’t eat much and he knew she had no energy to even stand. He would have to carry her back to their car - if it was still where they left it.

  Frank didn’t listen.

  “Where do you think you’re going? Help us!” Robert yelled.

  “Shhh! I’ll be back,” Frank said.

  “Like hell you will!” Robert couldn’t control his tone of voice. He knew he had to suck up. He tried a different tactic. “Come on man. I was just kidding. Sorry about the kick. No hard feelings, right? I helped you, see. Just untie us and all will be forgiven and forgotten. Alright?” Robert tried to keep his anger to a minimum. If he had to kill Frank to get himself and Hailey out of there, he would gladly do it.

  Robert had no idea where he got all this anger from, but when anyone he loved was in danger, he felt it was his right to protect them. If anything or anyone threatened his family, he would defend them until the death. He felt that Hailey was part of his family and would do anything to help her. Robert had never killed anyone - let alone even thought about killing anyone - but with the current situation, he would kill anything and anyone for even daring to go after his beloved Hailey.

  Frank opened the door a bit, just to peep out. He had to make sure no one was there when he made a run for it.

  “Please! If you don’t want to untie me, I get it. Just… untie Hailey! She doesn’t deserve this. You owe her that!” Robert was running out of things to say to make him untie them. If he at least got Frank to untie Hailey, that would be fine with him. He didn’t need to be set free. He only wanted the safety of the wonderful woman sitting beside him who he had fallen madly in love with.

  Hailey kept quiet the entire time but looked up at Robert when he said that. She smiled and her eyes glazed over. Her face turned beat red as she thought the same thing. She was madly in love with Robert. He was willing to risk his life to save her. Hailey knew that if Frank untied her, she would still stay back and untie Robert, even if that meant Frank leaving.

  “Relax. Like I said - I’ll be back!” And just like that, Frank opened the door fully and disappeared.

  “Son of a -” Robert stopped himself. He didn’t want to swear in front of Hailey.

  “He left,” Hailey said with a hoarse voice, almost not believing what her eyes showed her. “He just left. Just like that. He left us here. Alone. He didn’t save us. He… he… left.” Hailey was in shock. She held in her tears. She didn’t want to cry. This situation didn’t deserve tears. She couldn’t be weak and let Robert see her tears. Her chest shook as sobs wanted to burst out but she wouldn’t let them. Her bottom lip trembled. Be strong, she told herself. She scooted closer to Robert and placed her head on Robert’s shoulder, embracing his warmth. She was so cold. Her body ached, but she learned to ignore it. She learned how to ease the pain of seeing her parents murdered. She put the man raping her in the same little box in the back of her brain. The same box here parents' bloodied bodies had been in.

  “Don’t worry. We don’t need him. If he could get out of these restraints, so can I.” When Robert finished speaking he pulled. He pulled harder on the ropes than he ever did before. He yelled and screamed in pain. The rope, it burned his skin. He was losing way too much blood.

  “Robert, stop!” Hailey screamed. “Please stop. You’re hurting yourself!” Hailey looked at his back. She could see his hands. “Your hands! They’re ruined. You can’t pull anymore! Your skin will rip right off. Stop!” She nudged him with her shoulder.

  Sensing Hailey’s fear, he stopped pulling. He knew he was getting nowhere. All he got out of pulling on the ropes was a loss of skin and blood. But they were worth loosing if it meant getting out of there.

  The door opened and someone rushed in panting. It was Frank! He returned! “What the hell is going on in here?” he asked, after hearing Robert’s screams.

  Frank ran up to Hailey and grazed her chest. Robert thought he was cupping a feel but he realized that Frank placed something in Hailey’s breast pocket since it was drooping after he walked by her.

  “What is that?” Hailey asked, looking down, turning her head this way and that. She couldn’t see straight into her pocket.

  “A little something to say I am sorry. I’ve been hiding it all these years. I was going to give it to you when we ran away together, but I am guessing you probably wouldn’t want to see me after this. It’s kind of a token of my apology. Now, be quiet, they are coming.” Frank went and sat back down beside Robert. He placed his hands behind him, acting as if they were still tied. “I told you I would come back. I grabbed it from inside the house and then came back here. They are on their way here now. I heard them. They didn’t see me though. Don’t say anything. When they leave, I will unite us all and we’ll get out of here. Just be patient. Once you guys are far gone and safe, I will then deal with them. Those bastards deserve to die. Each and every one of them.” Frank’s face hardened.

  Hailey and Robert were both terrified of Frank in that moment, but the moment was short lived since the door opened and Draven, Randy and Steve walked through. Steve was holding a tray which he placed on the couch. Randy sat down on the other couch and was looking curiously at the remote control. “Does this thing even work anymore?” he asked with his husky voice. It sounded like his mouth was full of food, but it didn’t look like it.

  Draven walked up to the three of them, taking his time to make his way over. He crouched down so he was eye level with Robert. Robert stared at him with an intensity that almost burned a hole in between Draven’s eyes. Hailey cowered behind Robert. Robert didn’t want Draven looking at her.

  Draven scuffed at them, almost as if he was thinking that this was such a waste of his time, but he enjoyed doing it. He got back up and snapped his fingers to Steve. “We got a pretty penny last night thanks to our lovely Hailey over here. Here is our celebration. Feed them.”

