"It's been three hours Daniel. This isn't like Carter." At this point Jack was starting to panic. There was still no sign of Carter, and he didn't even know where to begin other than the trail he had suggested yesterday to her. But he had no idea if she even took that trail this morning or if she stayed on it for that matter.
"She's going through a lot Jack-" Growling at his comment, Jack cut him off.
"I'm aware of that Daniel. But Carter doesn't just disappear for three hours on a run. Something's wrong. I know it. I've already contacted the police, but we're at least a half hour into the hills from the nearest town and they won't send any search parties out here since she hasn't been actively missing for twenty-four hours."
"We don't actually know if she's missing. And I'm already looking up new flights to get there sooner alright Jack?"
"Screw the flight Daniel, get ahold of the Asgard and have them beam your asses here. And better yet, have them scan the area and find her for us!"
"Jack." Daniel was trying to talk some sense into him, but he wasn't willing to listen.
"I'm telling you Daniel. Something is wrong. This isn't just a feeling. Something isn't right. I'm going to start walking the trail. See if I can find her or anything at all. But something is off. I'm not wrong about this."
"I'm not saying that you are-"
"But yet you don't believe me either."
"Jack, I'm going to do what I can to get there sooner and help. But you need to keep your head on and think logically. Sam is probably fine and just got distracted by some new discovery. Didn't you mention something about rivers and kayaking or canoeing?"
"Jesus Daniel, she's not kayaking down a river right now. She went for a damn run three hours ago and hasn't come back. When has Carter ever gone on a three hour long run?" Silence met him. "Exactly." Without a word or a warning Jack hung up the phone.
What if she was hurt? What if she broke her leg? What if she ran into a bear or even a mountain lion? All the worst-case scenarios were rushing through his head as he scrambled to pull on his hiking boots and the dark green pullover he had been wearing earlier back on. He wasn't waiting anymore. Three hours was enough.
And there was nobody there to help him. And waiting was no longer an option. He had hoped for the best the first two hours and knew she'd come prancing back into the cabin red faced and sweaty from a long run. But by hour three, there was no doubt in his mind that something had gone wrong. Rushing to his bedroom, he pulled the lock box out from under his bed. Punching in the four-digit code it clicked open and there before him sat his Glock.
Pulling it out, he checked the safety and ammunition before tucking it in the back of his jeans. Without shutting the lock box or putting it back, he took off for the front door and rushed out. Running the fourth mile of the gravel road to where the trail started, he rushed into the trees with his eyes peeled open.
"Carter!" If something was wrong, calling out for her probably wasn't the brightest idea he'd ever had, but he didn't care right now. They were on Earth, not on some godforsaken planet avoiding the Goa'uld. Three hours of missing was enough.
"Carter!" Jogging the trail, he searched each side as he went. He couldn't chance missing something, anything. But that plan seemed to go on forever and he wasn't anywhere closer to finding her.
He had been following the trail for at least fifteen minutes when he finally stopped in the middle of it. "Carter! If you're out here, answer me! Carter!" Silence met him.
"Sam!" Hollering a little louder this time, feeling more desperate he took a few steps forward. Pausing when he heard rustling in the trees to his left. Reaching for his Glock he pulled it out from behind him swiftly, hitting the safety switch off.
With one foot in front of the other, he took a step back, waiting for whatever was rustling in the trees to make itself present. His heart was beating against his chest as he waited impatiently. Whatever it was, it was taking its sweet time. The bushes in front of him started swaying as something was pushing its way through. It was getting closer. Taking another step back he fixed his aim on the bush, right where whatever was inside it would come out.
"Come out with your hands up. I'm armed!" At least if it was a person they wouldn't be startled when they came face to face with his gun. But if it was an animal, well he'd get to that when he saw what it was first.
Heavy breathing was the first thing he heard, sounded more like a person than an animal. A flash of a hand peeked through the brush before an entire body stepped through. "Sir…"
"Carter!" He couldn't believe his eyes or his ears at hearing her strained voice or seeing the state she was in. Flicking the safety back on he shoved the Glock back in his waistband. Rushing forward he caught her arms as she stumbled forward. "Carter, hey-hey look at me." Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he grabbed her chin lightly and lifted her face up.
"Sir." She was out of breath and collapsing against him. Her eyes wild as she tried to concentrate on him.
