Chapter 38
Sonia tried a few times to phone Sara with no luck. She tried Erin's number. This is weird... they won't switch off their phones, not with Tegan in the hospital. She shook her head trying to make sense. She dialed Alex's number. It rang a few times before she heard his voice. "Sonia.." he said. His voice sounded strange. "Alex are you with Erin? I've been trying to reach Sara and her phone's off? So is Erin's. Sara never showed up at the airport" she said. "Sonia... I'll be at the hospital in a few minutes. I'm sorry I can't talk right now... I'll see you soon" said Alex before hanging up. Tegan was taken for her daily x-rays and scans as Lindsey walked into the waiting area and saw Sonia looking perplexed. "What's up Sonia?" she asked. "Sara and Erin are both not answering their phones and Sara never showed up at the airport?" said Sonia. "And then Alex just kinda cut me off... I dunno, something's wrong" said Sonia, anxiety rising in her voice. "I'm sure there's an explanation for all this Sonia? They've both been on their phones a lot. Maybe they ran out of battery, or got a flat or something?" said Lindsey. "Yeah? Why didn't she use the driver's phone?" asked Sonia. Her instinct steering her in the right direction. "um... well does the driver have Emy's number?" asked Lindsey. "Something's not right Lindsey" said Sonia scared. Lindsey swallowed hard...
Sara woke up and took in her surroundings. She was in an empty room in what looked like an old warehouse? Erin was lying on her side a few feet away from her, still out cold. She maneuvered her way over to Erin with great difficulty as her feet were tied together. "Erin, E wake up" she said not too loudly. She didn't want to let their capturers know they she was awake. "Erin!" she said again and gently nudged her with her feet. Erin started to stir. She looked around panicked. "Sara! What the fuck! What's happening, who are these people!" she whispered. "I don't know... listen don't worry! Alex is going to do what they tell him and we'll be out of here" she said. Erin breathed fast and sat up. "Sara... I've played a cop enough times to know that kidnappers don't just let their hostages go... not when they've seen their faces. We need to get out of here... we... we need to get..." Erin cut her sentence short as she heard a key in the lock. "Pretend you're still out" she whispered and fell back down. The door opened, the man walked in and stood in front of them and looked down. "Nice try sweetheart, this is not where I left you" he said as he kicked Sara hard in the ribs. Sara could feel bone snapping and she gasped. She curled in pain. The man took his boot and stepped on Erin's injured knee making her cry out. "Don't fuck with me bitches"
Emy was led into the waiting area by one of the security guards stationed outside. "Sonia, it's so good to see you!" she said and hugged her tight and then hugged Lindsey. "Is Tegan okay? Any sign of Sara?" she asked. "Tegan's fine Emy, I haven't heard from Sara... or Erin" said Sonia looking worried. "This is strange, I haven't seen Sara this excited and happy about anything in ages... why wasn't she at the airport?" said Sonia. Her fear was growing. "Maybe she's at Tegan's house, maybe I was suppose to me her there..." said Emy. With that Alex walked in looking horrified, Kate jogged in after him "Alex, what's going on with you... Al?" she said. Charles followed Kate. "Hi Emy..." he said and briefly hugged her. "Sit down... really, sit down... Erin and Sara... they... oh my God how do I say this..." he breathed heavily. "What is it Alex?" asked Emy sounding panicked. "Erin and Sara's been kidnapped..." Emy felt as if a sledge hammer hit her in the chest. She had her hands in her hair. "No, no this can't be happening". Sonia was in shock and she stared in front of her trying to make sense of what Alex just said. She jumped up and walked to the door only to be stopped by Lindsey. "how... who would do this... where are they... we need to find them"
Alex told Emy, Sonia, Kate and Lindsey everything that happened during the two hours. The phone call, the camera, the abandoned cellphones, the photos, the message. How they searched for Stuart but couldn't find him. Sonia and Emy were both sobbing hysterically. Lindsey and Kate looked utterly shocked but tried to comfort the two distressed women. "What are we going to do? We can't phone the cops... what..." said Sonia through her sobs looking pale. "We have to wait for their next message... The money's not a problem, I'll pay immediately and ... " Alex got cut off by Charles. "If we pay the money they're dead... they won't have a reason to keep them alive" he said. Alex lost his cool and grabbed Charles by the collar and shoved him into the wall. "Don't say that! This is your fault... you're security! I trusted you to keep them safe!" he yelled. Charles had his arms in the air. "Alex, calm down, fighting will not help us now. Let's just focus on getting them back alive" he said. Alex let go of his collar and turned around to compose himself. "I'll get a team together. We'll stay under the radar, we'll find them" said Charles. "They said no cops" said Alex with his hands in his sides looking down. "We're not cops... trust me Alex, they're not going to kill them without getting their cash. Wait for the call" he said sternly. "Not a word of this to Tegan... not a single word!" said Kate loudly. "She won't be able to handle this kind of shock. Not a word!"
Lindsey walked into Tegan's room trying to be brave. Tegan opened her eyes. "Hey... where have you been? I missed you" she whispered weakly. Lindsey bit her lip trying to compose herself as she pretended to wash her hands. Tegan knew Lindsey inside out and she immediately picked up that something was off. "What's up sweetie, you seem upset?" she asked. "I... I just wish we were home in our own bed tonight" lied Lindsey. "I don't like seeing you sick" she sighed. "I'll be... out of here.. soon babe" smiled Tegan. "I'm okay" she whispered. Lindsey took Tegan's hand and held it to her cheek. "I love you Tee" she said. Horror filled her mind as she imagined what Sara and Erin must be going through... how she would feel if somebody took Tegan from her... Tears rolled down her face. "Shhh baby, I'm right here" whispered Tegan. Kate walked into the room looking tired and pale. The feeling that something was wrong crept back into Tegan's body. Her breathing sped up, so did her heart monitor. "What's going on guys?" she asked sounding scared. "Nothing Tegan, everything's fine" said Kate as she pushed a needle into one of Tegan's IVs and pressed the plunger of the syringe. "Get some rest Tegan..." she heard Kate say before a deep sleep overcame her.