Chapter 7
"See you guys later!" Rachel called out to her friends as they set her on the beach and sped away in their boat. She slung her bag over her shoulder and set off for home. The sun was beginning to descend into the horizon. This was Rachel's favorite time of day. She thought about the date she had planned with Bobby, a boy she'd had her eye on for a while. Finally she had gotten him to ask her out. She couldn't wait!
Lost in thought, she continued on home, oblivious to the commotion going on near her house. Suddenly an arm shot out and grabbed her around the waist, while a hand was slapped over her mouth.
She struggled against her captor as he dragged her into the woods, but stilled suddenly when she heard a familiar "shhh" from the man who held her. The hand was removed and she was released as she turned in shock to face her father. "Daddy! What the..." "Shhhh, Rachel." He said and turned her head towards the house where the door was being beat in by several men. She gasped in fright and turned back to her father. He held his finger to his lips and whispered to her, "Not a sound, till we're deeper into the woods, alright?" Rachel nodded and took her father's hand as he led her deeper into the dark, dense wood.
Once he felt they were a safe distance from the house, he stopped and turned to face her. "You kids have another way of getting into the passage under the house, don't you? She shook her head no but he continued. "The one you use to sneak out at night." Her face dropped. "Daddy." She began, but he cut her off. "Rachel, this is important, I need for you to show that entrance now, alright. Please." Rachel hesitated and then pointed further into the wood. "It's through the old sewage entrance that was shut down." She sighed. "Show me." James took her hand again and let her lead him to the entrance. When they reached it, she pushed back the tumble of vines and ivy that affectively hit it from the world. James raised an eyebrow at his daughter, who looked guiltily away. "Come on!" he said exasperated and pulled the gate open, led her inside and shut it again. "Lead the way!" he said to her. "And Rachel?" Tony said looking at his daughter, "Yes, papa?" She said. "Remind me to ground you later." Rachel's face fell and she muttered, "Yes Papa.", as she led them down a tunnel and through another gate."Daddy, what's going on? Who were those men and why are we running. And where are Mommy and the others? As they walked, James explained the situation to her. "So what are we gonna do now?" She asked when he was finished. "I don't know. But for the time being we should be safe at your uncle's." "Finally they reached the ladder that led up to Doug's cellar. He pushed the hatch open and was greeted by the end of a pistol. "Put it away Tim!" he hissed at his son. Tim quickly stuffed the pistol into the waist of his jeans and swung the hatch open. "Oh James!" Cori cried as Tim helped him up from the ladder. Rachel followed. "Baby!" Cori said reaching for her daughter. Hugs were exchanged quickly. "I was so worried about the two of you." "Yes, well lucky for us our children are such juvenile delinquents!" James said causing the 4 older children to blush and look away from him.
"What' going on here?" Tony asked Cori. "Nothing", she answered, "So far it's been quiet. Doug's getting us some food. He thought it'd be safer to wait here till nightfall." "Good idea, there were men swarming all over the house." Cori gasped. "Oh James!" "It's alright darling, we weren't seen or followed. We're safe here ok." "Yes," Cori said, but everyone knows I'm Doug's sister. It's only a matter of time until..." Voices sounded above them and and several footsteps were heard entering the house above. "Shhh." Tony said, putting his finger to his lips in a gesture of silence. They all froze in silence as they tried to listen to the sounds coming from above.