Alone In The Darkness (12 page)

Jennifer's mind was foggy and distant. She blinked quickly trying to clear the last of the tears from her eyes and focus on what was right in front of her, there was a dead body in the room. She saw Steven’s face still seared in her mind. When she was bound and gagged in that house, surrounded by those people, she had cursed him. She had wished the worst, but now she saw it. She had hated him, but seeing him reduced to a nylon bag was more than she could bare. The feelings of remorse caused Jennifer to tear up again. This experience was a nightmare. She wiped the drops from her cheeks with the back of her wrist.

Her head throbbed and she could feel the pulse in her throat. It was difficult to swallow and her mouth was dry. She ran her hand across her leg and she felt a lump in her pocket. She reached down and pulled out the Leatherman that she had stolen. She carefully opened the handles and lifted the blade. She closed the handles into her fist and she stared at the door's reflection in the blade. Along the handle was the inscription,
For My Son.
She sneered at the line. She gripped the knife, it was her only hope to survive. She did not fear using it.

She turned back to the door as she could hear footsteps coming up the stairs. She could see the boots at the foot of the door. She thought to herself that this may be her only moment to get out. Her hand squeezed the metal. She could feel sweat dripping down her palm. The plastic rustled as she stood bracing herself against the wall. From outside the door she could hear the man taking deep breaths as if filling his lungs for a deep dive. The voice let out a guttural roar as the door was unlocked and flung open. Before she could see the man's face a light was turned on and she was blinded. Her eyes were still sensitive to the light and she lifted her arm shielding them from view. She could hear the steps crashing through the plastic floor. She peered through her arm to see the man charging at her, his body and face were covered by a surgical apron and mask and around his hand was a dripping rag. He was fast and came up on her reaching for her face. She instinctively put her hands out to block his advance and kicked with her strong leg meeting his midsection. She parried his attack. As the man fell to the ground clutching his waist he clipped her arm and the knife fell to the floor and slide against the wall.

The door to the room was open. She looked back for the knife but chose to bolt for the exit. Before she could gain any space a hand was on her waist pulling her back as she stumbled across the floor tripping on the plastic and collapsing into the open closet. She crashed against the wall impacting her head against the loose drywall. Dust coated her head and shoulders turning her a milky white. She quickly regained herself as the man jumped to his feet and reached for her. The man’s veiled face haunted her and she released an ear-splitting scream. No one in the house could be ignorant of the actions on the second floor. He pulled her arms and threw her across the room. She sprawled across the plastic, her face grinding against the floor. Her body shook and cracked at the impact. The pain threatened to fold her up like a piece of paper leaving her exposed to her tormentor.

Before Jennifer could put her hands up the man was on her. She could feel his hot breath against her cheek as the wet rag was placed over her mouth. She fought and kicked taking in the fumes. Her arms flailed as he pressed down on her face. Jennifer arched her back and ran her arm along the wall. She reached and felt for the knife, straining as the man’s face met hers. She felt her mind beginning to drift as the chemicals worked through her lungs and slowed her mind. She strained once more. As her consciousness slowly slipped from her body, her fingertips met the cool metal. She pulled out the Leatherman and drove the blade through the air. Her eyes focused on the wrinkled outline along the side of Vadym’s face. She snarled under the rag as time slowed. She saw his face slowly contort as her closed fist approached his face. Vadym braced himself against the coming blow, not seeing the point of the knife as it rammed into his face. The blade pierced his eye and continued through the soft flesh stopping as it reached his skull. She continued through the strike pushing Vadym’s face back.

Jennifer's face was immediately covered in a clear liquid and thin drops of blood poured down onto her. Vadym fell back reaching for his face as the pain began to register in his mind. Jennifer quickly swiped the liquid from her face, smearing the blood like war paint. Her face was a soft red and the last of her breath roared out of her as she fell to the floor and heaved. The chemicals were too much and nausea rose in her throat as she released her empty stomach onto the floor. She stood, still heaving, and ran for the door. Jennifer dizzily planted her foot and twisted her ankle falling over the edge of the bed and onto the ground. She clutched her foot and crawled out of the room using the banister to lift herself up.

