“I’ve got to find a way to get her away from that monster, before it’s
too late!” His last statement to Abe, replayed in head as John
wandered through the park. The chilly air whipped mercilessly around
his ears, but he failed to notice. His thoughts and concerns focused on
getting her out of danger and nothing else.
He was at his wits end; he had exhausted all the possibilities he could
come up with, legally. It all seemed so hopeless, and now with his
arrest for killing Lois, he was out on bail, with his options growing
slimmer by the second. He had to consider the real possibility that he
might be convicted and imprisoned, leaving North free to do whatever
he wanted and John was certain that man’s intentions towards
Marlena were evil.
He wandered along the dark path as the gray skies turned darker and
colder with each step he took. Frankie was busily working on trying to
get the charges dropped but no word so far. Now, upon hearing the
news that Alex was taking Marlena down the aisle to renew their vows
before leaving on an extended honeymoon, it filled John with a sense
of urgency and dread. He had to come up with something quickly,
right or wrong.
His fists clenched and unclenched rhythmically in frustration as he
walked along, deep in thought. John’s head ached and his stomach
churned as feelings of helplessness and frustration began to consume
him. Before he knew it, John found himself standing in a small clearing
in the densely wooded area alongside the trail. His blue eyes turned
skyward just as night enveloped him and his surroundings. He was out
of his mind knowing she was being toyed with and manipulated like
this, he still didn’t have a clue what North had done to Marlena but he
wouldn’t rest until he found out what it was.
John couldn’t hold back any longer, the tears flowed freely from his
blue eyes and he fell to his knees in the rocks and the dirt. “Please
God, Doc needs your help. She’s in danger from that psycho North. I
know he means to harm her somehow.” John paused long enough to
wipe away the snot running down his upper lip. “Please God. I need
you to give me a sign. Show me what to do to save her. I can’t lose
her again. I can’t.” His trembling voice trailed off and he fell forward
into the dirt, weeping openly.
After a time he knew he needed to get control of himself, this wasn’t
going to help rescue Marlena from the mental snare North held her in,
waiting for just the right time to pounce on his prey. John stood up and
dusted off his pants, he looked down to see his hands covered with
dirt, he must look a mess he thought. He stumbled his way out of the
park, feeling like the walking dead without her. He didn’t care what she
thought about him anymore, that wasn’t the most important thing,
keeping her safe and alive was.
He came out of the park along the waterfront, he began walking
without a destination in mind, he needed to clear his head and think.
After a time awoman’s laughter caused him to glance up from the
pavement below. Just a little ahead of him there was a couple walking
along, talking and laughing.
He saw a slim woman with long blond curls, wearing jeans and a dark
pink jacket, from behind she sort of reminded of him Marlena once
upon a time. John turned his head as he thought of her in North’s
clutches. He remembered those photos of her covered in bruises, he
was certain North was responsible and not Lois, as Alex had said. The
thought of North hurting her that way, of anyone hurting her made
John’s blood boil. His fists began to clench and unclench as he
thought of that man toying with her mind, manipulating her into
believing his lies.
John caught sight of himself in a storefront window and he stopped
cold in his tracks. He stood looking at himself, dressed in black jeans,
a black jean jacket, his hair was disheveled, he had dirt on his face,
and it reminded him of himself in another time and place.
Like a lightning bolt from out of the blue it hit, this was his sign and he
knew what he had to do next. He realized he was only a short
distance from the Salem Inn and he rushed back to begin work on his
plan.
Chapter 2 ~Swimming With Sharks ~
With her legs tucked under her at the side, Marlena sat on the sofa
serenely flipping through bridal magazines. There wasn’t much time to
plan this wedding, Alex was insistent on having the wedding next
week. It made her feel a little rushed, but she was okay with that. She
was anxious to move on with her life.
It was obvious to her that her memory wasn’t going to return anytime
soon, if ever and she couldn’t be expected to linger here in limbo
forever. She was sure she was making the right decision in choosing
Alex, the feelings she had for him now even without her memory told
her, they must have been very much in love and that this was right.
Similarly, the feelings she felt for John told her that he was going to
hurt her in some way. He frightened her, he was controlling and
obsessed and just seemed so angry with her that she was almost
afraid to be alone with him. Those feelings told her that John must
have been abusive and controlling to her, just as Alex had said he
was. This made her even more certain that what she was doing was
the right thing.
