Chapter 21
xxxxxxxxxx
"Wake up." Martin's eyes slit open and he saw 'Crazy Eyes' standing in the doorway. He must have fallen asleep sometime during the night because his kidnapper was outlined in the soft blue light of dawn. "Come on, get up. I have an idea."
Martin opened his eyes fully and moved to sit up, wincing as white hot pain shot through his body. His back, arms, shoulders…..actually his entire body felt stiff, achy and painful. The cold wet morning air and the angle of his position strained all of his muscles. He was slumped on a bag of sand and with each movement it aggravated the pain. He felt sweaty and miserable and all he wanted was to be home in bed.
"Hurry up." 'Crazy Eyes' demanded.
"I'm trying." Martin replied angrily. 'Crazy Eyes' looked at him and leaned against the door waiting but not helping. Martin finally was able to sit up and he met his captor's eyes.
"I need to be far away from here when I call your father for the ransom drop but in case he wants some proof I am going to take a quick video bit to send him." 'Crazy Eyes' pulled out his cell phone and a newspaper. "I want you to say you are fine and that he has to pay me if he ever wants to see you again." He tossed the newspaper onto Martin's lap and started to aim the cell phone camera.
"No." Martin replied firmly.
'Crazy Eyes' lowered the camera and gave Martin a hard look, "What do you mean no?"
"I need to take a leak. I won't talk until I do." Martin knew that he was taking a big risk in making a demand but he also knew that this was the only moment he was in a position to negotiate.
'Crazy Eyes' just glared at him and pulled his gun out from behind his back. He pointed it at Martin and in an agitated tone said, "I could just kill you now, how about that?"
"We both know my father won't pay without some proof." Martin knew he was walking on shaky ground. He swallowed and added, "I don't think I am asking for much."
'Crazy Eyes' looked him over before saying, "If you try anything…."
Martin started coughing and shook his head. After a moment he replied, "I won't."
'Crazy Eyes' took a step back and nodded for Martin to step out of the shed. Martin took a deep breath and leaned forward so that he could get on his knees for some leverage before standing up. He moved slowly out of the shed and saw the pink sky indicating the start of a new day. As he walked slowly to the trees with 'Crazy Eyes' behind him his eyes darted around looking for any signs of life but all he could see were more trees. He didn't even hear a highway. He stopped in front of a tree and turned around. "I can't do this with my hands tied behind my back."
'Crazy Eyes' nodded his head and out of his back pocket pulled out a pair of handcuffs. "Turn around and get down on your knees."
Martin hesitated a moment but did as instructed. 'Crazy Eyes' came up behind him and he could feel the gun barrel digging into the back of his skull. "Don't try anything or I will blow your head off." 'Crazy Eyes' started pulling on the cords and Martin could feel them loosening before completely falling away when suddenly he felt the cold metal of the handcuffs snap around his right wrist. "I want you to move your arms back around to your front slowly and fastened the handcuff to your other wrist."
Martin's arms tingled like millions of tiny little pins were poking at him as the blood rushed back to his arms and shoulders. He moved his hands slowly to his front and snapped the handcuff to his other wrist. 'Crazy Eyes' took a step back and the gun barrel move off of the back of his head as he ordered for Martin to stand up.
Martin stood up a little too quickly and instantly felt dizzy. He leaned against the tree for a few seconds so he could get his bearings when 'Crazy Eyes' said, "Hurry up. And remember: no tricks."
Martin closed his eyes and mentally pulled himself together. He opened his eyes and took a step back so he could urinate. Once he was done, he turned back around to face 'Crazy Eyes'.
"Let's go." 'Crazy Eyes' waved the gun between Martin and the shed. They walked slowly back and Martin tried to think of some kind of useful clue he could use when he talked on the video but he was so exhausted and miserable that nothing came to mind.
When he entered the shed he sat on a sandbag and sighed heavily.
"Pick up the paper and hold it so that he can see it." 'Crazy Eyes' ordered so Martin picked up the paper and saw that it was today's New York Times. He held it in front of him. 'Crazy Eyes' picked up the cell phone camera and said, "Okay, now we are going to do it just like I say…."