Disclaimer: Fox Family owns the characters involved with Higher Ground. I'm just using them for entertainment and not for the purpose of making money.
Hostages
By SparksJSH
" I can't wait to get Thompson to the federal lock-up." U.S. Marshall Johnson told his partner as the official government car wove around the mountainous roads. Of all his duties as a Marshall the one he hated the most was transferring dangerous criminals between prisons. There was too much a risk factor for something to go wrong.
"I agree. But at least this is beautiful country." Marshall Andrews twisted in his seat to look back at the prisoner in the back seat. The large rough man just glared back at him. "Enjoy it while you can, Thompson. This will be the last time you ever see anything beautiful."
"I ain't dead yet. No jail is gonna hold me. I'm getting out and the first thing I'm going to do is get me a woman. She don't even have to be pretty. Speaking of which, where's your momma live, Marshall? She'll do to start with."
Andrews started to reach back to strike the prisoner but Johnson stopped him. "He's just trying to get your goat. Calm down, Andrews. Thompson's days of raping and murdering women is over. The next date he ever goes on will be to the gas chamber."
"JOHNSON, LOOK OUT!" Andrews screamed as he saw the large tree blocking the road. But the warning came too late, Johnson had no time to react before the brown sedan crashed into the tree. Johnson's last thought before darkness and pain closed over him was of what he hated most about his job. There's too much a risk factor for things to go wrong.
******
"Okay, guys, let's head out." Sophie Becker announced at the Cliffhangers gathered up their backpacks. There were the usual groans but Sophie ignored them with a smile. She looked at Peter, who had come to see them off. "We'll see you tomorrow night at the latest."
Peter Scarbrow nodded but let his gaze settle on Shelby Merrick. The blonde teen was slightly apart from the rest of the group. She was wearing the same petulant scowl that had been her constant companion for over a week now. He wished he knew what was going on in her troubled head. Not even Scott had been able to get through to her. Finding out what was wrong was the main purpose of this overnight quest but it wasn't going to be easy.
"Be careful." Peter urged, turning his attention back to Sophie. He lowered his voice so no one but Sophie could hear him. "I hope you can get through to her."
Sophie nodded. "I just hope we all make it back in one piece. If she realizes this whole adventure is an attempt to get inside her head, she's not going to be happy. Regardless, I don't see her making a moment of this trip easy on any of us."
Peter frowned. "I'll talk to her. Go ahead and start off with the others. She'll catch up soon."
Shelby wasn't surprised when Peter held her back. She knew she'd been pushing things with her attitude this week. It scared her just a little to realize she didn't care. As long as everyone left her alone and didn't pressure her into talking, things would be fine. "What is it, Peter?"
"I know something has you upset. I wish you felt comfortable enough to talk to Sophie or me about it. You can trust us, you know."
"Yeah, whatever. Butt out, Peter, you and Sophie can't fix everything. It's better if you don't even try. Now if you don't mind I need to join the others where we can just get this overnighter over with."
Shelby started to walk off but Peter stopped her. "Shel, we won't force you to talk about what's bothering you. You know that. But the eight of you are going to have to depend on each other out there. Please don't make things harder than they have to be."
Shelby rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Peter. Can I go now?"
For a moment, Peter said nothing, instead just looking at the troubled teen with a fixed concerned stare. Soon they would have to press her about what was bothering her no matter how she felt about it. She was hurting herself just as much as she was hurting everyone else with her current attitude. Finally he nodded. "Go on. We'll talk when you get back."
Peter shook his head as she got farther and farther away. He couldn't help but feel sorry for Sophie. Shelby hadn't shown this side of herself in a long time but he remembered it well. It was going to be a long twenty-four hours for them all. He was almost ashamed to admit that he was a little glad that he wasn't going with them.
*****
Two hours later, Sophie was starting to regret suggesting the quest. A light rain had started to fall, soaking them all in no time. That had made Juliette complain even more than usual. David had taken to making sarcastic remarks toward her that had cause trouble between him and Auggie.
"David, leave Juliette alone." Sophie warned in a voice just an edge sharper than usual.