  Steve grabbed three pieces of bread from the tray. He walked up to Hailey first. Robert saw a glimmer of something in Steve’s eyes. Was it regret? Did he feel bad for what they were doing to Hailey? As quick as Robert saw it, it quickly disappeared and his face hardened once again.

  Hailey didn’t lift her face from Robert’s shoulders once since Draven had walked in. When Steve reached Hailey, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he just placed the piece of bread on her knees. He figured she wouldn’t be able to grab it with her hands, so by placing it on her knees, it was easy accessible for her mouth.

  Robert, knowing he couldn’t use his hands to grab the bread as well, mimicked Hailey’s position. He brought his knees up to his chest and Steve balanced the piece of bread on Robert’s knees.

  Steve then walked up to Frank and offered the piece of bread. Frank didn’t even look at him. As hungry as Frank was, he didn’t want to eat anything they touched. Even though he knew the food was perfectly fine, just seeing them and their betrayal disgusted him and made him lose his appetite.

  Draven noticed what was going on with Frank and walked up to Steve, grabbing the bread out of his hand. Steve walked back over to the couches where Randy was. “What? You don’t want my bread? Not good enough for you?” Draven asked, waving the bread in Frank’s face.

  Frank didn’t make eye contact and didn’t answer when Draven spoke to him.

  “Not hungry then, are we Frank?” No answer. “Fine then, starve!” Draven threw the piece of bread at Frank’s chest, it fell to his lap and landed on the dirty ground.

  “Give me that,” Steve said to Randy as he snatched the remote control out of Randy’s hands. He pointed the remote to the TV and turned it on.

  “Oh, it does work!” Randy said happily.

  An alarm sounded from the television and everyone turned their attention to the little old box which sat on the wooden stand. Steve walked up and wiped the screen with his hand, cleaning some of the dust off it.

  “Breaking News. For those of you who are just tuning in, an Amber Alert has
been issued for sixteen year old Hailey Glassman. She was last seen in the school parking lot, the morning of Tuesday March 17th 2011. A very concerned classmate of hers made the call since her absences at school began to increase. Hailey’s teachers and principals have called the house countless times with no answer. Her aunt, Stella White, has been contacted as her only guardian and has informed police that she didn’t know Hailey’s whereabouts. Child services has been called and will do a farther investigation of child neglect on Hailey’s case.

  “A search warrant of Hailey’s house has been granted to the police to search for any clues in where she might be. After entering Hailey’s house they noticed the floor boards had been torn off completely. Foul play is not suspected but police are still investigating.”

  The screen changed and Gregory Barnes showed up. Hailey recognized his friendly face and a smile rose on the corner of her mouth. She knew that with his dad’s connections in the television and news industry, it was easy enough for him to get his five minutes of fame to vent out his concerns.

  “Please if you know where Hailey is, return her peacefully. This is not normal of Hailey to miss school and I know she didn’t have many friends, but she would never run away. She was content with her life. She has had too much trauma for any girl her age and we just want her back safe. Please. Whoever you are and wherever she is, please bring her back. Thank you.”

  The screen went back to the news reporter.

  “After inspecting school cameras, it revealed Hailey entering an unknown vehicle which we have just discovered belonged to Robert Catalanotto. His sister, Rosie Catalanotto, attends Collingwood Secondary school. The police questioned her and found out that she knows nothing of her brother’s whereabouts and she informs police that he has been missing as well. He stopped replying to her text messages and she was worried about him. Robert Catalanotto is the suspected kidnapper. If you see this car,” a security picture of Robert’s car came into screen, “please do not hesitate to call the police.”

  Hailey watched the newswoman and her heart lightened up a bit. They were looking for her. They did realize she was missing. Hailey couldn’t believe that Gregory noticed she was gone. He even went through to say that he knew she was content with her life. He had actually noticed her at school, she knew it now. He had been watching out for her ever since everything that happened. Hailey wondered why he never spoke up to her more than just that one day in the cafeteria. It didn’t really matter now. The cops were looking for her. That was wonderful! They would find her soon!

  “Well that can’t be good. It’s alright though. They won’t check here anyway,” Draven shrugged.

  “Why not?” Hailey asked, before she even realized she spoke at all. She averted her gaze, cowering.

  “Because, little princess, when you have money and power, the rules are under you.” Draven looked to Frank. “Your little friend over there, like I said, has a powerful father. How do you think we escaped the first search they did for the killer of your parents? Our area is marked down as dilapidated and they just pass over. Easy as cake!”

  Draven walked over to Frank and kicked his foot. “Your father is a great man. Too bad he doesn’t even trust his own son. It’s probably because he doesn’t love you anymore. How could he love a low life like you anyway is beyond me. If you were my kid I would have knocked some sense into you. No wonder your mother left you.” Draven laughed.

  Hatred sparked in Frank’s eyes. “She never left. She died.”

  “Oh, is that what your father told you? Well then, he lied. She left him because she couldn’t stand to look at your filthy face. She ran away the day after having you.”

  Frank’s temper started to bubble inside of him. It looked as if he might explode at any moment! Robert noticed. “Relax,” he said under his breath. He didn’t want Frank to do or say anything stupid. Especially when they were so close to freedom.

