A WOMAN APART: Chapter 27 - ESCAPING HELL

by tarskeewee08

John walked back into the station and headed straight to Bo's office. Before he could enter it Officer Johnson stepped in front of him.

"Lieutenant"
"Yes" John said frustrated
"We found her car"
John looked at him surprised "Where? When?"
"On 56th and Lenox. They just called it in. It appears her cell phone is still in it."

John looked at the officer and then at Bo's office. Was Antonio right did this creep have her on a flight out of the country. Instead of heading to Bo's office he went to his and faced Lisa.

Lisa was on the bench in his office waiting patiently. When he entered she stood up. "It's been hours have you found her!"

John walked to his desk and looked down at it. How in the hell could he get a grip on this. "Both of your daughters are missing"
"What?" she said softly
Turning to face her, his stress over his Vangie being taken was wrecking his nerves. "I'm sorry to be so blunt, but you needed to know. The man that you saw Layla leave with has kidnapped them both."

Lisa stepped back to the bench and sat down. The news wouldn't sink in. It had to be wrong. "I don't understand why this is happening?"

John rubbed his face. He was so worried he was spinning his wheels. He needed to get to Columbia. "I don't know, but I think we know where they went. We're going to head out there now."

Lisa looked up with tears in her eyes "Find my babies! Find them." she said desperately.

John nodded "I will, I promise you"

The plane started its decent into a forested area. Evangeline couldn't see a runway from her window and became increasing alarmed as the tress below got closer.
Eugene saw the look on her face and smiled. "Don't worry there's a landing strip" he chuckled.

"Where are we?" Evangeline asked looking over at Layla who was asleep next to her. After everything she'd been through the fact that she was able to sleep gave Evangeline hope. She wanted her sister unscarred from this mess. But she knew that wasn't possible.

"I told you Paradise"
"It looks more like Hell to me"
Eugene laughed. The plane hit the tarmac causing everyone to bounce in their seats. The jolt woke Layla who looked around confused. Evangeline relaxed deeper in her seat as she felt the plane break and the pressure push against her chest.

Eugene watched Evangeline the entire flight. He wanted her submissive. Taking things from women was what he was used too and he'd thought about gratifying himself with her against her will. But it wouldn't be the same. Her strength and convictions is what intrigued him. The fact that she never acknowledged his advances frustrated him.

Everything about her was appealing to him. Her jacket was open and he could see the swell of her breast under the cotton. Licking his lips he stared at them until she noticed and closed her jacket tightly glaring at him.

No matter what she would be his. There was no way around it. And she will do it willingly. As the plane came to a halt Eugene unbuckled his seat belt and rose. Walking to the front of the plane he smiled. Now it was time for fun.

Evangeline leaned over to Layla. "I need you to get ready. I won't let him separate us. I won't let him harm you. I need you to be ready to fight with me if we have too"

Layla rolled her eyes "I hate you!"
Evangeline looked at her hurt "What did you say?"
"I hate you!"
Evangeline looked away. She was tired of fighting with her. She was just plain tired.
"Aren't you going to ask why!"
"Why what Layla?"
"Why I hate you?"
"No"
"Why not?"
"Because I know why and besides that you can't hate me more than I hate myself" she said weakly
"See that's it! That's it right there! The fact that you martyr yourself at every turn, trying to redeem yourself for Dennis, all the while running from your guilt."
"What do you know about my guilt" Evangeline said angrily shooting her a disgusted look.
Layla shook her head "I was there Vangie, I saw what you did. I spoke to Dennis afterwards…I have…"
Evangeline looked at her confused "You have what?"
"Never mind"
"What is it Layla!"
"After we are done with this Vangie, I'm leaving. I'm cutting all ties with you and mama. I know I have probation and all of that but when it's all done so am I"
Evangeline looked away and bit her lower lip. She wished she had a relationship with her sister. Even now with both their lives in jeopardy the void between them remained bottomless. She knew that Layla witnessed what drove Dennis to suicide. But why she continued to paint herself as the victim in all of this frustrated her. He was her boyfriend and her first love. She was the one that lost it all.

