Beyond the Pine (21 page)

Riley

“Based off of everything I’ve checked, I’d say you’re about nine weeks along, maybe ten?” Sara says quietly, her eyes soft as she gives me a sweet smile. “I can’t believe you’re going to be a mother, Riley.”

“I know,” I reply, my voice tight with emotion as I swallow the lump in my throat, looking down at my belly before returning my eyes to hers. “Even though everything is so uncertain right now, this baby, this precious new life inside me has already brought so much joy,” I smile in wonder before I replace my eyes to Sara’s. “My only regret it that you won’t be right by my side.”

She says nothing, her expression holding all the things we’re both feeling, but won’t ever be ready to say. Our time together is dwindling down fast, dusk settling over the farm, the light of the sun slowly drifting away as nightfall approaches. Any minute, Tobias will be here to fetch me, take me to Asher.

I’ll miss many things about this place, not a single one of them as much as her.

Crouching in front of me, she reaches for my hands, squeezing them affectionately as she looks up, holding my teary gaze.

“You’re going to be the best mother,” she whispers. “I know that, because you’ve been the best sister.”

“You’ve been the same to me,” I sniff, squeezing her hand in return.

“Do you know where you’ll go?” she asks, making me shake my head as I wipe my tears away with the back of my hand.

“No,” I admit, absentmindedly touching my palm to my belly. “Asher said he knew of a safe place, somewhere with people he trusts nearby, but I’m afraid that’s all I know. We haven’t had time to discuss it much.”

“Well, wherever the road you’re traveling takes you,” she manages, the tears she’s been holding back slowly spilling over. “I hope you’ll always know how much you mean to me, just how much I love you, Riley.”

“I love you, too, my sweet sister,” I whisper, pulling her close to my chest, squeezing her tightly in my arms. “I’m going to miss you more than I can bear.”

We share a tight embrace, neither of us willing to let go, but as the knock sounds against the door of her cabin, we know we must.

Both of us pulling away teary-eyed, I lift the small burlap bag containing everything I’m taking with me from this life. We make our way out, hand in hand, to where the rest of her family is waiting. She’d told her mother I was leaving, both of us knowing she’d never tell a soul, but be heartbroken if I’d left without a goodbye.

“My sweet Riley,” she whispers, her voice riddled with sadness and worry as she plasters on a smile. “Please take care of yourself. Don’t ever forget how loved you are.”

“I love you, too,” I whisper, nodding quickly as she dries my tears.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” she asks. “We can always figure something…”

“Yes ma’am, I’m sure,” I cut her off, watching her nod.

I might be confused about many things, but Asher isn’t one of them.

“Then you go,” she squeezes me tight, kissing my hair. “You go and live the life you’ve been blessed with. We’ll think of you every second, pray for you even more.”

As I take in her words of love, words of pride, Sara moves to the door to grant Tobias entry.

He stays quiet, letting me say my tearful goodbyes as I bend to kiss the boys, hugging them both tightly.

I follow Tobias to the door, taking the four of them in, their teary smiles matching mine as I whisper my love for them once more and release a deep sigh, turning to follow Tobias to where Asher’s waiting for me.

This is it, Riley.

With a deep sigh, I say a final goodbye, pull the door shut behind us and pray.

Asher

It feels like I’ve been waiting in these woods for fucking ever.

On some level, you have been.

My dramatic thoughts make me release a low sigh, shaking my head as I keep watch for them. I’m trying desperately to steady my breathing as the cold air hits my lungs, the white plumes threatening to reveal my hiding spot. The light from the main house filters out over the field across from the path I’m standing near, each indiscernible movement pulling my attention. The low tick of my watch pulses through me, getting louder with each second that passes, reminding me of what’s at stake.

If anyone saw them… if something happened to her…

My anxious thoughts begin to get the better of me, the nervous tick inside my chest flaring with worry as the darkness around me somehow becomes even more silent. I think about her, the baby, what could happen if the Reverend discovers our plan to flee this place before I’ve gotten them to safety and I feel my heart beginning to clench once more. Desperation sets in as I struggle to restrain my feet from pacing. I’m trying to be patient, trying to calm my nerves, but each moment that passes in this Godforsaken forest pushes me that much closer to the edge.

Fuck.

I wish I could be more like Riley, able to see the light in any situation, no matter how desperate or fleeting it might seem. The very thought of her eyes peering up at me, whispering her love for me is enough to clear my mind for a quick moment, show me exactly what she’d do if she were with me right now.

Releasing a breath, I steady myself and let my eyes drift shut. For the first time in longer than I care to admit, I pray.

***

I’m bordering on insanity when I finally hear the distinct crunch of leaves from a few yards away.

I emerge from my hiding spot, closing the distance between us in a few long strides to bring her close to me. I cradle her face in my hands, feeling the tears there before bending to get as good a look as I can manage in the dark.

“You okay, baby?” I whisper, taking in her nod before pressing my lips to hers. She wraps her fingers around my wrists, holding me close as she inhales my scent, her eyes shining slightly in the moonlight. “You ready?”

