The Haret (The Haret Series) (23 page)

             
Esther rummaged thru it.

             
“Oh my God, my cell’s not in here.”

             
Felicitas heart fell.

             
“Are you sure?”

             
Esther shook her head.

             
“I think I left it in your room when I pulled it out to text Danny. I’m so sorry.

             
Felicitas scanned the dark room again. She ran over to the alarm pad on the wall and pushed the panic button….nothing.

             
“We gotta get out of here. It’s just a matter of time until they realize where we are. We’ll use the cover of darkness. Since they have pulled the power the outdoor lights won’t be on. We can sneak down my parent’s balcony and just make a run for it but first you better take off your boots.”

             
Esther looked at Felicitas and by the expression on her face Felicitas knew she was going to protest.

             
“Taz I think you might be overacting. Ian loves you, he wouldn’t hurt….”

             
Felicitas didn’t have time for the delay.

             
“You don’t really know him Esther; please just trust me on this….please.”

             
Esther sat on the divan and unzipped her boots. She tugged and then finally stuck her foot out for help.

             
“My feet are sweating; I can’t get them off.”

             
Felicitas grabbed and pulled the boot off just as they heard the door knob rattle.

             
“Damn it! They‘re here.”

             
She pulled Esther from her seat toward the balcony.

             
She opened the desk drawer pulling out a letter opener then slipped outside and crept down the stairs quietly. She stepped on the hem of her dress and fell into Esther nearly toppling them both down the stairs. When they reached the bottom Esther was able to pull off the other boot with ease, the cold air making it much easier to slip off. They darted across the lawn and made their way to the back of the property and the seven foot stone wall that surrounded it.

             
“How are we gonna climb that?” Esther whispered.

             
Felicitas grabbed her hand again. “Follow me.”

             
She kept them close to the wall and in the shadows of the many trees that lined the back of their property. Years ago she and Esther used to play back here and pretend they were princesses living in an enchanted forest and running from the evil Draco. The recollection of that event nearly caused her to stop in her tracks. She wondered why as children they unknowingly named the villain pursuing them Draco, the same name as the ruler of the kingdom of Shadow’s. Could there have been a premonition way back then? Nevertheless there was a certain tree that they would climb and be able to scale the wall and flee the evil Draco. Maybe those childhood games had been nothing more than rehearsal for tonight’s horrifying escape.

             
It had been at least seven years since she had been this far back on the property and she wasn’t sure of the exact location, plus it was dark and difficult to see. The sound of footsteps finalized her search and she decided to take the nearest tree and hope for the best. She pulled herself up stepping on her dress and ripping the tulle. So much for her eight hundred dollar formal. She felt it was a waste of money anyway but her mother had insisted. She climbed up three more branches and looked beneath her to make sure Esther was doing okay. If the situation hadn’t been so dire, Felicitas would have laughed at Esther scaling the tree in a purple and black polka dotted dress.  She climbed up another two branches until she was eyelevel with the top of the wall. There was about two feet distance between her and the wall. She would have to lunge and hope for the best. She knew a fall from this height might cause a miscarriage. Still if she was captured they baby was certain to die.

             
She breathed a small prayer and lunged toward the wall. Her arms wrapped around the top the sharp stones cutting into her flesh. She swung her legs over and looked below. It was still too far to jump. She used her bare feet to feel around the wall for stones big enough to use as small steps. She curled her toes around one and made the decent to the ground. She wiped her hands on her dress and looked up, hoping, praying. She couldn’t yell out for Esther and give away their location.

             
“Please Esther please.” she whispered.

             
“There they are!” She heard Ian’s voice from the other side of the wall.

             
Her heart skipped a beat and since Ian knew where they were she decided to yell.

             
“Esther?”

             
A black fishnet leg came into view followed by purple tulle. Esther swung her other leg over and then jumped grimacing at the pain.

             
They crossed the dirt road and ran into the massive cornfield that lined their property. The field belonged to their nearest neighbor who lived at least a mile away. His cornfield grew a mile down both sides of the road and up to his back yard.

             
“Let’s stay together.” Felicitas said barely able to catch her breath. “It’s easy to get separated and lost in here.”

             
Esther nodded.

             
“Can you run?”

             
She nodded again.

             
“Let’s go”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

             
The score board reflected the abilities of the Stones River high football team. They were undefeated and by the end of the second quarter the red digital lights predicted their winning streak might continue on through another game.

