STOAATTROTS

Chapter 7

Johnny was trying his best to calm her down while silently praying for Roy's hasty return. Roy had always been the better paramedic when it came to dealing with extreme emotions and John really needed his help. He looked into her pretty green eyes noticing that they were wide with fear. His heart broke for her as he continued trying to convince her that no harm would come to her.

The sound of a car door slamming made them both turn their heads toward the opening in the tent.

"Listen Sarah, please, please stay right here and keep quiet. I swear you are safe but you've got to stay in here, ok?" Johnny looked at her pleadingly. He got no response before he heard his alias called.

"Coleman? Everything ok?" Jess had returned just as Johnny had feared. Thoughts gushed into his brain about everything that could go wrong in the next few seconds. He now hoped Roy would stay away until he could convince Jess to leave. And the worst part of all was that Sarah was now awake and he'd already identified himself to her.

Dear God, what have I done?

Worst case scenario now was that she'd reveal his identity to Jess who would know immediately that he'd been set up; endangering all of them. He didn't have time to dwell on all that might happen. He had to meet Jess outside the tent and get rid of him.

Holding his index finger to his lips - the unmistakable sign for silence - he mouthed the words, "please stay put." Again, he got no response from her other than a fearful stare. He took one step back toward the opening and then turned and walked out to meet Jess.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Behind the tent Roy was frozen by fear as he crouched as close as he could to the tent and ground – desperately trying to stay hidden. Had he been seen? Was this guy returning to take Sarah back? Was he dangerous? His thoughts raced to his family. Joanne didn't know the location of their camping trip because he hadn't known their destination when they left. He thought of his kids then…..wondering what they'd do if he never returned. Damn it, Roy – shake it off. Focus. He knew he had to pay close attention to what was happening and try to overhear any tidbits of conversation which could be important to them getting out safely.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Johnny walked out and toward the antsy man who was now standing in front of his car, leaning on the hood and tapping his fingers on his thighs.

"Problem?" Gage asked trying to sound calm and casual.

"Naw, I just wanted to make sure you were satisfied with the girl. Did she wake up yet?" Asked Jess.

"Yea, um, she's just now coming around but I think she'll do nicely. Now if you'll excuse me I have plans," Johnny grinned hoping this guy would take the hint and leave.

Just as Johnny turned around to go back into the tent, the flap was flung open and Sarah bolted out. "Jess? Oh God, Jess help me, help me please!" She screamed while stumbling -more than running -toward Jess.

Johnny instinctively reached to grab her but missed and watched in horror as she collapsed into Jess's arms. Jess grabbed her upper arms and held her out at arm's length. "Honey, honey, it's ok, I promise."

"Oh Jess, he…he kidnapped me or something… I don't know. I just ….I woke up in there and ….and…these aren't even my clothes" she said, the pitch of her voice rising. "Please just take me home, Jess. Please?"

Johnny's heart was pounding like a wild animal trying to get out of a cage. He tried to look at Jess and pretend to be disgusted or something but this hadn't been factored into the planning and he quite honestly didn't know what to do. Jess looked over at him and said "give me just a second alright?"

"Yea, sure…..but I want some kind of compensation for this.. umm…interruption." Johnny said in his best 'annoyed' voice; then stood with his weight on his right leg and both hands on his hips.

She heard what he said but it didn't really register with her as Jess released his hold on her right arm and pulled her beside him as they walked to the driver's side of his car.

"Oh Jess, I'm so glad you found me…..I don't know….."

"Sshhh…Honey." He whispered and began to turn on the water works again; tears got her once before and he knew it would work this time too. "Honey, I'm so so sorry that it has to be done this way but I will be forever grateful to you for doing this for me."

"Wha….Jess, what are you talking about? Let's go, pleeaasseee?" She begged.

"Honey, remember last night when we were at the park and we were talking about how short I am on cash now and you said you'd help me remember?" Jess said so convincingly that he almost believed it himself.

"huh? …No, Jess, no I don't remember anyth….."

"Sshhh, Honey, it'll be fine and I just appreciate you so much for doing this for me?" Jess interrupted.

"Jess….I'm confused….I never said…"

"Please," he begged. "Please don't do this to me! I'm short on money because I've been helping you so much ….food, rent, remember? We talked about this last night and you promised you'd do this for me," and with that the tears began to flow freely.

Johnny unconsciously ran his hand through his hair and exhaled loudly while looking around to see if he saw Roy. Stay back, Roy. Please stay back!

"This guy has agreed to pay us a lot of money if you'll just have sex with him. That's ALL you have to do, Honey. Just have sex with him and everything will be alright for us." Jess said while curling a loose section of hair behind her ear. "Just close your eyes and think of me. Just imagine that it's me touching you. Before you know it, it'll be over. I promise, Honey. Please don't go back on your word now. Please?" He wept.

She opened her mouth to protest just as Johnny called out to Jess. "Hey, why don't you just give me my money back and get the fuck outta here. I do NOT play games!" Johnny bluffed. Oh how he hoped his voice didn't betray him. He had to break into the conversation and force Jess to send Sarah back to him. He didn't know any other way to do it than to make the money an issue.

