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Buried |
The Present:
“Whh...where am I? ” Drew asked out from the darkness as she felt a cold wall pressed against her back. “Oh fuck, Jessica is going to kill me.”
“Shut up in there or I’ll knock your ass out again.” A deep scratchy voice penetrated the blackness.
“Hey, who are you? What do you want with me?” Not getting an answer Drew pounded on the wall behind her. “Damn you, answer me. What do you want with me?”
Suddenly the room lit up and Drew had to close her eyes from the intense brightness from the forty-watt light bulb.
“I told you to shut your fucking mouth.” A huge dirty arm reached in and pulled Drew to her feet. “You gonna listen to me?”
Drew nodded her head up and down as she tried to look at the man in front of her.
“Good,” The man tossed Drew back against the wall and watched her slide to the floor. “You better pray your rich ass girlfriend comes up with the money or you will be dead.”
“Oh, God.” Drew mumbled out as tears began to streak her dirty face. “I’m so sorry Jessica for not listening to you and getting mad at you.”
+++++++++++++++++++
Two days earlier…
Jessica watched her lover pace in front of her. She knew the blonde was about to lose her temper and nothing she said would prevent it from happening.
“So you’re telling me that I’ve had people following me for months now. No matter where I was at no matter what I’ve been doing, you have had someone following me.” Drew clenched and unclenched her fingers. “Even when you knew how I felt about it?”
“Yes,” Jessica stated softly.
“One of the first things that I asked for before we even started our relationship was that my life wouldn’t change because of your wealth or celebrity.” Drew began to pace again as she ran her fingers through her short shaggy hair. “I know it makes me sound like a big ass bitch, but I have worked hard to get what I have and you know I don’t want to ride on your skirt tails.”
“I know, but this is different.” Jessica sat up and leaned her elbows on her knees. “Someone is threatening you to hurt me. I was not going to take the chance of that happening.”
“Even by doing something that I did not want?” Drew asked as she put her hands on her hips.
Jessica stood up and walked to the woman who held her heart. “Yes, even if you hate me for the rest of my life I would do it all over again.” She wrapped her hands around Drew’s fists and held them tightly within her own. “You are the most precious thing in my life and I will protect you even when you don’t want it.”
+++++++++++++++++++
Present….
“What do you mean you can’t find her?” Jessica Raider screamed at the top of her lungs. “How in the hell did she get by you?”
“I’m sorry ma’am. We didn’t see her go by.” A tall man in a dark suit muttered as he stepped back away from the frantic woman. “There were so many people and the costumes made it even harder to keep tabs of her.”
“BULLSHIT,” the tall actress yelled out as she tossed her mask on the couch before she stormed to look out at the city below through her patio doors. Her reflection stared back her as she ran her hands down the long black evening gown that she had specifically worn to make her partner happy. “Always did love me in black.” She mumbled to herself.
“Excuse me ma’am did you say something?” The bodyguard who stood next to the other one asked.
“I want you to do whatever it takes to bring her back to me safe and sound.” Jessica turned around. “Call the damn police or FBI or whoever handles this kind of stuff.”
“But ma’am we don’t even know is she has been kidnapped.” The bodyguard stated. “She could be just walking around.”
“She is not walking around.” Jessica was about to go totally nuts when the front door of the apartment opened and in walked her Father. “Daddy.”
Arthur Raider closed the door before he hurriedly made his way over to his daughter. He wrapped her in strong fatherly hug before he stepped back and looked into her soft blue eyes. “Honey, I need you to sit down.”
“What is it?” Jessica allowed her father to guide her to the couch.
Arthur sat next to Jessica and held her hands that rested on her lap. “A delivery man just dropped off a ransom note.” He held up one hand before his daughter could interrupt him. “The note says they want ten million in cash before midnight on Halloween or we will never see Drew again.”
“That’s in three days.” Jessica let the tears fall. “Those fucking bastards will have Drew for three days.”
“We need to contact the FBI.” Arthur advised his daughter. “They know how to handle whatever the kidnappers might throw at us.”
All Jessica could do was nod her head as pictures of Drew flashed in her mind. “I couldn’t protect her. They still got her no matter what I did.”
“Don’t blame yourself. You had every base covered.” Arthur looked over at the front door to see his wife and Jessica’s Mother. “Your Mom is here.”
