/I'm back/
14.
Tony made Laurel stay in the cabin as he dragged every conceivable cover down in the tunnel. Using his knife, he stripped the furniture of its cloth and leather covers. He also took the stuffing, layering it into a thick, insulated cover.
Once he had it as protective as he could make it, Tony brought Laurel down the ladder. He had her sit on the plush pile, then wrapped more material around her. She was situated behind the ladder in the darkest part.
"The rug will be last. It's so dark a color that, with it over you, no one should be able to see you." Tony crouched next to the girl. "Laurel honey, you can't say a word when I leave, not until Gibbs or your daddy come to get you. Understand?"
"Why can't you stay here with me, Tony?"
"I have to lead them away from you, baby. I won't let them hurt you." Tony pulled the rug down and tented it over the child. "There's a bottle of water here as well." He placed Laurel's hand on the plastic container. "Drink sparingly. I mean, drink just a little at a time. I don't know how long you'll have to be here before Gibbs…someone comes."
"Wait! Tony, how will I know if it's Gibbs?"
Tony's teeth flashed white in the darkness. "Remember to look for the tall guy with the salt and pepper hair. Abby, you remember me telling you about her? Abby calls him her silver fox. Now, he might look a little mean and grumpy, but that's all a front. You'll win him over in two seconds flat."
"Tony, please stay here."
"Laurel, I can't." He tucked the covers around her before disappearing down to the tunnel opening.
Tony had made wrappings for his feet out of the Ace bandages in the first aid kit. It wasn't keeping much of the cold out, but was some protection against the shards of ice on the ground as well as sharp stones. Unfortunately, as he began to climb the hill to the north of the cabin, the damp began to loosen the wrap. He didn't have time to fix it, so he continued on, intent on leaving as big and obvious a trail as he could.
If everything worked out as Tony had planned, Annabelle and Billy would believe he was carrying Laurel in their run for safety. All he needed was to keep ahead of the kidnappers just a little while longer to let the cavalry arrive.
Dressed in clothes not made for sub-freezing weather, Tony pressed on. The snow glowed in the night, helping light the way. Once again, the cold began to numb his feet, leaving him unaware that his feet was uncovered and that he was leaving a blood trail behind as his bare flesh was sliced open.
He heard the sputtering of the van as the kidnappers returned to the cabin. "Showtime," he muttered.