Chapter 6

Maddie

We drove to Angela’s house. The kids fell asleep in the back of the car.

“He’s coming for me you know,” I whispered.

“He’s not. He’s been arrested,” she said reassuringly, staring at the road in front of her.

“You don’t understand. His brother’s an FBI agent. He got Andrew off for killing my best friend Clarissa.” She glanced over at me for a second then looked straight ahead.

“You’re in danger Angela. I don’t think it’s fair that you get yourself mixed up in all of this.”

“That piece of shit is not going to fuck with me,” she whispered through gritted teeth.

“Please, just drop us off at a hotel. Don’t do this. You don’t know him. Please.”

“I’ve got this, Madison. Those kids are not going to suffer anymore.” We pulled up to her driveway. I felt a pang in my stomach, almost like a stomachache. My hands were clammy.

“I don’t feel right, Angela.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I don’t know…”

“Come on, let’s get the kids.” She opened the passenger door and my pain worsened. I grabbed my stomach. “Madison?”

I looked at Angela, then picked Alyssa up. She grabbed Daniel and carried him to the house. She opened the door and we placed the kids on the couch.

“Do you want something to drink?” she asked, looking back at me as she walked towards the kitchen.

My heart stopped beating. As she turned around, the cold, dark figure that stood before her placed a gun to her forehead.

“Well, Mrs. Austin. We meet again.” Andrew chuckled.

“No!” I shouted.

“Shut up, bitch or I’ll put a bullet in her head,” Andrew barked.

“You don’t have to do this Mr. Turner. You can walk out of here.”

“Oh, I am walking out of here. With my wife…you can keep those orphans.”

“Don’t do this, Andrew. I’m not leaving without the kids.”

“Madison, I think you forgot who’s in charge here. The man with the gun or you? Besides, Jackson is down the block waiting to retrieve you.” He smiled.

“Mrs. Austin, turn around and close your eyes. Don’t open them until I tell you so. You know how to play this game, don’t you?

“You’re not going to get away with this you bastard,” Angela said.  Andrew stared directly into her eyes.

“It’s a shame you’re not taking me seriously.” He lowered the gun to his side. Raised his free hand clenching it into a fist and punched her in the face, knocking her down on to the hard wood floor. Angela lay on the floor whimpering.

“No!” I yelled running towards Angela.

“Oh, please. Come on let’s go.” He grabbed me by the arm.

“No! Goddamnit! Andrew, you have to stop this shit!” I shouted.

“No! You have to stop this. Don’t you understand the only way you’re leaving me is in a body bag? Get it through your thick, trailer trash skull!” He shook me until I heard the kids scream.

“No! No!” I shouted.

He pointed the gun at Daniel and Alyssa. They were standing in the living room, their faces drenched in tears.

“Momma?” Alyssa whispered. She grabbed Daniel’s hand.

“Stay here. With Angela. Momma will come and get you. I promise.” I cried as Andrew grabbed me by my hair and dragged me across the foyer.

“Momma! No!” Daniel shouted.

“I’ll kill him. I swear to God Madison. I’ll kill him,” Andrew whispered in my hair.

“Don’t move Daniel. Stay with Angela. Don’t move,” I whispered as I shook my head. Daniel’s eyes opened wide, and he grabbed Alyssa and placed her face against his stomach. “Good boy…wait for mommy to leave.” Andrew opened the door, and I followed.

The black Lincoln was waiting for me. Jackson got out of the car and opened the door to the back seat.

“We meet again. This little game is getting boring. Let’s just kill her Andrew. Do you really need this headache?” Jackson asked calmly.

“Just get in the fucking car. This time, you need to go away Jackson. I don’t want to have to kill you,” He said with no remorse.

“Get in.” Jackson ordered.

“Just kill me already. I don’t want to live anymore.” My heart was literally pounding so hard against my chest you could see it through my blouse.

“Stop being so dramatic and get in the fucking car!” Andrew pushed me in and I slid to the other side.

We drove away from the house. I knew Daniel was holding Alyssa and sitting by Angela’s side.