Pulling back enough to get a good look at her, he cringed. Her bottom lip was swollen with a small cut in the corner, dried blood crusted down the side of her chin. A dirty rope resting tied around her neck just below her chin. Her left temple had a small, bruised lump there, and he swore he saw the diamond pattern from what he would guess was the sole of a shoe too. Her wrists were raw and bloody but what hit him the most was the arrow sticking out of her thigh. "Jesus Christ. What happened to you." He muttered under his breath.
"Sh-shot me. Tied, barn. Killed her-fire. Burned-" She was speaking nonsense. Nothing made sense to him. She was in shock.
"Sam, Sam, look at me." Keeping her head in place by holding her chin, he stared directly at her. Her eyes circled a few times in her head before finally landing on him and holding strong. "Hey. Right here. I'm going to carry you back to the cabin, okay?"
Immediately her face crumpled, and she was pushing away. "N-no! My leg." He didn't miss the way one of her hands dropped to her thigh protectively.
"I'm not going to touch it okay? But we need to get you back to the cabin so we can get you to town." Realizing she still wasn't sure about his suggestion, he pulled her into his arms against him tightly. "Sam please. Let me help you."
After a few achingly long seconds he felt her nod into his shoulder as her arms slowly, unsurely came up around his shoulders.
Without a second to spare or for her to change her mind, he scooped her up into his arms as delicately as he could. He felt a puff of hot air expel from her mouth as she gasped in pain. Her forehead pressed against his jaw line, her fingers tightening in the material of his pullover. Avoiding the arrow, he tucked his arm under her knees. Keeping his arms wide so the arrow wouldn't press into her stomach if she leaned too far forward or the back of it hit her calf, it was a precarious situation. And that last thing he wanted to do was make her injuries worse.
Once she was settled, he turned back towards the cabin and swiftly but carefully made his way back. The entire way back she was silent, other than the noises she muffled into his pullover if he moved the wrong way causing her pain. She also stayed conscious the entire way and he wasn't sure how. He could tell she had a concussion and that she was more than exhausted. He reassured her multiple times it was okay to sleep, that he had her. They'd be back at the cabin any minute. But she didn't let up. Her grip was tight the entire way, her eyes staring empty over his shoulder when they weren't fighting to stay open.
Relief flooded him as soon as the cabin entered his line of vision. Heading straight for his truck he opened the passenger door and deposited her on the seat. Her entire body slouched out of instinct to avoid the arrow from hitting the seat. Her bottom lip was tightly tucked under her teeth, a sheen sweat had broken out across her forehead. The keys. He needed the keys, and they were in the cabin. Taking one step back he found himself stopped abruptly as her left hand shot out across her, grabbing tight to his forearm.
"Hey, I'm not leaving you. I just have to run inside and get the keys and my phone alright?" Her eyes were swimming, they were hardly able to stay focused on him. Bringing his hand up to the side of her face, he avoided the bumps, cuts, and bruises as best as he could.
"Out there." Her eyes flicked over his shoulder.
"Car-Sam. Look at me." Running his thumb along her cheekbone, he waited for her to bring her eyes back to him. "You're safe. Okay? You're here, with me, back at the cabin." Slowly her head nodded in understanding. "Now I need you to sit tight while I run inside." Again, she nodded as her hand slid off his arm.
Shutting the car door, he ran to the front door, throwing it open as he went first for his cell knowing he had left it on the counter. Shuffling the pieces of mail on the counter next to his phone around, he found the phone book underneath. Thumbing through it he found the hospitals number. He wasn't even sure if he should attempt driving her into town in his truck or let the ambulance come and get her. The last thing he wanted to do was make matters worse for her.
"CentraCare this is Rita, how may I direct your call?"
"Hey-hi my name is Jack O'Neill I have a cabin up here in Silver Creek. My friend was attacked while out running. Most likely a concussion, rope burn on her wrists, an arrow in her thigh. I don't think she has any internal bleeding, but I need an ambulance up here as soon as possible." He could hear the woman gasp on the other end but didn't let it phase him. He was witnessing these injuries in person he knew how bad they were.
"Is the patient stable?"
"Yeah, for now. She's a little out of it, but she's stable." Yanking open a drawer behind him from the counter, he rummaged through it searching for his truck keys.
"If you could just give me your address Mr. O'Neill, I will get an ambulance and police officer on their way."
"I don't know if we can wait for that, I'll meet them on the highway where the road forks." Hanging up he headed for the bathroom next, pulling open the cupboard doors underneath the sink. Pulling his phone back up, he dialed Daniel's number next as he knocked over cleaning supplies searching for the first aid kit.
