Anguish Unfolds Read online

  “We’ll sleep out here,” he says, eyeing me. “Just so you don’t get any ideas. I know what you’re thinking.” He releases a sigh. “If you can just get back to the campground, you and Quinn can hightail it outta here, right?”

  I remain silent, unmoving. It’s the only thing I’m in control of right now.

  “Well, we’d just go right back there. This time on our bikes, so we’d get there much faster. And I really don’t think you’d want to see what could happen.”

  My teeth tremble but I purse my lips closed to silence them. There’s no way I can form a syllable without crumbling into a blustering mess of tears. How is this happening? This isn’t the Jim I grew up with. This is the person that Quinn has always seen.

  I burrow under the flannel blanket and meld into the couch. I just want to disappear.

  My mind runs through scenarios that would take me back to the campground. At some point, it must have slowed to a useless churning because the next thing I know, a deep voice rouses me from a dreamless sleep. “Riley. Wake up!” Dan greets me, his eyes cautious. “It’s time to go. Jim wants to get on the road with the first light.”

  I pull myself up and begrudgingly get ready. I don’t ask what time it is. I don’t care. Dawn breaks and the sun slowly spreads its fiery rays over the land. The guys gobble down some strawberry Pop-Tarts. I just break mine into smaller pieces, so it looks like I’m eating. I swallow a bite or two but the lack of hunger I faced when Quinn and I first got to the trailer park returns.

  Loaded up with as much as we can carry on our backs, we return to the bikes. The guys must have been planning for this. I don’t even know if there’s anything for me in those bags. They were sitting by the door, just awaiting this road trip. And my bag, which carries all that I own at this moment in time, sits back at the campground with my unsuspecting sister.

  The back of my neck tingles as a shiver sprints up my spine. It stems from something other than the dread pitting in my stomach. I feel eyes on us. Turning my head from side-to-side, I search for the source. Maybe someone sees us and will help me.

  “Let’s go!” Jim barks. With one last look, my eyes land on a nearby bush. Its full leaves tremble but it’s probably just the wind. No one’s coming to rescue me.

  Without a word, I throw a leg over the back of Jim’s bike. Is this really happening? A moment later, the bikes rev to life and shoot toward the highway. The standstill of cars and trucks is merely a blur.

  My anxiety skyrockets with each mile carrying me farther away from my sister. And farther away from home. My home will never be with Jim and his brother. If I can just get away, I can go back to the campground and get Quinn. We’ll walk the whole way home if we have to.

  I pinch my eyes shut to hold back the tears threatening to spill. The truth stings. I have zero ability to get myself out of this situation.

  Chapter 4

  We drive south on Route One. The sea air invades my nose, reminding me of why my family came here in the first place. I glance toward the ocean, catching flashes of the salty waves between hotels and restaurants lining the highway.

  My eyes catch the Grotto Pizza sign as we speed past it. We always ate there—several times during each vacation because we all loved that spiral-sauced pie so much. When we pass The Carousel hotel, I squint my eyes closed to trap any tears that are plotting to spill.

  The enormous building, practically touching the clouds, actually houses an ice rink. An ice rink at the beach. Every summer Quinn and I would beg our parents to take us there. And they did, until we got too old for it—or maybe just too big. The hotel ceased reaching the clouds and the patch of ice seemed to shrink, barely big enough to accommodate us and any others with figure skating dreams.

  Dan trails just a few feet behind us. His reflection zooms along the fancier buildings with mirrored exteriors. Fighting to push regret-filled thoughts from my head, I focus on watching him.

  As we pass the city limits and near Interstate 95, the concrete, steel, and glass give way to trees, bushes, and grass. I glance over my shoulder every few minutes, keeping an eye on the focal point Dan and his bike have become. I can’t do this alone, and Dan’s the only one who can help me now. Or at least maybe keep Jim calm.

  The interstate has much prettier scenery, but it’s not as interesting as the city. When we reach a long stretch of nothingness, I turn to see Dan’s bike falling back. Either we’re going faster or he’s slowing down. Taking another peek behind us, his bike slows until it sputters to a stop.

