CHAPTER 14:

Jen and Fiona were herded like cattle into the back of a large, black SUV. They we seated in the trunk with two of the goons sitting in front of them. Erica was in the passenger seat and the thin lanky guard was driving. Jen and Fiona had been bound and gagged. As the vehicle began moving, Jen noticed Fiona's pyjama pants had a bulging pocket. Jen motioned her head towards the bump. Fiona had remembered she had left her phone in her pocket. She tried motioning her hips in order to get the phone out so that they could try to text for help. It also helped that both of their backs were facing the passengers so they were not able to see what they were doing, nor were they able to see the light of the phone. Jen pulled her leg out from under her and sat down. Fiona shimmied the phone out of her pocket onto the trunk floor as quietly as possible and moved it over to Jen with her foot. Jen slowly took off her shoe and started texting to James. Luckily, it was a touch screen phone and she found it easy.

James we need help. Erica has found us. HELP!

Jen clicked send, and soon enough the message was through. Jen sighed inwardly, a sigh of relief. At least now, she knew that James would know that they were in trouble.

James heard his phone beeping and vibrating on the bedside table. He reached over, still half-asleep and looked. It was a text, from Fiona. When he read it, he felt his stomach tighten. He grabbed his gun, dressed and ran out into the living room. He woke up Cooper and the two men immediately left. James had no idea where they were, but he was ever more determined to find them, alive.

Jennifer and Fiona anxiously waited for another text to come in. Luckily, they had changed the ring tone down to just vibrate. The SUV turned a sharp corner and the phone slid down to the end of the trunk. Jen stretched her leg out in an attempt to grab the phone. Her toes barely reached it. Then, the vehicle took another turn. They were picking up speed. Fiona realised they must have turned onto a highway. Jen grabbed the phone, just as it started vibrating softly. She looked at the text.

I am on my way, Cooper and I will find you no matter what. Tracking cell phone. Try to stay alive. Tell Jen I love her.

Jen smiled from underneath her gag and showed Fiona the phone. Fiona nodded slowly and motioned to give her the phone back. Jen slid it to her and Fiona hid it under her leg to hide the light. Suddenly, the driver turned the truck off the highway, and onto a dirt side road. Fiona felt the phone vibrate again.

Gotcha. We're going there ASAP. STAY ALIVE!

Fiona showed Jen the text. Jen closed her eyes and a small tear fell from each. She knew James and Cooper would get there soon, but she did not know if it would be soon enough. Then, the SUV pulled to a halt. The men in front of them got out and then walked around to the trunk. They opened the door and grabbed them like sacks of potatoes. Jen felt herself being sick in the stomach, but the gag held it back. The men followed Erica and her guard into a small country house. There, Jen and Fiona were put down at the table. Then the men loosened their bonds to only re-tie them to the chairs they were sitting on.

"All right, where to begin? Take off the gags." Erica said. Her tall companion loosened the rough gags from both women's mouths. Jen felt like she had to throw up again. "Now…how to dispatch of the anorexic…"

"I'm not anorexic." Fiona replied.

"How mouthy of you. Well I don't like you and as I found out, you were the one to shoot Marcus in the head."

"Yeah, after he beat the hell out of me and was trying to kill my friend."

"Oh how valiant of you! Perhaps I should do the same, with your own gun. Just like you did to him." Erica turned her voice down to a whisper. Fiona squirmed when Erica took the end of the gun and moved it up to Fiona's forehead. "But then again, that's far too quick. Something a little slower will be in store for you."

"Yeah?" Fiona replied.

"Yes. And as for you Jennifer…I'm going to wait until we have your husband here. Then the real show will begin."

"Oh really? You don't have him here do you?" Erica walked over to Jen's side of the table.

"No…" She leant forward and Jen could see the hideous scar up close on Erica's face and neck. It was dark, and it almost looked like a bolt of forked lightening had been imprinted on her body. It was old, but it was still there, ruining her once-pretty face.

"How'd you get that scar?" Erica was surprised.

"This? Well…a childhood accident."

"Why don't I remember you having it when we were in school eh?"

"I covered it up with make up, I was too embarrassed."

"Now you're not?" Jen asked. She was trying to buy time for James and Cooper to arrive.

"No…I figure I have nothing to be ashamed of now. I have money, a husband, and power. What more could a girl ask for?"

"How true. A husband you say?"

"Yes."

"Interesting."

"What's so interesting about it?"

"Let me guess, he's in the Russian Mafia, with a last name of Smirnov?"

"Why yes, that is his last name. How did you know?"

"I have my ways." Jen said. She noticed out the window, two dark figures had run past. She prayed they were James and Cooper.