their safe (part 1)

Prologue

I grew up in my grandfather’s house. He was very wealthy and he didn’t like girls. I was just a pretty face to him, so I was raised to be that pretty face. He showed me off at his parties and when he had to travel for work I had to go and behave “Like a little angel.”
Grandfather had a couple of men who worked for him. Kevin worked in the office and Keith worked on the estate. They’re my dad’s they do all the dad and mom stuff with me. Shopping for clothes (which they both hate but do away) helping with home work and teaching me right and wrong. They get that part wrong sometimes. I’m sure I don’t do that much wrong. Oh well they love me and the boys.
See grandfather really likes boys. They’re useful, they can work and learn, earn money for their families. (according to him I can’t do any of that stuff). Grandfather had one child, my mom (another girl). So, he decided to adopt boys to carry on the family. We now have 33 boys living here. These boys have all been hurt in some way. Grandfather goes to the boy’s home and talks to them the ones he thinks need the most help he brings home. They’re my brothers and I love them. One thing he has taught them is to ALWAYS protect me. They are all older than me and most of them are big (6 feet or more). I call the house the haven.
When I was six a man tried to grab e while we were leaving a play in New York. The boys stopped him and I don’t know what happened to him after that.
It happened again when I was 10 and 14. The boys always stopped it and I knew I was safe. It took me along time to understand why one of them was always with me, but grandfather did when I was 5 and then the kidnappings started. They were there to keep me safe. Because the protected me so much I was afraid they would get hurt.
This is a story about how one of them got hurt trying to help me.

their safe (part 2)

Chapter 1

The boys have always been around but the past 3 weeks I can’t go anywhere alone. I don’t get it I’m safe here at home. There is no why anyone outside can get past security. The dad’s have worked on it for years and Childress Haven Estate is better protected than the White House. Some of our guys worked for the president before they came here.
I know that some of the alarms are malfunctioning and going off but nothing is ever there when they go to check it out.
The dad’s worry too much, nothing will happen to me at home.
Chapter 2

Chris and I spent the morning riding our horses, mime is better and I tell him that as we are returning to stables. He laughs, shakes his head and helps me down. We walk back to the house for lunch.
“What are you doing, this afternoon, Alizabeth?” Keven asks me.
“Taking a shower, then I’ll find something to do. Why I do need to do something for you?”
“No just wanted to know where you will be.”
“Chris will you help me with my bicycle?” asks Jackson. “The chain is to lose.”
“Sure.”
Chris and Jackson are sitting out front of the house.
“Where’s Alizabeth Chris?” Kevin yells as he runs into the foyer.
“She was taking a shower, why?”
“The alarms are going off all over the estate. I don’t what’s happening. Get her out of here until we figure it out.”
Chris is already half way up the steps and moving fast. He opens my bedroom door and finds me asleep on my bed.
“Baby, wake up we need to go.” Chris is trying not to frighten me.
I jump and look at him. Eyes wide:
“What’s wrong?”
“Not sure we just need to get your panic bag and go for a little bit.”
I jump up, grab Chris’ hand, we get my bag out of the closet. We run to his room and get his bag then go down stairs.
“I’ve got her dad. Where are we going?” Chris asks as we come down.
“I don’t know call in about a half hour and I’ll tell you. This night be nothing and you can come back here. Alizabeth don’t worry, just do what Chris says and you’ll be fine.” Kevin can see I’m panicking and he is trying to keep me calm but I can see something is wrong on his face.
“Ok dad.” I try to let him see I’m ok but we all know I’m not. “Please be careful.”
“Don’t worry just listen to Chris.”
Chris and I get in the car waiting at the door. He’s driving and I’m holding tight to his arm with both hands. I’m so scared I can barely breathe but I know Chris will take care of me.
We fly down the long curving drive around a curve and a vas has the road blocked. Chis gets stopped almost hitting it.
“What the devil is that doing here?” Chris yells as he puts the car in reverse. But there is a man standing beside my door pointing a gun at my head.
“Turn the car off or I shoot her. I won’t miss and I can hit a moving target.” He says.
Chris turns the car off, he’ll have to figure something else out.
“Get out of the car little girl.” He says to me.
I looked at Chris and he nods his head. I get out of the car and the man grabs me and pulls me up against him.
“Now you get out of the car and get into the back of the van.” He says to Chris and pulls my hair hard making me cry out
Chris does as he is told always looking for a way to stop this.
In the back of the van there are two seats with ankle and wrist restraints on them.
“Sit down and lock your feet and hand in.” the man tells Chris.
Again, Chris does as he’s told still looking for a way out.
“Don’t I know you? Your one of the Sheppard’s, aren’t you?” Chris asks trying to distract him.
“Yeah I am, now shut up and buckle up.”
After Chris is locked in the man leans down to me and says: “I’m Tommy, and you my cousin.” Then he picks me up and throws me into the van, jumping in after me. Before I stop rolling he locks Chris’ other hand in and grabs me by my hair. Shoving me into the other seat he locks me in then gets out and closes the door.
Chris has been fighting against his restraints tying to get to me.
“Are you ok baby?” He’s still pulling trying to get free. I can see the blood on his arms where he’s hurt yourself.
“No! But stop hurting yourself. I’m scared and I wanna go home. Where is he taking us?” I’m crying, my head hurts from him pulling my hair and everything else hurts from where he threw me into the van.
“I don’t know. Just do as he says and we’ll figure something out. I’m sorry Alizabeth, I should have been faster getting away from the van.” Chris is still pulling trying to get free.
“It’s ok just help me now.”
“I’m trying.”

