Chapter 139 Bad Idea
The first thing I noticed was the time stamp on the picture. This is hours old, and if they knocked Charlie out... Just how long ago had they taken Liv?
I look at the address on the paper. It's a fucking hour's drive from here! I'm a little worried because there is supposed to be a winter storm coming in tonight. If I left right now, it would take two hours minimum before I could come home... Not to mention I'd have to deal with whatever the hell the psycho wants.
What the hell am I going to do? I would love to have Grant or Brent come along with me. I'm sure they could handle whatever the hell is going on, but what if they hurt Liv?
It says to come alone. I've seen those thrillers where they are told to come alone. I know what could happen! I'm not stupid. I'm a big sister who loves her little sister and would do anything to make sure the little brat comes home safe.
I look at my watch. Rick will be here in a half hour... That would be a half hour buffer... Maybe that could work! But I can't wait much longer, or I'll be stuck in the snow.
My mind spins. That should be enough time. They would believe I came alone and... Then what? Would they just let us go? I don't think so. Just what the hell do they plan on achieving tonight?
I know this is the stupidest plan ever, but it's all I've got right now. I've survived James, I know I can survive whatever this is too. I'm just going to have to have faith that Rick will get there in time.
"Charlie, I need you to do me a favor," I state, pulling way and holding on to her shoulders. "I need you to pay very close attention to me right now. I don't have time to mess around. Not with Liv and the storm so close."
"Okay?" she sniffs.
"I'm going after Olivia. But I need you to show this to Rick the second he gets here! He'll come for us! Tell him to bring the cops and everything, but they are expecting me alone... It's been hours! I can't leave her there, Charlie," I ramble.
I see resignation in her eyes and she nods her head. "Just... be safe, Josie! I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you and the baby... They've already got Liv!" Charlie sobs.
"And we'll all be home soon! I don't know what the hell they are planning on doing with me, but I'm not going to let them." I know this is more stupid than brave. I get that. But I just can't come up with a better plan than this.
I put the address into my GPS and rush back down to my car. A chill rolls down my body. I can smell the storm approaching. It won't be long until everyone is snowed in. I need to be back before that.
I can see the confusion on Brent's face as I pass by the guard gate. I wonder how they kidnapper even passed by him... Unless they took Liv from school.
Shit! That is probably what happened. If I find out that bastard Braxton had anything to do with this...
But how the hell did they get to Charlie and knock her out? And what was the purpose of knocking her out only to give her the damn note? I'm so damn confused right now. And my emotions are already high.
So many dark thoughts are swirling in my mind.
The night is crawling in and it's getting darker and darker. My GPS has me follow some damn back road, and I'm really not happy about this.
I check the clock. Rick should have been home twenty minutes ago. Hopefully Charlie will hand him the note, and he'll come to save us. I have no doubt in my mind that he will have to save us. The question is: from what.
I pull up in front of an old barn and my stomach twists. This has got slasher movie written all over it. I really don't want to be the dumb chick who goes into a dark closet and gets her head chopped off in the first 5 minutes of the movie!
I'm doing this, whether it's wise or not.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. "God, please let Rick come!"
Then I push open the door and move through the freezing night air.
I don't stop as I push through the large double doors.
It's dark, but I can see my sister tied to a chair on the far end of the barn, (see what I mean? Slasher for sure!) and I do the dumb thing and rush over to her.
"LIV! CAN YOU HEAR ME?" I don't know why the hell I'm yelling at her; it's not like it will change anything. Her body is lulled to the side.
She just groans and sways slightly in the darkened room.
I hear a chuckle coming from behind me.
"Oh, Josie, she can't hear you. She's going to be out for a few more hours yet," a sinister voice rasp from behind me. "I've been waiting for this day for so long... I warned you! And I warned him! You were not meant to be together..."
I know that voice.
But before I can confront the bastard, pain explode in the back of my head and all I know is darkness.