Jess turned his head at John's outburst and gave Gage an understanding nod. Turning back to face the trembling girl standing before him, he said "Thank you, Honey. I'll be back here real soon to pick you up and then everything will be fine." He said turning to walk her back toward the man he knew only as Coleman.

She couldn't speak. Her mouth suddenly dry and her breath caught around the lump in her throat. Her mind was sent reeling back to their first encounter. What had he said to her then?

'You WILL pay off your sister's debt or I'll let all of Los Angeles County know what you're hiding….'

Suddenly, she knew that no matter how much she pleaded, he really was going to leave her here with this stranger…who wanted to have sex with her. She looked up pleadingly into Jess's hazel eyes one final time.

"But Jess…..I uh….I don't know …what to do. I mean, I've never…"

He knew then that he had gotten his hooks into her. He had won the battle and he now owned her mind and soul.
"Oh Honey, it's ok. Just do what he tells you to do, that's all. He knows you're…..inexperienced ….and he's fine with that." Jess told her as he continued to ease her closer to Johnny.

Johnny was disgusted by this filthy pig but he almost had him where he wanted him. He was bringing Sarah back to him. Easy Gage…..don't blow this now.

Jess continued walking and actually walked right past Johnny taking her to the edge of the tent. "Honey, I'll be back real soon for you. I promise. Just go on in there and start taking off your clothes. Remember, you're doing this for US – you and me," and he lightly kissed her forehead.

Rage suddenly filled her entire being and before she realized what was happening she grunted through gritted teeth "No, I won't" and quickly turned to run; but Jess was quicker. He grabbed her left wrist tightly and twisted it violently while his balled up fist punched her right upper cheek. She saw stars momentarily as her legs seemed to melt beneath her.

"Hey," Johnny interceded . "Don't damage my goods, man". Come on, Gage…..think man! Do something, anything, but don't stand here and watch him hurt this poor girl! It had all happened so fast that Johnny didn't even have time to react. That was a blessing because had he responded the way he normally would have then his cover would have been blown.

Jess was as stunned as the girl who was now sitting on the ground rocking gently back and forth while holding on to her left wrist with her right hand. "Honey," he said apologetically, "I'm so sorry. I wish you wouldn't make me do something like that."

Slapped into submission and accepting her fate, she slowly got back on her feet and made her way inside the tent. Stunned, she knelt down on the sleeping bag where only a little while ago, she had been sleeping unaware of this horror unfolding around her. For the first time since that long bus ride to the West Coast, she felt like crying. But now, just as then, she flexed her jaw muscles and willed the tears to retreat. She would endure whatever she must at the hands of this stranger. She would do what he wanted her to do; for she knew that the sooner she complied with his wishes, the sooner she'd be back with Jess. And if Jess was happy with her then her past would remain unknown to everyone else.

Roy hadn't heard all of the conversation but he'd heard enough to get the jest of it and he knew that Jess had no doubt assaulted Sarah. Roy also knew that there was now a young lady waiting just feet from him inside their tent. Sold by a man she trusted and now waiting to be taken by a stranger. His thoughts turned to his own precious little princess. If anyone ever even thought of doing something like this to her he'd rip their throat out with his bare hands. He inhaled deeply willing those thoughts to pass. He needed to get his act together and help this girl before it was too late. He'd wait for the car to leave again…..then he and Johnny would have their chance.

Johnny listened and watched the way Jess toyed with this girl's mind and emotions. This guy was good…really good. No wonder Tim wanted to get him off the streets as soon as he could. Burning acid began to make its way into the back of his throat. Patience, Gage; he's almost ready to leave. Hang in there, man.

"Listen, Coleman…..I'm sorry she got all freaked out like that. If I'd known she'd do that I wouldn't have come back, I swear. I just wanted to make sure she woke up and all. I like a satisfied customer."

Johnny thought quickly and said, "well, I'm not real satisfied at the moment….but I might be if you grant me a few more hours with her to make up for the time I've lost."

"Hey, man. I understand. I understand. How's about I come back and pick her up at dawn on Monday?" Jess asked hoping he'd not lost a potential regular customer.

It had worked. He was giving Johnny just what he wanted. "Yea well…sure, why not, but this time – don't come back until dawn Monday…I don't like to have an audience at these events" he winked giving Jess his most wicked grin; and with that the two men shook hands and Jess returned to his car.

Roy faced the corner of the tent and waited to see the rear bumper of the car come into his line of vision. It finally did; hesitating only a second while the driver shifted into drive; and then pulled out of sight. Hopefully, this time he'd be gone for good.

Johnny felt dread as he turned to walk back into the tent and face Sarah. Remembering his partner he called to him in a voice barely louder than his normal speaking voice, "Hey, Roy".

"I'm here, Johnny. I've been back here since he drove back up," he said as he rounded the corner to see Johnny's worried expression. Roy didn't need to ask; he knew why Johnny was concerned because what awaited them inside the tent was going to be one of the most difficult rescues they'd ever attempted.