Jessica started to sob as soon as she felt her Mom’s loving arms wrap around her.
“Don’t worry baby, we’ll get her back.” Bea consoled her only daughter.
+++++++++++++++++++
“I could use something to drink.” Drew yelled out to the man she knew was close by. “Come on you asshole. I’m thirsty.”
“Shut the fuck up.” The angry voice bellowed back.
“Jerk,” the captured woman mumbled.
The sound of sawing and hammering suddenly filled her quiet dark space. It lasted for over an hour. Drew wondered what he could be building but before she could think on it for very long, the door to her prison opened up and the light switched on. She had to once again close her eyes from the brightness of it.
“Come here bitch.” The man grabbed Drew by the arm and dragged her out of the closet. “Got to make sure I have the right size.”
“Right size? For what?” Drew blinked her green eyes hoping she could see around her and maybe think of a way to escape. She didn’t have enough time to really glance around before she was shoved into a wooden box that she suddenly realized was a pine coffin. “Are you out of your fucking mind. I’m not laying in that.”
“Like hell you’re not.” The man pressed down on Drew’s shoulders as she fought to get up. “Get in there now.”
Drew kicked and pounded on the man that hovered over her. “No, get the hell away from me.”
Before she could fight off her captor Drew was struck in the head with a big fist knocking her out and opening up a cut above her eye. The blood flowed down the side of her head without anything to stop it, soaking the light colored wood now under her head.
“Perfect fit,” the man laughed evilly as he looked down at the still woman with glee.
+++++++++++++++++++
Jessica lay in her bed unable to sleep. The thoughts of what Drew could be going through tormented her. She wouldn’t let her mind even travel the road that Drew might already be dead. It was not a concept that would penetrate the woman’s mind.
A knock at her bedroom door made the tall woman look up with tired eyes. “Yes?” She said softly.
Arthur looked over at his daughter after he opened the door. “The FBI is here and would like to talk with you.” He made his way over to the bed and sat down. “Do you want me to tell them that you are sleeping?”
Jessica shook her head, “no. They might be able to help get Drew home sooner.”
“Okay, why don’t you get into something more comfortable and I’ll keep them busy until you come out.” The older Raider leaned down and placed a kiss on Jessica’s cheek.
Jessica looked down at her body and plucked at the dress she still wore. “I forgot to take this off.” She looked up to her Father’s caring eyes. “She loved this dress. That’s why I wore it tonight.”
“I know she does and she will get to see you wear it again.” Arthur rose up from the bed. “Take your time honey.”
Jessica watched her Father leave the room before she sat up. She looked at herself in the mirror on the dresser. “I don’t think I will ever wear this again. It will remind me to much of tonight.”
+++++++++++++++++++
Drew once again woke up not knowing where she was. She looked around and let the darkness seep into her mind. Then she remembered fighting to get out of the homemade coffin. Suddenly she sat up kicking and screaming. “You Mother Fucker; better get me out of here now.” Realizing that if she were in the coffin she wouldn’t be able to sit up she leaned back against the cold wall. “He’s going to kill me and place me in that coffin. How do I get out of here?”
The light was switched on and Drew closed her eyes and cowarded back. “Well look who finally woke up from her nap.”
“Nap my ass, you knocked me out you freak.” Drew snapped out. She figured that no matter what happened she was dead anyway.
“Just thought I’d tell ya that you take a great picture.” The man held out a five by seven picture of her in the coffin with blood dripping down her forehead. “Personally I think the blood adds the nicest touch of drama. Don’t you?”
“What the hell are you gonna do with that?” Drew asked as she stared at the picture. It looked like she was dead.
The man stuffed the picture in his front pocket. “Why I am gonna send it to your pretty girlfriend. See what she thinks of my photography skills.”
“You are one sick son of a bitch.” The blonde spat out as she found the energy to leap at the man.
The man reacted quick and kicked out his foot. It connected with Drew’s right side and they both heard ribs snap.
“Ohh God,” Drew dropped to the floor in agony. She tried not to cough but her lungs that protested from lack of oxygen had no choice. The sharp pain soared through her body like a knife.
“Next time you think of doing something that stupid you might want to rethink your actions.” The man slammed the door closed and turned the light out. Once again trapping Drew in the darkness.