  “Your mom was just another whore your father knocked up. I think he actually liked her though, since he kept you. I don’t know why.”

  “Don’t talk about my mother like that. You don’t even know her!” Frank said through clenched teeth, trying to keep his temper in check.

  “Oh, I know more about her than your own father does. She told me she never loved your father. Being with him was a mistake and having you was an even bigger one.”

  Frank’s furry couldn’t be withheld any longer.

  Draven continued, “And when you were born, she couldn’t even look at you. She was disturbed by your very presence. That’s why she left. Your father couldn’t stand the fact that she left and disappeared, that’s why he told you she died. He never really loved you either but kept you anyway. You reminded him too much of her, that’s why he couldn’t stand to look at you and sent you away every chance he got.”

  “LIAR!” Frank roared, getting up from his sitting position.

  Stunned, Draven went to grab his gun – the same one that he had used to knock Robert unconscious - which he kept tucked in his belt buckle, but Frank was quicker. Frank grabbed Draven’s hand as he wrapped his fingers around the gun. They both struggled; grunting and trying overpower the other.

  Hailey’s eyes widened in fear. She knew nothing good would come from two men fighting at such close proximities with a gun wedged in between them. She wanted to close her eyes, to look away, but she couldn’t. She hoped that if she stared long enough, they would just stop.

  Steve and Randy joined in, but wanted to separate them. Steve went behind Draven, trying to pull him off, but couldn’t. Draven had Frank in a headlock and Frank had his arms wrapped tightly around Draven’s waist. They would never let go. Randy went behind Frank and tried to pry him off Draven to no avail.

  Then, suddenly, a gunshot.

  Hailey screamed. And didn’t stop screaming. She shook her head to erase the numbing sound that the gunshot left afterwards. It was fired at such a close proximity, that it stunned everyone in the room. Everyone’s ears rung and they went deaf momentarily. Hailey couldn’t hear herself scream but she knew she was from the pain in her throat.

  Taking a good look at Hailey, Robert was afraid that she got shot. She was screaming, but not crying and she didn’t look hurt. She was terrified though. He could see her face, her mouth open, screaming, but he still couldn’t hear it. The ringing and buzzing noised remained for a few seconds before his hearing came back to him. When his hearing returned, he was able to concentrate better. Robert relaxed a bit and checked himself. Nothing hurt on his body and he didn’t see any blood. He and Hailey were fine.

  Robert then looked to the huddled bundle of Steve, Frank, Draven and Randy, all standing in close proximity with one another. They were so close they were all touching in some way. Randy was the first one to step back and check himself. He checked his arms, his legs, his chest and stomach. He let out a sigh of relief since he wasn’t shot. Next to move was Steve. He stepped back, letting go of Draven, checked himself and sighed as well. Four down, two more to go.

  Draven, stunned, like he had seen a ghost, let go of Frank. Then, screamed. Frank fell to the ground, but before anyone noticed Frank’s body fall, they all noticed Draven’s hand. His pinky finger was missing. He shot off his own pinky!

  Randy’s face turned green. “Boss! Your h-h-and! Your finger is g-gone!” he stuttered. He took a step back from the blood which was gushing out of Draven’s hand.

  Staring with wide, stunned eyes, Robert and Hailey couldn’t believe Draven had shot himself! They sat there in silence, not sure what to do or say.

  Draven screamed more as he tried to stop the bleeding with his jacket which he took off quickly. He covered his hand completely and put pressure on it. His face was white and pasty. He had lost blood and the effects were wearing him out.

  “Oh no, not again. Not again!” Steve grabbed his head, obviously shaken by what happened. Everyone turned to his direction. Everyone was more focused on Draven’s hand that no one realized Frank on the ground.
There was a puddle around Frank. A puddle of blood. Steve rolled him over, only to discover that Draven wasn’t the only one who got shot. A bullet hole protruded right in the middle of Frank’s forehead.

  “Hailey!” Robert screamed to get Hailey‘s attention.

  She turned to him before looking at Frank’s lifeless body. Robert needed to distract her. He didn’t want her to see the bullet hole. He knew if she did, memories of her mother getting shot would resurface and be even worse for her to handle. He didn’t want her to go through that. Hailey felt the panic in Robert’s voice and his presence. She trusted him and didn’t dare look towards Frank. She closed her eyes and dug her face into Robert’s shoulder once again.

  Everyone was shocked. They couldn’t believe that Draven had really killed Frank. “We’re all dead. That’s it. Were done for. I can’t believe it. He will come after us. He will kill us all. I knew it was a bad idea. This can’t be happening,” Steve was ranting. He said more things that were inaudible. He was scared – very scared.

  “Steve! Shut up!” Draven yelled.

  “What you do boss?” Randy’s face turned a darker shade of green from seeing more of Frank’s blood.

  Draven turned to Randy. “Nothing! I didn’t do anything! It was an accident! Pick him up and bring him out back to the digging area. Start another hole and we will bury him there. You all saw, he attacked me!” Draven’s eyes were wide with fear. He knew he would be in trouble when Frank’s father found out what happened. “We let Frank go… yeah. That is what happened. We untied him, alright? We let him go and he left. None of this ever happened!”

