Chapter 47

Anna and Robert waved Patrick and the others over as they made their way up the path to the clearing on the bluff. The group hid themselves behind a group of trees near the path, watching the area closely. Sitting on the bluff was a helicopter and they could see that Marcus was already waiing inside it. Patrick began to panic. "Where is she?"

"We think she is coming with Putnam." Anna reached over and gently squeezed Patrick's hand in an attempt to calm him down. "We are not going to do anything to put her in danger. As soon as we see her, we will make our move."

Patrick looked back out at the bluff and noticed a Jeep pulling up to the area, parking a little ways from the landing area. He saw a man get out of the driver's side and instantly recognized that man as Grant Putnam. He watched as Grant walked over to the passenger side, looked around carefully, then opened the door and pulled Robin out of the vehicle.

Grant looked around one last time before dragging Robin out of the car and carrying her over to the helicopter. She hadn't moved once during the journey to the landing site and he was beginning to wonder if Marcus might have given her a little too much of the tranquilizer. He looked down at her and shook his head. "At least it will be a quiet trip."

Once he was in view of the pilot he nodded his head and the pilot started the engines. Moving slowly, Grant carried his future daughter-in-law across the bluff, preparing to deliver her to his son. He was halfway to the helicopter when a fist connected with his chin. Shocked, he dropped Robin and watched as she darted off across the field.

Marcus saw Robin punch his father and started getting out of the copter but his father gestured for his to stay where he was while he chased after her. "Robin!"

Robin ran over to clump of trees and hid behind them, trying desperately to catch her breath. She had known she only had one chance to escape and she was scared she may have blown it. Looking around, she headed towards the edge of the bluff, hoping there was a safe way down from there. She had just reached the edge when she felt someone grab her hair and yank her back. "No! You are not going anywhere!"

Tears filled Robin's eyes as pain flowed through her head from the power of Grant's attack. She fought him smartly, letting him pull her close so she could jump up and use the top of her head to knock him under the chin. Once his grip loosened she turned around and kicked him in the stomach. Anger overtook him and Grant grabbed Robin and flung her to the ground, knocking her unconscious. He reached over to pull her from the ground when he felt someone slam into him.

Patrick saw Robin lying in Grant's arms and felt his fear begin to consume him. She wasn't even conscious and he had no idea what the two maniacs had done to her. He wasn't sure what they were going to do to rescue her and then he saw Robin's arm shoot up and, only a moment later, he saw Grant drop her. Robin hit the ground running and he looked at Robert.

"Patrick, you and Lucky go get Robin. The rest of us are going after that chopper." Patrick and Lucky headed towards the bluff while Robert, Anna, Jason and Mac rushed towards the chopper. Patrick ran through the woods, Lucky nipping at his heels, and was almost to the bluff's edge when he finally saw her. He saw Grant double over in pain from a kick Robin had administered and then he saw Grant throw her to the ground.

Acting on instinct, Patrick silently charged the man as he bent over Robin. The force of the blow caught Grant off guard and sent him stumbling backwards.

Marcus was about to get off the helicopter when he saw Anna and Robert charging towards it. He didn't have time to respond before the pilot began taking off. "Shut the door and lock it now."

"But my father, Robin…" Marcus was already shutting the door so he could keep Robin's parents out.

"We'll come back for them." The pilot had the chopper a few feet off the ground as Marcus finished securing the door. Looking out the window he saw Robin lying on the ground and Patrick charging his father. He watched in horror as his father stumbled back from Drake's blow and went over the edge of the bluff.

Patrick leaned over Robin and began checking her out as Lucky headed to edge of the bluff to see where Grant went. He walked carefully to the side, looked over the drop and sighed. It was at least a 100 foot drop and he saw Grant lying on the rocks below - dead. Shaking his head, he walked back over to Patrick. "How is she?"

"I don't know. She isn't responding to any kind of stimulus – we need to get her to a hospital now. Call in a rescue chopper, I know they have room to land." Patrick turned to Lucky, tears filling his eyes. "Now Lucky!"

Lucky ran back to Robert and Anna. "We need a rescue helicopter here ASAP. Robin's hurt."