their safe (part 3)

Chapter 3

We drive around for what feels like hours. then we stop Tommy gets out and back in we move a little then he gets out and back in again. We drive for just a few more minutes the we stop and he comes to the back.
“Now your going to be a very good boy and do everything I say so I don’t have to hurt your sister.” He tells Chris after he opens the back of the van. Pointing the gun at my head he releases one of Chris’ hands. “Let yourself free and move to the door.”
Chris does slowly, but he knows it is to risky to try and grab Tommy while he is pointing the gun at my head.
Tommy unbuckles my hands and feet, pulling me against him again.
“There’s a door on the ground right in front of you. Open it up and go to the bottom of the steps.” He’s very calm and that’s worse because we can feel he’s thought this part out. Chris does as he’s told.
At the bottom of the steps Chris turns and looks back up to us.
“Move over to the wall and face it.” Tommy slowly walks me down the steps. At the bottom he moves sideways so he doesn’t have to turn his back to Chris. we move through an open door on the left into a big room with a cell on one side.
“Come on in and close the door behind you.” Tommy is holding onto me tighter as Chris moves into the room. When he closes the door, it bounces off the walls. “Lock it!” there is a dead bolt and I pad lock on the door. Chris locks both.
“Now move into the cell and put the collar around your neck and then fasten one hand in. you’re going to get a show.” Tommy is excited about what is going to happen. I can feel the difference.
“I don’t want a show I want you to let my sister go!” Chris is really angry, more than I’ve ever seen him, he’s a little scary too.
Tommy laughs and shoves me into the wall, he calmly walks over to where Chris is mostly tied up. Chris grabs him with his free hand. “Run Alizabeth!!!” He yells at me.
I get up and run toward the door but before I get there I hear Chris make a sound I’d never hear before, when I turn around Tommy is using a Taser on him.
“If you don’t come back he’ll die.” He’s enjoying hurting Chris. I don’t know what to do so, I moved back into the room and he stopped. “Chris are you ok?” I ask.
He doesn’t say anything but nods his head.
Laughing Tommy locks Chris’ other hand in: Chris has a collar around his neck, and straps around both hands, he is fastened to a pole that runs from floor to ceiling, he’s shaking from being shocked and still really angry.
“That’s better. I don’t want either of you to miss this.” He says as he walks out of the cell and locks the door. Chris on the inside tied up and me on the outside with a very happy looking Tommy.
Tommy walks over to me and back hands me across the face. I fall and Chris starts fighting his restraints.
“You okay cuz?” tommy asks with mock concern.
“Why are you calling her cuz? She’s nothing to you!” Chris yells trying to keep him away from me.
Tommy turns to look at him and pushes a button beside the door Chris is being shocking again.
“Stop, please stop.” I beg as I stand up. I hurt all over, but he’s hurting Chris worse.
“I’m in charge and if I want to do this then I can.” He says as he pushes the button again. He releases the button and moves toward me, I’m expecting him to hit me again, but this time he kicks me in the stomach. I fall, Chris fights, Tommy laughs and presses the button.