  Draven followed Randy, Steve and the lifeless Frank out the barn. As soon as Robert heard Draven say ‘None of this ever happened,’ Robert knew there was no way they were going to get out of there alive.

  He sighed when he realized he had never been that scared in his life. He had to start accepting that they would soon be the next ones in the dirt beside Frank.

  Day 7

  Saturday March 21st 2010

  Waking up with another searing pain pulsating through his head, Robert’s brain felt like it was on fire. His vision blurred as he tried to make out objects in the barn, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t get his eyes to focus well enough to see clearly. He looked down at a distorted vision of his shirt and it was completely stained with red and dark brown. He didn’t remember what colour his shirt initially was, but he knew it was now the colour of dried blood. Something else was different, something wrong. He realized he was elevated from the ground. He was no longer sitting on the cold, dirty, hay filled floor of the barn. He was once again tied to a chair in the kitchen.

  All came into focus when he realized Hailey wasn’t beside him. The insides of Robert’s legs hurt him. His head felt like he had been punched multiple times. His body felt violated. His headache was growing unbearable. He felt disgusted with himself and wanted to be put out of his misery. Those weren’t his feelings. He felt Hailey’s emotions once again.

  Heart pounding in his chest, Robert was filled with fury. How could he have been captured and treated like a rag doll so easily? How could someone have so much power over him? He wanted to be free. He wanted to be able to walk whenever he wanted. He wanted to eat, go to the washroom and move his hands freely once again. His shoulders felt like they would pop out of the socket at any moment. His back had a searing pain running through it at one point, but now it was just a numbing pain that made Robert wonder if he would ever get feeling back in parts of his body.

  Robert was exhausted, dehydrated and unfed. He couldn’t keep going along with that. It wasn’t like he had a choice, but something had to be done.

  Closing his eyes, Robert tried to recall the events of last night. His memory had been faltering ever since that first blow to his head. He remembered that Draven, Randy and Steve had to dig a hole for Frank’s lifeless body. Robert still couldn’t believe Frank was actually dead. It all happened so quickly. They were all so close to escaping, but then Frank let Draven get into his head and Frank got killed because of it. From that act alone, Robert and Hailey had lost their freedom just as quickly as Frank lost his life.

  If only Frank kept his cool and didn’t attack Draven. Robert would have been lying in Hailey’s bed or Hailey in his bed. They would have been warm together and not have to worry about anything. Of course the first thing they would do when they escaped was call the police and make sure Draven, Steve, and Randy all got put away for life.

  What should have taken them about an hour to dig a hole last night, ended up taking much longer. They dug all the way into the late hours of the night. Draven was frantic running all over the place, trying to wrap up his finger to cease the bleeding. He didn’t want to go to the hospital since they always asked so many questions and he didn’t have any time for that.

  Draven had clients arriving the moment the trigger was pulled and he wanted to make sure that Frank’s body was removed from his way. He didn’t want anyone to see what had happened to Frank. If anyone knew that he had shot and killed Frank, Draven would have been just as good as dead. He knew whoever came over would automatically report back to Frank’s father. Draven couldn’t have that.

  Two men arrived just as soon as they were done digging the hole and dropping Frank’s lifeless body in. Draven ordered Steve and Randy to wait in the house for him while he talked to his clients.

  The two men came for Hailey. The smiles on their faces that arose from taking one look at Hailey set Robert on fire. Hailey cowered behind him and started crying. His anger couldn’t be contained. He roared with rage as he pulled his hands through the ropes. His skin came off with his freedom. Robert managed a bloody punch that connected with one of the men’s jaw.

  “Don’t touch her!”

  Hailey screamed for Robert‘s life. She knew he didn’t have a chance against those three men. Robert didn’t care. He would do whatever he could to ensure the safety of Hailey since he failed the night before. He wouldn’t let it happen again. He couldn’t let it happen again.

  With barely any strength left, Robert and the man he punched both ended up falling to the ground. Draven pulled Robert off the man and punched him square in the stomach. Robert turned around to go after the man on the ground or get away from Draven but something collided with the back of his skull, rendering him useless and unconscious.

  That left Robert in his current situation. They removed him from the barn from being such a nuisance. They couldn’t have him punching every single paying customer that Draven had come across. It just wasn’t good for business.

  Steve walked into the kitchen through the doorway. He and Randy were sleeping on the couch. “Hey, you’re awake,” Steve said as he walked up to Robert. Randy stretched and followed Steve.

  Robert was about to flinch but didn’t when he realized Steve wasn’t going to hurt him. Robert didn’t know why, but he actually felt sorry for Steve. He knew he shouldn’t, after what he put him through, but deep down inside something told him to pity Steve. He seemed like a guy who got caught up with the wrong people at the wrong time and he was now stuck for life. Randy just looked stupid enough to follow the person in front of him and it seemed like he liked the orders being barked at him by Draven.

  Robert had an idea. He didn’t know if it would work. But he figured he literally had nothing to lose.

  “I have to go to the washroom,” Robert said.

  “Uh, gee. I don’t know if I can let you go,” Steve said with a sad tone to his voice. He rubbed the scruff of his face as he contemplated on helping Robert.

