Page 26 of Trapped: Until The Darkest Of Night

I turn away from her and pull the folding door of the sleeping area halfway closed behind me. That way, I can keep an eye on her from the front and react if she gets sick in spite of the dimenhydrinate.

Contrary to my plans, I spontaneously decide to drive off immediately, maybe the hundred and thirty miles to Fresno, maybe more. Right now, no missing person announcement has been made, so I won’t encounter police checkpoints and I can leave Lou on the bed while I drive. To keep her from falling off the bed, I roll the two down comforters into sausages and wrap them around her. When she’s up on the bed, I can watch her through the rearview mirror, so there’s no danger of her choking.

After adjusting the pillows as well, I stow the bag of broken lanterns and shards in one of the upper cupboards. After that, I wash my hands and mist the whole camper with Amouage’s Gold Man, a heavy, sweet, men’s cologne I bought specifically for this purpose. The oriental blend of woods, roses, and spices instantly hangs in the air, drowning out the chloroform.

Before I get behind the wheel, I take one last look at Lou. Her eyes are closed and her breathing is steady. I smile, knock once on the wall, and a slight twitch crosses her face. Okay, Lou, not in deep sleep yet, but you’re pretty far gone.

As I’m about to start the engine, I see two points of light flicker in the side mirror.

“Louisa!” The exasperated shout penetrates the interior of the RV.

Fucking crap! Lou’s brothers!

I’m sure they’ll knock and ask me if I’ve seen a blonde girl. Even before they reach my area, I jump up and climb into the bunk above the driver’s cab.

My heart is pounding so hard it makes me nauseous.

“Lou? Lou-u? Where the hell are you?” I think I recognize Ethan’s voice.

I quickly check the clock. Just before seven thirty. Lou hasn’t been gone that long, he probably isn’t overly worried yet. He might also think she’s playing a bad joke on them since she said she would get on the next bus. But it’s already so dark.

I lie on my stomach and peer through the curtain onto the street. The flashlights flash on the rear of the RV and I recognize faces in the swirling beams of light. It seems Ethan is leading the way, followed by long-haired Liam.

“Jesus, Louisa! If you don’t show yourself now, you’ll be grounded for all of next year!” Ethan yells so loud, I’m afraid Lou might hear him despite her groggy state. Ethan has stopped and lights up the RV’s windows.

Now he’s gone completely insane!

I hastily climb back down and close the folding door. I have to do something, or they’ll bang on the door, wanting to come in. No way. Maybe the perfume smell doesn’t completely cover the chloroform smell.

I am blinded by a beam of light falling directly through the front window and hold my hand in front of my eyes.

“Lou-i-sa!” Ethan yells from further away. I squint against the beam and see Liam standing in front of the RV like a ghost. He spins in circles and lights up everything in his path. He’s probably stoned on some Tibetan herbal tea or whatever he’s into.

Anger and fear boil up in me. I don’t know what I’ll do if they get suspicious, but I won’t lose. Liam is thin as a hermit and Ethan seems fit, but not a serious opponent. Determined, I open the side door and descend the steps.

“What’s going on here?” I hiss in a low voice, pulling the door shut behind me. “Do you have to be so loud? My daughter just fell asleep.” It’s good I recall what Lou said earlier about the family of five.

“Sorry,” Ethan calls out under his breath, aiming the beam of light at my chest like a crosshair. He takes a few steps toward me. “We’re looking for our sister. Have you seen her? Short, blonde”—he puts his hand elbow high—“long hair. Sixteen years old…pretty…quite pretty…” I hear a hint of fear in the last couple of words. His state of anger is at a turning point—it’s imperative I get out of here.

I pretend to think and slowly shake my head, although my heart is still racing. “No girl came by here. I would have noticed.” I look straight at him like Lou did. “I was outside the whole time up until five minutes ago…repairing the radiator…my wife put the little one to bed.”

Ethan stops and shifts his feet. Wrinkles dig into his forehead. Once again, he lights up the street.

“There’s no point in that, Eth,” I hear Liam say next to me. “Lou’s probably back by now and she’ll be happy you were so worried.”

Ethan takes a deep breath. “Hopefully.” He smiles briefly, trying to cover his fear, unsuccessfully so. “Let’s go the other way anyway,” he suggests.

Liam sighs and puts what looks like chewing tobacco in his mouth. “Fine with me!”

Ethan nods at me and raises his hand in greeting. “Thanks for the help.”

I smile my rehearsed smile. “Don’t mention it.”

When they’re out of sight, I feel like I’m going to freak out. Agitated, I lean against the camper and dig out my cigarettes. Ethan and Liam. I inhale the smoke, trying to calm myself. I don’t know why I’m so upset. I did everything right, didn’t behave in a conspicuous manner or say anything treacherous.

Maybe it’s simply a mix of fear and triumph that’s getting to me. Or maybe it was the worry lines on Ethan’s forehead. The fear he tried to hide with a smile because he was probably embarrassed to show it in front of me.

I’m stealing from him what he most loves and wants to protect. It would be better if I hadn’t seen him and had been spared these consequences of the kidnapping. But I don’t want to feel bad now. Not today, when I’m feeling good for the first time. I don’t want to think about him walking around for hours, desperately shouting Lou’s name throughout the night.

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