Chapter TwentyOne

Chrissy

“I’m sinking slowly

So hurry hold me

Your hand is all I have to keep me hanging on

Please can you tell me

So I can finally see

Where you go when you're gone” - Michelle Branch

Joe hasn’t said anything for the last fifteen minutes. Amy started to cry so I reached behind me and grabbed her hand. Johnny hasn’t said anything but I think he might be in shock. “Joe, I have an idea. Why don’t we go home and I’ll cook us all a nice dinner?” I’m trying to play along. In his mind he thinks I’m Karen and telling him any differently will only agitate him more.

“Like I would fall for your lies again. You tried this last time. I told you before you’re either with me or you’re with no one.” His hands grip the wheel so tight his knuckles start to turn white.

She must have tried to leave him and he killed her. I don’t understand how because the reports all said she was driving and wrecked the car. They thought it was an accident because of the bad weather that day.

Okay, I need to find a way out of this.

“Why don’t we just go to the cabin? We could all live up there. It would be so quiet and we could all be so happy.” I insert as much softness into my voice as I can manage. Inside I’m losing my shit.

“Why don’t you just shut your goddamn mouth!” he screams and I jump. Obviously I’m not going to outwit him because he is too far gone. I know the turn that Karen crashed at. It’s probably about five minutes away and that is where I’m guessing he’s going. He thinks he is making history repeat itself.

I am going to need to overpower him somehow. Whatever I’m going to do I don’t have much time to do it. Even if Rock figured out how to get to me, he won’t get here in time. I have to save myself and these kids alone.

Ahead of us I see a small clearing with some trees. I know what I’m about to do is crazy but it’s the only idea I have.

I look behind me and the kids have their seat belts on.

Here goes nothing.

Once we get to the clearing, I quickly reach over and yank the wheel to the side, making us veer off the road and into the trees. Joe screams at me but I don’t let go as he tries to steer us back onto the road. The car smashes into a big tree and we stop.

The airbag deploys hitting my face and slamming my head back into the seat. I groan as it slowly deflates. “Kids, you guys okay?”

They both give me a quiet yes. When I look over Joe is passed out, this is my opportunity.

“Johnny, get out now. Amy, I’m going to get out and get you.” I open the door, my body sore from the impact, and my head pounding like there is a jackhammer in there.

There is something wrong with my left leg and can’t move really fast because my head is still spinning. I start moving the kids toward the road, praying there might be another car even though we hadn’t seen one in a while.

“Stop right fucking there!” I freeze at the sound of Joe’s voice.

Turning around I move Amy behind me. “Let’s just talk, put down the gun.”

He walks toward me the gun pointed at my head. Reaching up he grabs a chunk of my hair and I can feel the roots pulling from my scalp as tears rush to my eyes. I scream from the pain as he starts to pull me with him. “Walk now you little brats or I’ll shoot you where you stand.” The kids run to catch up to us Johnny taking Amy’s hand.

How the hell was I going to leave these poor kids with this lunatic? He has really lost his mind. His grip on my hair stays firm and he starts walking up the mountain trail.

“You just had to fucking ruin shit. This was supposed to easy and perfect. It should have been just like last time except this time I wouldn’t jump out of the car. I should have stayed with you the first time.” He pulls me against him almost in an embrace. “Now we will just all have to die together in the cabin. I have just enough bullets for each of us.”

He’s just talking, not really addressing anyone. Almost like he’s carrying a conversation on with Karen.

My eyes keep searching for someone, anyone that I can signal to for help. There isn’t anyone though. This area is completely deserted right now.

Feeling my pocket my stomach gets a sick feeling. My phone is gone. It must have fallen out in the car.

That was my last hope.

We walk for what feels like forever until a small wooden cabin comes into view. “Well we’re here. Let’s get this over with,” Joe says as he opens the door. “Kids, go sit on the couch.”

Johnny and Amy listen without protest. Amy’s sad eyes don’t leave mine as she watches the horrifying scene in form of her.

“Dad, just let her go! Miss Chrissy is only trying to help us!” He’s crying and my heart is breaking.

“This is not Chrissy. This is your mother, boy. Don’t you dare question me again!” His fist bangs the wall behind us. I’m crouched next to him trying to relieve some of the pressure from my scalp.

“She isn’t mom, dad! Please just—” loud bang sounds and I watch in horror as Johnny’s body sags onto the couch.

“One down, three to go,” Joe mutters next to me.

Amy screams and I want to run to her and pull her away from her brother. Shield her eyes form the scene that will haunt her dreams.

“Shut up, girl!” Joe screams and Amy only cries more. “Fucking Christ!”

I close my eyes at the sound of another bang and I don’t need to open them to see.

Amy’s cries are silenced.

I try to hold in the scream that wants to rip from my lungs. It comes out like a strangled moan.

“Do you see what you made me do you, bitch?” He starts to walk dragging me with him. I don’t have the energy to fight him anymore. I couldn’t save them.

I failed.

At this point I know I’m doomed. He’ll kill me before anyone can get to me.

I say a silent prayer.

One more I love you to the people that mean everything to me.