"Jack, we're on our way. We couldn't get ahold of the Asgard, our flight leaves in the next forty-five minutes and we'll be flying into Saint Cloud. We'll have to rent a car and drive about 30 minutes-"
"You can find us at the hospital when you get here. Go straight there. CentraCare in Monticello. I found her."
"Hospital? What? Jack what happened? What do you mean you found her?"
"I told you something was wrong Daniel. I don't know what happened, I found her on the trail. She's got a concussion, split lip, torn up wrists, an arrow in her leg-"
"An arrow!? She's okay though right?"
Scoffing Jack shook his head. "Someone beat the shit out of her and shot her with an arrow Daniel, how do you think she is? Just get here when you can! We'll be at the hospital." Hanging up he grabbed the bottle of rubbing alcohol in front of him and a hand towel.
Rushing back out of the house, he climbed behind the wheel of the truck. Tears pooled behind his own eyes at the sight of her. Bruised and battered. Slumped in the seat, visibly shaking. The arrow sticking out of her leg only making him want to find the bastard that did this to her and kill them with his own hands. A rage was building inside of him. But he couldn't let his emotions get out of control right now.
"S-sir?" She broke through his rage, bringing him back to the real world.
"I'm here, I called the hospital. They're sending an ambulance and a cop; we're going to meet them." A groan escaped from her mouth as she nodded. "I grabbed some rubbing alcohol; I'm going to pour some of that on your leg okay?" He didn't miss the way she flinched or the way her nose crinkled up as she nodded again. Unscrewing the cap, he lost it on the floor of the truck as he leaned towards her. "This is going to sting a bit…"
Without a warning he poured it on her leg. Cringing at the guttural scream that tore past her lips, he wasn't surprised to find her right hand gripping the handle on the door tightly or her left hand shooting out to grab his leg, her nails digging into the jean material. "I'm sorry Carter." He felt like such an ass.
"Is' fine. F-fine." A tear managed to squeeze itself out between her tightly closed eyelids and trek down her dirt covered cheek. Mingling in the dried blood on her chin.
How badly he wanted to clean her up, get all the dirt, dust, and blood off her. But they didn't have time for that. He was glad to see that the lump on her temple wasn't an open wound, but he didn't like the fact that it wasn't just dirt plastered there and that the diamond shapes he thought looked like the sole of a boot was in fact just that. Someone had kicked her in the head. Raking his top teeth across his bottom lip he bit back the curse he wanted to let out.
Glancing down at the hand digging into his leg, he felt nauseas looking at the burns and cuts the rope had made in her wrist, breaking the skin on both of them. The arrow though. His eyes glared at the protruding object. It hadn't hit a major artery, or she would have been dead a long time ago. Something he was thankful for. He wanted to take it out but didn't want to cause any more problems or worsen the injury.
"Think you're up for a drive?" Lightening the mood, he smiled down at her tightly.
"Yes-sir." Her eyes closed tightly just after she made brief eye contact with him. He could see the pain coursing through them. She seemed to be at least a little more coherent, more aware. For that he was grateful. There were times few and far between that he had ever seen her that out of it and in shock. And boy did it worry him every time. That wasn't 'normal' Carter behavior. That's how he knew she was pushed beyond her limits.
Without another word, Jack started the truck and threw it in reverse. Backing onto the gravel of his driveway to his left he maneuvered the truck around enough that he was able to put it in drive and hit the gas as he turned the wheel right. Aiming for the road. Only to find a man with a shot gun right in front of him. Slamming on the brakes he swore. Carter crying out next to him had him apologizing as he reached down to grab her forearm that was still clutching to his leg.
"What-what it is?" He could hear the fear in her voice.
"Just a little roadblock. Stay down." Her head turned sharply in his direction; worry written on her face. "For once Carter, please listen and don't move." Rolling his window down, he reached behind himself for his Glock.
"Sorry didn't see you there! Can I help you?" Calling through the window, Jack wasn't confident on getting out yet. His hand gripping the Glock as he took the safety off.
"Friend and I were out huntin." The man responded, his tongue sliding across his top teeth. "My buddy here got some game with his arrow a few miles back. Got away though. Been trackin it the whole way. Led us right on here to this nice cabin of yours."
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he noticed the bruised and reddened skin on the man's nose. "Haven't seen her have ya?" Just then a larger man with a bow came out from the tree line behind the man with the shotgun.
