Blood is Thicker Than Water

Chapter Eleven

Luke and I huddled together, his arm finding it's place around my waist again as we approached the cave mouth. It would be difficult for us both to squeeze through at the same time, and it didn't help that my hands were now bound behind my back with rusty barbed wire. And before you ask, yes, it did hurt. And no, I didn't get a tectnus shot.

I'm glad we had this talk.

As we moved closer, I felt Luke's body jerk with anticipation and maybe a hint of fear. We only only about fifteen steps away.

Behind us, the criminals discussed the trafficking operation. I tried to block out the filth and profanity dripping from their tongues, but it wasn't easy. Especially when I knew they had the exact same purposes for me as the pitiful young girls they were speaking of.

Ten steps.

As we walked, I kept my attention on the four men in front of me. They were also talking about selling girls for sex, but at least they weren't discussing prices like the other thugs were.

I caught a short piece of their conversation, loud and clear.

"...that Arthur girl? The little one won't make us much. Honestly I don't know what Atticus was thinking when he ordered her."

My heart caught in my throat, a mix of relief and horror rushing through my veins. Ella was still alive, but for how long? I knew exactly what men did to girls in this trade who didn't live up to their expectations, and it wasn't acting as a reference for their next job. How long did Ella have before she was placed on these monsters' death row?

Five steps.

Pushing all other thoughts aside, Luke and I moved in sync, our boots thumping against the ground in a single beat. He tightened his grip on me as I mentally counted us down.

*Four*
*Three*
*two*

*one*

Without warning, my right foot fell into the hole, followed quickly by my left. Luke thrust me into the darkness and toppled in after me. I landed on the ground with a gasp, the wind stolen from my lungs.

But there was no time to catch my breath. I could already hear the traffickers screaming and cursing, trying to find the cave entrance. Luke grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet. "I'm sorry," He apoligized as he propelled me into one of the small branches of the cave. "we don't have time to get that wire off yet. I'll cut you loose as soon as we loose them."

I gritted my teeth against the pain in my wrists and forced a tight nod. "Got it."
Luke practically shoved me along, his movements hurried and frenzied. I heard voices as the men finally found the entrance and dropped inside. Although we were out of sight, the sudden change of light suggested they had flashlights. *Great.*

"Faster, Kay!" He urged, his voice tinged with panic. "We gotta get out of earshot. This branch leads back to your house, right?"

I nodded. "It should open up right behind the barn, beneath Cupcake's old feeding trough."

Luke accidently shoved me too hard, and I fell, hitting my head on the roof of the cave as I went down. A loud splash sounded as my knees hit a water puddle. The men shouted, and footsteps started in our direction.

Cursing, Luke looked around desparately. I could faintly make out his handsome features as he spotted something. Before I could ask, his arm had snaked around my waist and brought me to my feet, shoving me into a secluded corner partially hidden from view that I had completely missed. "Luke," I hissed undet my breath. "they'll see us. We have to keep moving."

"No they won't. Just trust me, Kay." He positioned himself behind me and squeezed in as close as space would allow, pressing me tightly against the wall and shielding me with his body. Was he going to let them shoot him first?

"Luke..." My statement was cut off by his hand clamping down over my mouth, just below my nose so I would be able to breathe.

As if reading my petrified thoughts, Luke leaned forward and whispered in my ear, his voice soft and reassuring. "I'm going to get us both out of this, Kay. Just trust me. Please. Don't move, okay?"

I nodded, but he didn't move his hand. Instead, he removed his backpack and tossed it deeper into the crevice, out of sight, after removing the black blanket he kept for emergencies. He covered us both with it, pressing his body firmly against mine to make us as small as possible. With any luck, the blanket would blend in with our bleak surroundings and camouflage us.

Mere minutes later, I heard hurried footsteps approaching and words I don't feel compelled to repeat. The footsteps halted suddenly.

Right behind us.

My breath caught in my throat. Luke leaned into me a little more and pressed his hand harder over my mouth, trying to keep me calm. I could feel him shaking, or was that me? I didn't know at that point. All I knew was that either I was about to have a near-term experience, meet Jesus, or go through hell.

Near death experience, near death experience.

As quickly as the footsteps had arrived, they disappeared in the direction they came from. Several seconds of complete silence passed before Luke finally let me go.

He wrapped his arms around me from behind and held me tightly. "Were gonna be okay, Kay. They missed us."