Chapter 13

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Martin hated flying coach because there was never enough room to stretch out and he was always crushed against the person sitting next to him. It was worse when he was stuck in the middle seat like he was today. It always ended up battle for the armrest and today was no different. He felt an elbow jab him in the forearm and he pushed back.

"Hey, I'm just a girl!" Sam argued laughing as she bumped Martin in the shoulder with hers. "Besides, I'm still rehabilitating."

"Interesting…if I used any of those arguments on why I should give it to you, you would kick my ass but you are willing to use them to get YOUR way." Martin replied with one eyebrow cocked and tapping his index finger on his chin as if seriously thinking about what Sam said.

She looked at him, smiled and said, "Come on, Martin, give me the armrest." She batted her eyelashes at him for extra effect..

For a split second he thought he was going to give it up. He didn't want to deny her anything but he also knew he was having too much fun arguing with her so he leaned in close to her face and said, "No."

There was a soft laugh on the other side of him and Martin turned to see the man who occupied the aisle seat. He looked at him and said, "Take my advice, give the armrest to your girlfriend."

It felt nice to have someone think that he and Sam were a couple but he also knew that he had to correct him since he was sure she didn't share his feelings, "She's not my girlfriend. She's my partner." Martin turned back to Sam and said, "And I'm not giving it up."

She shook her head and with a big smile she wheedled her elbow onto the armrest and Martin's arm was shoved aside. He knew that he didn't even try to fight her but he felt better for making her think she'd won. He threw her a dirty look and said, "Fine, you win, but this is a six hour flight and you are going to have to move eventually."

She just grinned and said, "So tell me about Vohland…."

A few hours later after he had debriefed Sam on the confidence man and lunch was eaten and cleared, Martin plugged in his headset to watch "Pirates of the Caribbean." Sam did the same and she leaned her head on his shoulder so she could see the monitor unobstructed. He tried to act nonchalant but the smell of hair and skin was very distracting. He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes; mentally cataloguing her scent into his memory. When he opened them he saw the man seated next to him smiling like the Cheshire Cat. Martin quickly looked away and turned his attention back to the movie ignoring the chuckling of the man beside him.

As the film ended he looked down at Sam who snuggled up close to him and he noticed that she had fallen asleep. Her lips were slightly parted and he smiled when he saw that a fine sheen of drool coming out of the corner of her mouth – and onto to his shoulder. He hesitated to wake her, she looked so peaceful. He watched her for a little bit when the 'fasten seatbelts' light turned on and the pilot's voice came on the intercom to request that all passengers remain in their seats since they will be encountering turbulence.

Sam stirred and opened her eyes to find Martin looking back down at her amused. "I generally prefer women to drool when they think of me, not necessarily on me."

She leaned back up and sat straight in her chair. She wiped ineffectually on his shoulder and said, "Sorry."

"No worries." He shifted in his seat and facing forward added, "You'll be getting my dry cleaning bill in the mail."

Sam smiled and looked out the window. She was bathed in soft white light and looked absolutely beautiful. The plane started to jostle as they hit some turbulence. The plane started shaking more and more causing Martin to get really afraid; he had never been on a flight that was so bumpy. He was normally a great flyer but he suddenly started to break out into a sweat. He glanced around at all the other passengers who didn't seem notice at all. He glanced at Sam who turned to look at him and smiled as the plane around him shook apart.

Martin jolted awake to find himself being bounced up and down as the car moved down a dirt road and the memory of his and Sam's flight to Palm Springs faded away. His head was pounding and he tried to find a more comfortable position but for a tall injured man tied up in a car trunk it was an impossible endeavor. He didn't know how long he was out but the pain in his side was now just throbbing constantly. He coughed lightly and prayed that the car would just stop already, consequences be damned. He just wanted out of the trunk and to be still.

The car drove on the bumpy road for about another mile or so when it came to a stop. He tried to suppress his coughing so he could listen but it didn't work. Suddenly the trunk popped open and a man he didn't recognize pointed a gun at him; in fact, it was his own gun.

Shit.

"I'm going to untie your feet. If you try and run away I will shoot you. Do you understand?" The man was about twenty eight years old, unshaven and had wide buggy eyes. Crazy eyes, Martin thought.

"Yes." Martin coughed out with his eyes moving back and forth between the 'Crazy Eyes' face and the gun pointed at him. He noticed that the man's shirt was bloody on the front.

"Good." 'Crazy Eyes' moved to untie his ankles while keeping his eyes and gun trained on Martin. He made quick work of it and moved back a few feet and said, "Get out of the trunk."

Martin looked at him and kicked his feet over the edge of the trunk. It was incredibly difficult to try and get out of a trunk when you're injured and your wrists bound. He struggled but couldn't do it. He started coughing again and muttered, "I can't. Not without being able to use my hands."

"Don't mess with me!" He moved around so Martin could see him again and waved the gun in his face.

"I'm not." Martin started coughing again. He could feel 'Crazy Eyes' watching him warily.

"Okay but I'm warning you, you try anything and I will shoot you." Martin coughed and nodded his head that he understood. 'Crazy Eyes' moved next to him and grabbed him by the elbows to help him out. He winced as his injured side hit the rim of the trunk but he bit his lip refusing to cry out.

Once Martin was standing, 'Crazy Eyes' turned him around and shoved him forward saying, "Start walking."

Martin did as he was told and walked. It was drizzling rain and he glanced down to see that he was still wearing his pajama pants, socks, and t-shirt but now there was a blood on his side where he ached. As he walked his socked feet started to get wet with the mud and his toes were getting cold.

He started coughing and he discovered that walking and coughing only intensified the pain. Swallowing his discomfort he looked around at his surroundings to see if he could spot any viable exit strategy but they were in a heavily wooded area that he didn't recognize. With his hands still tied behind his back and he was in less than fit condition he would just have to go along with whatever this guy had planned but keep an eye out for any opportunities. He decided to try and talk to him, "Where are we going?"

"Just keep walking and you'll see."

They walked for a bit more so Martin decided to try and talk to his captor. "You seem like a smart guy. If you are planning on asking for money my father will demand proof of life." He knew it was a gamble to bring up the subject that 'Crazy Eyes' may be intending to kill him.

"What are you talking about?" 'Crazy Eyes' asked with curiosity.

"He won't pay unless he is certain that I am alive." Martin replied seriously.

"Like what?" 'Crazy Eyes' asked.

"He'd want to talk to me, make sure I was okay." Martin scanned the area to look for signs of anyone else in the vicinity. No such luck. "Do you get what I'm telling you?"

"Shut up and keep walking." 'Crazy Eyes' uttered angrily.

Martin lowered his head and kept walking with 'Crazy Eyes' quiet the entire time. He prayed that he was rethinking his plan. As he walked he turned to glance back at him and saw that he looked like he was considering what he had said. As they continued on he heard what sounded like running water, a river maybe. They walked another ten yards and he spotted an open aqueduct.

"This is as far as we go." 'Crazy Eyes' directed. Martin stood perfectly still. "Turn around."

Martin let out a breath and turned around to find a gun pointed directly at his head.