"No, can't say that I have." Keeping his face straight, he contemplated his next move. "It's been pretty quiet all morning actually."
"You sure bout that?" Buffalo Bill propped the shotgun up on his shoulder, spitting off into the gravel beside him. The larger man coming up behind him, Bowie, was eying the area. Pulling his bow around front.
"Oh yeah. Pretty sure. But if you don't mind." Nodding towards the road just beyond them with a tight smile Jack continued. "I'm heading into town and would appreciate-"
Both men immediately lifted their weapons up, aiming them directly at him.
"Something tells me that you're lyin." Buffalo Bill sneered in his direction. "And we'd like our doe back."
Jack's face dropped as the two men just confirmed to him exactly who they were. Carter's attackers. Throwing the truck door open, he threw the truck in park before he jumped out shooting at both men. Bowie ducked back into the tree line, hiding behind the nearest tree while Buffalo Bill headed for a tree between the truck and the main road just after he shot out the front two tires of Jack's truck. Looking for cover. Using their running as an opportunity, Jack reached back in the truck grabbing Carter under the armpits and sliding her across the seat towards him. A sharp cry tore from her lips.
He knew how much this was causing her pain and felt awful, but he didn't have a choice. Both front tires were flat, there was no way they were getting out of here by driving. He needed to get her back into the cabin. Her body practically dropped out of the truck as he pulled her the rest of the way out. "Grab on Carter." Throwing her arm around his shoulders, he shot at both men once more realizing they were secure in their covered spots. He needed them to stay behind the trees they were ducking behind, just long enough to get Carter inside.
"Don't let go." He ordered her popping off a few more shots before charging for the cabin. Keeping her tight against him, he found himself supporting most of her weight. Her leg continuously giving out from the pain of the arrow. Trying her best to use her good leg to keep up with him. A sharp split in the wooden beam on the cabin next to him had him ducking down for his last few steps to get inside as Bowie shot an arrow in their direction.
Throwing the front door open he slammed it behind them, locking it in place. Scoffing at himself he knew if these two men really wanted in here a locked door wasn't going to keep them out. "Sir…" Her words were slurring. Her body was getting heavier in his grasp. Glancing at her while still trying to monitor the front door, he could only watch as her head lolled back onto his shoulder. Eyes rolling around her skull unable to focus on one single point.
The window next to the fireplace shattered just as they heard Buffalo Bill's shotgun go off. Carter jumped next to him, her head immediately coming up along with her free hand to his chest. Fingers clutched to his pullover again. Thankfully she was still aware even if she was sinking minute by minute.
Maneuvering her to the kitchen he made her sit on the floor against the cabinets. "Stay put." Squeezing her shoulder, Jack rushed to the shattered window. Positioning himself in the opening to cover most of himself but also giving him the ability to find both men still outside. Just then he realized he hadn't given Rita his address. Shit. He was going to meet them halfway from his cabin. They had no idea where his cabin was unless they took the time to look it up.
Movement from the trees caught his eye. Buffalo Bill was being bold again, moving from one tree to another, trying to get closer to the house. Lining up his Glock, he let a shot off to get the man to hide back behind the trees, unable to move any further. Although, he still had no idea where Bowie was.
A shot hit the window frame right next to him. Dropping back against the wall, he let out a curse. A shatter from the bedroom caught his attention. Rushing for the short hall that led to his bedroom, he found the front door crashing open and Buffalo Bill coming straight for him. His Glock slid across the room as it fell from his hand. Buffalo Bill's body wrapped around his stomach and lower body as he flew backwards onto the wooden planks of the floor.
Grabbing the man of similar stature, Jack grabbed the back of the man's shirt with one hand and the side of his neck with the other. Trying to flip him off and pin him, he wasn't successful. Buffalo Bill brought a fist up under his chin, knocking him sideways again. Glass crunching under boots had him looking up and towards the bedroom again. Bowie. Carter.
"Carter!" Unable to look at her still form, he put his concentration back on Buffalo Bill. Throwing his own punch in, he felt the man falter just slightly. Enough that he could flip him over and slam him on his back. With one hand pressing down on the man's chest, he fisted his other hand up and brought down a solid punch to his face. Not once, but twice.