+++++++++++++++++++
The next afternoon Jessica sat watching all the FBI agents roam around her apartment. They had moved her dining room table into the living room, which now held several different devices. They all had their function, which had been told to her, but she didn’t pay any attention to what the FBI man had said.
She sat huddled on her couch with a cup of hot coffee held firmly in her hands, as she would sip from every couple of seconds.
“Excuse me, ma’am?” A young looking woman stepped into Jessica’s line of sight. “We have received a small package. It is addressed to you, but we need permission to open it.”
“Where is it at?” Jessica sat her coffee down and stood up. “I want to see it.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Especially since we don’t know what it contains.” The agent replied as she stepped in front of Jessica.
With a glare that could stop a buffalo, Jessica stepped up to the shorter woman. “I don’t give a rat’s ass what you think. I want to know where the package is and I want to know now!”
“Let her see,” an older agent ordered.
The younger agent nodded, “yes, Sir.” She stepped out of Jessica’s way and followed when the actress passed by.
“Where is it?” Jessica looked around to all the agents before they stopped at the one in charge. She held out her hand not bothering to even ask for it.
“Give it to her.” The agent said to one of the men who was in the back corner. “Here put these on before you touch it. If by some chance the kidnappers left a print we don’t want to get it mixed up with yours.”
Jessica slipped the gloves over her long fingers before she touched the box. Very carefully, she used a letter opener to cut through the clear tape used to seal the small box. She took a deep breath before she opened it and looked inside.
The instant she saw the picture she could feel her legs begin to tremble and the world around her black out. Her last thought before she passed out was, “Oh God, she’s gone forever.”
+++++++++++++++++++
Drew could have sworn she saw Jessica standing in front of her smiling and asking her to come to her. She tried as hard as she could but she couldn’t get her legs to move out from under herself.
“Oh baby,” She held out her dirty hand to the illusion. “I want to touch you and have you hold me and tell me this nightmare is just that...a nightmare.” She reached and reached until finally her fingers slipped through the image and it disappeared. “Please, don’t leave me.”
+++++++++++++++++++
Jessica woke to the sound of her parents and her doctor whispering softly next to her bedroom door.
“You should keep her in bed for a few days.” Dr. Rose suggested as she glanced over to the still form not knowing her patient was awake.
Arthur shook his head. “We’ll do our best but considering what is happening I doubt we will be able to keep her in bed.”
“Try as best as you can. She needs her rest it will help her.” The doctor replied before she quietly left the room.
Bea and Arthur stood in the silence looking at each other. The sound of their daughter moving made them both look over at the bed.
How are you feeling?’ Bea asked as she walked over and sat down next to Jessica. “Do you need anything? A drink of water?”
“Thanks Mom; that would be great.” Jessica rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling.
Arthur moved to the other side of the bed and watched his wife get up and walk out of the room. “Now tell me how you are really feeling?”
“Like crawling in a corner and dying.” Jessica answered without any emotions. “I’ve lost the best thing I ever had and I honestly don’t think I can survive without her.”
“Honey, you have to be strong for Drew’s sake.” The young woman’s father leaned over and brushed away a strand of dark hair.
Jessica didn’t reply right away and closed her eyes. “I feel like she is right next to me, but when I open my eyes the reality of what is going on storms into my brain.” She opened up her watery eyes and looked into her father’s loving ones. “My soul is crushed that she is going through this because of me.”
“It’s not your fault.” Arthur sat down and grabbed Jessica’s hand. “The person to blame is out there and he or she will be caught and punished. You will get Drew back and you two will be strong for each other and get through this.”
“I hope you’re right Daddy.” Jessica wiped the tears that fell down her face.
+++++++++++++++++++
Drew’s stomach growled loudly as she tried to swallow. Her lips were chapped and her throat raw.
“Give me some water, please.” She begged with a scratchy voice. “Please just one glass.”
It had been over two days since Drew was thrown into her cell of darkness. She was used to the empty feeling in her stomach, but the unbelievable need for water was driving her insane.
Slowly she made her way over to where she knew the door was and started to kick at it. “Come on, give me some water.” She stopped and listened for movement. When none was heard, she kicked at the door harder and screamed. “It’s been days since I had a drink. The least you can do is get me some water since you are the one keeping me here.”
The sound of cursing reached Drew’s ears and she scooted back a few inches. She heard locks being turned and then the door was opened. She blinked several times before she was able to look up at the big figure outlined by the light from the other room.