  Jim’s voice pulls me from the scene behind us. “Riley! Stop moving around so much. You’re throwing the damn bike off balance!”

  Gripping Jim’s shirt, I screech in his ear. “Dan’s stopping. We have to turn around!” Stealing a glance over our shoulders, Jim huffs out a few obscenities. The sudden deceleration slams my body into his back. We turn and speed back to Dan.

  Rolling to a stop, Jim shuts the bike off and stomps over to where Dan stands with his motionless bike. Attempting to recapture the air flushed from my lungs, I stumble after the guys, arriving in time to hear Jim reprimanding his brother.

  “What the hell happened?” Jim asks, inspecting the bike. He huffs out a deep breath and shakes his head.

  “I sorta ran out of gas,” Dan says meekly, raising a fist to his mouth as if stemming any further explanation. Anticipation smothers the air. Sweat beads on my neck, preparing to race down my back. I expect Jim to erupt. Rage radiates from his narrowed eyes, but his voice is low and calm. Somehow it feels more threatening than if he was shouting.

  “I got the bags ready. Your job was to prep the bikes—”

  “I know, I know, I screwed up, okay?” Dan counters. “Damn gauge is busted. It’s not readin’ right.”

  After a few awkward minutes of silence, Jim announces our new plan.

  “Since you couldn’t get the job done, I’ll do it,” he says, glaring at Dan. “You two stay here. I’ll ride to the nearest gas station and siphon some gas. Then maybe we can get back on the road.”

  My pulse eases as understanding dawns that I don’t have to go with him. Or that Dan is going, leaving me alone with Jim.

  “How you gonna do that?” Dan asks. “You don’t even have—"

  “Don’t you worry about it. If it wasn’t for your sorry ass, I wouldn’t have to, but I’ll figure it out.” Jim staggers toward his bike, throwing one last glance over his shoulder at us. “Just stay put. I’ll be back soon. Stay out of sight.”

  Hope blossoms in my chest. Is fate intervening, trying to help me get back to my sister?

  With that, he throws a leg over his bike and revs the engine, kicking up dust when the tires spin. Dan and I stand next to each other and watch him disappear into the distance.

  “Should we maybe move the bike to the side of the road and try to find some shade?” I ask Dan innocently. This is my chance. Maybe I can convince him to just let me go. I never thought Jim would leave my side so soon.

  “Yeah, I guess we should. You know, I didn’t plan on making this whole trip.” He waves a hand around in the air as if being here is an inconvenience.

  “Well, you know, Dan,” I start cautiously. “I didn’t plan on it either. And I wasn’t really given a choice, you know?”

  He narrows his eyes at me as if I’m transparent. Okay, maybe he isn’t as dumb as Quinn always said he was. I start to plead my case when he raises his pointer finger in the air to shush me.

  “Do you hear that?” he asks intently. All I hear is the strained silence between us.

  “I don’t hear anything,” I say. “So, Dan, I was saying—”

  “Riley, shush,” he says, turning to look down the road before us. He raises a hand in the air, silently telling me to stay quiet. This time I do hear something.

  A low rumbling resonates in the distance. What is that? Instinctively, I clasp my hands together, wringing them.

  Dan catches the movement and smirks. “You know Jim says you look like a damn lunatic wh
en you shuffle your hands like that.”

  I drop them to my thighs and shoot Dan a sneer.

  He meets my gaze but his eyes flash with worry. “Whatever it is, it’s getting louder. Something’s coming.”

  Chapter 5

  Cupping my hands around my forehead, I form a shade barrier in a useless attempt to get a better view. Dan startles me when he swats my arm.

  “Hey, let’s blend in with the green. It’s better if we see who’s coming before they see us.”

  I nod in agreement.

  We survey our surroundings, mentally inventorying our options. Trees line the highway, but they are set back from the road. I can’t tell how much time we have before they get here, whoever they are.

  I didn’t notice when we stopped passing restaurants, gift shops, mini golf places and hotels, but there are no buildings to hide within or behind at the moment.

  “How about that bush?” I ask, pointing at an overgrown hydrangea a dozen feet from the road.