their safe (part 4)

Chapter 4
“Why hasn’t he called?” says Kevin.
“Don’t worry, Chris will take care of her.” Keith tries to calm him down. “We’re all worried but we have to keep calm and remember he can take care of what ever happens. They all could, we trained them.”
“Yes, we did and that training included following orders. Something has happened.”
“Dad, I found Chris’ car. It was over the hill next to the lake. Their bags are still in it.” Says Mark as he runs into the library.
“Call Agent Morgan and tell him what’s happened. He’ll get it started.” Kevin tells Keith. To Mark: “Was there any blood or anything like that?”
“No. I couldn’t see anything wrong except it was over the hill. I didn’t move it but I think it can be driven back up.” Mark is as worried as everyone else. “Dad why would Chris have taken Alizabeth out of the car? And why hasn’t he brought her back here?”
“I don’t know son, I don’t know.” Kevin pats Mark on the back. “Go get cleaned up.”
“They’ve been gone about an hour and a half.” Keith is on the phone with Agent Morgan, a friend and FBI agent. “The alarms were going off and we thought it would be best to get her out of here.”
“Okay. We’ll see you when you get here.”
“Kevin, Agent Morgan will be here soon with his team their gonna want to talk to Mark about the car and see it.” Keith looks at Kevin and says what both of them are thinking “Do we pay or call it a bluff?”
Kevin puts his arms around Keith and says. “I don’t know, but I’m afraid this is different.”
Three days later there still been no word from Chris and I at home. Every on is sure we’re probably dead.

their safe (part 5)