“Would you shut up.” The man bellowed as he gripped the doorframe. “I’m getting sick and tired of all the noise you are making.”
“I’ll be quiet if you get me something to drink.” Drew begged as she leaned back on her hands.
The man stood there for several seconds before turning around. “Fine.”
Drew glanced out the still open door and quietly yet quickly moved over to look out. The room was empty except for a couch and the coffin she had been put in a couple of days ago. She felt a shiver run down her spine at the memory of being forced to get into the wooden death box. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the front door. The fact that it was wide open, made Drew look around for the man who was holding her captive.
Taking in a deep breathe Drew darted for the door as fast as her bruised and beaten body would go. The instant she hit the door she didn’t bother to stop and look around. She darted towards the tree line and hoped and prayed that she could make her escape.
“You fucking bitch.” The man shouted from the open front door. “You can run but I will find you.”
Drew didn’t stop to see if the man was behind her. She moved her legs as fast as they would go. Running into bushes and tripping over tree roots that stuck up from the ground.
Suddenly a noise broke through her concentration. “Dogs!”
“Here we come little bitch.” The voice deep man’s voice laughed. “My dogs and I’ll hunt you down and make you wish you never took a step out of the closet.”
“Not if I can help it,” Drew breathed out as she grabbed a tree to stop from falling. “I need to hide somewhere, but where do I hide from dogs that can sniff me.”
“Here kitty, kitty, kitty,” the man teased the blonde.
+++++++++++++++++++
“They left instructions on where to leave the money?” Jessica asked the FBI agent she saw looking over a photocopied piece of paper.
The agent looked up and nodded, “yes, it was under the picture in the box.”
“Does it say anything about Drew?” The tired looking woman asked. “Is she okay? Hurt?”
“It doesn’t say.” The agent looked into Jessica’s eyes. “Sorry.”
Jessica turned around and headed for the kitchen. She had told her parents that she would eat something or be sent back to bed and would be force-fed. She made her way to the kitchen. Sitting at the table were her parents and long time friend Claire.
“Hey babycakes, how you doing?” Claire asked as she stood up and wrapped her arms around her childhood friend. She leaned back and cupped the taller woman’s face. Wiping tears away with her thumbs. “She will come home to you.”
Jessica gave Claire a small smile. “I hope and pray you’re right.”
“Am I ever wrong?” Claire guided Jessica to a seat next to her mother.
“No,” Bea and Arthur stated with huge grins on their faces.
“Let me make you something to eat.” Claire walked over to the refrigerator and opened it looking into the well-lit appliance. “Lets see. How does a huge cheesy omelet with toast and sausage sound?”
“How about just some scrambled eggs with toast?” Jessica replied as she took a sip of her coffee that her dad had poured for her.
Claire grabbed the eggs and butter out and sat them on the counter. “Sounds like a good one to me.”
“Excuse me, Ms. Raider.” The head FBI agent assigned to the kidnapping stepped into the kitchen. “Could you come here please?”
“Sure, Jessica followed the older man into her dining room. “What can I do for you, Agent Mathers?”
“I wanted you to meet agent Bowers; she will be acting as you for the drop off.” Mathers gestured to a woman who stood just as tall as Jessica did with short brown hair.
“She doesn’t even look like me.” Jessica stormed over to the woman. “If they don’t believe it’s me then they will kill Drew no matter what.”
“We cannot allow you to put yourself in that kind of danger.” Mathers stated as he walked up to the two women. “Let us do our job.”
“Fine do your job, but do it with me making the drop. I won’t let you play with Drew’s life like it doesn’t matter.” Jessica poked the man in the chest. “Her life is more important than anyone else’s.”
“I understand what you’re saying, but this is how we do things.” Mathers tried to say more but was interrupted.
“What don’t you understand? Either I go with your help or I do this my way and drop off the money all by myself?” Jessica stood tall not giving the FBI agent a choice in which one was going to happen.
“Okay, you can do the drop off, but you will be wired and have a tracking device on you at all times.” Mathers said as he motioned for the other agent to go.
+++++++++++++++++++
“I’m so damn tired this better work.” Drew mumbled as she held on to the tree she had climbed.
The sound of the dogs and her capture were getting closer made the scared blondes whole body shake with fear.
“Come out, come out where ever you are.” The man yelled out as he stomped through the bushes after his dogs. “You know you can’t run. I’ll find you and make you pay for running.”