  Dan nods, then takes off for his downed bike. I spring into action. I want to be hidden before whatever is coming gets here.

  Positioning myself behind the flourishing shrub, I watch Dan clumsily roll the bike a few feet behind me. Other than a few shooting rays reflecting from the bikes’ metal, the tall grass mostly conceals it.

  This whole area is stunning. I hadn’t noticed it before, but the rich brown tree trunks climb to the sky, their sturdy arms smothered in emerald leaves. Smaller white-flowered trees hang in the background as if hiding behind their older siblings.

  I kneel beside Dan. The rumbling grows louder, like a massive swarm of bees descending upon us.

  “I don’t see nothin’ yet. Do you?” Dan asks.

  Turning toward him, I shake my head. Maybe I need a better angle.

  Just as the rumbling crescendos to a mechanical roar, I peek around the side of the bush, gently brushing aside the curtain of fragrant blooms. Like an oasis flickering in the shimmering waves of heat, a boxy vehicle rises on the horizon. Mirror images trail it, each growing bigger as they get closer.

  A convoy.

  “It’s the military,” I whisper, though I’m not sure why. Dan probably can’t hear me over the approaching grumble. And there’s no way anyone in those vehicles would hear us talking.

  “Let’s flag them down. Maybe they can help us!” My voice rises with my excitement. This could be my chance to escape.

  “Now just hold up!” Dan says impatiently. “Jim told us to wait here.” He pauses, probably trying to imagine Jim’s voice in his head, directing him on what to do.

  I don’t need his permission. Heck, no one asked my permission to bring me here. Rising to my feet, I decide to make a run for it. At least Jim isn’t here to tackle me to the ground again. As I draw in a deep breath to ready my lungs, a soft hand lands on my arm.

  “Stay hidden,” his voice softens. “Let’s just watch and try to figure out who they are.”

  I cross my arms and sulk. I can already tell who they are. Who else drives in formation in a line of boxy green Humvees? Still, I stay hidden and watch, thrusting an arm into the bush, separating branches just enough to give me a line of sight.

  As the trucks roll closer, I will my eyes to capture every useful detail. Each truck is a mirror image of the one before it. Camouflaged soldiers fill each vehicle, an occasional green-clad arm resting on an open window as they filter past us.

  They all look pretty standard to me. The only thing to catch my eye is the large block letters on the back of each Humvee. The black, no-nonsense font reads: United States Armed Forces. Then under that, in smaller letters: Department of Operational Assets: Resources, Infrastructure & Population.

  Geez, could that name be any longer? I wonder if they’re headed to the Air Force base, too? I mean, their job is to serve and protect. Or is that the police? Either way, I bet they’re on the way to help people. And maybe they’d help us too. Or me. Dan and Jim already have a plan and they don’t need me for it.

  I glance at Dan, who’s watching the convoy intently. “Come on, let’s flag them down before they’re gone!” I say, louder this time. Pushing back from the branches, I stand tall, looking at him expectantly.

  Anger flashes in his eyes like lightning. “Now I told you, Jim said to stay put. We go out there now and he’ll kick both of our asses.” As if sensing my disbelief, he wraps a strong hand around my elbow. “I mean it, Riley. Stay put. Who knows where the hell they’d take us?”

  My slow nod promises I won’t run. I didn’t think of that. They’re heading in the direction we were going, but that’s the opposite of where I want to go. What if I flagged them down and they just loaded me up on a vehicle and continued on their mission? I’d still be moving farther away from home.

  Convinced I’m a willing hostage for the moment, Dan releases my arm. We both meld into the bushes and watch as the convoy continues down the road, kicking up dust and scattering stones in its wake. By the time the last of the convoy snakes out of sight, a chill pulses through me.

  I thought this was a chance to escape, but icy fingers claw at the back of my neck in warning. Goosebumps bloom along my forearms. A moment ago, I was daydreaming about the sweltering sun, and now I’m practically shivering. Something about this doesn’t feel right.

