Chapter Twelve

Written by: TheEquestrianWriter

Sam struggled against the bonds that kept her tied to the chair. She had also been gagged; Caleb had gotten tired of hearing her so he tied the gag around her mouth to keep her quiet. He was now sitting at the desk, clicking away on the keypad of his laptop. The camera sitting on the tripod in front of her leered at her, the red light blinking in an alternating pattern. On. Off. On. Off. Sam fumbled faster with the restraints around her wrists and gave a low groan when her fingers slipped.

"Is it working, princess?" Caleb asked, without looking at her. Sam glared at his back and reached out towards the tripod with her foot, with the intention of knocking it over. It took two attempts before her foot connected with the tripod. It fell to the floor, camera and all, with a loud crash. Caleb spun around in his chair.

Sam shrank back in the chair when Caleb thundered toward her. He grabbed her by the throat, his thumb pushing her chin up. "You are rapidly becoming more trouble than your worth," Caleb growled, his thumb pressing harder into her neck. "Keep it up and you won't live to see the fireworks."

Black spots were swarming in front of Sam's vision, she was losing consciousness. If it weren't for Caleb's hold on her, she probably would have fallen out of the chair. As it were, Sam almost didn't hear the sound of the door opening and bodies shuffling in.

"We found him at the tunnel's entrance," came a voice Sam didn't recognize. It sounded faraway. Caleb abruptly let go of her and turned to face the new arrivals. Sam gasped and sucked in as much air as she could, coughing on the gag.

Caleb blocked most of the view of the door, but she could make out two men, one being the one who had escorted her to this room. They were holding someone between them. Sam strained to see who it was, but her vision still hadn't cleared all the way. Caleb walked toward the threesome and Sam caught a glimpse of black, untamed hair.

"Jacob Ely," Caleb said and Sam's heart lurched. Jake was here? Sam strained even harder to see beyond Caleb. Then Caleb moved and Sam saw him. Jake stood slumped in between the two guards, who each had an arm. He hadn't seen her yet.

"Jake," Sam said, but it came out muffled and strangled against the gag. Jake must have heard her though, because he turned his head slightly and his brown mustang eyes locked on hers. It was then Sam saw that his lip was split and bleeding and he had a bruise blooming along his jaw. There was something unreadable in his expression as he started struggling against his captors.

"Thank you for bringing him to me," Caleb nodded for the guards to leave. The older guard gave Jake a shove before both of them retreated, the door clicking shut behind them. Caleb turned to include Sam in his gaze. "This just got a whole lot more interesting."

Jake didn't waste anymore time, he rushed over to Sam, but Caleb stopped him with a hand to his chest. Caleb made a halting motion at Jake, who glared at him.

"I would like to get this reunion on tape. For the parents, you know." Caleb explained as he walked over to the fallen tripod. "It turns out our little Sammy threw a little temper tantrum before you got here" Caleb righted the tripod and checked to make sure the camera was still in working form. Sam met Jake's eyes again. With just his presence, Sam felt a whole lot more calmer and safer.

Jake didn't want to wait for Caleb any longer, he ran the rest of the way to Sam. He could handle Caleb, nothing would stop him from getting to her. He knelt down in front of her and reached up to carefully remove the gag.

"Jake," Sam breathed, her mouth a little sore from where the gag had been. "You came."

"Of coarse, I came," Jake replied, running his hands through her messy, auburn hair. "I promised to keep you safe and I'm going to keep that promise."

Glancing behind him, Jake saw Caleb still looking through the viewfinder of the camera. Moving quickly, Jake undid Sam's restraints. They both waited for Caleb to say or do something, but nothing happened. Ignoring her aching wrists, Sam threw her arms around Jake, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Surprisingly, Jake returned her hug, gripping her tightly.

After a moment, Jake whispered, "Sam," Sam pulled back a little and looked at him. Jake opened his mouth to say something and then abruptly closed it. It looked like he was about to say something else, but, instead, he said, "I was so scared."

Sam couldn't help but smile. "Jake Ely scared? I didn't think that was possible." she teased him.

"I was scared for you," Jake admitted seriously.

It was then that Caleb came out from behind the camera, clapping his hands together and chuckling. "Well done, I couldn't have done it better myself. Your parents will be proud." Then Caleb's demeanor changed instantly, to serious and threatening. "Now, let's get back to business."

Caleb grabbed Jake's arm, yanking him to his feet. Jake reacted immediately, punching Caleb in the face. The two grappled for each other; each taking hits from the other. The fight didn't last long though. Sam screamed when Caleb pulled a gun out, aiming it at Jake's heart.

"That's enough of those antics, Mr. Ely," Caleb warned. "One more rash action like that and I will not hesitate to kill you." He clicked off the safety. Instantly, Sam was out of the chair and in front of Jake.

"You don't have to do that," Sam told Caleb. She didn't look at Jake, but she felt him put his hands on her waist as if he wanted to pull her behind him. Sam planted her feet, she wasn't budging. "We'll cooperate. I promise you, there will be no more fighting."

After a tense minute, Caleb lowered the gun. "I will hold you to that, Samantha. If Jacob steps out of line one more time, it will be you who pays." Involuntarily, Jake jerked Sam backward until she was pressed against him, as if by keeping her close to him she would be safer.

"Now, back in the chair, Samantha," Caleb said, grabbing Sam by the arm. He was met with resistance from both Sam and Jake, but eventually Sam found herself sitting back in the chair. "We must finish our little project to your father." He bound Sam's hands behind the chair again.

When he straightened, Caleb stared at Jake. Jake stared back. "As for you," Caleb replied. "Although, your visit came as a surprise, I am no less prepared." Using the gun, Caleb ushered Jake to the far side of the room. There was a shackle hanging attached to the stone wall. Jake looked at it.

