Ok sorry about the delay again. Hey guess what! 4 reviews this week! Haven't had that in a while. Glad to have a new reviewer on board! so thanks to unconventional,nyklm,sam and hj glory for reviewing.

Chapter 22

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

After several stops, traffic jams, and refusals of a certain credit card, Mitch finally managed to check into a Tennessee hotel. It was about six o'clock now, quickly approaching dark.

Grace was not at all willing to go up to the room, she had already sustained a considerable number of slaps in the face while in the car to go along with the gashes already present and was not about to let him get her in a hotel room alone.

However, Mitch drags her with ease being so much bigger, not to mention Grace's concussion she now seems to have. Mitch wastes no time throwing her on the bed and begins to undress her. She kicks and fights but only manages to get another wallop to her already injured head. He first takes off her shoes, hoping to avoid further kicks, then makes his way up to her neck, in which he begins kissing and sucking as he fumbles for the buttons of her shirt. Grace is fighting him the whole time, but he weighs considerably more and has her pinned. She stiffens as her rips off her shirt; it scares her to think there is nothing she can do to prevent him from getting his wish. Mitch continues kissing her as he tries to get his hand behind her to unclasp her bra. She pushes herself as hard as she can to the bed, but eventually fails as he just gets up and yanks her up and un-straps it, lays her back down, and slaps her again for disobeying his silent command. In an effort to hide herself she crosses her arms across her chest. But just as Mitch goes to slap her again, his cell phone rings.

"Don't move." He says as he answers it.

"Hello?" After seeing it to be an important call he heads into the bathroom.

Grace, evidently a lot smarter than Mitch, (considering he left her with an open exit) sees this as her only chance of getting away. She grabs her shirt, puts it on, buttons the top two buttons(the only two that remained) before abandoning her shoes and bra and heading out the door.

She knew Mitch would be close behind her. She had no shoes, no money, and no transportation. Her best chance at being rescued was to call for help. So she made her way to the most public place she could, which was most inconveniently for her a mall. It was located caddy-corner and across the street from the hotel.

When Grace got there she knew she had to hide right away. Mitch was right behind her and he had a gun. After this escape she knew he wouldn't care whom he used it on. Anyone who got between then would die.

She tried to think of the places she'd least likely be noticed. After a few ideas, the trashcan, the staff room, and the women's restroom to name a few, She finally came across an upstairs janitors closet filled with old boxes. It also had a phone, so Grace assumed it must also be used as a sort of office to them. Grace didn't know why she decided on the closet; the only explanation she could give herself was that she was reminded of her blonde geeky boyfriend with whom she used to make out with in a similar closet. It made her feel safe thinking about it. She decided it would be safest to stay put. She would call as soon as she was sure no one had followed her. Then she would wait. Hopefully she wouldn't have to wait too long. If she did it would leave ample opportunity for Mitch to find her.

Back in Indiana the search continued. It had now been 17 hours since she had gone missing. Helen and Joan had tried to keep their minds off "what could have happened" by going out to hang posters and pass out flyers.

Will had gotten together with the Indiana state officers in banning together a possible search party, and in spreading the news across the radios to be on the look out.

Luke, although probably the most upset, seemed to do little more than mope. Still blaming himself silently as he lie on the couch.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

While Joan was pinning up flyers a familiar voice said…

"Isn't that crooked Joan?"

Joan turned around to see little old lady god sitting behind her.

"How could you!" Joan yells at the site of her.

"How could you let this happen to her! Don't you think she's been through enough, I mean with her mom, and Mitch before, the synagogue burning, and now Mitch again! What about the rest of us? We suffer too! What about Adam! His mom, and now possibly his best friend? And Luke? And me! I've always done what you ask! Why are you messing with the people I love? What about Ryan? He doesn't listen to anything you say. He burns churches and synagogues; the very places people go to worship you! Why are you not messing with his life?" Joan was so mad she could hardly speak; she had tears rolling down her rage filled eyes.

God spoke, softly and patiently.

"I'm not punishing you Joan. I don't do that you know that. And you always have a choice."

Joan smiled out of disbelief, anger more present than ever. "I understand free will. Now explain why you're using my friends to coax me into doing what you ask."

"Joan, these things happen for a purpose."

Joan ignored him. "Where's Grace, Is she ok?" she demanded to know.

"It will all unravel soon enough." He said totally ignoring her question and blindsiding her with another. "Have you talked to Luke?"

"Why do you even ask? You know and see everything remember?" she said sarcastically while waving her arms about.

"But your not done."

"You said talk to him, I did, what more could you possibly want!"

God smiled. "Talk to him again." The old lady said with a patient voice.

"When, about what?"

"You'll know when the time comes."

"Well, can you at least tell me if Grace is going to be ok?"

"Joan, have I ever answered one of your questions involving fate ahead of time?"

Joan sighed. "No, you have never answered any of my questions, not directly at least." Joan turned to hang another flyer, and when she looked back old lady god was gone. But in her place a young teenage boy in a brown jacket.

He smiled. "That's what makes you so different from Ryan Joan. You have faith. You, unlike Ryan don't have to know all the answers right away.

He smiles again. "Do you remember the old saying "patience is a virtue"? He points to himself smiling again. "That is mine."

Joan couldn't help to smile as she saw him turn and walk away, leaving her behind holding the remaining stack of posters in her hands. The sun was beginning to set. She was watching him; waiting for is trademark goodbye.

Ok lol how was that for cliffhanger? Even I feel bad for doing that to ya lol. But good news for you, I have the next 2 chapters done this time. And if I get a lot of reviews ill update. Yes I do mean a lot, I listened to you Hj and I get a ton of hits, but no reviews, so now ill wait for reviews before I update, after all I already know what happens lol