Alex stood by the railing, looking down on the unsuspecting Dr.
Marlena Evans. “More beautiful than ever, such a shame, really.” He
thought as he gazed down at her. This was all so easy, he thought as
an evil grin pursed his lips. The amnesia had been the perfect open
door. Her psyche laid bare, ripe for pillaging. She was like an open
book he could rewrite any way he chose. Alex knew her history well,
having kept close tabs on her all these years.
There was one thing Alex was positive of; Marlena would never stop
loving John Black. That was why all Stefano DiMera’s attempts to
possess her failed. Alex had discovered the secret however. After
years of honing his techniques, perfecting his theories all under the
guise of helping Uncle Sam, he could at last, have his revenge. The
fact that she wouldn’t see it coming was rather anticlimactic he
thought but being able to manipulate and destroy her before he
finished her off and all with her willing help was more delicious.
Marlena yawned and put the magazines on the coffee table and Alex
ducked into his room. He had plans to make and he wanted to be sure
that he had all the bases covered; he was going to make sure that
nothing stood in his way.
Marlena got up and took her teacup to the kitchen, turning out the
lights she checked the front door and went upstairs. She walked past
her bedroom door to Belle’s old room where Alex had been sleeping,
and knocked softly. Alex opened the door greeting her with a big
smile.
“I’m kind of tired and I think I’ll go to bed now.” Marlena said. Before
Alex could respond, Marlena followed it up with a “Care to join me?”
As she gave him a sheepish grin and a little wink.
Alex chuckled, “I’m saving myself for my wedding night.” The both of
them burst out laughing.
“There will be plenty of time for that.” Alex smiled and kissed her
goodnight. “Sleep well my love. Sweet dreams.”
Marlena said goodnight and padded off down the hall, with Alex
watching her disappear into her room. A smug expression on his face
he closed the door. “Oh Marlena, I want our first and last time to be
special.” He chuckled devilishly and went back to finalizing the plans
for the wedding and honeymoon.
Marlena began to undress and began searching through her drawer.
She pulled out a white silk nightgown and instantly she had a brief
memory. She was standing in this room, wearing this nightgown and
John was standing across from her, smiling, then it was gone. These
tiny blips of memory frustrated her, “Why can’t I remember more? Was
it all too horrible to recall?” She tried to shake it off and she finished
dressing for bed.
She crawled beneath the sheets, pulled the comforter up tightly
around her, and closed her eyes. She was tired and wanted to forget
everything, for just a little while. Exhausted she quickly fell asleep.
Chapter 3 ~ A Man With A Plan ~
John rushed to the suite, letting himself in and headed straight for the
bathroom. Kate looked up to see him darting through the room. “I was
just about to order dinner, what would you like?” Kate huffed.
“I’ll get something later, I’m busy.” The bathroom door closed behind
him.
Kate hung up the phone, “What is he up to now?” She thought aloud.
She knew it had something to do with Marlena and that got her
hackles up, it was always about Marlena.
John quickly undressed and stepped into the streaming mist of hot
water. He wasn’t sure this was the right thing to do, but at this point
with her wedding to Alex just three days away, he realized he was all
out of alternatives. He scrubbed away the dirt and tear stains and
thought of her.
John closed his eyes and saw her face. It had been so long since he’d
even been close enough to her to even smell her perfume; he closed
his eyes tighter and tried to remember her scent. Slowly John’s head
tilted backwards and a smile of recognition adorned his mouth. He
missed her so much, every fiber of his being ached to be close to her.
He remembered the way she smelled, how soft her skin was. He could
see that familiar light in her eyes that burned only for him; he could
hear that passion in her voice as she said his name.
He remembered the way she tasted, everywhere. He could feel her
touch. By now, John was sporting an erection. He shook his head and
opened his eyes, “I don’t have time for this.” He said aloud as he
cranked up the cold water and finished showering. John hated
Marlena being in that bastard’s clutches and the idea of North taking
her away terrified him, he had to act and do it now.
John dried himself and hurried through grooming himself, he grabbed
his bathrobe from the door and put it on. Wrapping it securely and
tying the sash tightly. He grabbed his pants and jacket, unlocked the
door, and dashed off to his room. “Would you like something to drink?”