  “Yeah, Boss said we’re not allowed to untie you. No matter what,” Randy said with a mouth full of bread, already.

  “Draven isn’t here. It will only take two seconds. You guys can both escort me. I really have to go. I mean really. I didn’t go last time you let us all go to the washroom. Please.”

  “We can’t. Sorry,” Steve said.

  “Come on guys. Please!”
r />   “No.”

  “Yes.”

  “No!”

  Silence.

  “I’ll go in my pants then. I will. And then Draven will make one of you guys clean it. You know I’m right.” Robert knew he could always bring up Draven’s name to scare them.

  Their backs both straightened as they both imagined the scene in their heads. They knew Robert was right. They could easily avoid that if they just let him go to the washroom. Neither of them were in a mood to clean that sort of mess.

  Steve looked to Randy who just shrugged. “Well, I guess since Draven isn’t here we can. But you can’t say anything! Or I will never help you again!” Steve said. He then turned to Randy, “Help me with these knots. You grab one arm and I will grab the other. One slip, Randy, and this will all be on your head.”

  “I got him, don’t worry.”

  The moment they untied Robert, the blood rushed back to his fingertips, making them tingle. He had never felt so good in his life. Even though Randy and Steve had a good grip on his arms, it felt amazing to have his wrists out of the restraints. He almost cried from the feeling.

  As soon as they passed the kitchen doorway into the living area to go to the washroom, Draven walked in through the front door.

  Of course.

  Draven stopped dead in his tracks, almost not believing the image he was looking at. “What the hell are you guys doing? Are you two insane? I don’t know who is dumber sometimes. Idiot number 1,” he pointed to Steve. “Or idiot number 2.” He pointed at Randy.

  “S-sorry Boss. Steve told me-” Randy was flustered and didn’t know what to do. His guard was down and broken whenever he saw Draven.

  “You’re such a tattle tale! Grow some balls Randy!” Steve yelled.

  Robert figured this was the best of time to react. With Randy’s grip loose on his arm, he yanked free and grabbed Steve with both his hands. With all his might, he pushed Steve into Draven.

  Instinct took over Draven as he grabbed Steve with both hands and tried to steady himself so they both didn’t fall to the ground.

  In those few seconds it took for Robert to push Steve and for Draven to hold onto Steve, Robert took a step forward and grabbed the gun that Draven kept hidden in his belt buckle at the rim of his pants. It easily just slid out. Robert smiled at how easy it was.

  The cool steel of the gun felt much better in his hands than it did ground against his face.

  Holding it with both hands and pointing it at their faces, Robert threatened to shoot them. His feet were apart as he held the gun outstretched with both his index fingers on the trigger.

  “Don’t move. I’ll shoot. So help me God, I will shoot all three of you dead right now.”

  “If there are bullets left. It could be empty,” Draven said, trying to trick Robert.

  Internally, Robert struggled for a few moments. The gun could have been empty. Draven could be lying. Why would he carry around an empty gun? Why is he cowering in front of him if the gun was empty?

  “Grab him Randy,” Draven said quickly, slapping Randy’s arm.

  The three of them stood in a row in front of Robert. Neither one of them moving. Steve had his hands up in the air as if he were surrendering.

  “Get him I said!” Draven yelled.

  “But he has a gun. He will shoot me.” Randy’s forehead began to glisten with sweat.

  “No he won’t, you idiot. The guns empty. Now get him!” Draven yelled which echoed throughout the entire house.

  At that moment Randy lunged for Robert.

  Robert was not going to get captured again. He wasn’t going to sit there and let them tie his hands behind his back all over again. He wouldn’t let them harm Hailey any more. He had to protect her. She didn’t have anyone else. He loved her and didn’t want to see her suffering like that. These three men were hurting her. They were going to kill her and kill him when they were done with them. Just like Frank. Poor Frank.

  Robert pulled the trigger.

  Randy screamed and fell to the ground.

  The bullet pierced the biggest part of his body – his stomach. Robert didn’t know if it was a fatal shot or not, but he knew Randy was down and out for the count.

  “I thought you said the gun was empty,” Randy groaned.

  Robert then turned the gun to Steve. “Run! Leave now and never come back and I will spare your life. And I don’t give second chances.”

  Steve took one glance at Draven, pleading almost, and then turned around and ran out the front door, never looking back. Robert knew he wouldn’t return. He could almost see the tension in Steve’s shoulders erase as he left. Robert might have been mistaken but he thought he even heard Steve sigh as his image disappeared.

  “It’s just me and you,” Robert said with a smirk on his face. He couldn’t wait to make Draven pay. Oh, and how he would make him pay!

  “Too bad. You’re out of bullets.”

  Robert’s gaze flickered from Draven’s face to the gun for a split second, but in that second, Draven took the advantage and rushed Robert.

  They both fell to the ground, but Robert had determination on his side, strengthening him. He rolled over on top of Draven and with all his strength he brought the gun down on Draven’s temple. Robert knew it was the softest part on the head and a blow like that would do some damage. Robert was right. After connecting with Draven’s skull, Robert sat up and stared at him. There was no blood, but Draven was out cold.