  Chapter 6

  Dan’s forehead beads with sweat, but that doesn’t mean much. The heat is stifling, and he’s not exactly dressed for warm weather. He and Jim both wore jeans and black t-shirts for this trip. Now that I think of it, I actually haven’t seen either of them wear shorts in years. I can’t imagine how warm Dan must be.

  Although I’m thankful that I wore tan shorts and a lilac t-shirt—colors that should reflect the light—the sun’s cruel rays scorch my fair skin. When we’d play at the beach as kids, Quinn’s skin was always sun-kissed by the end of the day. Mine was singed to an angry red if I ventured out from the shade of our blue-and-white-striped umbrella for more than five minutes.

  Silence settles around us, along with the dust and stones on the road. It must be early afternoon by now. We haven’t made it very far, but that’s fine with me. We’re definitely still in Maryland. It wasn’t that long ago we passed the hotels and restaurants lining Ocean City.

  Tired of my own thoughts, I decide to strike up a conversation with Dan. Now that we’re alone, maybe I can broach some topics I’m sure Jim would never allow.

  “Dan, can I ask you something?” I cautiously proceed. His guard must be at least a little weakened without Jim here commanding him, and I may be taking advantage of that, but I’m willing to accept any resulting guilt. Swiping his sweaty forehead, he nods in affirmation.

  “That night Quinn and I had dinner at your place…”

  His eyes widen for a moment before fixating on me. “What about it?”

  As if on cue, my hands clasp together and start their wringing dance.

  “What did you serve as the meal?” I attempt to cough out my nervousness. “I mean, what was that meat?”

  He gives me a sideways glance and wipes his damp hair off his face.

  “What does that matter? That was before—who cares?”

  “I care,” I start with a shaky voice. “Because I’ve basically been kidnapped by two people who I thought I knew.” I pause for a moment, taking a deep breath. “I need to know what they are truly capable of, because I never thought they were capable of this.” Tears threaten to punctuate my statement. I do not want to cry in front of Dan, or Jim, for that matter. I bite my lip, attempting to use physical pain as a distraction.

  Dan huffs out a deep breath and rubs his temples as if a headache suddenly engulfs his brain.

  “Look, it’s kind of like we were doing you a favor really.” He meets my eyes but the shadow in them betrays him. Even he doesn’t believe what he’s saying. “You’re a lot safer now. Those rats you were with just want to steal other people’s stuff.”

  “At least they’re not stealing people. And what about Qui
nn? Do you think she’s in danger right now?” I cross my arms across my chest. Does he really think he can justify his way out of this?

  He releases a long sigh, as if I’m inconveniencing him with my questions.

  “Quinn’s tough. She can take care of herself. Who knows, maybe she’s even made it home by now,” he says, brimming with pride as if he’d just correctly answered a Final Jeopardy question.

  Frustrated, I drop to the ground and pluck blades of grass from the soft dirt. So it’s okay for me to leave my sister, but we can’t even consider leaving his brother. Silence and shimmering air hover around us. There’s no relief from the rising heat. Each layer seems to build off of the previous one.

  I scramble deeper into the foliage, seeking reprieve. Propping up against a thick tree, I let my body meld into the trunk. A soft breeze stirs, fluttering wisps of hair across my neck. The comforting shade attempts to lull my eyes closed, but I’m not about to sleep on the ground. I mean, look where that got me last time.

  Stretching to wake my muscles, I notice the sky. The bright sun has dulled since we stopped moving. Bright blue has morphed into a sickly yellow-green. My hair flaps around my face as the breeze kicks up. It’s probably mid-afternoon, but it looks like the sky is mourning a precarious death.

  “Dan!” I bark. He sits a few feet away from me, leaning against another tree. He must have fallen asleep because he jumps at my outburst.

  An inner voice practically screams in my ear. If you had just paid attention, you could have gotten away and he wouldn’t have even noticed!

  Dan rubs his eyes. “What is it, Riley?”

  “Look at the sky! I think a storm’s coming.”

  Aiming his bleary gaze upward, his eyes widen when they shoot to me. A gust of wind plows into both of us.

  “Damn, I’d say you’re right. Jim better get his ass back here soon.”

  Chapter 7