Chapter 5

I’m beginning to wish I was dead. Tommy hasn’t really stopped hitting me. He’s said he’s punishing me for something. I just don’t know what I did. I’m trying to be strong and not give up but is seem so hopeless.
“Wake up little girl we need to talk.” Tommy came back in to the room and see’s me on the floor curled into a ball.
“I said get up!” he grabs me and pulls me up. I whimper because moving hurts so much. He shoves me into a chair and then squats down in front of me.
“That’s better. So, you want to know why I’m so mad at you?”
I just look at him. I don’t know how to deal with this, they protected me from everything. Chris is hurt badly and can’t help me. I don’t know what to do. I just want him to stop.
“I’ll tell you even if you don’t want to know. Your grandfather took my grandmother and married her. That’s right your grandmother was mine too.”
He watches to see my reaction. I didn’t care I was in to much pain. He slaps me, because I didn’t respond.
“What do you think about that? You didn’t think you had any family, but here I am.” He says like he’s giving me a gift. Then he punches me.
“See granmama was a happily married woman with a baby, my dad. But ol’ George he liked her, wanted her for himself. Of course, she thought he should get whatever he wanted. Just like you, you get what you want from everyone. Well you get it from the unimportant ones anyway.”
“I wanna go home.” I whisper. He laughs.
“He pursued her and she refused. She loved her husband and didn’t want to leave him. But good ol’ George didn’t care he was use to getting everything, just like you. He kept coming at her until she was afraid he would hurt her family so she gave in and left them. Imagine leaving your loved ones to protect them. Well she did, divorced grandpa and married George. They had a baby, your mama, then gran died. Think he killed her because she had a girl. You’d know all about that wouldn’t you.” He hit me again and I fall to the floor. He pushes the button and Chris jerks around. He is enjoying hurting us.
I can’t talk, can’t move my jaw, don’t really care anymore anyway. I just want Chris out and safe. I’m going to black out and maybe he will leave me alone.
“Well I have to go to work, can’t let the boss down, she’s a real witch and might fire me.” He laughs.
He picks me up and tosses me into the cell with Chris, he’s barely moving every time he gets shocked he moves less.
“I’ll let you two rest for a while then I’ll come back and finish this.” He says as he leaves locking the door and turning out the lights.
After a while Chris starts talking to me.
“Alizabeth baby I need your help.” He can barely talk he’s so weak, but he also knows this may be our only chance go get away.
“Alizabeth!!! Come here now!!!” he is shouting at me to make me move. “Alizabeth you have to help me, I’m going to die before he gets back.”
“No, you can’t.” I whisper.
“I need you to listen to me. I can’t take much more before I die. Please you have to help me.” I don’t know now but he really isn’t that bad he just needs my help. And I won’t let him dye.
Slowly I crawl over to him.
“Baby look up, see the drain pipe.”
I roll over and look at the top of the cell, there is a small opening. I nod my head, but I don’t understand what he wants me to do. I just want all of this to end for me, but Chris has to get out.
“Baby you have to climb out through the pipe and go get help. I can’t get free and I wouldn’t fit. If you don’t do this I’m going to die.”
“It’s to high. I can’t Chris please I’m sorry.”
“Alizabeth please. Try.” Chris is not talking very loudly and he’s crying.
“Chris, I can’t move. Chris?”
“It’s okay. I understand, I love you sis. Make sure you tell dad and the guys that I love them too.” He whispered and then stops moving.
“Chris?! Okay I’ll try. Please just hold on.”
I have to get out, I have to save him, they are always protecting me. This time I have to protect him. I move toward the pipe slowly, moving still hurts almost too much. Almost, I have to get out and get Chris help. As I climb every move makes me cry out, doesn’t matter have to save Chris. Finally, I get to the top.
“Chris, I made it. Please just hold on.”
I look around and realize we’re not far from the house.
“Chris, I know where we are, I can get help. Chris?!” he doesn’t respond. I’m sure I’m going to be too late but I have to try. As I start moving I keep thinking of him it makes it easier to move. I can run now. I’m in a field not far from the boat house and pond. At the fence I stop. I can’t get over this, but I think about Chris and climb over. I start running again, there’s a phone in the boat house.

their safe (part 6)

Chapter 6
The phone in the office rings. Keith walks in and answers and realizes it’s one of the estate phones.
“Hello?”
“Keith, help us, Chris is dying. Please come help me.” I can’t talk because I’m so happy to hear him.
“Alizabeth, baby, where are you?” he asks as he turns and yells “Kevin it’s her.”
“Baby, where are you? We’ll be right there. Just tell me where you are.”
The family ran into the office.
“At the boat house. The field across. Please he’s dying. Hurry help him.” I’m trying to calm down and tell them where we are. I need them here now.
“Please help me. Please.”
“Calm down we’re on the way.” The others are already out the houses.
“She’s at the boat house,” Keith is telling then as they ran out of the house. “she said Chris is dying and she’s panicked.”
“Is she okay?” Kevin.
“No!!”
They drive down to the boat house, jump out of the car.
“Alizabeth!” they are all yelling.

their safe (part 7)