"Maybe that's a good idea Layla. Its obvious you aren't willing to face us"
"Whatever"
"I mean it Layla. Run away. Run as far as you can. I've done it and it didn't help but if you think you can do better at leaving the hatred and disgust you have for me behind then do it."

Layla looked at her sister hurt. She did love her but there was so much pain there it was hard not to inflict it on her each chance she got. She was sick like her mother when it came to that. Evangeline just took it and took it. She wanted out of the vicious cycle of guilt pain and regret. She held the key to freeing Evangeline, but why should she do that? Why should she set her free and remain in hell by herself. Why should she even care? Before she could say more Eugene appeared.

"Their here ladies lets go!" he said as the door to the private plane was pushed opened by the pilot. The small ladder inside the door was rolled out.

"Where are we?" Evangeline asked for the hundredth time.
"Columbia"
"What!" Layla said frightened. "I can't come back here. I will go to jail. Besides I don't have my passport."
"You won't need a passport. There's no customs here" Eugene said smiling.
Evangeline looked out the window at the forest outside of the plane. They were in trouble. Big trouble.
"Get up!" he barked.
Layla unlocked her seatbelt but Evangeline remained strapped in "I won't go anywhere with you. I won't do it. I am no longer playing these sick games of yours!"

Eugene frowned and then smiled again. Grabbing Layla by her hair and pulling it he glared "Get your ass out of that chair or I'll start my games on her!"
Layla screamed swinging and hitting at his hands and arm.

Evangeline unlocked her belt and rose quickly. "Let her go!"
Eugene smiled and released her "Now….lets go ladies" he said stepping back in the isle so that they could exit.

Layla let tears roll down her face as she got up. Evangeline followed. She would find a way to kill this bastard before the night was over.

John fastened his seat belt. Bo was able to secure the Buchanan jet for Antonio and John to head to Columbia. They'd gotten the flight manifest and knew where the plane landed. It would be hours before they landed and he prayed silently that they both held on. The flight manifest showed them landing in a small private airport called Manteca. He'd find Barker and when he did god help him. God help him.

Antonio looked at John concerned. "You okay man?"
"Yea"
"We will find them."
John looked out the window and said nothing. He thought about Vangie and why she would put herself in danger like this. This had to stop.

Evangeline stepped off the plane and saw several cars on the runway. Eugene walked over and greeted a man wearing a suit surrounded by thugs. Layla stood at the foot of the stairs looking at her scared. She walked over to her and smiled. Eugene looked back and pointed at Layla and Evangeline's heart dropped. She felt that Eugene would separate them and she had to find a way to make sure he didn't. The guy said something to one of his goons and pointed at Layla. The man started to approach. Evangeline stepped in front of her sister protectively.

"Eugene" she called out.
Eugene turned around and smiled.
"Please, I need to talk to you."
Eugene looked at the man approaching them and then back at her. He nodded and walked over. Placing his hand on the mans back he shook his head. Then approached her with an evil grin "What is it?"
"I won't be separated from her"
"Really?"
"Whatever it is you want you won't get it if you take her from me"

Layla looked at Evangeline surprised. She couldn't believe that she was sacrificing herself for her like this.

Eugene looked her up and down. "Are you saying that I can have what I want if I keep your kid sister around?"
Evangeline bit her bottom lip and shook her head yes.
Eugene smiled and stared in her eyes "You do realize that I can have what I want either way. That you are in no position to bargain with me"
Evangeline wanted to choke the life out of him. She wanted to attack him and beat that grin off his face. Instead she stared back.