             
Everyone settled down in the stands as the team jogged off into the locker room and the marching band took the field.  Sharon adjusted the wool scarf around her neck and shuddered in spite of her warm leather jacket. She twisted her fingers inside her fur lined leather gloves and couldn’t remember when the last time she had been this nervous. Nerves were something that had become foreign to her in all the years of standing on platforms and speaking to thousands of women. That was a walk in the park. Tonight was different; tonight her anxiety was for her daughter who was soon to take the field in front of a stadium full of people. She could care less whether or not Felicitas got the crown, all she cared about was that the people be kind and not jeer or boo her daughter. Since Felicitas story and journal had become public everyone had an opinion and voiced it openly and cruelly. Felicitas and Grant, the supposed man of her dreams, had become the subject of many off color jokes and unfortunately had cast a pall on the reputation of their family and to Melvin’s dismay the church. The elders had called a special meeting suggesting Melvin take a sabbatical until all the uproar died down. He refused of course saying the devil was trying his best to distract him from his God called ministry. For the past two weeks several news crews had arrived on Sundays taking footage of the property and the services inside and interviewing members of the congregation as they walked to their cars. Some of the statements from parishioners who barely even knew Felicitas had been quite painful.

Sharon did everything she could to shield her daughter from the media circus but tonight she felt powerless.

              She winced when Melvin stood and accidentally brushed up against her leg. They were together at the game tonight for appearance sake only. Unknown to their daughters she had asked Melvin to take the guest room ever since the accident. He repulsed her now. His concern was obviously only for his reputation and the reputation of the church. His disapproval heightened with Sharon when she cancelled her speaking engagements for the remainder of the year. In his opinion they needed to keep up appearances and be business as usual. He accused her of being selfish by letting thousands of women down who needed her guidance. He insulted her by calling to question her sanity and then as a last attempt to manipulate, he belittled her dedication and service to God. The only reason he relented in sending Felicitas to county was that Sharon pulled her threat card and swore to leave him if he did.

             
He said nothing to her as he straightened his tie and descended the bleachers heading backstage to escort his daughter out onto the field. It was the duty of all the proud dads who had daughters in the homecoming court. Sharon knew Melvin wasn’t proud of Felicitas and that disgust her even more.

             
She pulled her cell from her coat pocket and checked to see if Felicitas had called or sent a text. There was nothing so she sent a quick text saying good luck and told her she loved her and to keep her chin up no matter what. She put her phone back into her pocket and wondered why she could not shake the sense of dread that was invading her.

             
The band finished their number and then split into their final formation to prepare for the arrival of the homecoming court. The ROTC boys marched into place with their rifles and then performed several well-rehearsed stunts to the delight of the crowd. They ended their routine by standing at attention facing each other creating an arch with their guns.

             
The band began playing a beautiful melody as the announcer introduced Stones River High Homecoming Court. Three black convertibles proceeded slowly toward the center of the field. Each car had a beautiful girl perched sitting on the top, cradling a spray of roses and gracefully waving to the fans.

             
Sharon’s heart fell when she noticed the fourth car was missing along with her daughter. Most of the student body noticed too because a low murmur began spreading through the stands as many heads turned and looked her way.

             
Lisette bounded up the bleachers toward her mother anxiousness plastered across her face.

             
“Mom, Taz and Esther never showed. Everyone’s been calling them but it just goes to their voicemail.”

             
Sharon grabbed her purse and made her way down the stadium seating ignoring the stares of everyone.             

“Call the limo service and see when they picked them up.”

              “We already did. They said they got a cancellation about an hour before the scheduled pick up.”

             
Sharon’s heart grew sick. She should have never agreed to leave Felicitas alone. She pulled her cell from her pocket and hit speed dial. It went directly to Felicitas voice mail.

             
It didn’t take long for the news crew to get wind of Sharon’s whereabouts so by the time she reached the bottom of the bleachers; three reporters stuck their microphones in her face and began asking judgmental questions.

             
By the time they reached her car Hayley joined them and was near tears as she ran from reporters. Sharon ordered her daughters in the car and then threatened to run over everyone if they didn’t get out of her way.

CHAPTER THIRTY

             
Esther yanked back on Felicitas hand gasping for air.

             
“Taz stop. I gotta take a breather.” She bent over panting trying to catch her breath.

             
Felicitas looked around. It was dark in the corn field but even in the black of the night she glimpsed shadows moving past the tall stalks. The terror they brought hovered about. She shivered, determined not to let the despair overtake her. Grant was not here to help so she must stay strong for their survival and the survival of her baby.