Kate screeched.
“No, I don’t have time for that.” John grumbled and closed his door
behind him. Kate gulped her scotch and poured another.
John pulled a bag from the closet and began to fill it with essentials.
He pulled down a locked box hidden away on the shelf and took the
keys from his jeans. He took out a .45 and laid it on the dresser. He
took out two full clips and a box of bullets and tossed them in the bag.
He threw in a couple of pairs of jeans and a couple of warm shirts and
the appropriate underwear and socks into the bag and then proceeded
to get dressed.
When he’d finished lacing his boots, John stood up, took the fully
loaded, holstered .45, and tucked into the back of his jeans. He stuffed
his wallet into his pocket and put on his wristwatch. He snatched the
binoculars from his nightstand and tossed them into the bag.
He stepped out of the room and back into the bathroom without even
acknowledging Kate’s presence. He grabbed a travel-shaving bag and
tossed in the necessities. Kate sipped her third scotch as she watched
him go back into his room and close the door.
She would never understand why men were so obsessed with
Marlena. She herself was a former prostitute and knew how to please
a man yet they all wanted the virginal Marlena. Kate couldn’t wrap her
tiny brain around the notion that while she had to work hard to learn
how to make men happy, some women just came by it naturally.
John zipped the bag up and headed out, there was a great deal to be
done and not much time to get it done in. Kate had changed into
something red and slinky and was working on her fourth scotch.
“John, it’s getting late. Where are you going at this hour?” As if she
didn’t already know, it had something to do with Marlena.
John didn’t want to make her an accessory and he really didn’t feel
much like confiding in her. She was beginning to get on his nerves,
always trying to discourage him, convince him that he’d lost Marlena
to Alex and that he should give up and move on. Kate didn’t know him
very well; his love for Marlena and his single-minded determination
was his driving force. Without her, he was lost.
“There’s something I need to do, don’t wait up for me.” John didn’t
look back; he was a man on a mission.
Chapter 4 ~ Ruck Up ~
He would never stop loving her, never give up trying to make her
remember their love and he would never stop trying to get her away
from Alex North, the latter being the most important and most urgent.
John threw the bag in his jeep and climbed in. Glancing at his watch,
he noticed it was nearly nine-thirty, it was getting a little late.
Some things would have to wait until morning but at least he could get
a few things done tonight, besides with his new inspiration he was far
too keyed up to sleep. He had work to do, and plans to conceive and
he sped off into the night to begin. John couldn’t call Abe for advice.
He couldn’t tell Belle that he was going to fix everything and that
everything was going to be all right. He couldn’t confide in Kate, she’d
only try to talk him out of it. He was on his own with this, “Not the first
time.” He chuckled aloud.
He would have to make certain not to leave a paper trail; he wouldn’t
want to give the authorities any leads as to what he was up to. He
stopped at a local ATM and withdrew the daily limit on his ATM and
credit cards and then wound up in the parking lot of the super Wal-
Mart, and not by chance. This time things wouldn’t be quite so off the
cuff, he had a small window of opportunity to plan this out and acquire
the necessary supplies.
As he walked slowly down each aisle, gathering things that might be
useful, he felt good for the first time in ages, he now had a purpose, a
plan. He felt invigorated, empowered, but now he had to figure out just
when and how to pull this off. In just sixty-three hours, Marlena would
be walking down another isle and to her doom, but not if he could help
it.
Once he’d filled two carts, he checked out, paying in cash. He loaded
everything into the jeep and climbed in, he looked at his watch, and it
was twelve-thirty. His stomach growled loudly and he realized he
hadn’t eaten today. That was happening more and more lately, people
were noticing that he was losing weight and wasn’t because he
missed Marlena’s cooking. It was because he missed her, and without
her, the days just seemed to blur together, endlessly.
John decided it was a good idea to keep his strength up, there was a
tough road ahead and he’d need it. He drove out to the all night diner
on route one and ordered up the special, steak and eggs, he added
hash browns and toast. He took out a small notepad and pen and
began trying to think of what else he might need. When the food had
disappeared and the plates removed John still scribbled away.
The waitress interrupted his chain of thought with a cheerful, “Can I
get you anything else?”
