Rust: A Bad Boy Romance (Courage MC) (42 page)

“
T
hat was close
.” Adam said. He was walking in circles in the cottage.

“Who said it was over? Shit, you guys bring some dark forces into this town!” Daryl slammed his fist onto the table. The old mugs and crusted up bowls of food jingled.

“You think they saw us, Adam?” I asked him, biting my lip.

“Who knows? Daryl, turn on your TV.” He grabbed the remote and switched it to the news station. The screen was scratchy and moving from left to right. “How old is this thing?” Adam asked as he hit the top of the tube three times. The screen went to normal and we all sat down to watch.

“And we’re back! The hunt for Rose Fischer is still under way. Still, the authorities have very little clues as to her whereabouts.” The screen cut to a press conference with the sheriff. “At about 7:30 PM, we were tipped off by an officer in Oregon that a young girl was spotted without her parents at a local gas station. The evidence from the cameras has now confirmed that it was Rose Fischer. At that time, she was alive and well. If anyone has any information they can offer to us, please call the number to the hotline or your local police station.”

I watched as my parents walked up to the microphone next. My father was holding my mother as she cried into his arms. “We just want our little girl back. Please help us find our little girl. That is all.” They walked away from the podium, back behind the curtain. I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret and pain. I had hurt them tremendously, and for that I couldn’t be forgiven.

The news reporter was back on the screen:

“
We’re here with Dr. Daniel Peterson, author of ‘Cold Hearted Kidnappings.’ Doctor, what exactly are we dealing with here?”

“Well, Diane, first let me say that this isn’t something as simple as the news makes it out to be. It seems we’re dealing with a classic case of Stockholm Syndrome. I’ll define that for your viewers in case they don’t know about the subject. The term ‘Stockholm Syndrome’, otherwise known as capture-bonding, is a psychological phenomenon in which that captive expresses sympathy, and in some cases it develops into a deep bond or love, for their captors. In about 8 percent of…”
Click!

“Hey!” I yelled. “I was watching that!”

Adam waved his hand at me and lit a cigarette. “Enough watching. We gotta’ figure our situation out. Are we in danger if we carry this out?” He looked over at Daryl for answers.

Daryl looked exhausted. He was sweating and wiping his forehead with his hands, pressing hard onto his eyes. “Listen, Adam. I’m not sure if I can help you two.”

“You what?” Adam said, eyes blinking with confusion.

“There’s just a lot at risk here. I was cool with the plan in the beginning, but with Brianna in the picture, things could go south fast.”

“Oh, like Hell it will!” Adam pulled at his hair. The two men were at their wits end.

“This ain’t no normal drug dealing type shit, Adam! This is rob a bank, go to jail for the rest of your life kind of shit. This is
federal
punishment kind of shit. This is kill a black man by hanging type of shit. I ain’t dying like my great grandparents. Hell no. Let me die in peace.”

“I hear you. But, man, Daryl…I’m out of options. If I don’t get this cash, I’ll be stuck in the same damn cycle I’ve been in, since the beginning. Man, I lost everything during that last heist. I promise you, I ain’t gonna’ lose this time. We’re gonna’ win. You gotta’ trust me on this.”

I stood up from my chair and let out a growl. “Does anyone give a damn about me?” I screamed. “God, you two can be so selfish sometimes!”

The two men stood in silence. “Alright, girl. Speak. Let it out.” Daryl said, waiting for me to say what was on my mind.

At first I didn’t even know what I wanted to say. I think I was just angry they wouldn’t let me
have
my say. Finally, after a few seconds of thinking, it came to me. “We’re doing the job, guys.”

“What makes you think you can just tell us what we’re doing?” Daryl said, looking more frustrated than ever. “You…you…you guys just come in my house and tell me what to do? Ah, hell no! You got some fucking nerve, you know that?”

“Daryl, you don’t even have to do anything, except stick your hand out for some cash. We’re the ones putting our necks on the line. Now, shut up and listen. I’ve got a plan.”

“Alright, girl. I’m listening.” An air of respect filled the room and for once I felt strong.

I took a deep breath and relayed the plan. “I’ll give myself up.” I said.

Adam laughed to himself. “Like shit you will. You’re joking right?”

“It’s not a joke.” I said, shaking my head. I lowered my tone. “Adam, I have to go home. It’s the only way.”

Adam’s eyes creased. “What are you saying, kid? Spit it out already.”

“If I don’t, we’ll lose our lives in that bank. Trust me on this, Adam. I’ve got a bad feeling about seeing Brianna there.”

“I told you already. It’s just coincidence.” He said, leaning towards me.

“Adam, if you don’t wise up, you’ll end up getting us killed. There is a good reason we saw Brianna today. She was trying to find us. Who knows, maybe she even saw us come in the damn building. Either way, she knows something’s up. If I turn myself in, no one will suspect I had anything to do with my disappearance. If I leave, you can pull off the bank, while the focus of attention is on me.”

