Chapter 17
Guilt and rage threatened to consume him as Myles struggled to fight against his bonds. The rope chafed his wrists, rubbing the skin raw, but he barely felt it. He had to get away because there was no way Tara could last long outside with her injuries.
As concerned as he was for Tara, deep down he knew anything was probably better than having her at the mercy of their ruthless captors in her weakened condition. However, he was worried that she might be outside right now, trying to come up with some way to free them, without backup and with a fractured collarbone and who knows what else.
Myles glanced over at Annie, who was watching him with frightened eyes. She wasn't allowed near him or Craig since her initial check on him earlier. She'd been told to keep the fire going and sit only on the couch while Webster and Gary plotted what they would do next. Knowing that Tara's disappearance had bought them some time, Myles tried to muster an encouraging smile for Annie, proud at how she'd handled herself so far.
Webster had assured her cooperation by beating on Myles and Craig. Myles grimaced when he saw the black eye forming on the other man's face courtesy of Webster's crony.
Earlier, Annie had firmly, but respectfully asked to use the bathroom. Webster had allowed it, but she had to keep the door open and guns were held at Myles and Craig's head while she was gone.
The guilt Myles felt at having these innocent people terrorized by Webster and his thug made him wish they'd never come here. If anything happened to Annie or Craig, he knew that he'd never forgive himself nor would Tara.
Myles stared at Webster as he idly played with his gun and he frowned. They'd taken his gun when they knocked him out and had brought their own to torment them with. If only I had a weapon, he thought.
Suddenly, he remembered they'd slid Tara's gun under the couch. Myles didn't know if she'd taken it with her, but he had to get Annie to check. She was in the perfect position to get it if it was there. Coughing softly, he got the attention of everyone in the room.
"Sorry," he muttered, not wanting to provoke their captors and waited for Webster and his buddy to go back to ignoring them.
Myles stared at Annie trying to mouth the word gun. Annie strained to make it out but finally shook her head.
What I wouldn't give to have Thomas and her lip reading ability here right now? Myles thought sincerely.
Darting his eyes from hers to over his shoulder at his bound hands, Myles tried to make his hand look like a gun, the way kids did. It took her a moment to follow his gaze and look at his hands.
"Gun," Annie mouthed back at him and he nodded once.
Now, how do I get her to understand she needs to look for Tara's gun under the couch, he wondered. Before he could figure it out, a loud crash came from outside causing Webster to rush to the window.
"So that's where the broad went, huh?" Webster sneered at Myles moving toward the door. "The goats are out in the yard. She obviously let them out," he told his partner. "I'm going to bring her in. Keep an eye them," he motioned with his gun before heading outside.
"You better hope she doesn't give him any trouble," the other man snicker as the screen door crashed shut. "Web would have no problem having a little fun with her before he brings her in."
It was all Myles could do to keep himself planted firmly in his chair as the rage coursed through him. They'd both pay if they even touched Tara, he promised.