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  We approach an electric fence and park the ATVs.

  “This is as far as we can go with the machines,” Jake tells me as he directs me where to park.

  Jake walks to the electric fence, blanket in hand. He pulls the wires apart while wearing leather work gloves, wide enough that we can climb through it unharmed. Jake knows exactly how to make a clearing through the wires and how to get us through safely with ease. I duck my head hesitantly. I am relieved I do not walk away with any lesions from a jolt of electricity. I could not have done that on my own.

  “There’s a path ahead that will take us directly to Frank and Barbara’s place.” Jake points. I follow the worn trail at our feet.

  “Is it the best way to get there?”

  “Well, it’s one way.” Jake grins.

  The trail narrows and becomes increasingly steep. My breathing increases. I begin sweating profusely. I am panting substantially. I feel an intense pressure on my chest. Jake keeps a strong pace ahead on the trail. I trip on my own feet and fall to the ground, scraping my knee a little, but stand immediately and brush myself off. I find a large boulder nearby, stopping to rest. Jake notices I am struggling and turns around.

  “Climb on my back. I’ll carry you the rest of the way,” Jake suggests.

  “No thanks; I’ll be fine!” I snap.

  By his muscular stance, I am certain he could carry me effortlessly, even on a steep incline. I didn’t take him up on his offer to straddle the back of his ATV and I’m not about to accept a piggyback ride.

  “You seem really short winded, but you don’t seem like you’re out of shape. Are you a smoker?” he asks.

  “No!” I snap at him again, breathing heavily. “I have a heart condition. My blood doesn’t circulate through my left ventricle very well, which causes my blood to settle and my heart to enlarge. The heightened elevation must be putting a strain on my heart. I’ll be fine,” I pant.

  “It has been going on for a while, but I was just diagnosed with the condition. It won’t kill me, at least not today. It’s the reason why I took a hiatus from running. I just started on medicine at the beginning of the summer to help the flow of oxygen and blood to and from my heart,” I explain breathlessly.

  “So medicine fixes the problem?” Jake asks.

  “Not necessarily fixes it, but it obviously helps. I take beta-blockers and inhibitors. It’s a hereditary thing. My sisters all have the same problem,” I explain.

  Jake pulls out his phone and starts a text. He places his phone in the palm of my hand. “Type in what medications you take.”

  I follow Jake’s command, amazed he has a signal. He is watching every letter I type on the screen. I do not have the opportunity to switch screens and try contacting someone for help before Jake takes the device out of my hand.

  “I can carry you to where we are going,” he offers again.

  “I’m sure you could, but I really can do it myself. Just give me a minute to catch my breath. My heart just slows me down, especially when I’ve been inactive and without medicine for a week.”

  I want to rub in the fact that he is the sole contributor of my plight. I sense the thought already resonates with him by the sullen gaze on his face.

  Jake insists I walk in front of him up the remainder of the trail. I keep a much slower pace and I have sweat running rapidly down my spine. I thought my heart was getting stronger. It obviously has not or I’ve digressed quickly. It shouldn’t be such a strain to walk on an inclined trail. The lapse in taking my medication must have taken its toll. All I can think of is how strange I feel. Everything looks blurry around me. It’s as if I am walking in a fuzzy watercolor forest. I shake my head, trying to regain focus as we near the end of the trail.

  The cabin we approach looks identical to the one in which I was chained. It’s as if they were both built at the same time. Smoke flutters from the top of the chimney. There is a spotted gray horse in a small corral twenty feet from the cabin. An old worn down ATV is next to the doorway.

  Jake yells, “Frank…Barbara, you home?”

  An elderly couple walks out together from the small cabin. A man who I assume is the husband, Frank, is guiding Barbara by the hand. Their clothes are dirty and mangled. Their teeth are decayed and their hair does not look as if has been combed in months.

  “Frank, Barbara, I don’t want to keep you long. I just wanted to let you know someone is staying with me,” Jake yells.

  “Jake, something ain’t right here,” Frank says. Jake quickly evades his inquiry.

  The man waves as Jake walks backward to where I stand at the edge of the trail.

