Chapter 9

Two days later

Maddie

I am thankful that B finally went to sleep. I know she could feel the fear coming off me, but I need to be strong, so I can protect my daughter. I am a lot calmer now than when I woke up tied up in the back of a van. I couldn’t move, and I was blindfolded and gagged. I didn’t know where B was at, but I could hear her close and she was crying. I fought the zip ties binding me, but it did me no good. I don’t know how long I was unconscious or what had knocked me out or how long we had been traveling. When I figured out it was not doing me any good to fight my bonds I went still and tried to control my fear and reserve my strength for when I could utilize it better. It seemed like we rode forever. B’s cries stopped, and I don’t know if that relieved me or scared me worse. I heard two doors open and then close. Then I heard something like it was sliding and then I was pulled upright and then on my feet.

“We aren’t going to hurt you and your daughter, but you need to follow our instructions if you want this stop to be pleasant,” a man told me. I felt my gag being taken out. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, but can I have my daughter?” I ask the man trying to keep any of the hate I am feeling out of my voice.

“When we are in the house and situated. We have some food in there for you too. Be smart. We don’t want to scare your daughter and as long as you follow our instruction we won’t,” the same man says.

“I’ll do what you say just, please, don’t hurt my daughter.” I plead. Someone grabs my arm from behind me and guides me as we walk up some steps. We get to the top of the steps and walk across what I am guessing is a porch and then I hear keys in a door and the person guides me further and I hear a door shut behind me. Someone behind me takes my blindfold off and the light hurts my eyes. I blink my eyes trying to get them to adjust. I try to take in my surroundings. We are inside a house that looks like a family would be living here. I see that they have put B on the sofa and she is looking up at me. I move over and sit beside her, and she stands on the couch and comes over and stands beside me. I lean into her. I can’t sit back with my hands behind me and I can’t pull her into me, but I try to give her comfort. I see that there are three men with us and they all are carrying guns looking around the house as if expecting someone to jump out. “You two go upstairs and check the rooms up there while Maddie and I have a little talk.” I recognize the voice of the man who warned me to follow instructions. I try to take in my surroundings. I need to remember where everything is located just in case I get a chance to escape. I wouldn’t take a chance with B, but if I was sure we could get away, the information will help. The man cuts the zip ties off of me and then looks at my wrist. The man sits down on the coffee table in front of me and looks at me. “Don’t even think it. I told you my instructions are to keep you secured and safe and I will do that. Be smart and just cooperate for your daughter’s sake. There is a room upstairs that you and your daughter will be staying in. It has an adjoining bathroom, so you can shower and take care of your daughter’s needs. I don’t want to tie you up so use your head. There is a television and one of those DVD players and there are a few children’s movie up there. There is also a small refrigerator, microwave, and some food that you can fix in the microwave. There is supposed to be hygiene products and clothes that will work for the brief time you are going to be here. By tomorrow afternoon you should be on your way. Do not cause any trouble and we won’t have a problem. You are a job to me and that is it. You will not be harmed in any way and your daughter will not be either if you follow all my instructions. Do you understand everything I have said?” the man asks me in a bored voice. It’s almost as if he has it memorized and is trying to say it in a certain way.

“I understand. I will cooperate but why are we here?” I ask the man. The man just looks at me and then to one of the other men who has a long scar on his face.

“Take them upstairs and be sure and lock the door when you come out.” The man gets up off the table and the other man walks over and waits for me to get B and then he waits for me to get up. I do as I am told. I pick B up and hold her tight to my body and walk up the stairs with the man with the scar following me. When I get to the top of the steps I can see a hall with three doors. One door is open and the other two are closed. The man behind me has come up close to me and gives me a small push towards the room with the open door. I walk inside. The man steps in behind me and grabs the door knob of the door and starts to pull it to him. I guess he sees the worry in my eyes.

“Don’t worry none missy. We don’t hurt women and children unless we have no other choice. I have a daughter of my own and would not hurt your daughter. The person who is paying us will get here tomorrow and you both will be released. Just try and get some rest and don’t give us any reason to hurt you.” I want to believe the man but why would anyone take B and myself? Then I realize who will be coming to pick us up and I am filled with an anger I have never felt before. Andrew Draven, you better hope these men stick around to protect you from me.