             
“Only for a second Esther.” She didn’t want to take the time to explain how imperative it was to reach the Perry’s farm house and get some help. Nor did she have any desire to explain what the shadows were and that she was sure she smelled sulfur hanging in the air which meant they must be lurking nearby planning to strike besides she could tell by the look on Esther’s face that the feeling of hopelessness was beginning to consume her.

             
Esther panted and held her chest taking in deep breaths of the cold air.

             
“My lungs hurt Taz. I don’t think I can run anymore.”

             
Felicitas grabbed her by the shoulders and faced her.

             
“Esther, you have to run. You hear me…you have to keep moving. We can’t stop.”

             
Felicitas felt for Esther. She could see the tears burning smearing her beautifully painted eyes. Once Esther got a glimpse of Ian and the drakes tracking them across the Rebold property she realized Felicitas was right in her declaration and from that moment on her skepticism was exchanged for extreme fear.  A rage ignited in Felicitas flaming deep inside of her. She would not let them hurt her friend.

             
“We’re gonna be okay Esther. We just have to make it to the Perry’s back door, and then we can call for help.

             
“But how do you know we are heading toward the house? The corn is so tall, it’s impossible to tell where we are.”

             
Esther was right but Felicitas did not want to admit to it. She was becoming more claustrophobic by the minute feeling like she were underwater in this sea of stalks and desperately needed to come up for air. For all she knew they could be running parallel and miles from the house but she would not allow her mind to torment her with those disparaging thoughts. Before she could convince Esther that they were on the right track and should be seeing the house pretty soon the smell of smoke and the crackling of burning stalks began to surround them.

             
Esther’s eyes went wide in horror.

             
“Taz the field is on fire! We’ll be burned alive.”

             
Felicitas heart seized as the strong smell of smoke wafted through the stalks stealing her breath. No doubt the work of the fire breathing drakes. Her nightmare was coming true.

             
“No Esther. We are not going to burn alive now. Come with me.”

             
She grabbed Esther’s hand again and backtracked moving away from the smoke. They moved slower so not to wind themselves creeping along as quiet as they could.

             
A black vapor slithered directly in front of them and in spite of the darkness Esther noticed it too.

             
“Taz…what was that?”

             
Felicitas pulled Esther through the stalks and down the opposite path.

             
“They’re Shadows Esther. They’re telling Ian where we are.”

             
She felt Esther shiver and was all too familiar with the terror she was feeling.

             
“How do you fight them?”

             
She had never thought to ask Grant that question and didn’t know the answer. In fact the thought had never occurred to her that they could fight Shadows. How could one punch a hole through vapor?

             
Felicitas nose picked up the scent of smoke directly ahead of them. They were being surrounded by fire and would soon be smoked out right to where Ian and the Drakes would be waiting.

             
“The fire’s in front of us now.”

             
Esther told her what she already knew.

             
“Of all the ways to die Taz I never wanted to be burned alive.”

             
Felicitas squeezed her hand. “You’re not going to die tonight Esther. I promise.”

             
Thick smoke began rolling in; the fire was intensifying, catching quickly to the dried stalks. It would only be a matter of time before they were overcome with smoke and consumed. Esther was coughing violently, gasping for air again. Felicitas pulled her to the ground where the air was fresh. They crawled across the cold earth; Felicitas dress hindering them from moving fast.

             
The smoke made its decent engulfing the girls, impairing their vision. Their lungs screamed for air and Felicitas arms trembled barely able to support her any longer; her head began to throb. She heard Esther groan and the collapse behind her.

Turning around she could hardly make out her form lying in the dirt.

              “Esther” she coughed. “Please try and keep moving.”

             
Esther didn’t respond, she just lay there wheezing gasping for air. Felicitas grabbed her under her armpits dragging her a few feet before she tripped over her hem and fell backwards.

             
She lay there staring up into a cloud of smoke obscuring her view of the moon; her lungs screaming for air and her head throbbing. She tried to rise up, but her strength was gone. She coughed violently gagging, gasping, for air before falling back into the dirt. Before closing her eyes she saw someone step over her and squat down beside her. She couldn’t make out the face but the voice was all too familiar.

             
“Does my girl need some mouth to mouth? “ Ian asked his lips curling into a sinister snarl.

             
Felicitas coughed once more before the smoke consumed her.