  Quickly getting up, Robert ran for the barn. He didn’t know how much time he had, but he didn’t need much. He planned to run to the barn, grab Hailey and get the hell out of there. He kept the gun tight in his grip. He brought it with him, just in case he ran into any unwanted company.

  Bursting into the barn, Robert knew Hailey was in the back, behind the curtain. He almost didn’t want to know the condition she was in. He didn’t waste any more time. As soon as he pulled that filthy curtain back and laid his eyes on Hailey’s body, he crumbled to the ground, speechless. His knees buckled as they hit the cement floor hard, but he felt nothing. He covered his face with his hands and bent over to place his head on the mattress Hailey lay on. Sobs filled his chest. He didn’t want to look back up. He dry heaved from the image which was now stuck in his head. His hands filled with his warm tears. He knew he had to be stronger than that. He lifted his head up and wiped his hands on his clothes. Robert’s lip trembled as he moved the strands of hair that stuck to Hailey’s face. A mixture of blood and tears kept them in place.

  As soon as Hailey felt Robert’s touch, she woke up. Hailey’s arms were tied above her head and attached to a stake in the ground. Her shoulders looked like they were being pulled right from her body. She lost so much weight from being tied up and rarely fed all these days. Hailey’s body was covered in more blood and more bruises than last time he saw her. Her lip was swollen, black and blue.

  Robert’s stomach couldn’t handle seeing Hailey tied up like that. It was torture for him to see the one he loved in that much pain. He couldn’t stop his tears from falling. He could feel her energy slowly drifting away. The Hailey he once knew was now miles away and he knew he would never get her back. Even if they did get out of there alive, he knew neither of them would be the same ever again. Hailey did not deserve that. She did nothing in her life to deserve all that has happened to her. Robert’s only wish was to start everything over again, if there was one way he could have prevented everything from happening. He would trade his soul, his life, just to see Hailey smile again.

  He got back up from his knees and crawled to the stake in the ground. He pulled it out and removed the knots that were tied around Hailey’s wrists. He pulled the rope of gently. Hailey clenched her teeth as Robert had to peel the rope away. It dug so deep into her skin, almost becoming a part of her body. Her blood coloured the rope red. When he was done removing them, he threw the rope to the side and held Hailey’s hands in his own.

  Robert kissed her wrists, the bruises
left behind on her arms and her shoulders. He kissed her neck where he could see imprints of the men’s hands. Robert stopped himself. His nails dug into his palms. He wanted to scream and yell and kill all those men that came in here, but he didn’t know where to start.

  Robert’s touch sent tingles through her body. His warm touch erased all the cold hands that touched her the past nights. His skin heated hers in a way she couldn’t even describe. She felt bad though. She didn’t want Robert to have to see her like that. She didn’t even think he would want her after what had become of her. She could never push Robert to stay with her now. “Robert, you don’t have to.”

  Looking into her deep, dark - and now sad - eyes, Robert didn’t know what she was talking about. Confused, he asked, “Don’t have to what?”

  “Stay. Just leave me here. You don’t have to stay here with me.” Hailey’s bottom lip trembled.

  Robert looked to Hailey in astonishment. Did she not realize what she meant to him? He knew what happened and blamed himself for her tragic events but he would never, under any circumstances, leave her alone ever again.

  “Hailey, I love you! I would never leave you!” He placed his lips gently on hers to kiss her. She let out a whimper. Her lips were cut and bruised.

  Even though Robert’s kiss physically stung, the smell of rushing water overpowered her, almost washing away all the impurities of what happened. She felt a spring breeze, even though the room was stale and dry. She didn’t want to open her eyes since she knew it would mean the smells weren’t real and she had no idea where they could have possibly come from. She wanted to walk in the river she visioned, but didn’t know how that would even be possible.

  Pulling back to compose his thoughts, Robert remembered that was his only time to get her out. She looked so fragile; he didn’t even know if she could stand on her own. “I’m going to get us out of here okay. I will help you sit up. Can you do that? You think you can walk?”

  Just as Robert was about to place his hands under her shoulder to carefully ease her up, she shook her head. “No, please, stop.”

  “Am I hurting you? I am so sorry. It’s just that we need to get out of here as quickly as possible. I kind of shot Randy and we need to get away from here.”

  “Good. He deserved it. But I don’t want to move. I can’t move. I am not going anywhere.” She didn’t look into Robert’s eyes. She couldn’t bare it. She lay there on the mattress, staring at the ceiling. She struggled to breathe. She knew for sure that one of her ribs must have been broken, but she didn’t tell Robert. It hurt too much to speak, but she did anyway.

  “What do you mean?” Robert’s heart felt like it plummeted to the ground.

  “I could barely live my life the way it was before. My conscious was bombarded with the memory of losing my parents and my life was slowly slipping away. I became stronger though after meeting you.” She finally turned her gaze to meet his. A lump formed in her throat and she almost wasn’t able to finish. “You changed my life. You made the sun shine for the first time in years. We haven’t known each other technically for that long, but it felt like I’ve been with you my entire life. I can proudly say that I love you and you are my soul mate, but I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to live my life with these memories anymore. I just can’t do it. I am sorry.” Defeated tears rolled down her face.