"I do think it would be more pleasing if you went along for the ride. Fine."
Evangeline watched him walk back to the man and his thugs. Layla touched her back. She turned and faced her sister who immediately hugged her. "I'm so sorry Vangie, thank you"

Evangeline hugged her tightly and rubbed her hair "I Love you Layla. I promise nothing bad will happen to you. Not again"
Layla cried in her arms "I love you too. I really do"

John felt the plane touch down on the runway and sat up straight. His adrenaline was pumping and he wanted off the plane immediately. Antonio flipped open his phone and called Davis contacts as the plane slid down the tarmac breaking to a stop. John looked at his watch. This meant they'd been with this creep for 5 hours. What he did with them made him enraged. If he touched them. Either one he'd kill him and Antonio wouldn't be able to stop him.

"John, they are the guest of a king lord here called Juarez"
"Where are they?"
"He has a sugar cane plantation. I assume it's where he grows his product. The place is like Fort Knox. No way we can roll in there"
John clinched his fist "Watch me"
Antonio shook his head "Davis was clear on this. We'd need to deal with Juarez. We need to bribe our way into Juarez favor. He isn't the fond of Eugene. He tolerates him because of the side bargain they have on the trade."
John looked at Antonio "Bribe? With what?"
"We have a meeting with Juarez. Davis is turning a blind eye so we can get them back alive. We will have to give Juarez something he needs."
"Like what?"
"I'll handle it. I got a plan. Just hang back and keep you temper in check. We'll get Eugene"

Evangeline stared into the mirror as Layla zipped the back of her dress. They'd been brought to some type of cottage and left alone for hours locked in this room. Then a woman appeared with a dress box and shoe box. She looked at Evangeline and smiled. Placing the box next to her she pointed to it and then her. Evangeline looked at the box and opened the lid to see a cocktail dress in it.
She looked back at the woman who smiled again and nodded then left the room.

Turning around and facing Layla she saw the fear on her sister's face. "It's okay sweetie. I'm going to find a way for us to get out of here"

Layla shook her head "Vangie, he's a cruel man. The things he will do to you…."
Evangeline touched her face "I can handle him. I promise"
"This is my fault. I brought this nightmare into your life"
"We've both lived and survived nightmares in our life Lay Lay" She used Dennis pet name for her. Layla eyes teared and she smiled.
"I loved him Vangie, I know you did but I did too"

Evangeline shook her head "I know"

"I hated you for his death, but I know that you never meant to hurt him. You were trying to protect him. I knew it then, but I still hated you for being the one he wanted. He wouldn't stay alive for me" she said her voice shaking.

"Dennis loved you too, he just couldn't deal with the pain."
Layla looked at her she needed to tell her the truth. It was time she set her sister free. Before she could the door opened and Eugene walked in
"Aren't you tasty?"

They both turned and looked at him.

"Layla you will stay here. Maggie will bring you your dinner here in the room. Evangeline come with me."
Evangeline squeezed Layla's hands "Its okay" she said winking at her. Then she turned and followed him out of the door.
Layla watched her sister leave. She was powerless to help her and frightened for what Eugene planned to do to her. "Wait" she said running to the door to stop them
Eugene stepped in front of her and looked at her evilly "Be good Layla. Don't make me show you how again" Evangeline touched his arm pulling him away from Layla "Leave her alone"

Eugene looked down at her hand on his arm and then back at her smiling. "Sure thang"
Turning he grabbed Evangeline and forced her out the door and slammed it behind him. Layla walked to the door and put her hand on it. "I'm so sorry Vangie"

John waited near the plane as Antonio sat in the limo with Juarez. This was taking too long. He looked at the goons surrounding the car and gage the odds of killing them all. But he knew he couldn't. They were in a different country now. The laws in Peru were nothing like the ones he lived by. To leave this country with both girls alive he would have to play by their rules.

Antonio was giving up the information the Feds had on their operation down here, even the contact that Layla had provided. He was telling Juarez how Eugene set them up. He knew that it was risky but if Juarez gave them the nod they needed this would be a cake walk. The door to the limo opened and Antonio stepped out. John held his breath waiting for the news.