“Kiss my ass,” Drew whispered as she watched the forest around her.
Suddenly three dogs burst through a big patch of bushes. Unconsciously she hugged the tree tighter wishing she could melt into the bark and moss.
“Please don’t see me. Please.” Drew thought to herself over and over.
The dogs were trained hunters and loved the chase, but they loved the capture even more. The caught Drew’s sent on the wind and started to bark and jump up and down under the tree.
“Told you I’d find you.” The man said as he looked up at the frightened woman. “Either you come down on your own or I get you down my way.”
“No,” Drew replied in a shaky voice. “I’m not coming down.”
“Fine by me.” The man reached behind his back and grabbed the gun he had hidden. “Been a long while since I had human pray to shoot at.”
Before Drew could think an excruciating pain ripped through her side. The pain was so bad it knocked the wind out of her making her lose the grip she had on the tree.
Small branches did nothing to help her from falling to the hard ground and back into the hands of the man who held her against he will.
“Humpty dumpty sat on a wall, humpty dumpty had a great fall and no one was around to give a shit.” The man laughed at his own joke.
Drew lay on the ground with the dogs growling and nipping at her pant legs. She flinched when one would grab a hold and shake her like a rag doll. Knowing her life was over she closed her eyes and once again let the darkness take her.
+++++++++++++++++++
Halloween night……..
“You will have agents all around you.” Mathers stated as he hooked up the wire to Jessica. “Do you have any questions?”
“When will they give Drew back?” Jessica looked into the older man’s eyes.
He shook his head. “I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait.”
“I’m sick of waiting.” Jessica tossed up her arms in frustration.
Mathers put his hands on Jessica’s shoulders. “They are the ones in charge. They know it and we know it. They hold the only card and worth anything. We will just have to do what we can and hopefully they will make a mistake and then we can catch them.”
“From your mouth to God’s ears.” Jessica fought the tears that threatened to fall again.
+++++++++++++++++++
“Wake up,” the man kicked Drew’s back.
Drew barely stirred from the blow. The amount of blood she lost after getting shot had drained her already battered body.
The man growled and picked up Drew by the shoulders. “Fine, I’ll drag your ass.”
+++++++++++++++++++
Jessica looked all around her as she stood in the middle of the park. She couldn’t help but smile at a young girl dressed as a fairy princess. Her parents happily following her as they held onto each other’s hand.
“Life is so simple when you’re young.” Jessica stated as she continued to watch the small family walk away.
“Are you ready?” A voice asked from the small hearing device in her ear.
Jessica nodded once.
“Ok, go drop the bag next to the trash and slowly walk away.” The voice said.
Slowly Jessica walked towards a bright green city garbage can. When she reached it she bent over and rested it against the can. “Done.”
“Good, now move away from it and we will see who comes and gets the money.” The voice replied.
+++++++++++++++++++
“Look like they’re following my note to a T.” The man grinned. “Too bad I don’t want the money.” His eyes never left the figure that walked away.
Putting his car in drive he slowly made is way to opposite direction of the drop off point. He knew that Jessica Raider would head for the other exit of the park and there he would get his ultimate prize.
+++++++++++++++++++
“OH, GOD SOMEONE, ANYONE HELP ME!”
+++++++++++++++++++
Jessica slowly made her way to the other exit. She wanted to turn around and see if anyone went for the bag, but knew that they may have to wait for the person or person’s responsible to come and get the money.
“Excuse me, Ms. Raider.” An agent called from a parked car next to a fire hydrant. “They want me to pick you up and take you to the command post.”
“Okay,” Jessica moved past a few people out partying the Halloween night away. As soon as the door was closed she turned and looked at the agent. “Let’s go.”
“Yes, lets go.” The man almost laughed as he turned into traffic and down the road.
+++++++++++++++++++
Fists pounded and finger dug at the wood. Feet kicked up as much as they could, but nothing would budge.
“I don’t want to die.”
+++++++++++++++++++
As they continued to drive Jessica finally noticed that they weren’t anywhere near the command post. “Did they move the command post?”
“No,” the man answered as he pulled out a gun. “They are in the same place, it’s you that is going someplace different.”
“You’re the kidnapper.” It wasn’t a question as the gun was pointed straight at Jessica’s chest.