  “If you want to get help from Frank and Barbara, let me know. We can ask today or come back tomorrow.”

  “They are a frail, old couple! Can they even take care of themselves? Are they safe up here on their own?” I ask, quite concerned for their well-being. “I don’t think we should leave them up here.”

  “They’ve been here for generations. They don’t know any other way of life.” Jake continues walking as I follow closely behind.

  I stop on the trail. “Did you ever look in on me through the window of the small cabin? You know, when I was wrapped in chains?”

  “No. I slept. I would have, but I didn’t.”

  I look over my shoulder at Frank, who is standing, still watching us walk away.

  “Someone did, twice. Could that someone have been Frank?” He must have been the ghost of the forest I was imagining.

  “Probably.” Jake shrugs his shoulders.

  That old man, Frank, had an opportunity to release me from my bondage. My mouth drops at my revelation. I do not have the nerve to ask the elderly couple to help me return home. The old woman couldn’t see herself out the door without assistance. They probably have no source of communication, no reliable vehicle. Plus, that old man had come by twice and did nothing to help me. What ain’t right here is Frank didn’t unlock the bolt on the shack when he had an opportunity.

  I follow Jake along the trail to the electric fence. He holds the electrically charged fence with extreme care while we climb through again without any problems. I hop on the small ATV and race back to the cabin. Jake follows my dust trail. I kill my engine and wait for him to do the same.

  “That little trek up there was an absolute joke! Are you just playing with me?”

  My eyes shift to a puddle of pebbles at my feet. I contemplate gathering a handful and chucking the stones at him.

  “No, I wanted to show you what is beyond the property. They are one of the options of taking you home,” Jake explains.

  “No, they are not!” I yell. “Why can’t you just take me home?” I ask with rage in my voice.

  “It’s not that simple. Not today, anyway.” Jake shakes his head.

  “Not that simple? I see nothing simpler than just taking me home! I need to be with my kids! They need their mom!” I yell.

  I am furious and confused all at the same time. My eyebrows furrow as I change the subject. “Tell me about the rainstorm.”

  “What rainstorm?” Jake responds, mystified by my question.

  This man truly has no idea there was a rainstorm. No recollection of hallucinating and being ambushed by an enemy. He must have blocked it all out. I choose not to enlighten him about how he terrified me during the rainstorm and the actual events that took place.

  I turn my back to Jake as I bury my face in my hands to catch the tears that fall uncontrollably from my eyes.

  Chapter 11: Jake

  My hands comb through my hair as I try to recall a recent rainstorm. I cannot remember anything from the depths of my mind. Something must have happened while I crashed to make up for my sleep deprivation. The look of confusion on Liz's face tells me something definitely happened, something she wants to know about. I just can't form the words to explain it all right now. It’s invisible, intangible. I shudder to think that Liz witnessed any part of my craziness.

  "Let me show you around the property so you kn
ow your way around," I suggest.

  She reluctantly agrees. I need Liz and her beautiful blue eyes to have some sense of confidence in me. I hurt her. I manipulated her. I held her captive against her will. She is not in optimal health and undoubtedly feels trapped. Getting her to believe anything I do or say will not be easy. I still have to try.

  "I guess formal introductions are overdue. I'm Jacob Henderson, but I go by Jake."

  I reach my hand out for her to shake. Liz is dubious about my gesture. I am relieved once her hand voluntarily meets mine. Her touch sends a feeling of electricity up my right arm.

  "I'm Elizabeth Parker," she states softly. "I go by Liz."

  I know her name already and so much more than she realizes by the news reports I have been following online. I know she has a husband and three kids, she is a schoolteacher, and she is loved and missed. I'm not ready to admit all I know about her in our moment of congeniality.

  "Let's start by going to the lake. I keep a fishing boat tied at the dock.”

  Zeke is at our feet as I lead the way. I'm glad and jealous at the same time that Zeke has taken to her so quickly. I think she likes him too, by the way she keeps one hand on his head, patting and scratching his ears as we walk. Zeke must bring a comfort to her, as Liz did for me during the ride here.