She looked back towards the room. The man screamed and writhed on the floor. The knife sat next to his face as blood ran between his fingers and down his crumpled mask. She wasted no time and began to limp down the stairs towards the light and into the living room.

She reached the base of the stairs and scanned the room. Tyler and Kora’s horrified faces stared at her. They were witness to the soundtrack, the screams had shaken them, but what emerged was unexpected. Jennifer stood at the base of the stairs staring into the eyes of the man who sentenced her to a gruesome fate. Her eyes narrowed as the anger welled up. She gripped the banister tight and fought off the urge to lunge and continue her melee. She had suffered and now these people stood between her and her freedom.

Tyler guarded the entry as Kora stood alongside the couch where Nick's body laid limp across the pillows and blankets. She could not go through Tyler without a weapon. She looked to her right and saw the back door and realized it was her time to escape. From the very first moment, when the gun was first placed to her head, she wanted an opportunity. She turned and rounded the corner. She pushed open the door and exited into the night. Behind her she could hear Tyler's approaching footsteps and a muffled voice at the front door.

Conners emerged from the car slowly staring up at the house. It felt as if nearly every light in the house was on, illuminating the yard and the surrounding tree line. From over the house the sky was beginning to show a light blue as morning was peaking over the valley edge. He closed his door and began to weave himself through the lines of parked cars. He looked across the overgrown lawn to the dark house tucked into the trees. He walked cautiously carefully scanning the front seats of the vehicles. He didn't want any surprises and by the number of cars here he suspected that a party may be waiting for him.

He was halfway to the front steps, when from the second floor, through the walls, he could hear screaming. He could tell it was a man's voice in pain. His hand instinctively moved to his side and he unbelted his gun and lifted it to his chest. As he climbed the stairs he could see through the glass window. A figure stood in the entryway staring into the house and across the living room. As Conners reached the door the man sprinted across the room, pulling out a handgun from his pocket. Conners felt an immediate rush come over his body. His heart began to pound and his senses focused.
One man, maybe more.

He quickly opened the door and yelled into the room, “Police freeze!” The man sprinting across the room stopped and spun meeting the officer. His face showed his shock as his arm lifted up and pointed. Conners wasted no time and fired at the man. The bullet ripped through his shooting arm and sprayed a mist of blood against the far wall. Tyler screamed out in pain and fell down behind a chair. Conners paused taking in the moment. There was an eerie silence in the room. From behind the chair Tyler moaned out, blood beginning to pool around his shoulder.

“Drop your gun!” Conners cried out still seeing the handgun in Tyler's hand. He was breathing heavy and repeated, “Drop your fucking gun!”

Conners took a step towards the living room and emerged through the entry way. From his left a shot rang out and he felt a tug on his leg. He fell into the kitchen and dove behind a counter. His empty hand went to his leg and pressed against the wound. His leg felt numb to the touch as the cabinet wood exploded about him. He closed into a fetal position and covered his head as pieces of cheap cabinetry and plumes of cocaine showered down over him. The shooting continued until the gun clicked empty.

Conners leaned out and saw the woman bent down behind the couch. He pointed and shot her in the stomach. She screamed out turning her face to the kitchen. Conners didn’t recognize this woman. His finger pulled back again and Kora’s body launched against the wall and slid down to the floor dead.

Conners cried out to the moaning man, “Where's the girl?”

He was answered by only moans as he heard the backdoor pop. Tyler’s voice cried out, “No don’t!”

Conners cried out, “Where’s the girl?” He peered around the corner fearing that Tyler had gotten away. Tyler's body was crawling across the floor and his arm was resting on the door trying to push it open. Blood had smeared a trail on the carpet.

Conners carefully stood feeling the pain shooting down his leg. He placed his weight down and walked carefully out into the living room. He scanned the walls and couch for any hidden people. He saw the man passed out on the couch, but all the shooting did not wake him. He swung around avoiding the staircase and walked up on Tyler.

