Chapter 15

The lights suddenly going out had panic seizing me and I realized that Charlie was feeling the same. Her hand was clamped around mine as the sounds from the rest of the women filled the silence. Sobs, crying and praying, seemed to be their way of coping. After what seemed like an age with nothing else happening, I began to wonder if the truck had stopped for the drivers to take a break.

"Maybe when the engine turns off, we lose the lights. Maybe the drivers are on a stop off"

I managed to shout above the noise coming from the other women. The longer we waited the more I was sure that I was right. No one would be stupid enough to come in here in the dark, not with twelve of us inside.

"I think we've stopped for the drivers. Try to rest because when the lights come back on, we have work to do"

Looking at Piper as she said that gave me confidence that this group was going to work together. There was some whispering as we settled down to try and rest. The floor wasn't uncomfortable, and a folded blanket acted as a pillow. I should have been tired, but I wasn't. Maybe with everything that I'd heard from the other women I was still too hyped up.

Something about Banning didn't feel right. Okay, so he'd talked with that psychologist at the institution and what he'd said implied that he was responsible for the murders. He knew details that no one else would know about so he must have been guilty. The psychologist had diagnosed him with multiple personalities but what if Banning was with someone else when those women were murdered? Or what if someone found out what he'd done a few years ago and decided to use the situation to their advantage? Make people believe that Banning had killed the woman when they were really being taken? It would make sense but the idea of what had happened to all of those women who had disappeared made my skin crawl. Maybe they were dead.

Light and talking had me waking up. I didn't think that I'd slept much but from the commotion going on sleep wasn't going to be happening. Watching and listening I was amazed at the ideas that were being thrown out as possible ways for us to defend ourselves. Rachel was moving around slightly better and was with Ruth looking at blankets. Paige was with Sara and looked to be really interested in the lids used over the cupboards while Piper and Charlie were taking the cans out and weighing them in their hands. It was Lisa who noticed that I was awake and came and sat next to me.

"They have some brilliant ideas. Piper and Charlie are looking for the heaviest cans and Paige reckons she can reshape the wood into something useful"

Listening to Lisa I wasn't too sure how confident she sounded with what was happening. When it came to it would she be able to defend herself or fight off an attacker. Would she willingly put herself forward in order to save someone else's life?

"If it comes down to kill or be killed then what would you do Lisa?"

She hesitated as she thought about that. No, Lisa wasn't the type of person who could become aggressive even if she was in danger. Where had her anger gone?

"Maybe you can be our distraction. You know, flutter your eyelashes and wiggle your arse and boobs to get a man to look at you while we take him down"

Her eyebrows shot up and a horrified look crossed her face and then she started to laugh. That had some of the other women looking our way.

"Okay, I'll work on that, but you obviously have some experience of doing that, so you'll have to coach me"

"Deal"

Was all that I said to her as I pushed myself up onto my feet. I had some ideas of my own on how to improvise what we had into weapons. By the end, of what I assume was the second day, all of us were in our usual places ready to try and sleep. We'd worked hard, really hard, but the end result was nothing short of a miracle. Rachel had used one of the metal lids and sawn her way through the material covering the padding of our cell. From a long strip of material Charlie and Piper had tied in the heavier tins to produce a surujin, that was what Paige said it was called. Paige and Sara had managed to split the wood and using metal from the tins had whittled the ends into a very sharp point, certainly sufficient to cause some damage.

By the end of the third day ,I think everyone felt that they had done as much as they could with what we had. This was the end of the third day that we'd been on the road for, and everyone was tense as the lights went out. The end of our journey seemed close, unless of course we were heading for somewhere in Central America. I didn't think that we'd be taken over the border but then again, I had no idea what was in store for us. I didn't think that we were destined to be executed, why go to all the trouble of transporting us so far when it could have been done much closer to Boston.

I wasn't going to voice my concerns but in the back of my mind I had the horrible feeling that we were going to be sold. Trafficked and from the looks of the women surrounding me it was likely to be sexually motivated. Maybe the others weren't as naive as I assumed, maybe they too had considered what our fate might be and that was why the atmosphere in the dark and quiet of our prison was so oppressive.

It began quietly, so quiet that I was straining to hear exactly what I was listening to. Rachel, beside me joined in until there were at least half a dozen of the women singing.

Good night my angel time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say

I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Where ever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away

Good night my angel now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay

And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep
Inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Goodnight my angel now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child will cry and if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart there will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die that's how you and I will be

Did Celine Dion sing that? I wasn't sure but I enjoyed listening to the singing. As they came to the last line it was Lena who was suddenly shouting out to get our attention.

"Okay, my turn. Eat your heart out because this is us ladies"

When the night, has come
And the land is dark
And the moon, is the only, light we'll see

No I won't, be afraid
No I won't, be afraid
Just as long, as you stand, stand by me

I wasn't sure who sang this, but I knew it. It was of those songs that would come up at a karaoke night. I was quick to join in as voices were raised and we were all singing. As the song came to an end, I heard someone shout, Gloria Gaynor, I will survive, and smiled as I realized that the songs being chosen were meant to boost our confidence and unite us a group.

