Searing pain burned the back of her skull. Nikki tried to reach up and rub away the ache but her hands were bound together. She could feel the ropes biting into the skin at her wrist as she tugged against them. It would help if it weren't so damned dark. Maybe if she sat up, she could get her hands free. A whack to the head as she tried to move ended that endeavor. The space was small. She smelled gasoline and dirt.

The last thing she remembered was stepping out of the supermarket after picking up a card with more minutes for her cell phone. She was headed to the motel where Will and his agents were waiting for her. The ride down the mountain had given them a chance to talk. She was less aggravated about losing out to the ATF after Will assured her she would be just as much a part of the raid as the ATF was.

As she strolled through the quaint little town, Nikki thought about Keegan and all that Angelina had told her about him. The truth of it was that she really liked him. Yes, his intensity scared her a little but really what scared her the most was her own feelings for him. That had been the catalyst for her little tryst into town—time to think and deal with the emotions without those blue eyes reading her thoughts and baring her soul. Right about the time she had decided that didn't want a transfer because she wanted to explore what has happening between them, something had hit her square on the back of the head, sending her into darkness.

Ironically, she was still in darkness. Darkness that was now moving. How had someone managed to throw her limp body into the trunk of a car without anyone in town noticing?

The vehicle picked up speed. They must be leaving the slower town roads and getting on an interstate. If she remembered correctly, interstate sixty-four, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and another smaller route all intersected about the same place on the edge of town.

If she could just get to her phone in her pocket, she could call for help. Except her phone didn’t have any numbers in it except Henry's. Keegan's number lay at the bottom of the Lynnhaven Marina and she had never bother with getting Will's. Wiggling herself over on to her back, Nikki worked the pocket of her jeans until the phone slipped out and into her fingers. When she pushed the key pad, the screen lit up and illuminated the tight space. Working the keys as best she could, Nikki sent a text to Henry.

Nikki: Kidnapped. Trapped in the trunk of a car. No idea make or model. Was in Staunton. Think we're on a highway. Can't reach Keegan or Will. Need help.

Henry: Are you okay?

Nikki: Yes. Tied up and head hurts. They took my gun.

Henry: Sit tight. I'm on it!

While she waited, Nikki used the glow from her phone to look at her surroundings. There was a rusty screw driver stuck in the trunk floor but other than her, nothing else was in the space. She had to get her hands free. The ropes were tight but not tied well. With some effort, Nikki worked the bonds away. The car was moving at a pretty good clip. She was fairly certain they were on the interstate. If only she could see outside.

The screwdriver.

If she could get it free, she could use it to pry the tail light out of the way. All she needed was to see one sign or mile post so she could give Henry an idea of where she was.

Speaking of Henry, the phone buzzed indicating an incoming text message. Except it wasn't from Henry.

Keegan: Nikki! Are you okay?

Nikki: Had better days.

Keegan: Henry called. We are doing everything we can to find you. Can you tell me anything that might help?

Nikki: I think it’s a small car. This trunk is cramped. Hold on.

She set the phone aside and reached for the screw driver, giving it a yank. The tool moved surprisingly easily. Taking the pointy end, she jammed it in the space where the light cover attached. After a bit of manipulation, the plastic snapped and the cover flew off the back of the car.

Shifting as much as she could, she peered out the newly opened space. Trees, ran uphill on both sides of the road.

Nikki: I think I am on the Parkway. I popped a tail light.

Keegan: What do you see?

Nikki: A lot of trees going uphill on both sides of the roadway.

Keegan: Any signs?

Nikki: I don't have much of a view.

Nikki: Wait! I just saw one of those picnic area signs.

Keegan: On our way.

Nikki: I hope you have a lead foot.

He didn't reply. With any luck, that meant he was already on his way. She could hope anyway. In the meantime, she needed a plan. Tucking the screwdriver in the waist of her jeans was as close as she would come to being armed. It would help if she knew how many captors she had.

After what felt like hours, the car seemed to change direction and slow down some. After a minute or so, the vehicle came to a complete stop. From her peep hole she could see more trees and could hear voices. Several different voices. They were at a rest area.

Grabbing the screwdriver, she started digging at the lock. If she could pop it, she could get away. Maybe. It was worth trying.

The tip of the tool fit into the space on the third try. As she tried to put pressure on it, the screwdriver slipped, puncturing the palm of her hand.

"Son of a bitch!" she muttered, biting back the scream of pain she really wanted to let loose. Blood dripped down her arm as she jammed the tool back into the lock and yanked for all she was worth. Her efforts were rewarded with a soft click as the trunk popped open.

