Chapter 31: Dash for Freedom


    Chapter 31: Dash for Freedom


    Melinda was lost. The forest was thicker and muchrger than she imagined. She wandered through


    the trees, looking for a trail, but mostly trying to get as far away from the lodge as she could. It bothered


    her that she lost track of Darlene, whom she had believed to be right behind her. But she was not about


    to double back looking for her. If Darlene were caught, Melinda would free her when she returned with


    the cops. It made her feel a little less miserable to think of the delight she would have as she watched


    the police lead away Reggie in handcuffs.


    Almost out of breath from her frantic rush, she finally had to sit down. She looked at the high heels on


    her feet, locked on by the ankle strap and small lock. She could break it with a rock but was not sure


    that she would make better time barefoot. There were rocks and twigs and such that would make


    barefoot walking rather unpleasant.


    The rain did not let up. If anything, it be more intense as the day wore on and was apanied


    by thunder, at first off in the distance, but then nearer. She tried to keep to a straight line but it was


    difficult with the hills going up and down, and the trees providing obstacles. She could not see the sun


    through the overcast, but as the day was dimming and she knew night was approaching, she came


    upon a road. It was paved, only twones, but held the promise of civilization. She began down the


    road, hoping that she was moving in the right direction.


    During thest few weeks, she had grown used to her foot being held permanently in an arch by the


    high heels. But she had also not done this much walking in a long time, and her feet were aching


    something terrible. She was also hungry. Thirst was no problem, for whatever constion that was.


    As the surroundings were bing harder to see, she came around a corner and saw two red lights


    ahead. Picking up the pace, she neared the truck stopped by the side of the road. The hood was up


    and a man was leaning into the enginepartment. She almost ran thest few steps in her


    eagerness. She was well aware of her nakedness but was not afraid. After what had happened to her,


    she would happily lie down and spread her legs for this man if he would only take her to the local


    police.


    “Please, sir,” she began, “I need help!”


    The man straightened up and turned to her.


    It was Angus!


    She felt her heart stop and a cold shiver race down her spine.


    “d to see you,ssie,” he told her. “Figured you would make it to the road, there not being anything


    else for many miles. So I just settled down here to wait for you.”


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    Melinda could not speak. She was cold, shivering, hungry, and incredibly despondent over this change


    of fortune. She could not believe how easily she had been caught. The idea of turning and running


    shed across her mind but died as soon as it was born. She was tired, still locked in those high heels


    and was certain he would easily catch her.


    “Turn around,ssie,” he told her as he held out a pair of handcuffs.


    Melinda did. She didn’t want to, but she did.


    This just was not fair! She began crying as he locked the cuffs on her wrists behind her back.


    “Come on into the truck, dearie. You’ll feel better when you get dry. I’ll turn on the heater for you.


    Wouldn’t want you to catch a sniffle, would we?”