  Robert’s tears matched hers. The green in his eyes were dull and fading away. What once used to be vibrant green, cat-like eyes were now washed away with the tears he had been crying. Now, if anything, his eyes were red. He stared into Hailey’s void-like eyes as he was helpless and had no idea how to get her out in the short amount of time he knew he had. The vision of her began to blur. He had to wipe his face with his sleeve in order to see her clear again.

  “But…”

  “No. it appears I was never destined for happiness. It’s weird. When I first saw you that day at the supermarket, I felt my heart beat. It lay dormant all those years after losing my parents but when I saw you, you brought me back to life. All I ever wanted from you was to see you once again at the grocery store. I finally had something to look forward to for once in my life.” Hailey started sobbing.

  “Shh,” Robert said, trying to make her not speak. It took a lot of energy out of her.

  “That’s all I wanted. I just wanted to run into you one last time. I didn’t ask for much. I didn’t want this. Not any of this. I am so sorry I dragged you down with me. Truly I am.”

  “I know. I know. You didn’t drag me into anything and I don’t regret anything either. If this was the way our lives were meant to be if we wanted each other, we can’t change that. But as for you wanting to see me at the grocery store - how about this; we will go grocery shopping tomorrow. I promise.”

  Hailey didn’t say anything. She could never understand how Robert was so sweet. How he could make her feel like a million dollars while they were together. He would stand by her side through absolutely anything. He was so forgiving. He truly did love her. If this had happened with her and any other guy, he would have run off a long time ago, but not Robert. If Robert had left, it would have been like leaving his heart behind. He couldn’t live like that.

  Hailey didn’t stop crying. Robert lifted her up and placed her in his lap. They sat on the mattress together. His arms wrapped around her petite body. He cradled her as he tried to calm her down. He didn’t say anything. He sat there quiet. Both of them crying. He stroked Hailey’s cheek as he rested his head on the top of her head. He didn’t want her to see his pain. He was supposed to be strong for her, but at that moment he crumbled. He knew there was nothing he could say to change things.

  Robert suddenly remembered something. With Hailey cuddled into him like a little child, he reached into the pocket of her shirt. He remembered Frank putting something in there when he had returned to free them. Robert was curious as to what it was at the time, but never had the chance to take a look. Slipping his hand in, he felt something cool and smooth. He pulled it out slowly and noticed it was a necklace – a pearl necklace.

  Hailey gasped when she took one look at it. “My mother’s necklace!” Her hands shook as she struggled to reach for it. Robert placed it in her hands.

  Hailey placed her hands with the pearl necklace inside to her chest. “They had it along. Frank had it all along. Mom, I am so sorry. I miss you. I miss Dad. We will be together soon.” Hailey opened her tear-filled eyes and looked to the ground. She realized that Robert brought something in with him from outside.

  “The gun,” Hailey barely got out, “you have it?” Her voice was all raspy from lack of liquids. She looked to the gun beside Robert’s feet.

  “Yeah.” Robert read Hailey’s mind. It was a perfect tool for protection, but they both had a different idea in mind.

  Robert helped Hailey off his lap. He knew she was in more pain than she was showing. He could feel it in his heart. He didn’t want to say anything though. He knelt down as he lay her back down gently on the mattress and she closed her eyes. She was so tired. He knew what she wanted.

  “We will always be together, Hailey my love,” Robert said as he tried so hard to hold back his tears.

  “How long?” she asked with her eyes still closed.

  “Forever, my love.”

  “For eternity, my life.” Silent tears crept down the sides of her face.

  Robert picked up the gun and opened up the cylinder. He wanted to see how many bullets were left – if there were any even since Draven said there weren’t. After opening it, he realized there were three bullets left. What a liar, he thought. But Robert didn’t really expect any less from that scum bag.

  At that moment, Draven barged into the barn. Robert didn’t even turn around to see who it was. This would be over with soon. The numbness took over Robert. It was the worst part. Worse than the anger, pain, helplessness and betrayal he felt. For the numbness meant acceptance. No more fight. Hailey accepted her fate and Robert knew what the rig
ht thing to do was. It was his duty to protect her.

  Bending over, Robert placed the gun to Hailey’s forehead, without touching her. Her eyes were closed to begin with so she wouldn’t even know when it was coming. Robert couldn’t prolong it anymore.

  “No!” Draven yelled as he pounced towards Robert.

  As soon as he head Draven yell, everything went quiet. It wasn’t because Draven stopped yelling, because Draven didn’t stop yelling when he figured what Robert was going to do.

  It was like the world went on mute and slow-motion for him. Robert pulled the trigger; the bullet flew out the barrel and directly into Hailey’s forehead. Hailey went with a smile on her face. The corners of her lips rose up as soon as it penetrated her head.

  She lay there like an angel. The only thing different was she was a little red dot in the middle of her forehead. It didn’t bleed since her head was laid back. What Robert didn’t know was that the mattress was soaking up all the blood from underneath her head.

  Turning around, Robert raised the gun automatically, aiming for Draven. Draven didn’t have time to turn and run. Robert didn’t even give him a chance to blink. As soon as the spun, Robert pulled the trigger after aiming it right at Draven’s heart. His shot was a little bit off and he ended up shooting Draven in the throat instead of his chest. The exact same spot he shot Hailey all those years ago. Robert prayed that his shot would kill him unlike how Hailey was spared.