John looked up and saw the coffee pot, “I’ll have another cup.”
The waitress poured him another cup. “You a writer?” She asked.
John looked up and laughed, “No. Just making some notes. What kind
of pie do you have?” He wanted to distract her from his business and
he really did want some pie.
She rattled off the list and John stopped her at peach. “You want that
alamode?”
“What the heck.” John chuckled. He tucked the notebook back in his
pocket to avoid drawing attention to it again and played with his coffee
until the pie arrived.
Once John had his fill, he left a decent tip but nothing that would make
him that memorable, paid the bill and left. It was almost two-fifteen
and he drove up to Lookout Point. He didn’t want to just break into the
penthouse and spirit her away in the middle of the night, well, yes he
did. He knew that wasn’t the smartest of ideas and so he’d have to
find something less conspicuous if he wanted any kind of a running
head start in this.
John looked out over the lights of Salem. He remembered a few of the
many times he’d brought her here, for brief or sometimes lengthy
interludes. He loved Marlena’s playful, seductive side, he loved all the
facets of her personality. “I miss you so much Doc.” He whispered as
a tears rolled down his cheek. He set the timer on his watch and
reclined the seat for a short nap.
Chapter 5 ~ Beep ~
“Oh, John, I remember everything. I remember you, us, our love!”
Marlena ran into his waiting arms and he scooped her up and held her
so tightly… beep, beep, beep. John lurched forward in the seat. It took
him a moment to realize just where he was and that she wasn’t here.
The dream had seemed so real, John could still feel her in his arms.
He found the button and turned off his wristwatch alarm, rubbing his
eyes and yawning loudly.
He was positive that if he could get her away from North long enough,
Marlena might actually have time to think. John was certain North was
controlling Marlena somehow, he just wasn’t sure exactly how. He
was sure that if he could spend some real time with her, alone, away
from Alex’s influence and trickery it might stir a memory or two. Even if
she didn’t remember anything, he couldn’t let her go away with that
psycho.
It wasn’t just about Marlena remembering anymore, it was about
keeping her alive long enough to remember. John knew if she left with
Alex it would be the last time any of them saw her, alive. He wasn’t
going to let that happen, not now, not ever. What he needed right now
was a bathroom and a cup of coffee. John fired the jeep up and
headed off back down into Salem and to the nearest gas station.
Once he’d taken care of those necessities, John capped off the gas
tank, just to be prepared. He stood with the early morning sun
warming him as he pumped the gas, John knew that she would
probably be waking up soon and would be busy preparing for her
upcoming nuptials. Maybe not he thought. He had no idea what this
new version of Marlena was like, aside from being Alex’s puppet. Did
she just jump right out of bed the second the alarm went off or before
or was she still the same woman who would hit the snooze bar before
diving back under the covers?
John felt that familiar ache, deep and relentless. It invaded every fiber
of his being and consuming him entirely. It felt as though a part of him
had been torn away and he floundered aimlessly without it. It had
been, torn away from him, leaving him less than whole, incomplete.
There was that gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach again. God he
missed her so much. The idea of being able to spend more than just
five minutes alone with her had been just a mere fantasy, an elusive
dream. He needed it; he needed her just as much as he needed his
next breath.
He jumped in the jeep and sped off to complete his errands. He had to
remember that this wasn’t about him. It wasn’t about what he felt or
wanted or what he needed. It was about keeping Marlena safe and
alive and if he had to die to do it, then so be it. There was no
alternative, without her, there was nothing. John was more determined
than ever to make sure that Alex North didn’t succeed in whatever
twisted plan he had for Doc, no matter the cost to himself.
Marlena was just waking up reluctantly, but she was excited about her
upcoming wedding day and so was a bit more enthusiastic, choosing
to employ the snooze bar just once this morning. She dashed off to
the shower, she had the final fitting for her wedding gown today and
she was getting a manicure and pedicure at two this afternoon. In just
two days, she was going to be Mrs. Alex North again and she couldn’t
wait.
Alex had been up for hours. He’d learn to sleep very little in college,
considering it a waste of valuable time. He was pleased with how well
this was turning out. He knew Marlena was a fighter and he knew the
extent of her love for John. The cocktail of drugs he’d been feeding
her almost continuously had suppressed that part of Marlena’s spirit,
keeping it under control. It had taken him years to perfect just the right
combination of medications to achieve this. The almost minute-by-
minute control and the hypnosis sessions furthered his dominion over
her.