"I wouldn't continue doing that if I were you." Bowie's deep voice had him pausing midair with his third punch. Looking up from the bloody man below him Jack found Bowie crouching next to an unconscious Carter. She was completely slumped against the cabinet; Jack wasn't sure how she was still somewhat upright and not flat on her side. A knife to her throat. "It'd be a real shame if I had to use this so early."
"Don't you fucking touch her." Clenching his fisted hand that was still in the air, Jack tightened his other hand in the man's shirt below him.
"Oh, don't you worry. I plan to do just that." Jack pursed his lips tightly as he watched Bowie use his hand knife to brush some of Carter's hair out of her face. "But first things first, this arrow has got to go." And then he was setting the knife down and gripping the arrow on both sides of her thigh.
"Don't-!" His own shout was drowned out by Carter's guttural scream as Bowie snapped the arrow. Yanking each end out of both sides of her thigh. She may have been unconscious a few seconds ago, but not anymore. Her eyes were wild as she pushed herself back up into a more upright position against the cabinets.
Bowie's hand fisted in the back of Carter's short strands, tipping her head back. "You left before any real fun started sweetheart." A snarl immediately appeared on Carter's face, the corner of her top lip curling and twitching as she glared at the large man in front of her. Jack felt pride swell in his chest at the courage she was showing. "Now, let's get you up on your feet and get your little friend here off my guy before something worse has to happen huh?" A grimy hand wrapped around her bicep as the man's other hand went back for the knife. Without any warning Bowie yanked Carter up to her feet.
She bit back a cry of pain as her entire leg gave out. Jack didn't miss the way her hands clutched to the countertop behind her, her nails digging into the underbelly. Bowie now had his hand around her bicep tight as he buddied up next to her against the counter, bringing his other arm around her shoulders. The knife in that hand casually waving around in front of her throat.
"Now I'm only going to ask this once and rather nicely if I may say so myself. But if you could please get off my buddy there, I won't have to do anything bad. And if you don't, well let's just say I can get creative." The tip of his knife nicked Carter's throat, a small bead of blood trickled slowly down her skin.
"Alright! Stop! Just let her go." Putting both hands up, Jack pushed back away from Buffalo Bill. A punch immediately landed in the middle of his gut. Grunting from the pain, his body curled in on itself trying to absorb the hit.
"Fights pretty decent for an old man." Buffalo Bill spat out as he climbed up to his feet. "Now, I'm getting hungry. How about you Rick?" Moving towards the fridge, the man opened it up taking in all the contents inside to see what their options were.
"Sure am." His nose pressed into her ear as he nuzzled the skin there. Carter couldn't stop the cringe that shuddered through her body as his teeth lightly nipped her earlobe. "But mama always said, you can't go swimming on an empty stomach." Bowie, or Rick, chuckled in her ear.
"Isn't it supposed to be that you can't go swimming with a full stomach? You'll get sick?" Buffalo Bill questioned pulling his head out of the fridge. A genuine frown in place to show his confusion.
"Ah hell Carl who gives a shit. Either way, I'm gettin my dessert." Rick shoved the knife back in place at his hip before latching that hand onto the back of Carter's neck. Immediately her shoulders went up from the tight unsuspecting grip. His larger steps had her stumbling as he started for the bedroom he came in through.
Jack was finally getting himself back together as he started pushing himself up off the ground. He saw the straight look of fear in Carter's eyes, and he didn't miss the way she was digging her heels into the floor with Rick pushing her along. Charging for the larger man, he threw his full body weight at him. The three of them slammed into the nearest wall. Glass shattered as Carl threw the fridge door shut to join the ruckus.
Jamming his forearm up against Rick's throat, he was pleased to see that the larger man had let Carter go who sat pressed in the corner of the hall between the bedroom and bathroom door. Unable to stand on her own. Her heaving, uncontrolled breathing filled Jack's ears. "You're not going to touch her." He threatened.
"You're definitely not in any position to be calling shots here. But what you are going to do now, you're going to let Rick go. Or I'm going to blow your brains out right here and now." Feeling the end of the shotgun against his temple Jack had no choice but to let the man go. In one swift motion he shoved off the man, wedging himself between them and Carter.
"Well ain't this some fun!" Rick clapped his hands together, a sadistic smile crossing his features. "You two are quite the pair! Carl, how bout you go run on out and grab our pack by the tree we dropped. There's some rope in there we're going to need for our friends here." A sick smile of his own crossed Carl's face as he passed the shotgun over to Rick.
"Now don't you two move, I'll be right back!"
END CHATPER 3