“Where's the girl?”

Tyler's head turned and he began to roll. Conners could see the black object as his hand emerged from under him, “Drop the gun!” Tyler didn't stop and Conners pulled the trigger again. The body fell limp on the floor. He kicked the gun away from the body and leveled his arms to the living room. The house was silent. Conners listened for any creaking or noises, but there were none.

He reached down and dialed his phone, “911, where is your emergency?”

“Office Conners, located east of Arlington at an earlier domestic call. There's been a shooting here. Three bodies.”

“Is this at the location of the original call?”

“No down the easement at the neighboring house. Lots of lights and cars.”

“Yes sir, ambulance has been alerted. Are you ok?”

“No I've been shot in the leg but I'm stable.”

“Yes sir.”

From over Conners’ shoulder and through the thin glass of the back door he heard a woman's scream. “I've heard a woman’s voice, I have to leave to pursue.” He never heard the dispatcher’s request to stay as he dropped his phone, stepping over Tyler's body, and exiting the house.

Jennifer exited out the back door of the house,’ her feet leaving trails in the damp grass. She ran down the length of the house as her ears trained on the door behind her, anticipating the pursuit from the house. Her ankle was still sore, but the rush of adrenaline carried her forward and her limp gave way to an open sprint. She reached the corner of the house and she heard a series of muffled voices and then gunfire. She fell to her knees covering her head and skidded through the grass. She looked back towards the door but it remained closed. Her mind raced trying to provide answers to what she heard. Where they shooting at her? She knew this was not the moment to wait and see. She lifted herself up and continued running towards the rows of parked cars. As she broke the edge of the driveway she again ducked as she heard a long barrage of shots coming from the house. There was a moment of silence and two more shots rang out. She captured her breath scanning the yard and hoping she was alone. She asked herself if they might be fighting inside the house. Could the man upstairs be shooting in the house?

Jennifer stared at the cars and scanned the windows for any faces. It was clear and she sprinted across the driveway to the open easement. As she passed the last car she heard another shot from the house. She stood at the edge of the bowed gravel easement surrounded by brambles and willow trees. Above her tall pines and cottonwood trees lifted into the sky and swayed gently in the early morning breeze. The branches made a clapping sound and for a moment it felt like the whole world was applauding.

Jennifer looked back at the house to see a stumbling shape moving through the grass. A hand was lifted to his face as he ran through the grass towards her. Jennifer processed the sight and her heart sank. A sickness swelled in her stomach as she realized it was the man from upstairs. He must have been shooting at the men in the house. He had removed the mask and gown and she could see the deep lines of blood running down his face and throat. His one good eye trained on her as he clumsily jogged across the driveway. Jennifer could not help but scream as she took flight down the easement.

Ahead of her was a winding gravel road that met up with the valley highway and bordered the main river. Her feet slid and stumbled over the large gravel rocks that formed the surface of the road. The road was not maintained and she weaved around the deep potholes that were filled with rainwater. Her eyes trained on the road ahead as she ignored the pain her body felt. She ran knowing just ahead of her was the main road, and all she had to do was flag down a passing vehicle. Vadym was close, she could feel his presence on her back, pursuing her down the road. She glanced back to see Vadym moving quickly. He had narrowed the distance and she could hear him panting.

“Come here,” he cried out to her. The words hung in the air over Jennifer. Jennifer lowered her head and pressed. Her feet plowed into the gravel as she willed her body to move.

The road lifted to a set of decaying rails marking the edge of a small wooden bridge. Below a deep swift creek poured over smooth river rock. The water boiled and undulated over the unseen terrain. The creek originates high up along the mountain ridge from melting snowpack weaving through logging cuts and down through homesteads, ending into the main river bordering the valley road. Jennifer could hear Vadym’s footsteps behind her. In that moment she realized that she would not make it to the main road ahead. She would fall victim to him on this easement and this time she would not be able to fight back.

Vadym growled behind her as he knew he was close. The only thought in his mind was retribution and punishment.