Chapter 7

After I hung up the phone I ran back to Chris. “Their coming, Chris are you still there? Chris?”
“Beth I’m here.” He’s so weak I can barely hear him.
“Alizabeth!” I can hear them yelling.
“Here, we’re here. Hurry. He’s dying, hurry! Chris it’s dad; their here.”
I’m hyped up now I can no longer feel the pain. I need them to hurry, Chris is dying.
“Hurry, hurry! Chris!!!”
“Alizabeth, honey, where are you?” Kevin can hear me but can’t find me.
“Here Kevin. Hurry, hurry!!!”
Finally, they run up to me. I point to the pipe. I try to get them to understand that he is in there and trouble. I want to help get him out. Kevin and Keith ran up to me and try to get me out of the way.
“Sit here with Vin, let us get in there.” Keith passes me off to one of my brothers. I’m still fighting, to get back to Chris. I know he’s dying and I need to get to him.
“He’s down there, please dad get him out. The pipe is too little for him too get out through. Maybe one of the smaller boys can get down there. Please hurry!” I’ve started crying and fight. I need to get him out.
“Matthew and Neil have already gone down there, sit still and let us work.” Keith tries to get me to focus so I’ll calm down, he afraid I’m going to hurt myself more. But I need Chris out.
“It’s bad dad, he’s alive but not for long. There’s no way to get him out through this pipe but there is a door down here, if you can find it we can get him out. Hurry there is some kind of electric shock happening to him every minute or so.” Matthew is talking very calmly but he thinks he’s watching his brother dye.
I heard him and I know where the door is. I jerk out of Vin’s arms and rung down the hill. “Here the door is here.” I shout at them.
“Vin hold her before she hurts herself more!!” Kevin snaps at Vin who can’t hold me even with all of his muscles.
“I’m trying dad but it’s like she’s crazy, with strength. I can’t hold her she’s too strong.” Vin is trying to hold me back.
Dewayne moves over to help him.
“Baby, loot at me.” He’s calmer than the rest as he sat down in front of us. “Look at me!” He gets my attention and holds onto my face so I can’t look away.
“You’ve got to be still we can’t get to Chris if we’re trying to keep you still. Look at me!” he repeats the command trying to focus me. I look straight into his eyes and say:
“He’s already dead isn’t he. I was too slow. He tried to help me but he couldn’t. please Wayne help him.” I’m falling apart now that I’m not fighting to get free.
“He isn’t dead and we’ve got the door open to get him out. Just calm down and let Vin hold you so you don’t hurt yourself more.”

their safe (part 8)

