Retaliation

With a death grip on the steering wheel, Jeff bumps down the winding dirt path many town-folk laughingly call a street. Stone Haven, like many roads in Arkansas, has miles of hairpin curves. Steep cliffs border either side waiting to claim another life.

Jeff looks behind him to find the cops right on his tail. I know I can shake them once I hit the highway, he thinks, determined to make it there.

Fishtailing around the last of the curves, Jeff skids onto the paved road. It should be smooth sailing from here, he thinks. With a sudden boost in confidence, he straightens up in his seat as he picks up his speed.

Seeing a farm truck a few feet ahead, Jeff swerves to the left and finds a diesel barreling his way. Jeff looks to his right and sees he and the farmer are side by side. He glances in the mirror and discovers the cops are closing in. "What am I going to do now?" Reassessing the situation, Jeff slams his hand against the wheel. This is the end for me.

The truck driver swerves to the far left of the road. The farmer slows as he slides to the right, leaving just enough space for Jeff to pass.

Both men lay on their horns as they yell a few obscenities. The semi-driver flips him the bird. "Same to you, jerks," Jeff shouts, zipping past.

Pushing the gas pedal to the floor, Jeff swerves to the right, missing the farm truck by a fraction of an inch.

The near-fatal death replays in his mind as he continues on. I could've been killed. He nervously thinks.

Glancing back, Jeff finds both vehicles stopped on the side of the road allowing the state troopers to pass. "You're not catching me. Not until I get my revenge." Jeff pushes the pedal to the floor, passing a Tyson chicken truck and two smaller cars. He's hoping the quick maneuver will put distance between him and them and hopefully give him enough time to detour without being seen.

The road dips down and then sharply curves to the left. I'm almost there. Jeff anxiously strums his fingers on the wheel. He looks back to find the cops are nowhere in sight. I've got less than a mile until I'm home free. He smiles, counting the rusty mailboxes that zip past. Five mailboxes down, he makes a sharp right. The car goes airborne on the steep decline. Those Duke boys have nothing on me. Jeff laughs, recalling the Duke of Hazzard shows in his mind. His car lands with a hard thud and then rattles its way down the steep, rocky drive.

The sirens get louder. Red and blue lights brighten the dark cloudy skies.

They're gaining on me, Jeff thinks, picking up speed. Jeff sees an old wooden barn to his right. I could hide in there until they pass. A second thought comes to mind. I'll be corned if they catch on.

The sirens become deafing. He glances back to find they're less than a hill away. I won't make it to where I planned this way. Making a sharp turn, he skids into the shed. Scrambling out of his car, Jeff secures the thick, wooden doors.

***

Julie frantically saws through the last of her restraints as George wobbles his rounded self down the squeaky stairs. Her daughter, Abby, is curled into a fetal position beside her. The child's little body is trembling, fearing what will happen next. I have to do this, she thinks, working through the corse fibers at a rapid speed.

Growing up in a mentally and physically abusive home, Julie is against any type of violence. Often restricting the girls from watching a lot of the shows. Julie has to continually remind herself that the violence is warranted because she and the girl's lives are at stake.

Julie glances at the rope to find only a few small strands remain. She looks over to find George midway down the steps. Julie quickly focuses on the task at hand. Give already, give, Julie thinks, sawing faster. She hears a board creak. Julie looks over and sees George's bare feet stepping onto the cement floor. Julie goes back to her cutting again. To her relief, the final strand gives. With a tight grip on the knife, Julie lies beside her daughter and waits. That's it you SOB walk that last mile. She nervously adjusts her grip.

"Ok, little girl, it's time for you to go back upstairs," George says, shuffling toward them.

Feeling her kidnapper bump the bed, Julie adjusts her hand on the weapon. Her mother's stern replays in her mind, causing self-doubt to surface. An issue she's been trying to overcome for the majority of her life. I either do this or we die, she thinks. She pushes her mother's harsh criticism aside she grips the bulky knife tighter than before.

George bumps the bed a second time as he reaches down.

Taking a deep breath, Julie springs up in the bed and plunges the weapon deep into the man's blubbery skin.

The tip of the blade punctures George's lung, causing him to gasp for air. The man stumbles backward as he tries to catch his breath.

" Run, Abby, run," Julie screams.

The child remains in the fetal position, paralized with fear.

Realizing the child remains motionless, Julie grabs her daughters hand as she springs off the bed.

They're almost to the steps when George reaches out and grabs the child's arm.

Abby spins around, draws back her leg, and kicks him between his legs.

The pain quickly traveled from George's testicles up to his middle. Fighting to stay upright, he jerks on the child's arm again.

"Mommeee." The child screams.

Julie turns to find their capture pulling her daughter away. "Not this time, you don't!" Julie jerks the knife out of her assailant's chest and stabs him again.

The sudden force sends the large man stumbling back. George crashes into the built-in shelves and then slides to the floor.

Julie races up the stairs dragging her daughter behind her.

Unlocking the back door, Julie throws it open. Pushing Abby to the entryway, she bends down, and says, "Run to the neighbors as fast as you can and call 911. I'll grab sissy and meet you there."

Abby eyes the eerie field, turns and says, "I'll wait here for you."

Julie nervously glances at the kitchen door. "No, Abby. Go! Now!" Seeing the fear in her daughter's eyes, she adds in a softer, more gentle voice, "I will be there soon, honey, I promise." Julie eyes the door again. "Hurry now before it's too late."

Abby steps onto the porch, turns, and says, "I love you, mommy, forever and ever with all my heart."

"I love you too, baby, forever and ever with all my heart." Fighting the urge to hold her one last time, Julie wipes the tears away, sniffles, and says, "Go now before the other man comes back."

Julie is watching her daughter cross the yard when she hears footsteps behind her. She turns to find Steven trying to make it through all the junk scattered across the kitchen floor. Her first thought is to run, then she remembers Rebecca is still upstairs. A horrid thought comes to mind. Julie searches through the darkness and finds her youngest daughter is out of sight. At least one of us made it out alive."

"Trying to escape again, I see," he says, stumbling over a rolling pin. Regaining his balance, he continues to head her way.

Mame him like I did George, grab Becca and run. Julie thinks, seaching for a weapon.

Grabbing Julie's arm, Steven slings her across the room.

Slamming the backdoor too, he raises his gun, turns, and says, "Bambini called and said he wants all of you dead."