Her first step hit the bridge with a dull and hollow thud. The wooden boards gave and were weak from the weight of the cars driving over each day. She planted her strong leg into the groove of a wooden slat and she jumped over the old rotting railing. Her back foot clipped the edge and sent her tumbling into the creek. Wooden debris fell into the water as her body contorted entering head first.

The water engulfed Jennifer’s body and for a moment her mind reveled in the silence and peace of the stream. Her body turned in the water and her back gently bumped the muddy creek floor. Her eyes could feel the cold snowmelt as she opened them to the blackness. The early morning light could not penetrate the water, and she saw nothing. She was wrapped in the darkness and for the first time that evening she felt safe and alone. Her body merged and rolled with the current as she was carried along.

Her arms reached out feeling the slick smoothness of the rocks running by her as bubbles flowed out of her nose to the surface. Her hands lost contact with the creek bed and she began to resurface. The peace of the water was broken when her head emerged. The air moved along her face as she was carried by the stream. The water bubbled and boiled all around her. She felt reborn. The water washed away the night and provided new guidance and purpose. She had a chance to survive. She gasped for her first new breath, filling her lungs. Her chest lifted as she looked back to the bridge. Vadym stood shocked at the turn of events. He was scanning the creek trying to locate Jennifer as she bobbed. The stress of running caused his eye socket to pulse fresh blood down his cheek.

A voice called out from the easement. He looked up the road to see a man carefully jogging down the easement from the house. He paused for a moment and his one good eye opened wide, he did not know this man. A voice called out to him to freeze. Vadym quickly scaled the railing and clumsily fell into the creek, releasing a terrible splash, as a bullet struck the railing behind him.

Conners approached the railing staring off down the creek seeing two heads bobbing in rhythm. His leg screamed at him to stop but he pressed on continuing slowly down the easement towards the main road.

Jennifer heard the splash and the gunshot. She turned her body allowing her childhood swim classes to take over. Hanging willow branches slapped at her face as the creek flowed quicker around a turn. She reached out feeling the water for any unseen branches or logs that may slow her progress. Her belly lightly slid over the creek floor. Ahead Jennifer could see the rolling boil of a gravel bar. The stream was shallowing. She could not float through this section and she stood. Her knees pumped lifting her out of the water. The wet clothes hung on her body dripping and adding the burden of extra weight. She could see ahead the smooth deeper water and began to sprint over the loose gravel. She reached the deeper section and dove into the creek. Behind her Vadym ran through the gravel with his arms up balancing over the uneven ground. His head was turned revealing his good eye locked on Jennifer who was now in an open swim and gaining distance.

The cold of the water bit at Jennifer and she began to shiver as her body fought to keep her blood flowing. She couldn’t stay in the stream any longer as she knew hypothermia would began to take its toll. She hurried swinging her arms, cupping her hands, and pulling herself through the creek. The raging water turned and opened to the main river. Above her head she crossed under the valley road bridge. She could see the concrete footings on the river bank and the eroded walls lifted up to the road above. The rusted metal girders were bolted together and the green paint, long flaked off, was decorated with graffiti by bored valley teens. A large logging truck passed overhead loaded with fresh cedar from a cut deep in the mountains. It rounded the corner and the thunderous engine braking echoed along the dark walls of the valley. Jennifer could smell the cedar and she began to wince and cry. She knew that freedom was only feet away but the speed of the stream was too swift.

The momentum of the creek took Jennifer out into the middle of the river. She was a small dot barely distinguishable from a floating branch or clump of leaves. The immense river consumed her, hiding her location. The early morning light illuminated the banks of the river displaying the gravel islands with desperate willows clinging against the swift current. The river walls oscillated between sandy cliffs and gravel beds, meandering through the valley like a snake moving through grass. It turned and swayed in a dance, giving land and taking shore. Homes dotted along the edge enjoying its bounty and fearing its rage.

She looked back and could not see Vadym floating in the river. The river was raging and Jennifer could barely focus over the noise of the water. It was still dark and she could not make out any shapes in the water. The river was notorious for hidden trees and large boulders that would disappear her forever, or until the next flood loosened her body's hiding place. She told herself to remain quiet. Vadym could be anywhere.