Chapter 8

While they are trying to hold me Keith and Donnie are trying to get the door open.
“Donnie get something out of the car to pry open this door.” Keith said.
“Dad Matthew says he’s stopped talking.” Mark yells from the whole.
“Here.” Donnie gives Keith a crow bar. They break open the door.
“There’s another door. Matthew can hear you, but you need to hurry.” Mark
“He’s started talking but barely. We can’t get the buckles loose, their locked with pad locks. We’ll need cutters. We’re also in some kind of cell. I can’t get that door open either.” Matthew yells.
“Keep him talking we need to do this one at a time.” Keith turns and tells the boys. “One of you go get the cutters.”
The door had a dead bolt lock. The crow bar won’t fit in between the door and the jam.”
“We need something to break the door down.”
“Maybe if we all kick it we can get it open.” Donnie is trying to hit it with his shoulders.
“Wait together. Kevin get down here!” Keith and Donnie make room for Kevin.
Together they slam into the door, it gives. “Again.” Keith says. They hit it several more times and finally it busts open.
“Dad find the power and turn it off. If it stops shocking him he will last longer.” Matthew is trying to get the collar off but can’t. “Dad he needs you to hurry.”
Keith and Kevin try to find where it’s coming from. Donnie and mark try to get the cell door open.
“Is she ok Matt?” Chris is so worried about me he doesn’t seem to notice how badly he’s hurt.
“She’s fine, she’s with the others outside worrying about you. Save your energy and we’ll get you out of here ad to the hospital with her.” Matthew is talking to him trying to get him to calm down.
“He’s been beating her the whole time. She has to be broken all over. Matt, I tried but I couldn’t get her out.” Chris is fighting the restraints trying to get Matt to understand and help me.
“I know buddy. We’ll get her to the hospital after we get you out. She’s safe, she’s with dad. Let us get you out and you can see her.”
“Found it! Matt see if the power is still coming through?” Keith found the switches.
“Yes, the power is stronger now.”
Chris is crying in pain now.
Keith moves all the switches to off and that makes it stronger.
“I’m going to cut the main power, it’s going to get dark!” Keith said and everything went dark but it has stopped shocking Chris.
“Now we can’t see to get him out.” Donnie and Mark are trying to pry the cell door open.
“Boys get some lights fast.” Kevin yells.
“Dad is Alizabeth safe, he wouldn’t stop beating her. Make sure he can’t get to her.” Chris is still fighting to get free.
“She’s safe son. She’s with your brothers.” Keith had moved across to the cell.
“The key is over near the outside door. I saw him put it here when he left.” Chris is trying to help and is calming down. He is able to stand on his own not that he isn’t being shocked.
“Kevin hurry with the light!” at that same moment Kevin comes in with a flash light.
“He says the key is near the door. I didn’t see it.”
Kevin found the key on the floor. They get the cell door open and move to get Chris free.
“Chris I’m going to cut the locks. Lean on your brothers.”
“Okay. Don’t shocked.”
“The powers off. Don’t worry about anything.”
Keith and Kevin cut the lock from his collar. He slumps down being held up by his arms. They quickly cut him free. Chris slides down to the floor. He can’t stop shacking, the relief from being free and still worried about me.
“Give me a minute.”
“Take your time son, Alizabeth is safe and so are you now.” Kevin says as he leans down next to him.
“Dad there’s something you need to know.” Chris
“Later, don’t worry now, just relax.”
“Please I need….”
“Let’s get you two to the hospital.” Keith can see Chris will sleep soon and knows he needs to get him to Alizabeth. “Alizabeth will be better when she sees you free. You will relax when you see she’s safe.”
“Okay but…”
“Come on let’s go.” Kevin and Keith keep interrupting him.
Chris lets them help him out of the cell and up the steps. When I see him, I fight to get to him and away from Vin and Dewayne. Mark puts a blanket around Chris trying to stop his shacking.
“We need to get him to the car then you can sit with him.”
“Okay. I just need to get to him.”
“Just a minute and we will take both of you to the hospital.”
Once in the back of the car Chris tries to talk to talk to them again, but they aren’t listening. I climb in and crawl onto his lap. He wraps the blanket around both of us.
“You okay, baby?” he whispers into my hair.
“I am now, are you?” I whisper back snuggling in closer. Now that he’s free I realize how much pain I’m in, but we’re safe now.
Kevin is in the driver seat, Keith beside him. Vin and Dewayne are in the back with us. Dad starts the car but Chris yells.
“Dad wait!!”
“What is it son, we need to get you to the hospital.” Keith turns a worried face to Chris.
“He works for us.” Chris says. “He doesn’t know you found us, you need to go get him before he can get away.”
“What do you mean he works for us? Who is he?” Kevin turns around.
The other boys have moved up to the car.
“What’s wrong dad.”
Kevin holds up his hand
“He’s one of the sheppards and he’s at work right now. His name is Tommy, he’s that young skinny kid who has lived here with his family. His grandfather and father both worked here too.” Chris talks calmly now that they are listening. He is holding tight to me.
“Chris, ease up on her you’re hurting her.” Vin says.
Chris looks down. “Sorry, baby.” He says as he loosens his hold on me.
“I know that kid, he’s always talking to the sheep.”
“That’s him.”
“If you know him Keith take some of the boys and another car out there and get him. I’ll get to the ER. You can get that kid to Agent Morgan, then come to the hospital.”
Keith nods, turns to us, smiles and gets out of the car.
“Vin, Dewayne, Mark, Donnie, and David come with me the rest of you go with Kevin.”
“Are you sure don’t want more of us going with you?” Robert asks.
“No, I don’t want to many there so we don’t spook him into running. We can do it, you stay with dad.”
Everyone moves to their cars.