He knew it would wane however if she were left alone, without his
guidance,that’s why he always needed to be close by, always in
control. Soon he would have her all to himself and then she would
pay.
When John finished his shopping excursion, he loaded the last of the
bags into the back of the jeep. It was getting full back there and he
needed the room. He got another cup of coffee and pulled into the
little park near the penthouse, the one he and Marlena used to bring
Belle and Brady to all those times. He pulled into a virtually empty
parking area and proceeded to open and pack all the gear. He threw
away the packaging and got back in the jeep. A huge smile crossed
his lips, “Phase two.” He said aloud as he drove out of the park.
Chapter 6 ~ Every Breath You Take ~
John pulled up outside the parking garage and waited. He checked his
watch, it was nearly nine, he hoped he hadn’t missed her. He didn’t
have to wait long. John watched Alex’s black sedan pull out from the
underground parking garage and into the sunlight. John quickly
scrunched down in the seat to avoid being seen but where he could
still see. He saw Marlena in the passenger seat.
Waiting for them to get ahead of him, John started the jeep and tailed
along behind them to Salem Place. John followed them for more than
an hour. He couldn’t believe how this North guy would never leave her
alone for more than just a few minutes. What was Alex so afraid of?
John wondered.
He watched them disappear around a corner and once he thought
sufficient time had passed John followed. Turning the corner he heard
Marlena’s voice and looked up to see that he was headed right
straight for Marlena and Alex who were now standing still and talking.
He quickly ducked behind a potted topiary and strained to listen to
their conversation.
“It might take a little while; Gloryanne has something special in mind.”
Marlena smiled and looked up at Alex.
“Every second away from you is sheer torture.” He grinned.
Marlena laughed and kissed him. John cringed; he had to look away
for a second he couldn’t bare to watch her kiss him. The thought of
that animal touching her made him want to leap from his cover and
strangle North right here and now. John maintained his presence of
mind and scurried around the building and back to his jeep and threw
it in drive and nearly hit a Mercedes entering the area.
He pulled into the back of Gloryanne’s Beauty Salon. He knew he’d
made good time and had beaten her there, he knew she sometimes
used the back entrance and he was hoping she would this time. He
crouched in the bushed near the door and waited.
John saw her round the corner. His heart pounded and every muscle
in his body was taut as he waited to pounce on her. He’d have to be
quick and hope no one saw him.
With precision timing, he stepped from the bushes just behind her as
she reached for the door. His left and moved to cover her, he knew
she wouldn’t go quietly, his right arm ensnared her and he easily lifted
her off the ground and rushed her to the jeep. “Relax Doc, this is for
your own good.” John said.
Marlena struggled and tried to scream but John kept a tight hold on
her. He managed to pin her to the jeep just long enough to pull out the
pair of handcuffs he had stashed in his jacket pocket and secure her
hands behind her back. Reaching into the jeep, he pulled out a roll of
duct tape and tore off a strip with his teeth and in one swift move, he
secured it to her mouth, silencing her.
She was terrified and was desperate to get away from this man, Alex
was right; John’s obsessions had driven him over the edge, just like
poor Lois. She struggled but John was much too strong for her and he
picked her up again and opened the back of the jeep and with one
arm, he lifted her and placed her inside.
He snatched a length of rope lying atop a fully loaded backpack and
secured her knees. Then he took another length of rope and lashing
her ankles together. Then he carefully covered her with a blanket and
latched the jeep. His heart was racing, his mouth was dry and he was
alive. He threw the jeep into drive and flew out of the parking lot and
towards the nearest highway.
Chapter 7 ~ Sincerely ~
Marlena shouted at John to release her, to stop this insanity before it
went too far, before it was too late. The duct tape plastered across her
mouth turned her pleas into nothing more than unintelligible, muffled
grunts and shrieks. She squirmed and writhed beneath the heavy
blanket in an attempt to extricate herself from her bonds. Several
minutes later, she was no closer to freedom and sufficiently
exhausted. She flopped back onto the pack and looked up at John
behind the wheel.
