Chapter Thirteen!

Ronnie had lost all track of time; she had been trapped inside the closet for what seemed like days, but she figured by now, a day must have passed. Luke had peeked in on her a few times during the night, blinding her with the light on the other side of the door, and then slamming the door shut again, locking it behind him. She could feel her stomach growling from hunger. She hadn't eaten since lunch the previous day, and she could feel herself growing weaker. She wondered what was going to happen. She wondered if Eric had a plan. She wondered when, or if, she would get to go home.

Her wrists felt numb now, and the silence buzzed in her ears, causing her to feel even more dizzy than she already felt from the lack of food. She knew she wouldn't be able to fight Luke off if he tried anything, but she figured he must have planned it that way, and that scared her even more. We will have a little fun before you go home to your daddy. I think I've fallen for you, and I want to show you just how I feel about you. Just be patient; it'll come. Ronnie shuddered as she tried desperately to stay strong.

Downstairs, Luke was drinking out of a beer bottle as he paced back and forth in front of the telephone, thinking hard. He was getting ready to call Eric Camden, just like he said he would. He looked at the clock; it was 6:00p.m. He found it odd how he had kidnapped Ronnie Camden the previous day, and he still hadn't been caught. Things were going his way, and he felt proud of himself, but he was slightly nervous about pulling the rest of his plan off, but he would not show his fear. He had to be in control. He already had it all planned out. If the cops showed up, or if anything didn't go his way, he would keep the girl; he wanted to anyway. He thought about just grabbing her once he had Chad and taking the two of them far away. He couldn't get Ronnie's pretty face out of his mind; he had thought about her all night, and longed to have her, but wanted to wait. He wanted to wait until she grew too weak to fight back, and he wanted to wait until she built up enough fear. He loved to see the fear in her eyes, and know it was because of him.

Luke finally placed the beer bottle on the floor and dialled the same number he dialled the previous evening.

Eric had been sitting by the phone, with Annie next to him. Officer Matthews was seated across from them. Chad was in the next room, playing video games with Simon. Eric didn't want Chad to have to hear the telephone conversation; he knew Chad was already scared, so Eric had asked Simon to distract Chad for a while, before the whole ordeal had to take place.

Annie reached over and took Eric's hand in her own and squeezed it. Eric smiled awkwardly at her. There was no denying the fear they both felt. Neither of them knew what was going to happen tonight. They didn't know if they would get Ronnie back, or if Luke would try to run off with her, or with both children, or even worse, whether or not Luke would kill Ronnie. Both Eric and Annie knew the risks and the possibilities, and all they could do was pray and hope that Ronnie would be returned safely tonight.

They both jumped when the phone finally rang and Eric calmed himself down quickly enough to pick up the phone. He didn't want Luke to think he was afraid of him.

"That you Reverend?" Luke said. Eric could tell right away he was drunk, and he hated that Ronnie was in his care.

"It's me Luke." Eric replied, steadying his voice as best he could.

"Well, good. Here's hoping you have my kid, Eric." Luke said with a threatening voice.

"Yes, I do. Chad's here with me, and we're all ready to make the trade." Eric lied, feeling confidant that Luke would believe him. It was true that Chad was there, but there would be no trade made, at least not if things went smoothly.

"Good man Eric. I knew you wanted your baby back. She's still here. I don't think she's a happy camper though Eric. Who would be? I mean, being locked in a dark closet all night and all day with no food or water. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Poor girl. Well, it'll all be over soon." Luke was enjoying the torture he was putting Ronnie's family through, but Eric didn't let on that it bothered him.

"So what's the plan Luke?" He asked. Luke laughed.

"You waste no time, do you buddy? I want you and Chad to be here within the next two hours, and you'd better speed, because it's pretty far from where you are now. No cops, Eric, or your little girl stays with me. Just you and my boy, and then we'll trade. This is the address." Eric scrambled for a pen and paper as Luke gave him directions to the old farmhouse in the country. Eric knew the area; it was at least an hours worth of driving. He really would have to speed.

"Oh and when you get here, don't bother getting out of the car. Just honk your horn, and we'll come to you. See you soon buddy." With that, Luke hung up the phone. Eric breathed heavily as he placed the phone down on the table. Annie stared at him for an explanation and he turned to face her.

"I have to go now." He said simply, giving a nod to Officer Matthews, who headed into the living room to get Chad ready. Annie's eyes were glazed with tears.

"I'm coming too." She said simply, as she went to grab her coat. Eric took her arm and shook his head.

"You can't sweetheart. Luke said just me and Chad. If he sees you, he won't give Ronnie back. I'm already worried about him seeing the cops. We have to do things his way or we'll never see Ronnie again. I know how much you want to come; I wish you were there too. I know Ronnie will need you when Luke hands her over." He explained. Annie looked genuinely disappointed, but she nodded, understanding what had to be done.

"She needs you too Eric. Just get her back, okay?" Annie leaned in and gave Eric a kiss, as he hugged her, holding her in his arms, not wanting to let go.

Finally, he grabbed his coat and headed out the front door, where Officer Matthews was waiting for Chad. Officer Matthews must have already called for backup, because there in the Camdens driveway were four police cars, all filled with trained officers, all ready to help Eric rescue Ronnie. Eric said a quick prayer before he got in his own car with Chad, praying that Luke wouldn't see the police cars. Officer Matthews had promised that they would be parked out of distance, and stay well-hidden on the property, but still, Eric felt uneasy as he started his car.