“Yes,” she breathes, her eyes fluttering shut as I press my lips to her forehead, a gentle hum leaving her chest.

I pull away slightly, keeping her close as I face Tobias, taking her bag from him and extending my hand. He takes it, surprised when I pull him in for a brotherly embrace.

“Thank you,” I say low, patting his shoulder. “Thank you for everything, brother.”

“Of course,” he nods, giving me a small smile I can barely see in the darkness. “You take care of her for us.”

“I will,” I promise, squeezing her hand in mine as I glance down to find her watching our exchange.

“Tobias,” she whispers, her emotions getting the better of her once more. “Please take care of Sara, her family. Promise you’ll check in on Josiah for me.”

“I promise,” he nods, hugging her tight.

“You make her smile every single day,” she manages. “Promise me she’ll have a good life, Tobias.”

“You have my word,” he says low, his voice wavering. “You just promise me the same.”

“I will,” she says, nodding quickly as she wipes her cheeks clean, returning to my side.

“When you get past the tree line, go east,” Tobias tells me. “That’ll get you to the next town over.”

“Thank you,” Riley and I say at the same time, her reaching for his hand to squeeze it once more.

“Be blessed, Tobias.”

“And you,” he whispers.

We watch as he disappears down the trail, moving back toward the center of the farm before we turn to make our way to my bike. It’s still hidden in the trees where I’d left it early this morning.

Aside from the occasional sound of a falling limb, a snapping twig beneath our feet, the only sound out here is our breathing. I glance down at her, her alabaster skin shimmering in the moonlight, stealing my breath.

“Almost there, sugar,” I whisper, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and pulling her close, savoring in the feel of her nestling into my chest.

My bike’s just up ahead, the shimmer of the exhaust pipe peeking through the trees a few feet in front of us. As she spots it, her steps quicken with mine, our fingers intertwining. When we’re nearly close enough to touch it, the taste of freedom on our lips, she takes a final look back, her hand swiping over her cheek once more while I squeeze her hand in mine.

“Come on, baby,” I whisper. “I’m sorry, but we gotta go.”

“I know,” she admits, immediately turning back to me.

“You sure you wanna…”

“Yes,” she says, the first trace of a smile on her full lips as she takes me in. “Yes, Asher.”

Bending, I kiss her deeply, intoxicated by the taste of her smile as it spills across my lips.

“I love you,” she whispers against my mouth.

“I love you, too,” I reply, stealing another kiss before releasing her. “Let’s go, sugar.”

She grips my hand, about to climb onto the seat when I hear the sound of the footsteps behind us.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he says, his thick Southern accent sending shivers up my spine.

I turn, finding the Reverend’s eyes locked on us, his expression wild with fury as he takes another step toward us, shotgun in hand. I pull Riley behind me, blocking his view of her as he lets out a low, jagged laugh.

“Aren’t you sweet?” he says sarcastically, his lips spread out across his face, his smile riddled with bad intention. “But I’m not sure how much protection you’ll be once I pull this trigger, boy.”

Riley

I glance around, searching for Tobias, wondering what Reverend Tucker could have done to him, what he intends on doing to us. Asher holds me close, his body shielding me from harm as he keeps his eyes locked with the Reverend’s. Once I realize we’re alone, no one to depend on for help, I can’t contain the sob in my chest.

“Asher,” I gasp, gripping his waist tightly, fear coursing through me.

“Shh, it’s okay, baby,” he whispers over his shoulder, keeping his eyes ahead. “Everything’s gonna be alright. I’ve got you.”

“Well, don’t lie to her, son,” the Reverend bites, taking another step closer and pushing us back one, my thighs touching Asher’s bike.

“You’ve already lost this fight,” Asher starts. “Just let us go.”

“I can’t do that,” he holds his eyes, shaking his head in defiance. “Now you? You’re free to go, Asher, but Riley? No, she’s not going anywhere. His word says, ‘For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.’ This woman made a vow to this community to serve His will,
my will
, and she must pay her penance.”

“You won’t touch her. Never again, you sick son of a bitch,” Asher bites out, protection rolling off him in waves. “Over my dead body will you ever lay another fucking finger on her.”

“That can be arranged,” he replies, the barrel of the shotgun turning quickly in his hands, the butt of it hitting Asher sharply across his jaw.

It all happens so fast.

The force that he comes at us causes me to lose my grip on him and I slip away, tripping over my feet and falling to the ground.

The sight of my gypsy lying face down in the leaves a few feet away sends me into a panic as the Reverend takes a step forward, towering over me.

“Now you,” he bites out, pulling me to my feet roughly by my hair.

The combination between my fear and the pain radiates through me, forcing a loud shriek from my lungs. I fight to free myself, trying my best to get to Asher, but his grip is just too tight. We make it a few feet away when he tosses me forward onto my knees, kicking me sharply in my stomach, causing me to cry out, choking on my sobs.

“You stay put, Sister,” he hisses out, spitting down on me before swiping the back of his hand over his mouth as he holds my teary gaze. “I want you to watch… see what happens when you disobey.”

With that, he cocks the shotgun before turning back to face Asher, my heart beating so hard it’s deafening.

