A\N Thanks so much for reading my story, I hope you're enjoying it. If you have time a review would be very much appreciated. Thanks

Sonas Ch 8

The following day was Sunday, but no day of rest for the inhabitants of Sonas Island. They were up early as usual to clear away dry bramble bushes and clear away debris washed up on the beach. Gill watched from her perch by a restaurant table as Jennifer worked picking up bits of paper. Gill just watched the workers as she fanned herself and nodded to Robert. Robert came over.

"I'd like coffee please and a doughnut."

"Yes Ma'am," Robert nodded as he went indoors to fetch her order.

"Jennifer, could you come here please dear," she called out.

Reluctantly Jennifer left the beach and went over.

"Fetch that umbrella over here Jennifer, that sun is boring a hole into the side of my head."

Jennifer went over and took hold of the large umbrella. She literally had to roll it over as it was secured on to a concrete weight. She rolled it and put it so that it blocked out the sun.

"Ah, that's better. Thank you, Jennifer."

Gill looked up at her then, Jennifer was dressed in her green jacket and cap. She wore an even non readable expression that unnerved Gill.

"I'm sure you would like to get out of this sun Jennifer. You can leave the beach and go to the holiday house. It needs to be cleaned as we are having a visiting couple this afternoon. They will be staying a week."

Jennifer was ready with a sarcastic comment but when she heard that someone new was coming the words caught in her throat. She quickly headed towards the house herself and Jonathan had stayed in.

Melanie was busy working to make the house ready. She was stripping off bed sheets and dusting the bedroom furniture as others worked on the kitchen, living area and bathroom.

"They give you so little notice," she complained as Jennifer walked in.

"And then they complain when the house isn't picture perfect."

Jennifer's eyes gleamed with excitement as she came up to her. "Stuff that Melanie, this is a great opportunity. Don't you see."

Melanie raised her eyes to heaven, "Jennifer look I haven't time for this, will you make yourself useful and grab the vacuum cleaner. These people will be here at 3pm. This house has to be ready."

Jennifer rounded on her, "Don't you see Mel, this is our chance. We can tell them to leave before they are made to wear the bracelet. They can alert the authorities."

In one swift movement Melanie dropped her sweeping brush and took hold of Jennifer by her jacket.

"Now you listen to me Jennifer Hart. You are not alerting anybody. These people are dangerous. You've only been captive four days you don't know what they are capable of. If you tell that couple anything, they will be dead within the week. They will be thrown from a boat into the deep shark infested water and they will never be heard of again. And then the guards in black will take Jonathan. They will take him and they will hurt him. All to punish you."

Jennifer had to stop and think on all that.

"Now please Jennifer, get the vacuum cleaner. We have to be out of here by one or we won't get our lunch.

Jennifer did get the vacuum cleaner and begin work. As much as she wanted off this dreadful Island, she didn't want anyone hurt or killed. That wonderful day at the beach with Jonathan seemed such a long time ago now.

Lunch was the usual fare crackers, an apple, a banana and a carton of milk. Jennifer wasn't even tasting it. She was deep in thought. If she could somehow smuggle onto that plane, or even leave some sort of note on it. But how would anyone find the note. The pilots themselves may find the note and then there would be trouble.

"Jennifer did you enjoy the sing along last night," Annabelle asked.

"What, oh yeah it was great. Where is Jonathan today do you know?" She asked casually.

"He is on duty at the sea front restaurant,"

Jennifer nodded but said no more. Herself and Jonathan were supposed to be going home today. That fact was hitting her hard just now.

H&H

Jennifer stood on the peer watching at the little sea plane was coming down to land. It was a worn-out looking thing with a rusty looking paint job and thread bare floats to land it on the water. Jennifer looked down suddenly as someone touched her hand. She nearly shed tears as she looked up to see Jonathan standing beside her. She moved in closer to him.

"I see you were recruited to the crappy welcome committee too," he said as they stood together.

"Apparently we can't warn them," Jennifer spoke softly. "It wouldn't do them any good."

"Yeah, I heard that too, how you holding up darling. We didn't really get a chance to talk last night."

Jennifer nodded, "I'm alright Jonathan. Promise me you'll take care of yourself and I'll be fine."

He squeezed her hand in answer.

Uri Sonas looked back at them. Everyone else in the welcome committee were smiling and silent and he expected them to do the same. Jonathan and Jennifer fell into silence and watched as the little sea plane made a rather dodgy decent and landed on the water with a splash.

"I see why they give you so much wine on the flight, it's so you won't notice when they nearly kill you with the terrible landing," Jennifer spoke through smiling teeth Those around her tried hard not to laugh.

A couple stepped rather shakily off the plane. They were smiling already and saying how wonderful everything looked. Gill Sonas stepped up to greet them. This was the charming, meet and greet Gill Sonas that had ingratiated herself to Jonathan and Jennifer those first few days. That charm fades into oblivion very soon after.