What could be worse than knowing your children are helpless?

That they needed you.

That you’re all they had in the world.

This nightmare needed to end, and I needed to figure out a way that it would.

We continued to drive. The distance longer than usual and not the direct route to the house.

“Where are we going?” I asked as I watched him flip through his messages.

“Don’t ask any questions. Looks like lover boy found you.” My heart stopped beating.

“Stone?” I whispered. The smack to my mouth that followed shook my insides.

“Don’t you ever mention that hillbilly’s name in my presence,” Andrew barked.

I sat silently, grabbing the side of my mouth where he had smacked me. My heart fluttered with excitement knowing that a year had passed and Stone had found me. I knew he would come for me. I just knew it.

“Now, you know Mrs. Austin is going to call the police. So, Jackson is going to take care of her. Who do you want to have the kids, Stone or your grandmother?” he asked as if he were writing a grocery list.

“What?” I asked almost puking in my mouth.

“Do I stutter bitch?” I shook my head and swallowed hard.

“Stone.” I said worriedly. I thought he would smack me across my mouth again.

“Good answer…Stone will have them, but not you. You have to promise to stay with me and the kids won’t get hurt. Do you promise?” The tears flooded my eyes.

“Yes…I promise.” I lowered my head and cried into my hands.

“Jackson, drop us off here.” Said Andrew.

“Why?” Jackson replied.

“You need to go get those kids and kill Mrs. Fucking Austin. Make it look like an accident or something. Then take a flight to Montgomery, New York and find that hillbilly and give him the kids.”

Montgomery, New York? I thought to myself.

“Fine. Stop here, Rich,” he shouted towards the front of the car. “Get out,” Jackson said to Andrew. “The house is around the corner. Here are the keys.” He threw the keys at Andrew. “Try to lay low Andrew. I have to kill someone then deliver these kids. I can’t come and rescue you for at least a couple of weeks, so don’t fuck up…got it?” He glanced over at me. “And you…Just do what you’re told, or you’re next on my hit list.” He smiled, then closed the back door.

We walked around the corner and walked towards a house with a long driveway hidden in the woods.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“This is your new home. The home where you’re going to bear my children. The home where I’m going to fuck you senseless tonight.” I almost threw up. The thought of him touching me again made me sick.

We kept walking up the long driveway towards the house. The trees were aligned perfectly and the rose bushes growing between them were in full bloom. As we approached, the front door opened, and a woman stood in the doorway. She was tall with long black hair. She wore a nude colored, see through lace dress and nude pumps to match. Her eyes were the color of the sea and I could tell she was not happy to see me.

“Mr. Turner, welcome. Mrs. Turner, a pleasure to finally meet you,” she said. I glanced over at Andrew. He grabbed her hand gently and kissed the top of her hand lightly.

“Thank you for being here, Alessandra. Jackson spoke very highly of you. I hope that you live up to his expectations.” Andrew smiled.

“I’m here for all of your needs, Mr. Turner. You will not be disappointed, sir.” She smiled and walked towards the living room. He followed her with his perverted eyes until she disappeared into the kitchen.

“She’ll be here for you as well. She’s bi-sexual you know.”

“You’re disgusting,” I snapped.

“So, sue me…watch it sweetheart, you’re walking a thin line. A thin line between living and dying.” He walked away into the kitchen.

I walked upstairs hoping to find a room I could lock myself in. I found an unlocked door at the end of the hallway. All of the other rooms were locked. I opened the door and closed it behind me, locking myself in. I laid down on the bed with my head against the pillow, wondering how Jackson would kill Angela. Would he kill her in front of the kids? Would he make them watch? I prayed again. I prayed for their safety and I prayed for Angela’s soul. She didn’t believe me when I told her to stay away from me. These two animals cared about no one but themselves. I was frightened. Frightened for my children, frightened for Stone, and frightened just knowing that someone was going to die tonight because of me. Where was my mother? Where was my father?  Where were the people who were supposed to protect me? Where? Nowhere…Nowhere.