New chapter of Runaway.
Apologies for the long wait.
I own Marianne, Jack and Joseph.
Hope you enjoy the chapter...
Marianne froze to the spot, unable to run or scream. Randy approached her and tied the tie round her mouth, like a gag. The silence was eerie and she wished that Heath would come looking for her. Randy grabbed her arms firmly and tied them together with his belt. He took her by the shoulders and directed her towards his car, which was hidden behind some of the overgrown trees.
"Get in!" he ordered as he held the passenger door open.
The New York native obeyed, shuffling into the seat and trying to get as comfortable as she could with her hands shackled behind her.
"We're taking a little ride into town." Randy told her as he got into the driver's seat and turned on the engine.
The young woman nodded slowly, paralysed by fear. She knew that he was going to take her to Phillip. But then, would she be reunited with her father? The alternating emotions of fear and relief took over the brunette as she watched the countryside fly past the window. Randy didn't say a thing as he drove in the direction of Greenwood, leaving the sound of raindrops on the windscreen to break the silence as the skies opened again.
Hearing the rain falling once more, Heath stepped outside of the wooden hut and scanned the distance for any signs of Marianne returning, His brown eyes narrowed as he waited and waited, but she did not appear. Fearing something bad had happened, the redhead started running in the direction of the water, hearing the branches crunch beneath him as the rain soaked his hair and clothing.
"Marianne!" he yelled, hearing no reply.
Approaching the water and seeing no sign of the young woman, Heath scanned the area, looking for any clue as to where she had gone. All he could see was her hairclip, sitting on one of the tree branches close to the water. Heath pushed his wet hair back from his face as his brown eyes continued to search the area. Suddenly, he spotted something…tyre tracks. Fearing the worst, the redhead turned and ran as fast as he could towards the farm.
Phillip Brooks gave a satisfied smirk as he shaved, leaving his perfectly shaped moustache in tact. He splashed his face with some water and used a towel to gently pat his face dry. Gallows sat at the table in the room reading the newspaper and Joseph sat quietly reading a book in the corner. Phillip was expecting news from Randal Orton about Marianne's whereabouts that day, which he hoped would be worth the money he was paying.
"With any luck Joseph, you'll be seeing your daughter very soon." He said.
"That would be wonderful." Joseph gave a small smile before returning to his book.
"Indeed it would." Phillip smirked to himself.
Jack Clearwater sat in his armchair after feeding the chickens that morning. Rex the dog laid at his feet, lost in slumber, probably chasing rabbits. Suddenly there was a crash in the yard, alerting the sleeping dog to an intruder nearby. Rex began barking and growling as he ran towards the door. As Jack stood up to investigate the dog's barking ceased, causing the old man to frown as he walked towards the door out to the yard.
"Jack!" came Heath's voice.
"Heath?" Jack replied.
"Jack, it's me!" the redhead spoke as he appeared at the door.
"What's wrong?" Jack frowned, seeing the concern in Heath's brown eyes.
"She's gone, Marianne's gone!" Heath replied, leaning against the doorframe to catch his breath.
"Gone?" Jack repeated.
"I should never have left her alone." The redhead cursed himself.
"I'll stay here, just in case she comes back. You take the truck and go and tell Mickie." Jack told him.
"I will." Heath nodded, running out to his truck and turning on the engine.
Jack and Rex looked on as the truck reversed in the yard and sped off in the direction of the town, leaving tracks in his wake as the truck splashed through a big puddle of water.
"Here's the pay for the room." Phillip told Mickie as he dropped a note and some coins into her open hand.
"Leaving so soon?" the brunette asked sweetly.
"Afraid so. I expect to be gone later." Phillip replied.
"Oh, well safe journey." Mickie nodded, secretly worried for Marianne. Surely he wouldn't be leaving without her.
"Thank you." Phillip nodded, walking over to the table where Gallows and Joseph were now sitting.
"Adam, you mind covering while I go to the bakery?" Mickie smiled at the blonde man.
"I guess so." Adam shrugged, cleaning some glasses.
"Thank you!" she replied quickly.
"I'll get that shall I?" Adam asked as the telephone began to ring.
"That might be for me." Phillip said as he stood up from his seat.
"Brooks?" Adam asked as he listened to the person on the other end of the line.
"That's correct." Phillip nodded, taking the receiver from the blonde man.
Running out the back of the Inn, Mickie headed towards the bakery to see if Layla and Stu had seen or heard anything. As she approached the building the sound of tyres in the rain alerted her to Heath's truck approaching.
"Heath!" Mickie yelled, waving him down.
"Have you seen her?" he asked as the brunette hopped into the passenger seat.
"No, but Phillip says he's leaving tonight." Mickie replied.
"Damn." The redhead sighed, scanning the area.
"I'll keep driving around town and I'll see Michelle in the Post Office." Heath suggested.
"Ok, I'll have to get back to the Inn." The brunette nodded.
Walking back into the Inn, Mickie noticed that the trio of men from New York had disappeared. Looking out of the window, she saw that their car had disappeared too.
"Adam, where'd those three guys go?" she asked the blonde.
"Oh, the Brooks guy had a phone call and they left." Adam replied.
"What?" Mickie's brown eyes widened.
"I think it was that Orton guy who called." Adam added.
The trio pulled into the shelter of some trees on the outside of town. Randy exited his car, walking over to the passenger side and opening the door, helping out his passenger, Marianne Addison. Her father's eyes filled with tears at seeing his daughter again, while her green eyes were full of fear and uncertainty as Phillip walked over slowly and handed some money to Randy. Giving a sly smile, Phillip turned his attention to Marianne, making his way over and kissing her cheek softly.
"Reunited at last." He whispered in her ear.
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