"Welcome, welcome, we are so glad to have you. Allow me to show you to your accommodation."

"Well, that is so nice of you," the woman called back in a sing song voice. She had blond hair cut into a tight bob. She was wearing a slim beige dress with no sleeves and a string of pearls around her neck.

Her husband wore a white shirt and pants with a boater straw hat. He looked dressed for holiday already.

Uri looked back at the workers around him. "Will you be so good as to fetch the bags," he asked with a thin smile.

Annabelle rushed forward immediately to carry the woman's parasol and vanity case. Jonathan and Jennifer headed towards the plane. They wanted to see was there any chance of stowing away on this thing but they both shared a look of disappointment. It was simply too small. They took hold of the luggage and carried it off the aircraft. Reluctantly they followed the cheerful party up to the house they themselves had occupied only a few short days ago.

"I'm Clarissa and this is my husband, Eddie. I can't believe we won this holiday. We never won anything in all our lives. It's so wonderful to finally be here. We thought we wouldn't make it as Eddie's mother came down sick."

"Oh I'm so sorry to hear that," Gill Sonas replied in her best office voice.

"Oh, she's fine now. You know how it is. These old people they get them aches and pains and think it's terminal."

They arrived at the house. Clarissa kept up a steady stream of conversation the whole way. She loved the little house and had comments for every inch of it.

"Oh that picture is so nice, Eddie look at the fire place, it's like your mothers house, oh look at the four poster bed in here."

Jennifer felt sorry for her. She was like a lamb to the slaughter. Jonathan dropped the cases and just wanted out of there. It brought him back to how he was fooled into thinking this was a holiday and now his wife had to be subservient to these dreadful people.

"Jonathan will build you up a fire. It can get chilly in the evenings."

"Oh, thank you that will be so romantic, won't it Eddie." Clarissa looked over at Jennifer and smiled. "You all look so well in your uniforms. You look so fit. I think I should work here for a week or two maybe lose a few pounds."

Jennifer gave her a smile and moved to leave. She had school work to grade before school tomorrow. Jonathan had to stay and build them up a fire. As she walked alone, she met Scott, the fourteen-year-old son of Robert and Melanie. He was carrying a large bucket of fire wood.

"Are they here yet Jennifer, oh no I'm late. I'll have to hurry."

"They've only just arrived Scott," she smiled. "If you hurry you can dump off the wood without them seeing you. They're all in the house. "

"Thanks Jennifer," he hurried on.

"Everybody's busy,"

Jennifer stopped as she didn't know who had just said that. She looked over at the stores and back of the holiday home.

"Over here pretty lady."

She looked over at the pier and saw a handsome man dressed in a brown pilot's jacket. Jennifer just watched him as he ducked under the wing of the plane and came over to her.

"Hi, I'm Rex," he smiled.

Jennifer remembered well the guard who had tried it on with her. She nodded to the man and went on her way.

"Hay, don't be scared." He walked up slowly to her. He looked out to sea. "Word has it you want off this island."

"Yes, I do," Jennifer spoke softly.

He nodded without looking at her.

"Meet me at house number 10 up in the hills just over there. I'll expect you at 7pm. I'll be heading over to the visitor's house to talk to Gill Sonas. I'll see your husband and make sure he comes too."

"Why do you want to help us?" Jennifer spoke in nearly a whisper.

"I know about the situation here and I don't agree with it. You and your husband are being held against your will. I transport people here and bring goods for the stores and take apples back to the mainland but I'm not into this kidnapping ring these people have going. Come to house number 10 at 7pm and we will leave here after midnight when everyone is asleep.

"You'll bring my husband too?"

"Yes, now go and say nothing of this conversation to any one." He gave her a charming, handsome smile and headed towards the visitor's house. Jennifer smiled back. She couldn't believe what just happened.

All evening she longed to talk to Jonathan and ask him had the pilot alerted him to the plan but she dared not. They weren't on the same team and it would only throw the eye on them and so she waited patiently and thought seven o clock would never come.

There were no chores on Sunday night. Annabelle and Melanie were going for a walk on the beach. Jennifer told them that she had a headache and she would go for a nap. They headed off without her chatting away to each other as they ambled off through the woods. Half an hour after they had gone Jennifer crept out of the school house. It was dark but she followed the dirt path out of the trees and headed up towards house number 10. She wondered if Jonathan had arrived already. Cautiously she rapped on the door, looking furtively around to make sure she wasn't seen. Rex himself opened the door and pulled her in.

"You didn't tell anyone did you," he asked.

"No, the girls have gone for a walk. They suspect nothing."

He nodded, "Good, these are dangerous people. I don't want to get on the wrong side of them. I have smuggled people out of here before but only because there was a code of silence."

"Come on through, make yourself comfortable," he said walking down the hall.

Jennifer found herself standing awkwardly in a posh comfortable looking living room with massive cream couches and a large television in the corner with a hi fi and video recorder unit.