“Asher!” I scream, desperate to wake him as I struggle to get to him, stumbling over myself. “Asher, wake up!”

“Shut up!” Reverend Tucker hisses, the back of his hand cracking against my face, causing my vision to blur as I fall back against the cold ground, my head smashing into the dirt.

I struggle to clear my vison as I stumble to make it to my feet. I feel warmth trickling over my forehead and I touch my fingertips to my skin, shuddering at the crimson on my palm. Glancing down, I see the source of my injury, the sharp rock poking out from beneath the leaves.

I carefully bend, the soreness in my ribs making me whimper as I lift it into my fingers. When I look back, I see him closing the distance, mere feet from where Asher’s body lies, still.

Too still
.

Memories of us flood my mind, his lips, his laugh, blue eyes with flecks of green as he gazes down at me.

As I watch the distance close between the thing I most fear and the thing I most desire, his words invade my mind, pulling a low sigh from my chest.

“You know what you want? Then you fuckin’ take it, Riley.”

Tightening my grip around the rock I’m clinging to, I throw it as hard as I can, watching it in slow motion as it strikes the Reverend in the back of his neck, hindering his balance. He lurches forward, stumbling over his feet and falling to the ground, in the process losing his grip on the shotgun.

“You filthy little whore!” he manages as he pulls himself up, swiping the back of his hand over his mouth. When he sees the blood gushing from his lip, he spits it onto the ground, lifting the gun and storming toward me.

I begin to back away, slowly at first until I see the fury building in his eyes.

My pace quickens.

“Get back here, Riley!” he shouts, the edge in his voice terrifying me to my core. “Don’t you dare try and run away from me now, girl! You asked for this.”

My fear has me trembling, the dark making it impossible to see and I back myself up right into the trees, an exposed root tripping me, sending me onto my back once more.

The Reverend chuckles darkly, his lips moving into a crooked smile as closes in on me.

“Asher!” I scream, desperate to wake him, wake myself from this hell.

He begins to stir slowly, but Reverend Tucker is too close now. He’s got me backed into a corner, nowhere left to run.

It’s over. He’s going to kill me. He’s going to kill us all.

Tears stream down my face as I choke on my sobs, visions of Asher, thoughts of our unborn baby running through my mind as I beg God for mercy, no longer sure it’s coming.

“Asher…” I sob, my hand falling over my stomach, aching for the impending loss the Reverend’s cold stare seems to guarantee. “Please God, someone help…”

“No one’s comin’, Riley,” the Reverend cuts me off, his voice low and gravelly, filled with hatred as he raises the shotgun, aiming for the space between my eyes.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, rubbing my belly and shutting my eyes tight as I surrender to my fate. “‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…’”

“Not even God can save you now,” he growls, pulling more sobs from my lips.

“‘He maketh me to lie down in green pastures,” I continue, my voice leaving me in broken cries. “‘He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake…’”

“Louder, Riley!” he taunts me.

“‘Yea…’” I begin, but the sound of the shotgun cocking makes me jump, the feel of it pressing against my forehead making me shriek in terror.

“Say it, Riley!” he orders, ignoring my broken sobs. “‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death-”

“’I fear no evil.’”

As the words I wasn’t even sure he knew spring from his lips, I’m simultaneously flooded with a combination of relief and terror. My eyes snap open, just in time to see Asher crashing into the Reverend, knocking him over and holding him down.

“Riley!” he shouts, risking a glance as he holds my eyes. “Riley, run!” he orders, his breathing labored as he fights to gain control of the gun. 

I pull myself up, moving as quickly as I can manage. I make it a few feet away before risking a glance over my shoulder. Asher’s straddling the Reverend, holding him down as best he can as his fist crashes into his jaw. Sensing my hesitant gaze on him, he meets my eyes and there’s something wild in them I’ve never seen before.

“Now, Riley!” he shouts after me. “I’ll be right behind you, baby. Just go!”

The thought of leaving him behind makes my stomach heave, but his words, the need to protect our child has my feet moving faster, deeper into the protection of the trees. I’m nearly to the edge of the tree line, the asphalt highway only a few feet ahead when I stop, bending at the waist as I gasp for air, waiting for him, searching for any sign of him.

Moments pass with nothing.

I begin to steady my breath, counting each exhale, trying to calm my ragged nerves.

“One…” I pant, my chest burning as the cold night air fills my lungs. “Two…”

Please hurry.

“Three…” I whisper, my voice leaving me in a broken sob, tears streaming down my face. “Four…”

Slowly, I lower myself down the side of the tree, the rough bark biting into my flesh.

“Five…”

Asher…

I listen for him, pray for him like I’ve never prayed before, receiving only silence in return.

Nothing.

The only sound filling the air belongs to the shallow sobs escaping my lips as I lean my head back, staring up to the heavens.

Please, Lord. Please help us…

“Six,” I mouth, my strength depleted as I wrap my arms around my knees, my eyes fluttering shut, my mind filling with blue eyes, green flecks as desperation washes over me, my tears unrelenting. “Sev…”

The last thing I remember is the gunshot.