Read In the Shadow of His Wings Online
Authors: Pamela Wells
In the Shadow of His Wings (28 page)
“Oh no you don’t!” a confused, scared Gerhard yelled. He quickly pulled Laura back down the hallway and towards the rear entrance of the house. Laura tried desperately to pull away but was no match for Gerhard’s strength. He practically dragged Laura out the back door and through the rear entrance of the garage. Forcing her into his van, he quickly reached for a roll of duct tape, restrained her arms, putting tape across her mouth as well. Laura kicked out with both legs, hitting Gerhard on his side. Her kick was at an awkward angle, having little effect on the raging man. He wrapped more tape around both ankles, stopping her from further attempts.
“I can’t let them find you!” Gerhard yelled in a panic. Forgetting about his mother, he jumped in the driver’s seat, backed out of his garage, and sped down the driveway. Gerhard didn’t even know where he was going; only that he must leave as fast as possible. He sped down the Niagara Parkway, hearing the sound of sirens in the distance as the ambulance rushed to his house. He had returned home at lunch time, to pick up some papers he had left in his office.
It’s a good thing I came home when I did. She almost got away! Now what do I
do?
Gerhard’s mind raced with thoughts and confusion. He pulled into a small park along the edge of the parkway, stopping behind some trees.
Think! What do I do with her! The rapids! I could throw her into the Niagara
River! The rapids are strong along here and will quickly pull her under.
Gerhard scrambled out of his van, looking around for potential witnesses, he went to look out over the river. He was relieved there were no people around. Tourist season was past, and the place was deserted. Looking over the edge of the river bank, a few feet down, he saw large rocks and the speeding rapids of Niagara River. He’d have to drag Laura over the edge and throw her into the water. Racing back to the van, Gerhard yanked open the side door, pulling a terrified Laura out. Unable to walk, with her ankles bound, he threw Laura over his shoulder, and headed for the river bank.
Suspecting what he was about to do, Laura struggled, powerless, trying to break free.
Her eyes wide with terror, she stared at the speeding rapids. With great effort, Gerhard climbed down the river bank. Winded, he set Laura down on the rocks. Out of breath, he stopped what he was doing and stared down at Laura.
“I’m truly sorry. I have to do this! I can’t go to prison!” Gerhard said as he began to weep. Laura looked up at him, her eyes pleading. Gerhard then thought of his sister, how he lowered her body into the water after she died. He knew then that he couldn’t do it again. This time his sister, or rather Laura, was alive. He could not be responsible for her death. Gerhard sat on the rocks beside Laura, head in his hands, he sobbed. “I don’t know what to do!”
He slowly stood up, shaking his head, “I can’t go to jail. I have to get away!
I’m going to leave you here. You’ll be all right, someone will find you. Goodbye Christine. Goodbye Laura!”
Laura watched as Gerhard climbed back up the river bank, returning to his van, relieved at the sound of the vehicle pulling away. She was uncomfortable, but she was alive! Laura, with her hands taped together in front of her, was then able to pull the tape from her mouth. With her teeth, she removed the tape from her wrists. Tears of relief, now flowing down her cheeks, she thanked God as she stripped the tape off her ankles.
Laura climbed up the river bank and looked around for help. Not seeing anyone she began to walk. Singing praises to God, she walked down the parkway road, knowing she was free at last!
Laura didn’t know how long she walked, wasn’t sure which direction she was heading in. Her only thoughts were of her new freedom and of returning home to her family. The sound of a car pulling up alongside her, barely registered.
“Laura Reid?” a voice asked.
“Yes, I am Laura Reid.” Laura replied, noticing the police car, for the first time.
“Well Laura, I’m sure glad to meet you. My name is detective Don Chisholm and we have been looking for you for a long time!” With more tears falling, Laura asked, “My husband, my kids, Josh and Lacey, are they alright?”
“Other than being worried sick about you they are all quite well.” answered the detective, smiling from ear to ear. This was a moment he had longed for and had given up hope would ever happen.
“Hilda, what about Hilda? Do you know if the ambulance got to her in time?” The detective was amazed that Laura thought to ask about one of her captors, with such compassion.
“They were taking her to the hospital when I left the house.” He didn’t want to tell her that Hilda passed away just before he arrived. Don helped Laura get into the car and then offered to take her home.
“That sounds wonderful” said Laura, “I can’t think of any place else I would rather go!”
Don used his radio to let the chief of police know that Laura was safe and unharmed. The Chief wanted Laura brought straight in for questioning but Don said,
“Questions can wait, I want to take her home to her family. They deserve that. Laura deserves that.”
The Chief agreed but insisted Laura come to headquarters later. They had a lot of questions for her! Don assured the chief that he would see to it that all questions were answered, but first things first! Laura needed to be reunited with her family! With great satisfaction he told the police chief to begin a search for Gerhard Bloone. Then he helped Laura into his car and took her home.
As they drove she looked at the leaves changing on the trees and realized she had been gone for whole year. She was eagerly anticipating seeing her family again.
“Can I ask you something?” asked Laura, “My family, did they think I was dead, was there a memorial service for me or anything? After all this time, they must have thought I was dead.”
“Laura you have an amazing family. They refused to even consider a memorial service, choosing to believe that someday you would return home. It’s been a very difficult year for them but they never gave up on you.” Laura’s eyes filled with tears again and she silently thanked God for her wonderful family.
Don had a few questions for Laura that he couldn’t wait to raise. While they were driving he asked if Gerhard had hurt her and what her year had been like. Laura told him that Gerhard never harmed her, at least not physically. She explained how he brought her there to be his sister, to appease his mother. Don shook his head in amazement.
Laura unexpectedly yelled out, “Angel! My dove! I want to get my bird from Gerhard’s house!” She couldn’t stand the thought of her sweet bird being abandoned.
Don assured her that he would later retrieve the bird and cage and bring it to her. Laura sat back in the car, breathing a sigh of relief. Now she could focus solely on her family!
The detective pulled the car up in front of the Reid household and had to hurry to catch up to Laura as she ran for the front door. She opened the door and rushed into the living room.
Where was everyone?
“Hello” shouted Laura “is anyone home?”
Jim came running from the bedroom. His eyes were wide with shock and disbelief. Could this be true? Laura was home. For a few seconds he just stood there with his mouth hanging open, hoping this wasn’t a dream. He then rushed to hug her and soon both were crying, but these were good tears.
Don spoke up and told Jim to brace himself for a lot of attention from the media. They were going to love this story! He then excused himself going to the phone, telling Jim he would call Josh, Maggie and Lacey. They needed to come home right away!
Jim with his arms wrapped around his wife, unable to bring himself to let go, nodded and smiled. They all had lots of questions, but that could wait. For now it was time to celebrate!
After Thought
Why do bad things happen to good people? It’s a question as old as time. Is it because God wants to teach us things? Or have we simply made such a mess of this world that that’s just the way life is? God made us with the freedom to make choices.
We are free to be kind but we are also free to be cruel. God encourages us to be kind but if He punished us every time we did wrong, we would all suffer. God allows people to do what they want, because He created them to be free. He doesn’t
want
them to do evil things, but when evil things happen to them, God is there; ready to bring as much good as possible out of the bad situation. He doesn’t cause the evil, but
only
He can bring the good out of it.
i Proverbs 29:25
ii Psalm 30:1
iii Psalm 3:3
iv Psalm 73:26
v Psalm 73:26
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