"Sit down Jennifer, make yourself comfortable. We will have to wait a while and leave when everyone is asleep."

"Did you talk to Jonathan?" she asked as she perched herself on the edge of one of the couches.

"No, I didn't get a chance. He was building up the fire. There were too many people around."

"But he has to come with us," Jennifer stood up as she spoke.

He took hold of her arms and guided her back down on the sofa.

"Shhh, don't panic. I know where the orange team sleep. We will collect him before we leave. It's ok."

Jennifer did sit down but she wasn't too comfortable. He sat down on the couch near her. He cast his clear brown eyes at her green jacket and brown pants.

"Had you nothing else you could wear?" he asked. "I mean you look like you wandered out of a concentration camp."

"They took our clothes," she said looking over at him.

He sat forward, "We may as well get comfortable. It's going to be a long wait."

He took a cellophane bag out of his top pocket and poured out a sprinkling of white powder. Jennifer eyed him warily as he took out his credit card and began chopping through the powder with it. He then put a shoot to his nose and bending low over the powder he snorted it up. He raised his head then and wiped vigorously at his nose.

"Your turn," he grinned as he handed the shoot over to Jennifer.

"What is this?" she asked.

"Aw come on Jennifer. Don't tell me that with all your money you and Jonathan never did a line of coke. You probably have it in sugar bowls beside your bed."

"This was a mistake," Jennifer went to get up.

As quick as anything he got up and put an arm around her waist clamping her close to his body. She could feel every inch of him pressed up against her. He tried to put his mouth to her neck but he then cried out as her nails scraped their way down his face.

"You bitch," he cried out.

Jennifer ran forward and flung the door wide. She ran out of the house and jumped over the quaint little garden gate. She didn't stop running until she reached the beach. Thankfully it was empty. She put a hand to her head as tears began to fall. She couldn't believe she had fallen for something so blatantly stupid.

As she walked back towards the cobbled path, she could see members of the Sonas family at the restaurant. Robert was busy serving out a large birthday cake as one of the kids had a birthday. The men were singing happy birthday at the tops of their voices and the women were sitting with wine glasses in hand wearing satin evening dresses with plunging neck lines. Not very fitting for a kid's birthday party.

"Hay kid," one of the men called over.

"Hey boy, do ye want a drink,"

He held up a can for Jennifer to see.

"That's a woman," the ladies laughed.

"How am I to know, they all look alike in those outfits. Sorry miss, come see me later I'll make it up to you."

His wife slapped him playfully on the wrist, Jennifer put her head down and walked on.

"Where have you been?" Melanie demanded. "What is it with new people, they can't just stay in one place."

"I'm really not up for this, I can't…." Jennifer put a hand up as she passed Melanie and headed towards the bedroom.

"You listen Jennifer …."

"No, you listen," Jennifer turned to face her, "I have to take crap from these people because I'm a prisoner here but I'll be damned if I'm taking any crap from you Melanie."

Annabelle stepped forward.

"Let's have some coffee, I'll make some coffee."

"Right, that's fine then Jennifer, frankly I'm sick of looking out for you. You want to learn the hard way then do what you want around here. I'm done,"

Melanie turned and headed out of the school room. She banged the door on her way out.

Annabelle looked over at Jennifer. "Mel is trying to help you, she just want you be happy."

The young Asian woman took her hand.

"Come into the kitchen, have coffee."

Jennifer shook her head. Tears gathered in her eyes as she headed towards their bedroom. She lay down on the hard camp bed and turned towards the wall. Tears streamed down her face. She had a full day of work tomorrow and didn't know how she would sleep tonight with all that had happened. But despite herself she was asleep within minutes.

Jennifer woke with a start an hour later. Melanie was standing over her bed.

"Melanie, we'll talk tomorrow." Jennifer said as she turned over to face the wall.

"No Jennifer you have to come now, Jonathan has been hurt."

Jennifer came wide awake immediately.

"Oh my God, Jonathan," she cried.

Melanie took her hand and led her out of the bedroom.

"It's ok Jennifer, Robert is with him. He's awake and talking. He'll be ok Jennifer."

Melanie led her out of the school house and down to a winding path that led all the way to the beach front. Jonathan usually slept in a back room of the restaurant with four other men. As they passed her house, Sylvia Sonas spotted them and came flying out.

"Oh, how fortunate, I am having so much trouble getting my youngest down to sleep. Perhaps you can help."

Annabelle, who was walking behind them smiled at the lady.

"Of course, ma'am," she stepped in through the gate allowing Melanie and Jennifer to walk on.

As they reached the restaurant Annabelle's husband Rusty came running up to them.

"Robert found him. He did not come back and Robert went looking. He was in the woods. They beat him. He was blood everywhere," the little man said.

"Alright Rusty," Melanie put an arm protectively around Jennifer as they approached the restaurant.