“Yes, and I would suggest you don’t try anything like your little girlfriend did. She paid for it big time.” The man grinned as he stirred the car to a highway off ramp. “No worries on that front now, though. She’s been taken care of.”
“What did you do?” Jessica clenched her fist on her lap. “I swear if you harmed one hair on her head I’ll personally kill you.”
“Shit, I harmed more than her pretty blonde hair.” The man started to laugh. “She was cute one too. Too bad she is dead now.”
Jessica lunged at the driver. Not caring if the crashed or not.
The man knew what he had said would cause some sort of reaction from his new prisoner so he was ready and with the gun in his hand punched Jessica in the stomach.
Jessica doubled over from the loss of air in her lungs. “I’ll kill you.”
“Many have tried and all have failed.” The man continued to drive until a dirt road off the highway lead to his cabin and the privacy he needed.
+++++++++++++++++++
“Is Jessica back yet?” Bea asked one of the agents that passed her.
“Sorry ma’am,” the agent stopped. “I haven’t seen her.”
“Arthur she should have been back by now.” Bea turned to her husband who was as worried as she was.
“I know, lets go find Mathers.” Arthur grabbed his wife’s hand and guided her to the dinning room. “Agent Mathers, where is our daughter?”
The agent looked up from a screen that had dots moving over a map of the county. “She didn’t return from dropping off the money. It looks like she is in a car and is going down the highway at a high rate of speed.”
“What do you mean by that?” Bea asked as she stepped forward to get a better look at the screen.
Arthur followed Bea and looked over her shoulder. “The kidnapper has her?” He stated already feeling in his heart the answer.
“I’m afraid that’s what it looks like.” The agent grabbed an empty chair and offered Bea the seat. “She is wired, but for some reason it stopped working as soon as she got in the vehicle, but the tracker so far is doing what it is suppose to do. We have cars headed in that direction and as soon as they stop we will be able to surround them.”
“Is my daughter in any danger of getting hurt?” Bea asked as tears slid down her cheeks.
Mathers bent down and placed a hand on Bea’s. “We will do everything in our power to keep your daughter from harms way.”
+++++++++++++++++++
“Well, this is now your home.” The man said as he pulled up in front of a run down cabin. “Get out and don’t even try to run. My dogs and I will hunt you down.” He pointed to a pen that held his dogs as they barked and jumped up and down.
Jessica slowly got out and looked around. There was nothing around but trees and more trees. She couldn’t even hear the sound of the highway she knew was behind her somewhere.
“Come here,” the man waved his gun towards the house. “Get in there and take a seat on the couch.”
“Where is Drew?” Jessica asked as she stumbled up the steps.
“Hehe, you don’t have to worry about her. Like I said she is dead.” The man shoved Jessica onto the couch before he went to the cooler and grabbed a beer. “Want one?”
“No,” Jessica snapped.
“Suit yourself, more for me.” The man took a large swallow and then belched. “Manny.”
“What?” Jessica glared at the man.
“Manny, that’s my name.” Manny smiled. “I’ve been your biggest fan since forever and I always knew you and I were meant to be.”
“You know what, Manny?” Jessica leaned over to rest her elbows on her knees. “You will forever regret what you’ve done.”
“Nope, as long as I have you my life is perfect.” Manny finished his beer and grabbed another one. “Anything particular you want to do?”
“Wrap my hands around your neck and watch as you die.” Jessica never blinked or moved a muscle as she looked at the man who she hated most in the world.
“Interesting, sounds like fun.” Manny laughed. “I like your sense of humor.”
Jessica just grinned.
+++++++++++++++++++
An agent quickly turned around and pulled off his earphones. “They’ve stopped and we have communication back.” He flipped a switch so everyone could hear.
“Come here………... Get in there and take a seat on the couch.”
“Where is Drew?”
“Hehe, you don’t have to worry about her. Like I said she is dead. …Want one?”
“No.”
“Suit yourself, more for me…… BELCH…… Manny.”
“What?”
“Manny, that’s my name……I’ve been your biggest fan since forever and I always knew you and I were meant to be.”
“You know what, Manny?…… You will forever regret what you’ve done.”
“Nope, as long as I have you my life is perfect……Anything particular you want to do?”
“Wrap my hands around your neck and watch as you die.”
“Interesting, sounds like fun…I like your sense of humor.”