  Draven fell to the ground on his knees. His hands grasped his throat as his eyes widened in fear. Blood automatically shot out and prayed all over Robert’s pants. Robert didn’t care. He took a step towards Draven, in the direct path of the spraying blood.

  Draven gasped for air. Robert smiled as he watched the blood poor out and puddle the ground. He watched as Draven’s face turned white and he couldn’t hold himself up anymore. Draven fell to the ground, face first into his own blood.

  Robert stood there for a while and watched as the puddle around Draven grew. He knew there was no one around to hear the gun shot and no one around to save him. Robert was content with knowing Draven would die on the ground at his feet.

  Robert turned and walked back to Hailey’s lifeless body. He lay beside her and just as quickly as two people passed in less than thirty seconds in the room, Robert made it possible for three people to pass.

  “Until we meet again, my love.” He raised the gun and placed it as his temple. With one swift kiss on Hailey’s cheek, he pulled the trigger and died alongside his soul mate.

  Epilogue

  I woke up in my warm bed with the covers pushed down to my waist. The sweet smell of my cottage in the forest greeted me, just like it did every other morning. The birds in the field sang a beautiful song for me to wake up peacefully. My arms stretched out my relaxed muscles, ready for a full day of work. I planned to do some cleaning as well as some gardening outside. I knew my garden was perfect already, but a little pruning never hurt anyone.

  It was Sunday morning and I knew I had to gather some fresh fruit and vegetables for the rest of the week. My garden and the forest around bore more than enough fruit to last me over the span of my lifetime. The trees lived to nourish my empty belly and I thanked them every day for it.

  A moan escaped my lips as I stretched as wide as I could, careful not to fall off my bed. I recapped an awful dream I had last night. It felt so real. I was kidnapped, beaten and raped. I had no idea why my brain would even think to create an image so horrible, but the brain always worked in mysterious ways.

  I sat up to make sure it really was just a dream. I kicked back the covers and looked at my arms and legs which were covered in my new beige nightgown. I reluctantly lifted the hem of my skirt to get a look at my legs. Not a bruise or a cut in sight. My arms were clear as well; my skin the colour of milk.

  I ran my hands over my soft skin and shook my head in disbelief for even letting myself think my dream was real.

  “Good morning,” a warm voice sounded from beside me.

  I gasped, hiding my legs again and turned to the man lying down beside me. “Robert?” I asked.

  “Yours truly,” he said as he traced his finger up and down my arm; his vibrant green eyes taking in every curve of my body. His eyes took on the colour of the brightest leaves on top of the highest tree - the ones that get the most sunlight. His cat like eyes stared at me with playfulness even though I knew he had just woken up as well.

  I collapsed on top of Robert’s hard chest, almost on the verge of tears and told him how I had the worst dream.

  He cooed me and ran his hand over my silky hair. It felt so nice. He said he knew how bad dreams could feel so real but I had nothing to worry about. He told me to forget all about it and we should enjoy the new day ahead of us. I liked his idea.

  “It’s Sunday and I promised you we would go grocery shopping.”

  I was shocked. I lifted my head to look into Robert’s mesmerizing eyes. So, was it a dream or not? I asked myself. I wasn’t sure, but didn’t bother to push it.

  Robert lifted his head but didn’t say anything. He planted a kiss on my neck. As soon as he lay back down, I closed my eyes and raised my hand to feel the place he had just kissed. I felt a little circle where my skin was slightly raised. A scar. My hand found something else around my neck. My necklace. It wasn’t just any necklace; it belonged to my mother. I wore her pearl necklace.

  With my eyes still closed I sighed and asked Robert, “How long?”

  “Forever, my love.”

  “For eternity, my life,” I whispered, eyes still closed on the verge of tears.

  I didn’t move. I didn’t know what to do or say. I stayed like that for a few moments, Robert let me. He watched me as I calmed myself down, breathing reassuring breaths. I could sense him thinking how he has never met anyone as beautiful and full of character as I was. He loved me so much. Even more than his own life.

  “Come on now darling,” Robert said, shaking my shoulders and making me open my eyes. “Your parents are visiting today and we have to make sure everything is perfect for them. You haven’t seen them in a while.”

  No I haven’t, I thought.

  “Give me five more minutes,” I said as I lay my head back down on Robert’s chest and listened to the beating of his heart.

  We stayed like that for a while. No one talking or moving. We were ready to get on with our day after realizing we had one another and we were never going to leave each other.

  I lay there and realized that I’ve witnessed the bad and I have accepted the good. Sometimes it is just good to be content with what you have and not try to change the good things that have fallen in your lap. Dream or not, nothing will make me want to change my destiny now. I won’t question it and won’t doubt myself or the one I love. Trust is one thing that has kept me going strong and I plan on sticking to it from now on.

  Whether or not this was my heaven, it didn’t matter when I had such special people to share it with. I just hope that others don’t have a difficult time in realizing the darkness and light in their life like I did. I stick with what I said before. Trust the ones you love. In the end, they will be saving not only your life, but your soul as well.

  THE END

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