“I can’t leave you here.” He said. “This isn’t part of the plan. We’re supposed to be together.”

“Not right now. Not yet. But after. Come get me.” I said. I turned and wiped the tears from my eyes. This wasn’t going to be easy. This wasn’t going to be clean. So I left. I ran out of the house, right into the woods.

“Wait!” Adam screamed. The sound of a glass breaking against wood echoed behind me.

T
hings didn’t feel so
good for me now. I felt an undeniable wave of pressure eating away at my stomach, moving upward throughout my body. There was no escaping the position we were in. This was being an adult. I had to make that choice.

Adam will save me.

Adam has to save me. Right?

I walked through the forest, with the giant trees hanging over my head, until I reached the open path that led to the streets. I was out, and I hadn’t a clue as to where to go. So I just kept walking. I walked and I walked, roaming the city, until I found a large filling station. Trucks lined the parking lot, waiting for gas. Some were sleeping in their vehicles. Others were off to the side, smoking cigarettes and conversing. I knew what I had to do.

I braced myself and walked up to the nearest group of drivers. “Any of you going south?” I asked.

“Where’s your parents, little one?” One of them joked.

“Don’t call me little one.” I angrily retorted. If they had an inkling as to what I had been through, they would have been on their knees with respect.

“Where down south are you headed, lady?” One man stepped out from the crowd to ask. He was drinking a hot cup of coffee, sporting a calm demeanor. He smiled. He looked as if he were a friend, like he had known me for years.

“I need to get to Arizona. I’m headed home.” I admitted, feeling a twinge of regret. My mind went to Adam. He was now alone with Daryl. And though I probably couldn’t protect him from any danger, it always felt better being next to him when danger came. I couldn’t imagine the state they were in now.

“Home? You lost? Or are you another one of those runaways?” He took a sip from his cup and stared diligently at me.

“You leaving soon?” I said, brushing off his question. “I need to get out of here as fast as I can. There are people waiting for me.”

“You don’t like questions, do you?” He asked me admiringly. “I don’t either. Come on. I’ve got a truck over in section B. Gotta’ make a few stops first, but we’ll get to Arizona in less than 3 days. That okay with you?”

It was more than okay with me. I found my ticket home. “Let’s go.” I said with confidence. I felt around inside my empty pockets. I had nothing, spare the clothes on my back. He watched me fumble.

“No need, miss. I’m already headed in that direction. This is on the company’s dime.” We walked to the truck. The words
Gold Shipping
was printed on the sides. The truck looked brand new. “I’m Rob.” He said, offering out his hand.

I almost let out my real name, when I realized maybe that wasn’t such a good idea. “Ingrid.” I said. “My name is Ingrid.”

“Well, nice to meet you, Ingrid.” He opened the large door and hopped up into his seat, reaching out to open mine. “I don’t get too many passengers these days. Apologies for the mess. Been meaning to clean this damn thing.” Inside were McDonald’s bags and empty cigarette cartons, littering the floor. Coming from where I was, this was paradise.

“No worries. I’ve seen worse.” I smiled.

“Well, alright. Let’s go! I’ve been needing a fun road trip to get me through my days.” He laughed, switching into gear and turning on the radio. We drove off slowly and outside my window were the lights of the city I hadn’t had a chance to get used to yet. So be it. Adam would be back. He had to be. He would find me at my parents’ house and he’d have his money back. He’d take me back and the rest would be history. We’d have those children, our dogs, the countryside… everything would be perfect. I knew it.

“So what’s your story, Ingrid? You got Germans for parents or what?” He asked, breaking the silence.

“What?” I asked, slightly confused by his question. Outside, on the freeway, endless fast food stores and supercenters passed us by.

“Well, ‘cause your name’s Ingrid, right?” He looked at me quizzically. I scrambled to answer.

“Yeah but my family is Pennsylvania Dutch. The older generations are from the Netherlands. But I'm just a normal girl from the desert.” I smiled, looking as innocent as possible.

“Oh I get it. I had friends that were them Pennsylvanians. Real steel workers. Hard people. I never wanted in any of that world. No coal or steel for me. Just this truck and the next destination.”

“I know the feeling…” I muttered. He look surprised by my response.

“What? Don't believe me?” I asked him.

“Well, hey, I've seen a lot on the road. I have to accept the truth when the truth presents itself. Now I ain't judging you, but how does a girl like you live a life on the road?”

“A girl like me? You know, a girl like me takes offense to that. I'm not some average girl. Well, not anymore at least.”

“Alright, I hear you. So what happened? What made you start runnin’?” He asked me.

I looked at him and shook my head, laughing. “I met a boy…” I mumbled. I had already said too much, of course. But I needed to pass the time with some conversation and Adam was all I could think about. The distance between us was growing. My love for him was deepened and interrupted. Tears filled my eyes.

“Aw now, don't cry. These things happen.” He awkwardly tried to console me by patting my back lightly. “Take it from me. I've had six different wives. Do you know how much heartbreak that amounts to? A lot. But here I am, chuggin’ along. It ain't so bad. You'll find another.”