Juarez is more than please with what I gave him. Eugene is ours. He actually has the girls down at one of his cottages on his plantation. His men will take us to them. It's about a hour away. John nodded and followed Antonio to the car. The window of the limo rolled down on the other car and caught a glimpse of Juarez watching them. He didn't trust that man and made a mental note to stay alert.

Evangeline squirmed underneath him. He'd pinned her on the bed and was tearing at her dress, forcing his tongue roughly in her ear. Using his knees he parted her legs and kept clawing at her. She thought she could do this but his touch made her fight the urge to vomit. "Wait, Wait" she said struggling to get from under him. "No" he breathed in harsh whisper squeezing her breast harshly. She moved her face and looked across the room his gun was on the dresser next to his jacket. She had to get to it "Why….so rushed…slow down" she said trying to push him off her.

Eugene stopped and looked down at her lustfully. He put his hands in her hair. "We don't have to wait, not anymore" he said sliding his hand roughly down her body. The top of her dress was ripped and she was exposed under him. She looked back at the gun. She had to think of something. Her eyes traveled to the Virgin Mary ceramic statue next to them on the nightstand. Looking back at him she smiled "That's always been your problem Eugene, and it's why we never hooked up. You don't know how to romance a girl. Rough and tough is not how a lady likes it" she purred

Eugene laughed "Really? Care to show me how it's done?"

Evangeline nodded and he rolled off her on the bed closer to the nightstand. God was showing her favor. Rising on the bed allowing the front of her dress to remain open revealing her breast she climbed on top of him. Straddling him and never taking her eyes from his. Eugene smiled wildly and reached up softly caressing her left breast. Evangeline nodded at him and lowered her face to his kissing him fully in the mouth. She felt his defenses weaken as he put his hands on her rubbing and pulling her closer. Slowly she let her free hand slide over to the nightstand and grip the ceramic statue. Kissing him deeper she opened her eyes to see his roll in his head. Quickly she rose and brought the statue crashing down on his face. He yelled in pain and jerked under her. She rolled off of him and leaped off the bed running to the dresser grabbing his gun. Eugene continued to yell and she struggled with the safety on the gun releasing it. He sat up in bed with his hand to the left side of his face. She could see his rage at her.

Steadying herself she raised the gun and aimed it at him. Eugene got off the bed and approached her. "You BITCH!" he yelled "Look at what you did to me you stupid cunt!"

Evangeline backed up closer to the dresser half naked in front of him "I'll kill you. Don't make another step"

Eugene laughed cruelly "You don't have the guts…"
Evangeline fired into his chest. She shot him for Layla. She shot him for all the women that he brutalized. She kept pulling the trigger watching his body jerk and shake in front of her. The door to the room flew open and she heard someone screaming her name but she kept shooting. She stood there still clicking the gun long after the bullets were emptied from it. While Eugene lay in front of her dead.

John raced into the cottage when he heard the yelling from the downstairs room. The woman in the cottage holding a tray jumped at the way they burst in and dropped the tray. He ran past her toward the yelling, opening the door in time to see Evangeline shooting Eugene Barker with her dress around her waist.

He tried to stop her but she kept firing. Taking off his jacket he threw it around her covering her nakedness. Antonio went upstairs and started searching the rooms for Layla. Finding her he brought her downstairs. She clung to him with her eyes closed scared of the condition that her sister would be in.

John put his hand gently over hers and lowered the gun she held "Baby it's over"
Evangeline stood in front of him trembling. She didn't even know he was with her. She was in shock. She'd retreated inside of herself. Nothing he said to her brought her through. Nothing released her from the hell she was now caught up in.

"Baby" John said taking the gun from her hand and turning her to him. She looked through him saying nothing "Baby, please its okay"

Layla and Antonio came into the bedroom. "Vangie?" she said weakly
John looked at her "Get her clothes!"
Layla turned and headed back up to the room where Evangeline clothes were.
Antonio looked at the state she was in "Is she okay John?"
"I don't know man, I don't know."