their safe (part 9)

Chapter 9


As Keith drives he gives instructions:
“They are shearing tonight he’ll be in the barn. When we get there, I want each of you to go to a door. I’ll give you about 3 minutes then I’ll go in and talk to Donald. I’m going to pretend I’m just checking on things and walk toward the kid. If he runs you guys be ready to stop him.”
“We’ll stop alright!” says Donnie.
“Yeah.” The other eco.
“Boys I know how you feel, he hurt your brother and sister, but we don’t want to hurt him if we can help it.” Keith knows that if they get the chance they will kill him but he doesn’t want them to have to deal with the guilt later.
“Why?”
“Because you don’t need that guilt. I know you don’t think you will but trust me you will. He’s done enough damage without that.”
“We’ll listen to you, but I can’t promise I won’t kick the hell out of him it I can.” Vin says.
“I will agree to that.” Keith relents. He pulls up to the barn.
“Go quickly, don’t let him out of here. Be careful he’s crazy and won’t care to hurt any one of us.”
The boys move to the doors as fast as they can. Three minutes later Keith walks through the door and looks around. He sees Donald and then Tommy.
“Keith, I didn’t expect to see you. Have you found them?” Donald says as he walks up to Keith.
“No, I had to get out of the house for a few minutes. How’s it going here?” Keith is slowly walking toward Tommy.
“Fine, we’re ahead of schedule. Most of these guys have worked her for years so they are fast.”
“Good.” Keith stops behind Tommy, he’s almost finished with his sheep. “You like this work kid?” Keith would love to grab him but doesn’t want to hurt the sheep.
“Yeah, its cool. They find the girl yet?” Tommy finished and stood up.
Keith steps closer. “Yes!”
Tommy froze of a second, then turned and ran. He opened the door and ran right into Mark. Mark didn’t hesitate, he punches Tommy hard in the gut. Tommy drops to the ground. Mark started to hit him again but Keith stopped him.
“No.” He firmly told Mark. “Back off.” Pulled him away. The other boys ran up.
Tommy is laying there gasping for breath.
“How did you find her. I was careful. I know you couldn’t find her. I should have killed her sooner, but it was fun making her hurt. My dad deserved better from me.”
Keith bends down and drags him to his feet. “Let’s get you to the FBI, shall we? You can tell them everything.”

their safe (part 10)

Chapter 10

Kevin drove us to the hospital as fast as he can. With every bump in the road I whimper. Now that I know we’re safe I am feeling all the pain.
“It’s okay baby. We’ll be there in a minute.” Chris is doing his best to take care of me even though he’s in pain too.
Robert put his hand on Chris’s leg. “She will be okay. We’ll take care of her, you worry about yourself.”
Chris looked at him and the tears start to fall, but he shakes his head. He doesn’t want me to see him fall apart.
We pull into the ER and they run into get help they get 2 gurney’s and nurses. Sean lifts me onto one. Matt and David help Chris onto the other. They roll us into the hospital. The nurses try to put us into separate rooms.
“No! With him!! Please!” I yell.
The nurse looks at the doctor and he says “Keep them together for now.”
They put us beside each other and start checking us out.
“We need to get you x-rayed. Your family will have to wait here.” The nurse is calm and gentle. “I know your scared but I will take care of you.”
“Can one of them come please? I don’t want to be alone.”
“That’s fine who do you want?”
“Doesn’t mater just one of them.”
“I’ll go.” Robert walks up to me and takes my hand he walks with me into the x-ray room.
“Do you want to stand back here with me or you want an apron?”
“An apron, I’m staying right with her.”