  Liz stops and gazes at the main road before turning with me down to the dock. She is unmovable with Zeke. I know she wants to run. I can see it in her eyes. I'm also certain Zeke would follow her. I hope he does, for her sake. He’ll keep her safe if I cannot.

  "Before you take off on the main road, can you please wait until you are a bit stronger?" I plead. "We need to make sure you are at least completely hydrated."

  Liz continues to stand unmoved with an austere demeanor.

  "If you run now, and I know you want to, it will haunt me not knowing if you make it unharmed. Listen, I made a huge mistake bringing you here. It was wrong. I was out of my mind. It’s unforgivable, I know. I passed every opportunity to rectify it. I’m not proud of how I got you here and how I treated you the first week. But now, if something tragic would happen to you, it will devastate me. I won’t be able to sleep until I know you have returned home and are safe. It may take days for news to be posted."

  Liz waits for what feels like an eternity before looking at me.

  "I will do anything to keep you safe," I say quietly.

  Liz says nothing as she retreats to the dock with Zeke.

  "Go ahead and hop in the fishing boat while I start untying it,” I suggest. “There are some life jackets in the bottom of the boat you can try on. Hopefully, one will fit you."

  Liz contracts her eyebrows, keeping her arms embraced tightly around her waist. I wish she’d stop scowling at me, even though I deserve it.

  "Are you going to deposit my body in the lake?" Liz breaks her silence with a question.

  I jolt upright, releasing the ropes. "NO! Absolutely not! I'm not a psychotic murderer!”

  A little crazy, yes. Murderer? Only if ordered. I don't reveal these facts about myself. She believes I am about to knock her out and sink her body in the middle of the lake. Liz trembles with fear as she climbs into the fishing boat. I make Zeke stay on the dock. I have not yet trained him to be in the boat or out on the water.

  I help Liz tighten her vest where it sags at the waist.

  "Do you know how to swim?" She nods.

  "Have you been out on a boat before?" She nods again.

  "Are you afraid of the water?”

  "No." She trembles.

  Liz is not afraid of the water; she’s been on a boat, and she knows how to swim. She is completely terrified of me. I don't fault her for that. I clasp my jacket and give the engine handle one hard tug.

  "Hey, you brought us good luck, Liz! This stubborn engine never starts the first time.”

  She forces a polite smile as I delicately pull away from the dock.

  If I can safely orbit the lake, perhaps she will start to have more assurance in me. Liz grips her seat as we accelerate across the water. She is too nervous to enjoy the ride. I follow the edge of the lake, intentionally avoiding the middle. The engine is too loud for her to hear my voice, so I kill it to explain what's surrounding the lake. I begin talking about every important point and the small aspects about the lake. Liz picks up an oar that is lying at the bottom of the boat near her feet. Her knuckles are white as she grips the handle of the oar in her little hands.

  "I am not going to hurt you again. I promise," I say, trying to assure her. I cannot tell her that enough. “I’ll say it a million times if it will help.”

  Liz doesn't release the strong grip she has on the oar and I don't force her to release it. I sit near the engine and continue to talk about the lake. I point out the trail winding around the lake. I tell her about the fish indigenous to the area and the temperature of the lake at different times of the year.

  "I feel as if I am rambling on about useless facts.”

  "I'm listening. Keep going," she tells me, and I do.

  I start and stop the engine to tell her more. Liz listens intently. Her eyes soften the more I talk.

  "I'm not going to make you row back to shore," I say quietly with a wry smile.

  She snickers.

  "Or swim," I add.

  She gives me a genuine smile this time and I dissolve.

  The fishing boat cruises slowly around the perimeter of the fresh water. Liz has placed the oar where it originally sat at her feet. She appears comfortable and at peace on the water. I am melting into her blue eyes as I steer the boat. There is a splendor as we glide across the silken water. We both feel it as the fresh air courses through our hair.