David grinned and immediately turned his sarcastic wit loose on Shelby. Sophie groaned. What a worse choice to make. On a good day, Shelby didn't tolerate David well. The two were like oil and water. In the blonde's current mood there was no telling what sort of reaction she would have. She was just about to intervene when Shelby shoved David down a small slope. Fire flashed in the teen's eyes. Scott grabbed her as Shelby started to follow David down the slope.
Sophie stepped between Shelby and David. "Shelby, chill out. Scott, walk her ahead a little ways until she calms down. Ezra, you and Daisy help David back up here. We need to make sure he isn't hurt."
The teens did as they were told. By the time Scott and Shelby had walked ten feet, she had pulled her arm free. "Quit hovering, Scott. I'm not going to hurt him, not right now at least. He'd better watch that big mouth or someone is going to shut him up permanently though."
Scott shook his head. "Shel, David is just being David. Why are you letting him get to you like this?"
Shelby shook her blonde hair, her eyes filling with tears. She turned away so Scott wouldn't see them. "He can be such a jerk."
Scott nodded, even though she wasn't looking at him. He wrapped his arms around her despite the fact that her backpack made it impossible for him to get as close as he would like to. "Yeah, but forget about him. You know, I was thinking, Shel; Sophie has got to sleep sometimes. We could slip off together tonight for a little while. We haven't had much of a chance to be alone lately. I've missed you."
Shelby shrugged out of his embrace. She turned to face him, her expression full of annoyance. "Did you ever think there may be a reason for that, Scott? Maybe I don't want to spend time with you."
Scott stared at her in shock. "What are you saying? Come on, Shel; whatever's bothering you, I want to help. I care about you too much to see you hurting like this."
'That's just great, Scott. Scott Barringer to the rescue, huh? Well there's only one problem with that. I don't want your help. Don't waste your time caring about me because I don't care about you."
Without another word, she rejoined the others. Scott just stood there watching her. What had just happened? Where had he gone wrong? He wished he knew what had Shelby in such a rotten mood lately. She was making it so hard to be around her. He hated to admit it but for as much as he loved her, right now, he didn't think he could stand being around her.
*****
Curtis, the sheriff for Agnes surveyed the damage to the U.S. Marshall vehicle. Ambulances and fire crews were hard at work trying to free the trapped officers inside. Their attempts were for recovery rather than rescue, he could tell from where he was standing. There was no way they'd survived the crash.
Curtis shook his head. The downed tree had been reported a couple of hours ago but no one had had time to go out and remove it. But it was in a place that it could be seen in enough time to stop before hitting it, especially in the broad daylight. How could they have not seen the tree before it was too late? He wasn't looking forward to putting in the call to the Marshall's office to report the accident.
"Curtis?" Hank left the rescue effort and joined the sheriff at the Bronco. "I think we have a problem."
Curtis frowned. Two U.S. Marshalls were dead; of course they had a problem. "What is it?"
"The back window was busted out – from the inside. We found blood on the back seat."
Curtis looked back at the vehicle. There was no reason why the back glass should have been busted during the wreck. It would have had to happen after the accident. Which meant…
"Sir, you may want to call and find out who they were transporting. It looks like we may have an escaped convict loose in the woods."
*****
"Okay, guys, we'll stop here for lunch." Sophie declared to the relief of the Cliffhangers. Fortunately, the rain had stopped about ten minutes ago but that was the only break the counselor had gotten on the trip. David had not made any more comments to Shelby – he was apparently worried about being pushed over a cliff – but he was still making life miserable for everyone else. And then there was Shelby.
Sophie, without being too obvious, observed the teenager. Nobody had been spared Shelby's sharp bite. Even Scott had started to distance himself from her, though he still looked worried. Sophie toyed with the idea of radioing Peter to come pick Shelby up. It was obvious the girl was determined to make the trip hard on everyone. But Sophie refrained. She'd known this trip was not going to be a picnic from the start. After all, the main reason for the trip at all was to try to get Shelby to open up.
Shelby dropped her pack next to a log. She was glad for the break. If she didn't get away from everyone else for just a few minutes, she was going to scream. Without a word to any of them, she started into the woods. Sophie saw her and frowned.
