“Captives” - part 1

by Jo and Stacey

Abby wiped at her tears as she knelt beside the two men lying unconscious in front of her. In the distance, she could hear Dwayne rummaging through boxes and drawers, looking for something to tie Alistair up so he couldn't get away. Alistair, sweet, kind Alistair... "He's been through so much," she sobbed quietly to herself, "so very, very much." She gently touched her fingers to the back of his head. There was a rather large bump already forming there she could feel.

Pulling her fingers away she saw that they were covered with blood. She turned his head slightly then was relieved to see only a small bit of blood. He'd be okay and most likely wouldn't even need stitches.

The meds were still pulsing through her system, though their hold on her was starting to lessen. She knew once Dwayne got back in the room he'd most likely restrain her as well, if not worse, so she'd have to act fast. She looked down at Ross, felt his pulse. It was weak, but steady. Blood was still oozing from the knife wound. If she didn't do something quick, he'd be dead. Looking around the room, she quickly snatched a small throw from the couch and pressed a wad against his chest. Ross let out a groan, louder than the ones he'd made before. "Stay with me, Ross," she whispered in his ear. "Stay with me."

Working quickly, Abby grabbed the other end of the throw and managed to rip a large strip off using her teeth and all her might. Quickly, she wrapped it around Alex's chest, tightly covering the wad of throw she'd pressed against his wound.

"You bein' a good girl in there, darlin'?" Dwayne called out to her from the back of the house.

Her heart raced when she heard him, fearful he'd catch what she was going to do next. She closed her eyes, swallowed, then answered, "Yes, Dwayne."

She heard his muffled voice say something in return, though she couldn't make out just what. She looked down the hallway towards where he'd called out to her.

Suddenly, there he was - standing in the hall just outside the back room - his cell phone pressed to his ear. He smiled and waved to her, then walked slowly back into the room and closed the door so that it was just cracked open a bit.

Shit, who was he calling? she wondered to herself, panicking even more so now. She needed to get help and fast! Dwayne had taken Alistair's phone and she'd left hers back in the crawl space. Ross! Surely, he'd have his cell phone on him! Acting quickly, she began rummaging through his pockets until she found what she was looking for.

She heard Alistair let out a moan about that time. He was starting to come around. She touched his hand, let him know she was there and he was okay, then pressed the number for emergency on the cell phone.

"Sheriff's department," the voice on the other line said.

"Oh, thank God! This is Abby Campbell, my husband Dwayne has me locked up and..."

"Yeah, we know all about what going on with you, Mrs. Campbell," the voice on the other line said. "Your husband told us that you haven't been feeling well. Best hang up the phone and get some rest; your husband is just doing what's best for you."

"No! No! You don't understand! I... I... need an ambulance..."

Click. Dial tone.

A fresh batch of tears streamed down Abby's face as she realized help wasn't coming. Dwayne had made sure the whole town thought she was crazy and now no one would believe her. Just then, Dwayne opened the door and came strolling back down the hallway towards her. She panicked. If he caught her with the phone he'd take it from her. She leaned over Alistair, pressed the phone into his hand. He gripped it as she whispered in his ear, "You'll have to call for help - they won't believe me, but they'll listen to you. Wait until he's left the room again, press the redial."

"Oh now darlin', what are you doin' to the Reverend there?" Dwayne asked as he walked up behind her and grabbed hold of the back of her arms and pulled her to her feet. "Not whispering sweet nothings to him, I hope. You're supposed to save that for me, darlin'." He smirked, then looked down at Ross and Alistair. "Looks like our guests are still a couple of sleeping beauties. Good. I'll deal with them in a moment. First, let's get you back to your room. Time for your meds, too."

Abby nodded, then walked along as Dwayne led her to her room.

Alistair lay there, still dazed, his mind trying to fumble through what he thought he'd heard Abby say about pressing redial. Redial? Was there someone he should call?  His head hurt too much and he kept his eyes closed. Something was wrong, desperately wrong. He remembered that much. But what had happened? Alex! His eyes shot open and he turned his head, the simple motion sending waves of nausea through him.

Oh, my Lord...yes! Alex had been stabbed. He'd been going to call for help. That was the last thing he remembered. Alex needed help. How long had he been out? Someone had tied something around Alex's chest, trying to stop the bleeding, but Alex needed way more help than that.  He realized his cell phone was in his hand. Still lying flat, he lifted his arm so he could see the phone. It was a bit blurry but he somehow managed to dial Maximus' number. He didn't stop to think why he'd done that, just that Maximus would know what to do.

"Max...Maximus," he gasped when the General's voice came on the line.

"Who is this?" Maximus couldn't recognize the voice.

"M...me, Maximus. Alistair."

"Alistair? Are you all right?"

"N...no. Been...been hit.  Listen, Maximus. It's...it's...Alex. He's been stabbed in the chest. Needs...needs help. Fast."

"Alistair, where are you?"

"Dwayne's new place. Abby...Abby's here...drugged I think. Don't...don't come alone. Don't...not safe. I'm going to try...try and help
bleeding. Hurry. Don't know if I...."  He dropped the phone, too woozy to hold it longer.

Instantly Maximus called the local rescue squad, giving them the small bit of information he had, telling them, too, that the situation
was still dangerous.   Then he called local law enforcement. Biebe was out, Bud must be home with his wife. Only Zack was available.

"Joimus," he said, walking into the den where she was reading, "You need to go stay with Ahnna until I call you." He told her what
had happened and explained that Ahnna didn't know yet. "You will have to tell her," he sighed. "I think Alistair is going to be all right.
He was speaking with me on the phone, so do not let her worry too much."  He shook his head. That was, of course, not going to
happen, not with Ahnna when it came to Alistair.  "Just do not let her go to Dwayne's. The danger seems still to be there and she
cannot be in the middle of it."

"And you? I presume you are going?"

"Yes. I have called town and Zack is meeting me outside. I need to leave."

"What's up?" Cort asked, coming down the stairs.

"Oh, good, Cort!" Joimus breathed. "Will you go with him?"

"Go where?"  He looked from Joimus over to Maximus' grim face.

Quickly Maximus explained about Alistair and Abby. "Just a sec," Cort said, running up the stairs for his guns, buckling his holster
as he came back down.

Maximus kissed his wife, then grabbed his rifle off a rack as he strode to the door. Joimus stood in the doorway a while, watching the
two men leave, whispering a prayer for their safekeeping. She got her purse and headed for her stationwagon.  How was she going
to tell Ahnna that Alistair had been hurt, was in danger again?

TBC...