"You must be crazy if you think you're going to chain me up to this," Jake sneered.

"Or I could just shoot Sammy in the head instead, your choice," Caleb threatened. Jake didn't say anything, but he didn't move either. Caleb snapped the shackle closed around Jake's right wrist. "There's a good lad." He turned and walked back to Sam.

"So, now what?" Sam asked, ignoring Jake's disapproving gaze. She couldn't help it; the relief she had felt when Jake first entered had rapidly diminished. "You keep us tied down here until the police come?"

"No, my dear," Caleb answered in a mock sweet tone, while pressing something on the camera. "We show your father what happens when he takes something that doesn't belong to him."

Before Sam could figure out what he meant, Caleb closed the distance between them, until he was leaning over her. She snaked his hand around the back of Sam's head and tugged on her hair, forcing her to look up at him. Tears burned at the back of Sam's eyes from his hard grip on her hair. Caleb was now so close to her. Sam's heart beat at a rapid pace and blood whooshed in her ears from the fear pulsing in her veins. Then, Caleb's mouth was on top of hers, his tongue sliding into her mouth.

Sam shrank back in the chair, but he was still there, kissing her. Her stomach heaved and threatened to turn itself upside down. She vaguely heard the rattle of a chain as Jake struggled furiously to get free. She couldn't see anything but Caleb's face smashed into hers. Caleb was now pulling at her shirt and she heard the fabric start to rip. The sound seemed to reverberate through Sam until she fought with a renewed vigor. Sam kicked his legs out from under him, but it only succeeded in knocking him slightly more on top of her.

Sam paused in her attempts to get free only long enough to realize the binding holding her hands together was coming loose. Caleb hadn't tied it as tightly as he had before. She wiggled her hands the rest of the way free until the binding fell to the floor. Without hesitation, Sam struck out with her fist, just like Darrell had taught her. Her fist connected with the side of Caleb's face, the force knocking him to the floor.

Sam scrambled out of the chair and readied to fend Caleb off again. Caleb picked himself up off the floor, cursing and growling, he lunged toward her. She was ready though, and punched him again, this time hitting him in the nose. There was a sickening crunch and then blood spurted out of Caleb's nose.

"You bitch," Caleb growled, pulling a hanker-chief out of his pocket, and putting it to his bloody nose. "You've just made things worse for yourself."

Sam braced herself for what was to come, but nothing did. Instead, Caleb stalked out of the room, the lock clicking into place when he shut the door behind him. For the first time since the kiss, Sam looked at Jake. His face was pale and he was stiff with rage, but the rage was slowing ebbing away to concern. Sam ran to him.

Jake caught her in a one-arm hug and held her tight. Sam buried her face into Jake's chest, breathing in the familiar smell of him. In his arms, she felt safe and happy and she never wanted to leave.

"Are you okay?" Jake asked her. His voice was muffled by her hair and she could feel his warm breath on her neck.

Sam pulled back to look at him. His brown eyes were wide with concern and fear. Seeing fear in Jake's eyes was strange and Sam wondered if maybe she should be afraid too. "I'm fine, just a little sick to my stomach right now." Sam managed a small laugh, but Jake's expression stayed the same.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Jake's voice was low as he ran his fingers lightly across her cheek. His touch sent shivers down Sam's spine. "You did good fighting him off like that. I'm proud of you."

"It wasn't your fault," Sam told him. She found herself reaching up and touching the bruise on Jake's face. He flinched a little at her touch. Then, glancing down at her torn shirt, Sam gripped Jake's shirt hard in her fist. "Caleb is a slimy toad and I was happy to give him that bloody nose. I only regret that I didn't hurt him more."

Jake tried to hide a smile to that, but Sam saw it anyway.

"I promise you, Sam, I won't let that bastard touch you again," Jake promised. Sam shivered at the intensity of Jake's words. "But you're going to have to do what I tell you, when I tell you. No hesitating."

Sam nodded.

Jake gripped her shoulders. "I mean it, Sam. When I tell you to run, I need you to go," Jake told her. "Follow the tunnel, it will lead you to the way out and go to the police. Tell them everything you know."

"I can't leave you here. I won't," Sam said, shaking her head. She picked up Jake's shackled wrist. "We can get you out of here. Can you pick the lock?"

Jake shook his head, "I already tried." He stopped Sam's attempts of prying the shackle open with her hands, and took her hand in his. He looked into her eyes, which were filled with tears. "Sam...I love you."

Sam's breath caught in her throat. Jake had never expressed feelings toward anyone, not even her. She didn't know what to say. Sam became conscious that Jake had moved closer to her and then his lips were on hers. After having been kissed against her will less than ten minutes ago, Sam expected her body to freeze, but Jake's kiss was different. He was slow and hesitant as though he were afraid she might break if he pressed too hard.

But Sam wanted this. She could feel Jake start to pull away, so she kissed him back harder. Jake didn't hesitate; their lips parted, inviting each other in. Their tongues dancing together, exploring unknown territory. The kiss only lasted about half a minute, but Sam had lost all track of time. When they broke apart, they were both breathing heavy and Jake leaned his forehead against hers.

"I'm going to get you out of here," Jake whispered, his thumb brushing her cheek. Sam didn't say anything. As much as she wanted to go home to her family, she wasn't going to leave Jake here in the clutches of a madman. They'll just have to find a way out together.

A/N: Yay, Sake kissed! I thought I would give you guys something if I'm going to start to torture you guys. Hehe! 'Cause I think from this chapter and on is where it's starts to get intense and you wonder what's going to happen? I'm also going to make a trailer to go with this story so look out for that. As always, please review and tell me what you think. :)