Oh no, not I, I will survive
Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
And I've got all my love to give, and I'll survive
I will survive

I knew a lot of songs and when I heard them, I could remember the lyrics and sing along, though I had to admit that I preferred to have a loud rock song blasting out if I was on my own. Something like Red Hot Chilli Peppers or Artic Monkeys.

These songs weren't meant to be like that, they were to lift our spirits. John Denver, Take me home, and We are the champions by Queen certainly had me feeling so much better. As the last note of the last song ended, we said our goodnights to each other before finding a comfortable position to lay down in. Tomorrow, I was sure that tomorrow would bring us to the end of the worry and despair.

As soon as the lights went on and we felt the movement that had become synonymous to our awakening time everyone began to don their battle dress. It was as if everyone was feeling deep down the same, that our journey was at an end. We worked in silence with only whispers as we helped each other to prepare. We each had a belt to hold the stakes in place while the bands holding the heavy tins went over our shoulders. Jagged pieces of metal were contained inside pockets that Rachel had devised in the inside of the blankets that we were wearing as ponchos. Those would conceal what we were carrying and also detract from the skimpy clothes that we'd been given to wear. As we all had long hair, we ensured to secure it into a tight knot to our heads. Yeah, I'd learnt as a bounty hunter that lose hair could be grabbed hold of.

A few of us had also used some of the metal and folded it to fit at the toe of our shoes. It wouldn't cause a lot of damage but hopefully it would hurt. As for Lisa, well after I proposed a role for her and how it would help us the rest of the women were on board. All we had to do was to have Lisa dressed in a provocative eye catching outfit. Courtesy of some of us changing out our clothes I was now wearing a woven tunic made by Rachel. Yeah, she could definitely turn her hand to designing clothes. Once we felt that we were as ready as we were going to get, we took our places on the floor. Let me tell you that waiting was far worse than I expected it to be. Water was passed around in silence. It was as though if we relaxed or began to talk then we'd miss something.

Nerves were high and the adrenaline was flowing but it still took us by surprise when the vibration from moving stopped. Instead of going out the lights flickered before remaining lit. This was it, what we'd been preparing for. As one without anyone saying anything we all stood up and looked toward where we knew the opening was. Bolts sounded loud as they were pulled back, funny, I hadn't noticed hearing them when we were locked inside. As the door slammed open a man stepped just inside looking around the room at us. Of course, he was holding a taser in his hand, coward. He mustn't have liked what he saw because he was turning and talking to someone else beyond the entrance to the room.

"Is the route ready?"

The man turned back to us so he must have got the response that he wanted. Route, what the hell did he mean by that? I watched as he approached Heidi who was closest to him and how he grabbed her arm pulling her toward the door. I was almost afraid that she was going to start screaming and pulling away but true to what we'd agreed she walked with him after casting a glance my way. Once Heidi was through the door it was Rachel's turn. That girl who had been so sweet and innocent at the start of her pregnancy had a look of hatred in her eyes as she pulled her arm out of the man's grip. All he did was to laugh as she passed him before he turned to look at me.

My Jersey attitude came out to play as I stomped past him. If he was surprised, then he never showed it, but it took everything inside of me not to react to the three men stood to the side allowing me to pass. Why so many men? As I walked through the truck, I thought that it was ironical to be seeing boxes labelled as containing bottles of water and then wondered what was actually inside them. I'd expected to be getting down from the back of the truck, to be able to see the light from the sun and feel fresh air on my face. That wasn't happening as I realized that the truck had reversed into a loading bay and the open doors were acting as a barricade to corral us across the concrete floor and into yet another dark and gloomy area. I joined the other women as I took stock of where we were.

A corridor with no doors to provide us with an escape route only what looked to be steps leading down. That was where we were pushed, down metal steps into the belly of the building. Only one man acted as a guard and even then, he stayed at the top, watching over us. The ceiling above us was a long way up and wooden, but it was the sound that came through that attracted my attention. Someone was talking over a speaker system.

"Shush, listen"

I asked of the women around me. They were definitely scared now and who could blame them. There had been no opportunity to try and make an escape.

"Delightful . . . beautiful and . . ."

Who was talking and what the hell was he saying? Was he referring to us?

"The panel . . . . . bid . . highest . . ."

Bidding. Oh God, those thoughts that I'd had were right. We were being sold to the highest bidder. We could end up anywhere with anyone and would be held captive as slaves. That was probably worse than being killed. To be owned by a man for what, perverted sex when and how he wanted it. Or worse we could end up in a brothel, drugged and totally used and abused as sex slaves. No, I couldn't let that happen.

"Annie?"

