Chapter 13: Just take me home.
Miles, Jesse, and Liz walked into the cabin. Mae immediately jumped up and gave him a nice long bear hug. Tuck wanted to do the same, but he merely gave Jesse a hand shake. A manly handshake, like it was casual.
Jesse then, turned to Liz. He managed to smile. "It's good to see you again." he said politely.
Then Liz knew. Jesse was over her. She tried to sound as casual and nonchalant as possible. "I missed you too, Jesse."
Jesse turned to his mother. "So, what's for dinner?"
"Oh, sorry hon, but we already ate. You can go scrimmage for the leftovers—"
"That's okay." Jesse said sweetly. Then he turned back to Liz. "Can we talk alone...outside for a sec?"
Liz nodded, shaking with nervousness. Stop it, Liz! She thought, you're not like this, only losers shake and tremble in fear in a delicate situation! You weren't raised this way! Your family owns pretty much half the town!
Once outside, Jesse had his hands in his jeans pockets, and then cleared his throat. "I just want to make this short. Liz, I don't think I have any feelings for you anymore."
Liz nodded. She had been expecting this. "That's okay." she managed to choke out.
Jesse didn't ask if Liz still had feelings for him. Did it really matter?
"Jesse, today, I was running away from home and then, I stopped by to take a drink from that spring under a tree."
Jesse froze. Could it be? Did she?
"I didn't drink out of it though. Your brother stopped me. Then your father suggested I go home with them. They were acting strange, Jess."
Jesse pretended to take interest in the squirrel that had happened to be climbing a nearby tree.
"Jesse," Liz started again, "what's going on? Why is it so bad to drink that water?"
After a brief moment, Jesse gave in and let out a sigh, turning back to Liz. "I can't tell you that." he said.
Liz felt angry. The Tuck family didn't have to be so mysterious, so secretive! "Tell me, Jesse!" Liz demanded.
Jesse shook his head. "I wish I could, but I can't."
"Fine," she snapped, "at least take me home."
Jesse shook his head again. "I can't do that either."
Now Liz was furious! "Why not, Jesse!"
"Because," he started, "Wait, no, I can't tell you that either."
Was this some kind of sick joke!
"Jesse, what the hell! Just take me home!"
Jesse shook his head once more, then walked back into the cabin. Liz followed after him.
Inside, Mae greeted them. "So, how was it?"
"I want to go home!" Liz whined.
Now didn't this sound awfully familiar!
Mae exchanged glances with Tuck, then quietly said, "I'm sorry Winnie, but you can't."
Now Liz was befuddled. What were they saying? Why did Mae Tuck call her by her grandmother's name?
"What's going on!" Liz demanded.
"Look, kid, we just can't let you go home." Miles Tuck said.
"What do you want with me!" Liz demanded, "I mean, if it's ransom, then my parents can—"
"Oh, dear, no. We don't want your money!"
Jesse came up to Liz, looking her straight in the eyes. "I'm very sorry, Liz" he said, sincerely.
Suddenly, Liz realized it! Now she knew what was going on! Jesse Tuck had never been in love with her, it was all a trick, a set-up! He had pretended to be in love with her and dated her for two weeks, knowing her parents won't approve of him and would forbid for them to see each other. Then Jesse would mysteriously disappear, and the eager Liz would go looking for her. After that, Liz would be all alone, and Miles and Tuck had easily captured her, tricking her into going to their house, giving her hope of seeing Jesse once more. In fact, Jesse most likely never went away! He had probably been hiding in the attic, and when Liz and Miles went outside and down to the creek, Jesse quickly crept down the stairs, got out his Harley, and parked it in front of the house to make it look like he had just come home.
And now what were the Tucks going to do to her? Were they going to kill her? Or were they going to torture her? Anger stirred inside Liz' mind. Her whole body felt stiff, and she felt her eyes growing wider, about to rain the warm enraged tears. Then she stared at Jesse's face, the face of a movie star's. An actor's. Jesse was an actor, and it was obviously. Even if Jesse had been Cary Grant, she would've still not cared. Without hesitation, Liz quickly thrust her hand in front of her, and slapped Jesse as hard as she could.
Jesse Tuck was baffled. Even the strongest, most accurate bullet did not hurt as much as Liz' blow. How could this be?
"I hate you, Jesse Tuck!" Liz screamed, "How could you do this to me!"
Liz began to walk away.
"Liz, wait—"
"Fuck off!" she screamed once more, running outside.
From behind her, she could hear Tuck shout, "Hey!"
Liz ran as fast as she could, dodging trees and making sure not to make a fall. This was her only chance of escape, to escape those terrible kidnappers who would do God-knows-what to her.
"There's nothing to be afraid of!" Miles called back.
Yeah, right. Liz thought, as she sped on. Liz was actually impressed with her own speed, on how fast she was running. Liz was a talented swimmer and had ranked national in swimming, but never had she realized how good of a runner she also was. If I keep this up, I can go ask for help, and those terrible Tucks would be put to justice!
She ran and ran until she sighted a town, a town even smaller than Treegap. A typical Connecticut small town. "Hey!" she cried, "Can someone help me! Please, can anyone help me!"
Suddenly, Liz heard a shattering noise and a penetrating pain enter her leg. She stumbled down on the ground, moaning.
After a few seconds, Miles Tuck ran to her, followed by Angus Tuck and Jesse Tuck. "There she is!" Miles screamed.
This was it, she was a goner. Liz felt the ground shake, and the world turn upside down. Consciousness was closing in on Liz. In a matter of seconds, Liz passed out, losing every bit of consciousness.