Disclaimer: I do not own Bones, but I am obsessed!
Author's Note: Hello friends, I'm glad that you guys are still following the story and are interested in the newest twist. As always thank you for your reviews and alerts. Here it goes, Enjoy.
Chapter 29: Don't Let Me Down
July 26, 2005 11:32 PM Route 29, Virginia
Lucy had woken in the back of a van moving at a high rate of speed. She felt slightly groggy and her mouth felt dry. She realized that someone had tied a cloth over her mouth to muffle any sounds she might make. Her arms and legs were also tied, but whoever had tied her arms must not be used to tying up someone with such small wrists. With a little bit of wiggling she was able to free her arms. She tried to remain calm. She had a gash over one cheek that had now scabbed over, although it remained tender and sore. There was also a bump on the side of her head. Her memory was fuzzy as to when she had got that bump, she knew that it was after the blond man had knocked out Angela with the butt of a gun.
Lucy shivered. What was she going to do? She debated trying to jump out of the van, but it was going too fast, and she couldn't feel a latch to release the door. She needed an alternate plan, and she wasn't her mother's daughter for nothing. She had to leave evidence, proof that she had been in this van, clues that her mother and Booth could use to find her.
She tugged a few strands of hair out of her head, only wincing slightly. She ground them into the carpet in the van. One sleeve of her pajamas was ripped and she continued to tear at it until she had a swatch of fabric in her hands. She tore it into thinner strips leaving one in the van. She wanted to be able to leave more scraps later if necessary, she tucked the remaining scraps into a pocket on her shirt. She tugged her gag off her mouth and attempted to work up enough saliva in order to spit but was unable to. She really needed an escape plan. But she couldn't think of one. She wished her mother was with her. She worried about Angela. Was she all right, she had been so brave, was she badly hurt or worse? Terror momentarily took over Lucy's mind and she started to cry. The van hit a bump and she was knocked off of her feet.
She stifled a cry as her arm hit the side of the van. She curled into a ball and continued to jostle in the back of the moving car. She took a few deep breaths in order to regain control. Slowly, a plan began to form in her mind. She reached around in the dark for the rope and wriggled back into them after pulling the gag back over her mouth. She had to fool the men into thinking that she was a dumb little girl, lull them into a false sense of security. She had to keep her eyes and ears open for any clues and any chance to run. She had to be prepared. She knew that her Mom and Booth would be looking for her, and all of the "squints." They would help Aunt Angela and they would help her. She just had to be ready to help herself.
The van continued to jostle. She deduced that they were no longer on the highway, but perhaps a dirt or gravel road. The van hit a large pothole and she was thrown once again about the van. Tired, scared and sore, she tried to rest, and she remained half asleep for the remainder of the ride. The van screeched to a halt. She heard men shouting, there was a long creaking sound and the van moved a short distance. Then the engine was killed. Lucy tensed, knowing that they were at their final destination. She reminded herself to act stupid, to do whatever these men wanted. Underestimating her would be their downfall, she would make sure of that.
She could hear the men talking and she listened intently. She needed to remember every detail, everything that was said.
"Bud, the boss is gonna kill us. We screwed up, bad."
"Shut your yap, Sonny. Don't you think I know that? We were sloppy and we got beaten up by a woman and a child. Did you know that woman spit in my eye after scratching me? Bitch. We're in too deep. I don't like it."
Sonny continued to talk in his loud and angry voice. Lucy flinched despite her vow to be brave, just like her mother. "We were already deep in it. I know the guys talked. And we know that they found evidence, they've been to the garage, they've got us cornered. And He says that He has something else in the works. He'll be here soon. This is such an effing mess. Why the hell did we sign up for this?"
The man named Buddy responded and Lucy memorized what he said. "I told you that his mom was married to my dad, for three years when we were teenagers. We were best friends and then their marriage fell apart. But he's a brother to me. I'd do anything for him. And don't forget the money. Twenty grand apiece for helping to get rid of that no good piece of crap congressman."
"Well, I don't care that we got rid of that guy. My tax money was going to his bleeding heart campaigns, but we just kidnapped a baby. This isn't right."
"Sonny, just give Him a little more time. He's gotta plan. A plan that will get us out of here, safe and rich."
Sonny sighed and ruffled his hair. "Fine, but I'm not going down for this. You may be married to my sister, but so help me God, I will rat you out so fast, I'll win a gold medal at the next Olympics."
"Fine, fine. Let's get our cargo. Can't let her escape." He took a deep breath, breathing in the forest air. "Jeez that pond reeks, I keep telling him to get that thing cleaned out. The fishing was terrible here on Sunday." They opened the van door to a sleeping girl. Buddy roughly picked her up, but she stayed asleep. He carried her out of the garage and up a hill to the cabin leaving Sonny to close the van and the shed. His burden was light as he opened the door, flipped on the lights and looked around the large room. Taking a length of rope that had been left in the cabin for some unknown reason, he tied the girl to the chair. She shifted a bit, but did not open her eyes. He looked at her suspiciously, but said nothing. Sonny joined him in the cabin and handed Buddy a cigarette.
"Come on, it's time to calm some nerves."
"And wait for instructions." Both men nodded to each other and lit up their smokes. Unnoticed, Lucy wrinkled her nose in disgust and pretended to sleep once more, actually falling asleep over time as the men were quiet, sitting and waiting for their boss.
She woke up again when the cabin door opened. She could hear a soft crying sound. A girl about her age, with red hair and dressed in a thin nightgown was sobbing. She was accompanied by a man that Lucy had never seen before. He quickly tied the girl into a chair next to Lucy and laughed in Lucy's face when she looked frightened.
"Hello, Lucy. It's nice to finally meet you. I hope the boys have made your stay comfortable." He pulled the gag down from her mouth so that she could respond.
"My Mom and Booth are going to find me, and they are going to arrest you." He smirked at her and leaned into her face, his hot breath in her ear.
"They are never going to find you, you should just give up now." She didn't intimidate easily.
"They are way smarter than you. They won't let me down." He laughed at her and walked towards his goons, whispering that so she couldn't make out what the men were saying.
A tear rolled down her face, she was unable to stop it. She thought to herself, "They are coming for me, they won't give up, and neither will I." She gave a reassuring nod to the still sobbing girl, feeling sorry for her. She whispered, "Don't worry, the good guys will find us. They will." The girl sniffled and nodded her head. She couldn't help believing Lucy. Someone would find them, Skylar hoped, sooner rather than later.
