Page 58 of Mountain Captive

“Are you all right, Rand?” The man lifted the visor of his helmet, and Rand recognized Deputy Ryker Vernon.

Chris and Serena caught up with them. Serena clung to Chris and stared at Ryker. “We’re good now that we’re with you,” Rand said.

Ryker looked up at the sky. “Do you know who that was, shooting at you?”

“The helicopter belongs to the Vine,” Chris said. “Their leader, Edmund Harrison, was probably in there with some of his followers.”

“They kidnapped Chris and Serena and were going to take them away from here in a helicopter,” Rand said. “The storm yesterday delayed them, and we managed to get away.”

“I’m still nervous, out in the open like this,” Chris said. “Can we please leave?”

“There’s a group coming up to help us,” Ryker said.

Rand heard voices approaching. Soon, two deputies and half a dozen search and rescue members joined them. “Is everybody okay?” Danny asked.

“We’re good,” Chris said.

“Rand, you’re bleeding.” Hannah studied his face.

Rand swiped at his cheek. “A rock chip hit me. I’ll be okay. You can clean it up later. Right now I just want to leave.”

“Who is this?” Danny addressed Chris, but he was looking at Serena.

“This is Serena.” Chris kept her hand on the girl’s shoulder.

“What’s your last name, Serena?” Bethany asked.

“It’s Rogers.” Serena looked up at Chris. “I’d almost forgotten that.”

Chris nodded. “Members of the Vine don’t use last names,” she explained to the others.

“Chris!”

She looked up to see Bethany hurrying toward her. The younger woman threw her arms around Chris and hugged her, hard. After a second’s hesitation, Chris returned the hug. It felt good. “I’m so glad to see you!” Bethany said. “I’ve been so worried.” Her voice broke.

“Hey, it’s okay.” Chris patted her shoulder. “I’m good.”

Bethany released her hold and wiped her eyes. “I’m glad to hear it. I’d hate to think I’d lost a new friend.”

“Yeah. I’d hate that too,” Chris said. She meant it. “Let’s get together for lunch again soon.”

“Let’s. I can fill you in on my family’s latest plan for taking over my life.” Bethany laughed and turned away.

“We have some vehicles waiting at the road to take you back to Eagle Mountain,” Jake said.

“Do you have any food?” Serena asked. “We’re starving.”

This prompted the rescuers to dig into their packs and produce an assortment of nuts, dried fruit, protein bars, chocolate and gummy candy. Chris, Serena and Rand gratefully accepted this bounty. Danny examined Serena’s bruises and treated her busted lip. They ate as they walked, a new vigor in their step. Rand glanced ahead toward Chris, who was chatting with Bethany. They were safe, for now. But could he continue to protect her from the Vine, as long as they were still free?

“WHATWILLHAPPENto Edmund Harrison and the rest of his followers?” Chris addressed this question to Sheriff Walker as soon as he entered the interview room at the sheriff’s department, where she and Rand were seated, only a few hours after their rescue.

“We have a BOLO out for his arrest,” Travis said. “And we’re continuing to search for the rest of the group.”

“Where is Serena?” Chris asked. “You can’t let her go back to those people. You saw the bruises on her, right?”

“She’s with Deputy Jamie Douglas right now,” Travis said. “We’ve summoned a child-welfare advocate. They’re working on finding an emergency placement for her.”

“She can stay with me,” Chris said. She leaned forward, hands clenched in her lap. “She trusts me, and I understand some of what she’s been through.”

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