“Not someone like him.” I said, feeling the solid tears slide down my cheek. I looked away.

“There, there…” He patted my back again. There was a moment of silence. I turned the radio up louder. It was the local country station Adam and I had listened to together on the way up north. “He was one in a million, huh?” He asked me, looking genuinely empathetic.

“He was more than that. He was everything.” I glanced out the window, watching the world’s lights pass me by.

W
e reached
California by the next morning. The forest landscape soon turned into oceans and desert mountains, and I slowly felt the familiar feeling of nostalgia rush into me. I was almost home.

“You're finally awake.” He said, smiling.

“I guess I dozed off back there. Needed the rest.” I rubbed my eyes and faked a smile. “Are we in California?”

“Sure are, honey. You're almost home, don't worry.” But I was worrying. There would be camera crews, interviews, and worst of all, the police’s interrogation. I knew I couldn't get in trouble for anything. As far as they were concerned, I hadn't done anything wrong. I was simply abducted, held for ransom. If they only knew...

“Gotta get gas soon…” He muttered. “Coffee too, for that matter. I figure we can rest up somewhere if you're up to it.” He said.

I’m not sure what provoked me to look at his gas gauge, but when I did I was left with confusion and mistrust. When you’re a young girl on the road, anything can happen. I wasn’t about to let anyone take advantage of me, so I declined his request. “Gas?” I said. “The meter isn’t even half empty.” I said, trying not to sound too suspicious.

“Yeah, well gas gets more expensive in about ten miles. Might as well stop early to save some money, right?” He winked at me.

Something wasn’t right. I could feel it in my bones. But I wasn’t afraid. No. I had to stay strong. Without Adam here, I was no match for anyone. Even still, I had to try. I ran through the list of excuses in my head. “I’m not really tired. If you don’t mind, we should continue driving. My family will be waiting for me…”

He laughed. He
actually
laughed. “Listen, little lady. I’ve been driving for 12 hours straight. Now, unless you know how to drive a semi, I gotta’ get some damn sleep.” He continued to look straight ahead at the road. I had a bad feeling about this. I should never have run away that night…

“Look, if it’s money you want, I’ve got money. I’ll give you money. My parents are very wealthy. I’m sure they’d want to see their daughter come home earlier than expected. Maybe they’ll even give you a warm dinner. Oh, I’m sure they will!” He didn’t say a word. Instead, he cleared his throat and hummed the tune on the radio. I couldn’t believe it. It was the same Elvis song Adam and I had heard earlier!

This time, however, the song had taken on an eerie quality. I felt a shiver run down my spine. The words told the tale of man seeing his own death. His own flaming star… I trembled against the seat.

“You cold?” He asked. “I can turn the heater on if you’d like.” He smiled real wide and I noticed one of his back molars was missing.

The more I looked at him, the more I loathed him. The more I wanted to get away from him. I should have taken a fucking cab. I should have just called my parents. What was I thinking? I couldn’t beat myself up over this. I just couldn’t. There was a reason for my actions. For one, if I had turned myself in up north, a massive search would have gone underway. I would have led them right to him. Two, he needed to rob that bank. Despite the moral implications behind that kind of action, there was just no way out of the life he was born into without a big sum of money. So instead of staying, I acted like a martyr.

“No, sir. I’m not cold. I’m fine. I’ll cheer up. Sorry.” I quickly thought of a plan. How was I going to escape if this guy tried anything on me?

“No need to be sorry, Ingrid.” He said. He pulled off the highway and slowed down slightly. A motel shone in the distance. “How about we get gas in the morning? I’m beat.”

Think, Rose! Think!
But nothing came to mind. My head was tired and empty. I was alone.

He slowed the semi down as we reached the dusty, vacant hotel. It looked like it hadn’t been used in years. There were no shops, gas stations, or restaurants in sight. “Where are we?” I asked, feeling my heart pound against my throat.

“You know…you remind me of someone, Ingrid.” He simply stated as he parked the truck.

I gulped down hard, feeling the click in my throat. “…I do?”

“Yes. Someone I knew a very long time ago.” He was thinking with his finger on his chin. It was as if he couldn’t quite pin where he had saw me.

“Well, I hope they were nice…” I said. I wasn’t sure why I said it. I just did. I just wanted to keep the conversation going for as long as I could. At least until I could figure out how to get out of here in one piece.

Maybe I needed to relax. Maybe everything was really okay. I took another look around at my surroundings. It was pitch black. One light at the motel was flickering on and off as moths groped the smooth bulb. They flew and landed, devouring the rest of the insects. My leg started shaking. I was filled with anxiety and panic.

“Oh, I don’t remember if she was nice or not. What was her name?” He was still thinking to himself. Suddenly, he hit his steering wheel. “AHA! I remember now!” He was filled with glee.

“You do?” I asked him, feeling the hairs on my neck stick up.

“Yes, Ingrid. I do. Her name was Rose.”