CHAPTER 14

Duncan settled Veronica over his shoulder gently when he had pulled her from the car's backseat. Veronica didn't try to fight. She had no idea if her legs would hold her even if she did get away, and she didn't want to waste her energy.

And if Duncan thought that she was libel to run he would be more alert after. She would wait for the right time.

She did look around to try and find out where they where though. She lifted her head from where it was bumping along Duncan's back and tried to focus her eyes. All she could see was trees. That had her panicking for a minute, wondering if Duncan had taken them further then she had thought. Then she saw the Lake and the mountains.

They were somewhere in the San Bernadino Mountains.

She only knew that because her dad had dragged her and her mom camping here one year. Lianne had hated it but Veronica had loved the view. Veronica had spent the whole time taking pictures of the mountains. When they had gotten back from the trip Veronica had talked Lily and Duncan's ear off about it.

"Duncan?" Veronica rasped with her throat still sore. Duncan faltered in his steps at the sound of her voice but continued on.

"Yes Veronica?" he answered softly.

"Are we in the San Bernadino Mountains?" she asked for confirmation. She wondered if he had planned for her to know where they were. If so, then he must be confident that she can't get to help. That worried her.

"You noticed!" Duncan exclaimed, his voice showing excitement. "I wanted you to be comfortable, and I remembered how much you liked it here" Just as he was finishing his sentence he started climbing some steps. Veronica craned her neck to see where he was headed and her breath caught.

It was a cabin. And it was completely isolated.

"Where is she?" Logan asked Keith as they drove north out of Neptune. He was starting to become less confident about finding her now that they were on their way. What if Duncan knew that Veronica could be tracked by her cell if it was on? He could be sending them on a wild goose chase.

"From what I see here, she is somewhere in the Angeles National Forest" Keith answered distractedly. He was focusing completely on the road. Logan could tell that Keith was worried too, and that was why he was so fixated on the road. It took the mind off of what could be happening to Veronica right now.

"That's a huge area. Can you narrow it down anymore?" Logan asked as he tried to think of how big the park actually was.

Keith glanced over at him and all of his anxiety showed in his eyes. Logan suddenly realized that even with how much he had been worried before, it didn't compare with now. If Keith was panicking…

"Only when we get closer" Keith bit out as he refocused on the road. Logan stopped talking then. He didn't want to make this any worse for Keith and he was sure that that was exactly what he was doing.

"I am going to let you go now Veronica" Duncan said as he stopped in front of a large bench on the wraparound porch. "Don't try to run, because you won't get far and you might hurt yourself" After he said it he waited for Veronica's answer.

Veronica considered being pissy about it, but realized that it would only hurt her chances of escaping later. She needed Duncan to trust her. "I won't run Duncan" she said in her most defeated tone. A person who was considered beaten wasn't watched as closely.

And Veronica would do everything she could to get away. She had almost broken down during the car ride, but now that they were in a different setting she was getting her strength back; and her sanity.

Duncan lowered her slowly onto the bench, careful of her sore legs. Veronica gritted her teeth to keep from crying out again and let a few silent tears squeeze out from her lids. She knew that Duncan was watching and she wanted him to be feeling guilt for what he did.

"I'm sorry Veronica" he whispered as he crouched in front of her. Veronica opened her eyes and looked at him without emotion. Duncan made a move to wipe the tears from her cheeks and she flinched. He drew his hand back with a grimace and a determined look in his eyes. "But I had to do it" his voice took on a stronger tone and he lost what little regret that had shown on his face.

"Why?" she asked simply as he stood up.

Duncan looked at her for a few beats before answering. "Because you belong to me, not Logan. If you stay with him you'll only get hurt again" he answered her and then started fumbling with a set of keys that he pulled from his pocket. He turned to the door and unlocked it, leaving Veronica on the bench.

"Can you take the handcuffs off?" Veronica asked, not wanting to talk about his reasons anymore. She knew that he wouldn't listen, so didn't try. All she could do now was try to get away.

Duncan glanced at her as he opened up the cabin. "I can't do that yet" he answered her simply.

That only made Veronica think of what she would have to do to get them off.