Pushing up ever so slightly, she peaked under the edge of the trunk lid. They were definitely at a rest stop. The car was backed up to a wooded area. Tucking the screwdriver back into her jeans, Nikki lifted the lid a little more and looked around. Not seeing anyone she decided to take her chances. Opening the trunk wide, she climbed out and ran for all she was worth toward the wood line.

"Hey!" a voice yelled behind her. "Stop!"

Nikki ran faster. A gun shot filled the air, the bullet splitting the bark of a tree in front of her. Nikki ran faster. There was blood all over her hand, down her arm, and now it splattered on her shoes and jeans as she ran. A second shot whizzed by her ear as Nikki ducked into the tree line.

She could hear voices shouting, followed by a few more gunshots. Veering right and following the edge of the parking area, Nikki searched for a place to hide. With any luck, her captors would run deeper into the woods, not expecting her to double back. The back of the building containing visitor's information and bathrooms came into sight. The yelling seemed to be getting further away so she ran around the far side of the structure. Back pressed to the cool bricks, she edged her way to the corner that faced the parking lot. Grabbing her phone out of her pocket, she turned on the camera function. It wasn't nearly as nice as the phone she lost but it would get her a picture of the car to send to Keegan.

As soon as she snapped the photo, two men came running out of the trees. She immediately recognized one of them as the man that had seen her at the barn. Nikki ducked back behind the building and slipped into the woods again. She could hear cursing and the slam of the trunk lid. Tires spun and an engine raced as the late model Honda roared out of the lot.

Wiping the blood away from the screen of her phone, Nikki sent the picture to Keegan with a text.

Nikki: That's the car. I'm out. They're gone.

Keegan: Where are you?

Nikki: Stand by.

She stepped back out of the cover of the trees and cautiously worked her way to the front of the building. The black Honda was nowhere to be seen. Her hand was still bleeding pretty good. The place was deserted so she quickly stepped inside the ladies’ room and grabbed some paper towel to wrap around her hand before ducking into a stall.

Nikki: Definitely on the Parkway. Sign says mile marker thirty.

Keegan: Are you safe?

Nikki: I guess.

The door to the bathroom slammed open, crashing against the cinder block wall. "Come out, come out wherever you are!" an evil voice echoed through the room.

Nikki: Scratch that.

Thank God she had chosen the last stall. The only one with a window. As slow footsteps sounded and each stall door was kicked open, Nikki worked the window open, ignoring the searing pain that had set in with her wound.

"You can run but you can't hide forever." Another stall door slammed open. He was way too close for comfort.

Standing on the toilet seat, Nikki shimmied through the partially opened window, biting back a scream when she landed on her injured hand. She could feel her phone vibrating over and over in her pocket. Keegan had to be going nuts but all she could think of was getting back into the trees. As she pulled herself from the ground and took off running, she heard the last stall door crash against the wall.

"Son of a bitch!" Her pursuer let out a long string of curses. She had just immersed herself in the trees when gunfire sent bullets raining all around her. Nikki crouched low and ran for all she was worth, ignoring the lightheaded feeling that was beginning to build. She could hear the kidnapper crashing through the brush in pursuit and that was the only thing that kept her going. All of sudden she broke free of the trees and there was the parkway. Of course, there wasn't a car in sight. Nikki ran across the two lanes and plowed into the trees on the other side. To her left was an outcropping of rocks. Continuing to ignore the white heat that was throbbing in her palm, Nikki ran for the rocks and climbed up and over. She had just ducked down on the other side when her pursuer crashed into the trees. Nikki held her breath and prayed he would run the other way.

What she heard instead was the squeal of tires and a lot of yelling. The man disappeared and seconds later a car raced off. Nikki sagged against the rocks, letting out the breath she had been holding on to before pulling her phone back out.

Three messages from Keegan.

Keegan: What's happening?

Keegan: Are you okay???

Keegan: Nikki! What's going on??

Nikki: I'm fine now. They came back but I got away. Hiding in the woods.

Keegan: We are at mile twenty five now. Be there soon!

Nikki: Okay. I'm not feeling so great.

The screen of her phone faded in and out of view as Nikki sagged against the rocks. She knew she was across the road from the rest area. Keegan was five minutes away. She needed to get back there so they would be able to find her. It took whatever strength she had left, but Nikki managed to get out of her hiding place and through the trees to the edge of the road. She crossed the street and stumbled over to the tree covered picnic tables. Nikki knew she should find cover and hide out. She even tried to make it to the trees. Unfortunately, her weak legs and dumped adrenaline had other ideas as she collapsed in a bed of pine needles.