Everything that Alex told her about John said she should be in mortal
terror of this lunatic, that he was dangerous and out of control.
Looking up at his face however, she wasn’t filled with a sense of fear,
well perhaps slightly, she thought. She really didn’t think John would
hurt her, he didn’t seem violent or homicidal, just desperate to regain
something he’d lost. Alex said John had been possessive and
controlling during their marriage, maybe this was just another example
of it.
Marlena knew if she played it cool and kept on his good side; she
might be able to reason with him, make him see just how wrong this
was and for him to take her home.
John kept his eyes on the road and on the speedometer, the
adrenaline rush he was on right now made it difficult to judge just how
fast he was going. He damn sure didn’t want to get stopped for
speeding right now.
The fact that she’d quieted down hadn’t escaped his attention.
Glancing over his right shoulder he saw her looking at him. Her face
was flushed from exertion and the light sheen of perspiration on her
skin made it glow in the sunlight. Her nostrils flared as she tried to
regain her breathing.
John sighed and his furrowed brow softened while he took turns
glancing at the road and then glancing back at her. It was as though
he couldn’t get enough of looking at her right now, her eyes narrowed
and widened. He could tell she was scrutinizing him, trying to decipher
his plan for her.
Glancing at the open road ahead he looked back at her, “Doc, baby, I
swear this is for your own good.” John’s voice was soft an apologetic
as he toggled his eyes between the road and her. “I had to get you
away from him, before it was too late… I couldn’t let him hurt you.”
John’s voice trailed softly off.
His words had such conviction in them she knew he was only doing
what he thought was right, even if it was wrong. His tone and his eyes
put her at ease.
“Do you want me to take that off?” John didn’t specify exactly what.
Marlena knew what he meant and she nodded.
John looked at the road again and then reached back over the seat
with his right hand he grasped the corner of the silver tape covering
her mouth and then he stopped. “Are you going to make a fuss?” He
asked in a tone that befitted a little child.
Marlena knew how to play the game, if she wanted this tape off her
mouth she would have to agree to his demands and if she wanted to
keep it off she would have to abide by them. She nodded in
agreement and John ripped the tape off her mouth as quickly as he
could.
“Ahhhhh!” She cried out. John knew how much that hurt, he had it
done to him, more than once.
“John please, you can’t do this!” She exclaimed. “You have to stop,
right now.”
John knew she’d protest, he knew she’d fight him tooth and nail but he
knew if they had time, just a little time alone, he could make her see
that what they had was just as real as what she thinks she had with
Alex, before it was too late.
“Look Doc, I know you don’t believe me right now, but I’ve got to make
you see how much we mean to each other. I know you don’t want to
think that Alex could hurt you but damn it Doc, I can feel it in my gut. I
can feel it in my blood Doc, Alex is going to hurt you, you just have to
believe me.” John’s voice was quavering and imploring.
She knew what John was saying was absolutely preposterous but she
did hear the sincerity in his voice and knew that he truly believed that
what he was saying was the truth. She didn’t respond and John fell
silent staring into the long expanse of highway that lay before him,
destination unknown.
Chapter 8 ~ Due North ~
He loved her so much. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do, no risk
he wouldn’t take to protect her. It was the sole focus of his being at the
moment. It was a compulsion that emanated from deep within his very
core. Driving him beyond all good reason and common sense to act,
to react and protect her at all costs. John fully realized the implications
of what he was doing. He could just hear Abraham now, telling him
how he was playing right into North’s hands.
None of it mattered; keeping her safe was his only goal, for now. John
knew the best way to ensure her safety was to put as much distance
between Marlena and North as physically possible. All his other
possibilities long ago exhausted his desperation to keep her alive and
North’s treachery had driven him to this point.
The silence between them hung thick in the air. John couldn’t take it
anymore he reached over and switched on the radio. He played with
the dial until something stayed on station and he left it there. He didn’t
recognize the song but it softened the deafening reticence.
John could hear a faint ringing noise and he turned down the radio.
Marlena’s cell phone was ringing inside her purse that had worked its
way under the pack during all her previous thrashing about. John
looked at his watch, they been gone from the back of Gloryanne’s for
almost forty-five minutes now and he was certain it was Alex calling to
check up on her. John wondered if North already knew she never
made it to her appointment or was he was just calling to check up on
her. John was sure of how much North liked keeping her close under
his wing and he was positive that, along with drugs was all part of
North’s power over her.