Came from Lisa who was now as white as a sheet. A look around at the others told me that they were all as frightened as her. No, this couldn't be happening, there had to be a way to get out of here. No way was I giving up or giving into the fear that threatening to consume me. I looked around for anything that would get us out of here but was distracted by a whirring sound. At the side of the room an old fashioned cage elevator began to descend. As it stopped, I jumped as the caged door was lifted up quickly. My God, that scumbag from the manor was stood there with a smirk on his face.

"Who's first?"

I was going to step forward when Lisa beat me to it. Was this the opportunity that we were waiting for? A look to the stairs had Charlie following my gaze before she turned to me and winked. It was game on, even though we might never stand a chance, but I'd rather die trying to escape than be forced into slavery.

I followed at a distance as Lisa sidled up to the scumbag, her blanket falling to the floor as she approached him. What man could resist her, certainly not him. His eyes were totally fixated on her, as she massaged her breasts and licked her lips. Wow, who would have thought that Lisa could pull this off? She even managed to get him to turn and watch her, which gave me the perfect opportunity to quietly sneak up behind him. Shrugging the blanket away from my shoulder allowed me to pull the band of material into my hand so with a twist to my wrist I launched the ends that held the can towards his head. The first hit only seemed to daze him, but the second can following soon after had him staggering back a little. I could almost feel the anger rolling off Lisa, her face a hard mask of utter contempt, as she swung her leg and foot into the man's crotch. I wasn't sure if her aim had been on target, but it had the effect of him falling down onto one knee. A second rotation of my cans hit him, square on the back of his head, taking him down onto the floor.

"Get out. Follow the others up the staircase"

Wanting Lisa to move out of danger as soon as possible. I had an idea on how to end this place and what went on inside.

"What about you?"

"I'll be right behind you once I destroy this place. Now go"

Lisa didn't need telling twice and she was soon running across to the stairs. The man who'd been standing there was now laid unconscious on the floor, so she had had a clear path to meet with the others. I just hoped that they'd be able to immobilize any men who might try and stop them. I almost smiled at the thought of those eleven women as they blazed a path though anyone that might stop them, like warriors going into battle.

Looking toward the staircase as Lisa disappeared was where I went to next, not up it but underneath it. I'd wondered what the purpose of this basement was when we'd first come down the stairs, but now, I had a pretty good idea. It was a service area. Where pipes and electricity came into the building. Maybe, just maybe I could actually manage to cause one hell of a lot of damage. There was an old boiler that looked to have a small pilot light inside, so I tracked the pipes that went to it. Okay, some would be water but the one that I was looking for looked old if not a bit rusty.

Next to it on the wall was the board for the electrics. So now to try and make use of those two pieces of information. I used one of the cans and began to pound the gas pipe, not that easy to do but I only needed it to fracture to get the result that I was after. Did I succeed? I wasn't sure because suddenly an arm came around me yanking me away.

"Bitch. Always knew you were trouble. Not anymore. By the time I'm finished with you"

No one called me that, so I was squirming and fighting to get away from him. Not that easy when the man was so big, but I did manage to loosen his arm from around me only for him grab my arm pulling me back toward him. He was within striking range for my knee which definitely took him by surprise. Not enough to have him doubled over but enough that his grip slackened. Only this time when he stood upright, he was holding a gun in his hand. I'm pretty sure that he was swearing and cursing at me, and I have to admit that what I did next was purely a survival instinct. My hand swung at the hand holding the gun, the can coming into contact with his wrist. He didn't drop the gun though, but instead fired it. Did I feel a sharp pain on my arm, maybe, but I was too concerned in getting away from him. What I didn't expect was an almighty explosion from behind me.

I felt myself being thrown forward, landing inelegantly on the floor on my stomach. I could hear the fire as it raced across the ceiling and feel the intensity of the heat. I'm not too sure what happened next other than being aware of the man falling onto me. The sounds were intense as another explosion ripped from the wall before the creaking and groaning of metal told me that we were going to get buried underneath the metal from the staircase. I was well and truly pinned to the floor. No matter how much I moved there was no way to dislodge the body from on top of me.

I accepted my fate. The other women were safe, and this place was destroyed. Hopefully several of the men involved were out of commission if not from my friends, then from the explosion and the fire. As the smoke thickened, I lay my cheek down on the cool of the concrete floor. The most bizarre thoughts went through my mind. Would Joe be worried because I hadn't called him or would he moving on with his life with his new woman. At least my mother wouldn't have to field calls about me setting fire to somewhere and maybe she was enjoying the quiet life without having to worry about me or what I was doing. I wondered how Connie and Lula were managing and if Mary Lou was settling into a new city and making friends.

My last thought was of Ranger. Sorrow that our friendship was over. Maybe it was for the best that he would never know how much I felt for him. I wished him happiness as the air was suddenly squeezed from me as metal and wood rained down from above. I had no regrets as my head became buried in debris, I was proud of what I'd done and accomplished.