Chapter Twenty One

Charlie

I had no idea where I was, all I knew was that I was in some kind of vehicle and my hands and feet were securely bound. It was cold, I could hardly feel my extremities but that could be caused by the bindings being too tight. It was dark, with just a chink of light from one corner and as I tried to stretch out I discovered I was in the trunk of a car. I tried to remember what had led up to this situation but my head ached and I felt sick. I didn't dare vomit because of the gag in my mouth, a rag of some kind that was tight enough I couldn't dislodge it with my tongue or by moving my jaw. My joints ached and although I felt sick my mouth was dry, I hadn't had a drink in a while. Who would do this to a police officer? I struggled to remember but only got glimpses, the children playing in my lounge, Billy visiting, drinking a beer...that was it. I closed my eyes and tried to find a more comfortable position but the trunk was so cramped that was difficult.

Some time later as I swam in and out of consciousness I felt the car slow then voices but none I recognized. They talked for some minutes although I couldn't make out what they were saying, only that they were men's voices. The trunk opened but before I could see anything or speak I felt a blow to the head and then nothing and when I regained consciousness the car had stopped again. I heard more voices and then the trunk was opened and a man lifted me out and steadied me on weak legs. I looked around but it was dark, dark and cold, I could see a little in the moonlight, the huff of my breath and white...there was snow on the ground and I found myself shivering.

"Take it easy, we'll loosen your bonds but please don't try anything, we don't want to hurt you."

None of this made sense, I didn't recognize the voices but they didn't sound threatening.

With an arm holding me steady I limped up two steps into a building of some sort. I couldn't see much even in here because the windows if it had any were covered and the lights off.

"Watch your step, we're going down a flight of stairs."

I think I would have fallen if not for the steadying hand, whoever it was, he was strong taking most of my weight as I stumbled on dead legs. I was steered over to a chair and the grip loosened.

"Stay where you are until the you hear the door shut, then you may explore. There is a light switch by the stairs and food and drink on the table. Please don't attempt to escape, no one wants to hurt you but we will if you force our hand."

"Who are you? Where am I?"

I was shocked by how weak my voice sounded.

"None off that matters. You are safe and will be well treated so long as you follow our rules and stay put."

I heard footsteps, two men, going up the stairs and then a heavy door banged shut and a lock snapped. So, I was a prisoner and I had no idea why. I groped my way slowly to the stairs, hitting my shins on the edge of the table and cursing turned the light on after two attempts with numb fingers. The light came from a bare bulb in a cage in the ceiling and looking around I regarded my cell. The room was concrete blocks, it looked like a storeroom of some kind that had been hastily converted. There were no windows but fresh air came in from a hole chopped high up in one wall. An icy breeze whistled in and I shivered seeing no form of heating except the pile of colorful blankets on a camp bed. There was a table bolted to the floor, recently done by the shine on the bolt heads and a chair, flimsy canvas stretched over aluminum poles, not much of a weapon there.

I looked down at my wrists, there were deep indentations where cable ties had bitten into the flesh and I worked my fingers trying to get more sensation then cursed as the blood began to flow once more. On the table were packets of food, hikers packs that heated using chemicals in the wrappings and plastic bottles of water along with plastic cutlery and cups. Whoever was holding me wasn't taking any unnecessary chances. There was also a deck of playing cards and a bundle of old hunting and fishing magazines. I poured myself a glass of water then collapsed on the bed wrapping myself in the blankets against the cold. They were surprisingly warm and I soon fell asleep hoping my headache would be gone when I woke up and I could think more clearly.

The sound of the lock snapping woke me and I jumped up cursing my stiff joints and the cold of the floor. A woman stood in the doorway, a small woman with long gray hair tied back and wearing a thick coat with fur trim and boots covered in snow.

"Where am I? What's going on?"

"You are safe Chief Swan and provided you behave you will continue to be so. Is there anything else you need?"

"Yeah, a phone and a car so I can get home."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible, not until we have considered the situation. I ask again, is there anything else you need?"

"Some heating would be nice and some answers to my questions."

"I'm afraid heating would be difficult but I will send you some more blankets and some warmer clothing. That's the best I can do I'm afraid. As for answers, you'll get them soon enough. Try to relax, you may be here some time."

"You know the police will be looking for me? Not to mention my daughter."

"But of course, that's why you are here, safely tucked away Chief Swan."

"You know my name, what's yours?"

"Annie."

"Just Annie?"

"I think that's enough for now. I'll send someone with the blankets and clothes."

As she shut the door it dawned on me that although the light was blinding me to a large degree she looked like a native American. Was I in the Quileute village somewhere? No, I'd traveled way too long, besides I knew all the Quileutes by sight. Thinking of that it came to me what had happened. Billy Black had visited and he must have drugged me in order to snatch the children although I couldn't think why he should do such a thing even with his hatred of the Cullens. The children! Where the hell were the children? I ran to the door and started pounding on it but no one came. I had come round in the night and gone after Billy trying to find the children but instead I had found Jared and a couple of the men from the village that I didn't know by name. It seemed they had been watching in case I followed and I found myself seized and forced to swallow some foul tasting liquid which almost choked me. It must have been more of the drug because I didn't remember any more until I woke in the trunk of the car.

Accepting that hammering on the door would get me nowhere I stopped and went back to the table to eat. I'd had these meals before and they were pretty good but I itched to speak to someone and get some answers. I had to find the children, Bella had entrusted me with their safety and I had failed her. When the door was unlocked again I was on my feet ready to make a break for the door but the guy who stood there blocked out nearly all the light he was so massive.

"I have orders not to hurt you unless necessary Chief Swan so its up to you."

He came down the stairs and put a bundle on the table.

"Where are the children?"

"Children? There are no children here."

"So, where are they? Are they safe?"

He glared at me,

"We do not make war on children...or on misguided police officers it would seem."

"What do you mean misguided?"

He turned his back and I hesitated wondering whether to attack and make a bid for freedom but as if he had heard my thoughts he whirled round,

"Let me make thing's perfectly clear for you. My orders are to keep you safe and isolated and that is what I am doing but if you make trouble I will do anything necessary to ensure you stay here and if you hammer on the door again I will chain you so you can't reach it. Do you understand me?"

His dark eyes bored into mine and I knew he meant every word. He didn't like me or having me here but he would follow orders. The question was whose orders? Taking my silence for assent he nodded and left me to my questions and knowing I was in considerable danger if he decided to disobey the orders he did not like.