He knew the second North realized that Marlena was gone he’d have
everyone from the Salem PD to the FBI looking for her. He unfolded
the map on the passenger seat and began to look for a less obvious
route. He found a suitable side road that might afford them some
cover and it wasn’t much further ahead. He knew they would have to
stop for gas in about five hours, mid-afternoon. He concentrated on
his speed and driving and kept his eyes darting along the roadside for
police.
Once he’d turned off onto the side road, he looked back over his
shoulder; she had managed to get herself into a sitting position and
was resting against the pack. Her eyelids were getting heavy, the lull
of the ride and her constricted movement, topped off with the music
was making her sleepy.
John smiled and watched the road, she was always so cute when she
was sleepy. The dreamy way her eyes drooped and how her hair fell
in her face. She was the only woman he knew who could make
mussed hair look sexy as hell. He heard a hushed yawn and knew
she’d soon be asleep. He began to work out a route on the map,
heading directly north they’d be out of the state before he had to stop.
The miles slipped steadily by, John kept watch on the road and on
her. Since the first moment he’d set eyes on her in the emergency
room, when he was so scared and lost, his face still bandaged. The
moment she walked into that room and he looked at her he knew, he
would never tire of seeing her face and he never had. While there had
been other people in both their lives, there was only one constant, her.
She completed him like no other ever could.
He needed her back in his life, otherwise he would never be complete
again. He would never feel whole without her in his life. When she
wasn’t there it was a dark void that no one could fill, but her. Two
hours had passed and not a peep, when he heard a yawn. “How long
have I been asleep?” Her voice was raspy and low.
John checked his watch, “About two hours. Sleep well?”
Marlena could see the grin on his face, “A tad uncomfortable.” She
was trying to make light of the situation. There was a long silence
followed by, “Um, John.”
“Yeah?”
“I need to go to the restroom.” She almost whispered it.
John thought about it. He didn’t want to risk being seen or have her
deciding to try and make a run for it. He knew she might try to draw
attention to them, he remembered just how feisty she can be when put
to the test. He saw a small dirt road up ahead and pulled off, out of
view of the road.
He looked back at Marlena, “Are you going to behave?”
She frowned and nodded as she looked out the windows, she didn’t
like the idea of going to the bathroom in the woods much less with
John accompanying her. She didn’t have a lot of choice in the matter,
nature was calling, loudly.
John exited the jeep and opened up the back. He undid her ankles
first and then her knees. She moved around for him to unlock the
cuffs. Marlena rubbed her sore wrists and stretched her tired legs, it
took her a moment to regain her equilibrium once she had she hopped
out of the jeep.
She moved around to the side of the jeep furthest from the road, John
stood just opposite her. Marlena looked at him and grimaced,
motioning with her hand for him to turn around. John tilted his head
and looked at her, “Okay, but no funny business.” He slowly turned
around.
Running away here and now wasn’t really an option, she knew she
could never outrun him, much less in three inch heels she was
wearing. She shivered as the chilly wind blew across her bare flesh,
she was having a hard time getting things started with him right there.
“Could you walk over there, please.” She asked. John against his
better judgment did as she asked. He didn’t totally trust her, she was
under North’s spell and the possibility of her trying to escape was
viable scenario. She was one tough cookie when push came to shove.
He did a quick peek back, just to make sure she was still there, she
was. After a time he heard, “Okay, all done.”
John walked around to the back of the jeep again and waited. Marlena
stood by the passenger door looking at him. “Can’t I ride up front with
you. I promise to behave.” Marlena stuck out her lower lip a little giving
him a pouty look.
As cute as she was he couldn’t risk it, not just yet. He shook his head
and waited at the back of the jeep. He watched as she grumbled and
slowly came around to the back of the jeep. John sat her on the tail
gate and picked up the rope, he squatted and began to tie her ankles
again.
Marlena glanced over and saw a small shovel lying beside the
backpack. It struck terror in her heart, what was he going to do with a
shovel? Could she have been wrong? Did she miscalculate his
intentions. Panic began to set in and she grabbed the shovel and
swung it in the direction of John’s head.
The Jarlena Journal 