“Run that name and see if we get any hits.” Mathers ordered to another agent at another laptop. “They will have the place surrounded in no time.”
“I just hope what he said about Drew was not true.” Bea cried.
+++++++++++++++++++
“I’ve got to stay awake. I must stay awake.”
+++++++++++++++++++
“The agents have the small cabin surrounded. They can see Jessica sitting on a couch talking to a man.” Mathers informed Bea and Arthur. “They believe that they are the only ones in the cabin and will be going in at any second.”
+++++++++++++++++++
“So tell me, Manny, what’s the big plan now that you have me here?” Jessica looked around the room. She noticed a door that was partially opened and wondered if maybe Drew was in the other room.
“Live happily ever after.” Manny said with all seriousness. “I love you and will give you the world.”
“You think a run down cabin with only a couch and a cooler is the world.” Jessica stood up and kicked a can towards Manny. “My whole world is Drew. You will only be a small blip in my life. You are a useless piece of trash that doesn’t even know what love is.”
“I’ll show you love.” Manny grabbed Jessica by the arm and led her outside. He was so angry that he didn’t notice several agents dive behind his car. He pulled and tugged the tall woman to a large mound and pointed his gun at it. “That’s love right there.”
“What? A pile of dirt?” Jessica pulled her arm free and shoved Manny away from her.
He tripped over the shovel he had left laying on the ground. “No, that is my proof of how much I love you. No one will come between us not even that annoying blonde.”
Jessica looked from Manny to the dirt and then back again. “What does that mean?”
Before he could answer the FBI agents that surrounded the place swarmed around. “FBI don’t move.” An agent yelled out with his gun drawn.
Jessica watched as they handcuffed Manny and started to drag him away. “Wait,” she ran up to Manny and the agents. “Where’s Drew?”
Manny smiled and looked over at the dirt pile. “She is my proof.”
Slowly Jessica turned around and yelled. “NOOOOO.”
+++++++++++++++++++
“Love… yo…you.. Jess.”
+++++++++++++++++++
Several other agents found shovels and started to help the distraught woman who wouldn’t give up her shovel.
“Please baby, please be okay.” Jessica repeated over and over.
It took thirty minutes before one of the agents hit a wooden surface.
“Come on people we’re almost there.” He yelled out as he jumped down the hole and stared to use his hands. He found the outline of the wooden coffin and quickly asked for a crowbar.
Just as they pulled the top off Bea and Arthur jumped out of a car driven by Mathers.
“Oh, thank God you are okay.” Bea hugged her daughter who didn’t take her eyes off the hole. “What are they doing?” The older Raider asked as she turned in the direction of the men working a few feet away.
“He said that is where Drew is.” Jessica replied as she gripped the shovel that she still held in her hands. “He said it was because he loved me.” She looked to her dad. “Why would he hurt what I love the most?”
Arthur slowly turned to the car that held Manny. “Some people just don’t understand what real love is.”
The agent in the hole looked up and found Jessica. She dropped the shovel and went down to her knees. She looked over the edge to see her lover lying there with blood and dirt covering her whole body.
“”Oh, what did he do to you?’ Jessica started to cry as she reached in and caressed Drew’s face.
Drew didn’t know what the sensation was that she felt on her face. A wisp of air brushed against her dirty blonde hair and made her start to shiver.
“Drew?” Jessica whispered when she felt Drew’s body shiver. “Come on Baby, open your eyes for me.” It took a few seconds before she could see Drew move her head and try to open her eyes.
“Oh, God.” Drew moaned out in pain. Her hand where bruised and blood from pounding on the coffin lid. Her side where she was shot sent sharp pains up and down her back. Her head felt like a football team was ramming it from the inside trying to get out.
+++++++++++++++++++
The next night………..
“Let me out. Let me out…” Drew screamed as she sat up in her hospital bed.
Jessica was at her side instantly. “It’s okay, you’re safe.”
“Turn the lights on, please turn the lights on.” Drew begged as she cowered back into the bed.
Jessica quickly flipped the switch above the bed. “See, you’re okay. You’re safe.”
“Safe in the light. Only the light.” Drew mumbled over and over again until the light of day began to peek through the window.
THE END………. Or not?
Feedback is always a good thing. So you took the time to read it. Let me know what you thought of it. Tinstrttn@aol.com
Halloween 2004 © All Rights Reserved. T. Stratton
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