"Where are you going?"
"Nowhere. Don't get all bent out of shape. Geesh."
"Let her go, Sophie." Juliette urged. "At least we can eat in peace?"
Shelby rolled her eyes. "Why bother to eat anything at all, Queenie? You'll just barf it up afterward. Save yourself some trouble."
Sophie sighed. She reminded herself for the thousandth time that as difficult as Shelby could be, this was unusual even for her. Something was bothering the girl and it was her duty to find out what.
"Go talk to her, Sophie." Scott pleaded. He hated seeing her like this.
Sophie patted his arm. "Okay. Guys, stay here and eat your lunch. I'll be back in a few minutes."
She found Shelby squatting next to the river, tossing stairs across the water. Sophie knelt beside her. To her surprise, Shelby was crying. Sophie touched the smaller girl's arm but Shelby pulled away.
"Leave me alone, Sophie."
Sophie shook her head. "I don't think so. Something's eating away at you; has been for over a week now. You are making everyone miserable but I think you are the most miserable of all. Talk to me, Shelby. You know you can trust me."
Shelby snorted. "I can't trust anyone."
Sophie was surprised by the vehemence in the younger girl's voice. Sophie frowned. "When have Peter or I ever given you a reason not to trust us?"
"Never." Shelby grudgingly admitted but then she looked at Sophie, a hard look in her eyes. "But that doesn't mean you want. Everyone does eventually. If you trust people or let them get too close to you, it's just giving them permission to hurt you. Well, I'm not going to let anyone hurt me ever again."
Sophie was grateful that Shelby was starting to open up a little but she was confused and a little alarmed by what she was hearing. "Shelby, honey, are you saying someone's hurt you since you've been here? If so, please, tell me. Mt. Horizon is supposed to be a safe place for you and all the students. Peter and I won't stand by and let someone hurt you – not if we can help it."
Sophie held her breath, waiting for Shelby's reaction. Shelby lowered her head and gave it a brief shake. Sophie thought back to all that had happened right before Shelby had started acting odd. Suddenly she remembered Shelby getting a letter from home. It had been right after that that her mood had completely changed. Taking a chance, Sophie tentatively touched Shelby's shoulder. "Shel, did you get bad news from home?"
To Sophie's surprise, Shelby began to sob. Her heart going out to the girl, Sophie wrapped her arms around the younger girl and simply held her as she cried. As if a dam had broke, Shelby held Sophie tightly as her whole body shook with gut-wrenching sobs. It was about ten minutes before she pulled away and wiped her eyes.
"What happened, honey?" Sophie gently probed.
"My grandfather died. Apparently he had a heart attack. It was massive and did so much damage he died in the hospital two days later. He's the only one in my family who's ever made me feel special or beautiful."
Sophie tried to will back her own tears. "I'm so sorry, Shelby. That must have been really hard news to receive, especially in a letter. I wish you would have said something as soon as you got the letter. Peter and I would have done everything we could to make arrangements so that you could attend the funeral."
Shelby shook her head and laughed bitterly. "It wouldn't have done any good. He was dead and buried two weeks before my mom ever even thought about writing and telling me. I guess I wasn't wanted at the funeral."
At that moment, Sophie wanted to hurt Shelby's mother. How could the woman not tell Shelby immediately? Didn't the woman know Shelby would want to be there, to pay her last respects with the rest of the family? No wonder Shelby had been in such a lousy mood. Before she could say anything to comfort the teenager, they both heard a rustling in the woods near them.
Anger flashed in Shelby's eyes. "If that's David, I'm going to kill him!" Without another word, Shelby took off in the direction of the sound.
"Shelby!" Sophie tried to stop her but was too late. She followed behind, ready to protect David and then give him a piece of her mind. Her blood ran cold when she suddenly heard Shelby cry out in pain.
To her horror as she came around a tree a wild looking man wearing a prison uniform was holding Shelby by the waist. A viscous red mark was appearing on the frightened teen's left cheek. When the man saw Sophie, he grinned and pointed a gun at her. Before either Shelby or Sophie could say a word the gun went off and Sophie crumpled to the ground.
TO BE CONTINUED….