  The sun is beginning to touch the crest of the mountaintop to the west. I don't want to frighten Liz by staying on the water at night. I direct the fishing boat to the dock. Zeke is at the platform, waiting for Liz's return. A wide grin splits across Liz’s face when Zeke greets her with his obsidian eyes. I tie the fishing boat to the makeshift bollard before the sun sets. Zeke leads Liz back to the porch. My pup has shown that he has quickly turned over his allegiance to Liz, almost snubbing me. I'm content with that idea the more I see them together.

  Chapter 12: Liz

  I have had the privilege of sleeping in a bed, a real bed, the past few nights, with sheets, a pillow, and a soft quilted blanket. I welcomed Jake’s offer to stay in the upper loft bedroom. If I had run without being tackled, I would be cuddling a rock as I slept, not a pillow. I cannot survive harsh elements. I'm tough, but not rugged and outdoorsy enough to make it a long distance, no matter what gear I have in my possession.

  I wake and focus my eyes on the nightstand to discover the medicine I need. Dr. Howard is the physician’s name on the medication label prescribed to a Jacob Henderson. The dosage isn’t exact; it’s rather high, but it’s close enough. I place the capsules on my tongue and drink them down with the water left on the table.

  After showering, I gingerly make my way down the stairs, trying not to make too much noise. I find Jake sound asleep on the couch in the great room with Zeke curled in a ball at his feet. Zeke lifts his head as I walk past. Zeke climbs off the couch, walks to the back door, and waits to be let outside.

  I open the fridge to find ingredients to make an omelet. I creep over to the couch to ask Jake if he'd eat an omelet if I made one. I lean over to tap Jake on the shoulder. Within half a second, Jake has me pinned down on the floor, face smashed into the rug, and my arms pulled behind my back.

  I whimper, "I was just wondering if you were hungry for breakfast."

  Jake leans into my ear and I feel his warm breath on my cheek. "Do not sneak up on me. Anytime. Anywhere.”

  There is no fury in his voice. He just states it as a fact.

  Jake quickly loosens his vise. I roll onto my back. I place my arm over my face to conceal my fright. I fight back tears.

  Jake stays on the floor with me. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he says remorsefully.

&nbs
p; Jake looks as if he might begin to sob. I’ve heard him say those words before.

  I tell him, “No harm done.”

  He didn’t hurt me; just left me quite alarmed.

  Jake has not beaten, sexually assaulted, or starved me. He hasn’t threatened my family in any way. He hasn’t laid out any ground rules for me to follow. I still do not understand why he abducted me. Nonetheless, he sure does seem like a crazy lunatic I do not want to antagonize him intentionally.

  I turn to face him. “Thanks for getting me the medicine I need.”

  I want to ask him where he got it, when he got it, and how he was able to obtain it so quickly. Now is not the time, not after being pinned to the ground for no apparent reason.

  “It is the least I could do. I can’t allow you to be sick while you are here. That’s the last thing I need on my hands.” Jake rubs his eyes.

  In the afternoon, Jake is pacing the wraparound porch. He nervously jaunts back and forth. Zeke follows every step, never leaving Jake’s side. When Jake springs through the front door, he announces, "I have to show you some things.”

  He startles me with his forthcoming declaration. He powers on his laptop. I can’t decode his password as I look over his shoulder in order to access it later. A dozen screens pop up, one after another. All of the screens show news reports from Utah. He clicks each one chronologically, beginning with the initial missing report, then to volunteers searching the farmer’s fields and my neighborhood; next, the footage of searching landfills. Another clip shows a mini biography of my life. Jake obviously knows more about me than what he is willing to admit. He clicks the play button as my husband and family members are expunged as suspects in my disappearance.

  There is one final clip he plays of a report broadcasted on the evening news. My picture from a recent family picnic is posted as the newscaster reports:

  "Police are still grasping for straws in the whereabouts of Elizabeth Parker. The wife and mother of three went missing early Sunday morning. A few of her personal belongings were found less than two miles away from her home, but no further clues have led police to her whereabouts. Police have no suspects and indicate no foul play was involved in her disappearance. They also clarify that this has not been a case of abduction and has not turned into a homicide investigation. Here now is Elizabeth Parker's husband."