She scanned back along the bank and saw a gravel shore jetting out and leading up through brambles to the valley road. In the distance she heard the echoing sounds of emergency vehicles coming up the valley. Where they coming for her? Did they know she needed help? It was a bad luck if they were to drive by, leaving her to die at Vadym's hands. She carefully coaxed her body across the current and towards the gravel beach looking out for Vadym who was hidden in the water somewhere in the dark boil. She fought the cold as her body tired against the strain. She swam through the water as her hands began to feel the riverbed. Her arms were numb from the cold and she struggled to lift herself out of the water. She emerged onto the shore walking stiffly through the gravel. Behind her Vadym lurked in the shadows of the river.

She crossed the soft bed of gravel rock and hid herself in the tall reed grass line in the bank. Vadym could be anywhere. She hid with her eyes scanning the shore waiting for Vadym to surface. The sounds of the emergency vehicles grew louder as they approached. Jennifer knew if she could hold out that they would be able to protect her.

Her eyes and ears danced to every sound the river gave off. She was fooled by small waves and floating branches. She thought to herself that Vadym could be anywhere. To her right she heard a crack among the rocks and her eyes darted like a frightened doe.

From the darkness a voice broke through, “No one will find you.”

Jennifer dared not respond for fear of giving away her position.

The voice continued, "You're close, I can hear you dripping.”

The voice was so very close. Could Vadym see her? Was he just playing games? She continued to search with her eyes looking for any movement. The sounds of the emergency vehicles were nearly upon them. Jennifer could not see Vadym was but she knew she had to get to the road and signal for help.

Jennifer broke her silence and between breaths and called out, “Help me! Please!”

Emergency vehicles were at the road, Jennifer could see the lights illuminating the trees and grass. The vehicles continued and turned down the easement. Jennifer’s feet touched dry rock and she pushed forward towards an open cut in the brambles. She continued to cry out as a rock connected with the side of her head. She fell to the ground into a clump of river grass, her body hidden from view.

She moaned as her arms reached up to the road. She screamed into the early morning light, “Help me…” her voice trailing off.

Vadym staggered above her swaying still dripping the river about him. His chest heaved with deep gasps of air. He pulled Jennifer’s leg and she was dragged out of the grass her hands tearing at clumps. She rolled to her back and through a dizzy fog she saw the shape of Vadym standing over her. He lowered himself and straddled her waist as Jennifer weakly pounded Vadym’s chest. She called out, “Please no!”

Emergency vehicles had left down the easement to the house. The riverbank returned to sounds of bubbling water. Vadym laughed, “Help is on its way to you.”

She sobbed and the tears began to fall from her eyes. Vadym reached to his right and pulled up a large rock and brought it above head. Jennifer’s body and mind gave up, she had fought and lost. Her eyes closed and prepared for the swift end.

She never heard the shot but she felt the warmth across her face. Little drops of warm blood covered her as Vadym fell to her side. The rock dumped over his body and he laid still. She was in a purgatory, silent and alone. Was she dead, she thought?

Her head was gently lifted and her cold body was pulled to the grass and cradled in Officer Conners' lap, “Jenny, we’ve been looking for you all night.” She had no voice to share and cried in his arms. His voice leaned into her ear and softly soothed her, “You're going to be ok.”

“Where did you come from?” Was all that Jennifer could muster.

“From the house. I heard you,” Jennifer believed him feeling safety for the first time this night.

“Who are you?”

“Officer Conners.”

Before her mind was lost to sleep, she glanced up at Conners and met his eyes lowering her head and whispering, "Thanks.”

Conners smiled. He knew that the woman had been through hell, he could see it on her clothes. The dirt and blood mixed forming a timeline. He was relieved and spoke to her, “I'm happy to help.”

Jennifer never heard this comment as she was already fast asleep. From the road above the bank the red and blue lights came to a stop and men poured out stumbling down the river’s edge to assist.