Chapter 11

While I’m in x-ray the doctor is checking Chris out.
“You have 2nd and 3rd degree burns on your neck and wrists. You’re dehydrated, and I’m sure traumatized. We’ll treat you with IV fluids and burn creams. You’ll have to stay a few days. While you are here we’ll get our mental health people in here to talk to you.”
“Not here. After we get hoe and Alizabeth isn’t close.” Chris interrupts him. “She can’t know how bad this is. She has to be okay, she’s the important one.”
“You’re both important and we can give you separate rooms, if that will help.” The doctor says.
“No, I need to be able to see that she’s okay.”
“Are you sure I don’t want to make things harder for you.”
“I know, but I need to see her. It will help.” Chris is trying to explain but he breaks down and can’t talk.
“It’s okay son, let it out, you don’t need to talk about it, we understand.” Kevin puts his arms around Chris and starts rocking him.
“Dad, I can’t do this right now.” Chris pulls himself together, later he’ll deal with this.
“Al right son. But you don’t have to take care of her now. We are here to take care of both of you.”
“Let’s get him patched up and into a room. We can put your sister in that room when we get her ready.” The makes doctor notes for and turns toward Kevin. “You want to learn before he goes home how to treat the burns.”
“No, Keith is the mom in this family, so he can learn, when Chris has gotten some better.” Kevin looks over at Chris and sees the smile he was hoping to see.

their safe (part 11)

Chapter 12


Keith drags Tommy to his feet. He tries to get away and run but the boys are all around him.
“Go ahead try it.” Growls Dewayne. “We’d love you to run.”
“Wayne.” Keith wars.
“Dad you can’t tell me you don’t want him to try something. Just one chance to clobber him would be nice. We all saw what he did to Alizabeth and Chris.”
“Of course, I’d like to but I don’t want the guilt that you boys will have. Now let’s get him to town. We need to get to the hospital and see how they are.” Keith is trying to control his anger because he knows he is setting the example for the boys. Inside he would love to beat him to death.
Agent Morgan meets them at the ER with other agents to take Tommy away.
“We’ll question him tomorrow. I have a team on their way to where he had them.” Agent Morgan tell Keith as the other boys run in to see about us.
“We left the door and gate open. One of our cars on the side of the road close to it.” Keith shoves Tommy into the other agents and walk with Agent Morgan into the hospital.
Most of the family is sitting in the waiting room.
“How are they?” Vin asks as they walk in.
“Chris has 2nd and 3rd degree burns. But he’ll be fine. Might have scars. Alizabeth is still in x-ray. Rob is with her.” Matthew tell them. “Did you get the guy?”
Chapter 13

“Alizabeth I know you’re hurting so we will do this as quickly as possible.” The x-ray tech says.
“Rob, where are you?”
“I’m right here baby.” He moves closer so I can see him.
After the x-rays I’m moved back to the ER but Chris is gone.
“Where is he, what happened? Why isn’t he here?!?!” I try to get up.
“It’s alright, he’s already in your room as soon as your ready you will be with him again.” Keith calms me down.
“Kevin went with him. He is fine baby let’s get you up there.”
“Okay. I want to sleep now.”
“Go ahead, I’ll talk to your dad if that’s alright with you.” The doctor says.
I just nod and pull Rob’s hand closer to my face.
“There isn’t anything broken, I don’t know how he managed that. She’s going to be in pain but it won’t take as long this way. She’s dehydrated just like he is, we can treat that with fluids, the pain with medications. The trauma is something she will have to work through with other help. Mostly she needs rest and family. Once we get her in their room will give her something to help with pain and sleep.”
“What every you think. She needs rest I can see that. How long will it take to get both of them rehydrated?”
“Couple of days. I know you have a doctor on the estate, he can take over in the morning and determine how long they need to stay here. Chris is actually worse with the burns. It will take him longer to heal. Your doctor may want to get a burn expert to check him out just as an extra precaution.”
“I can call him when we get home dad and let him know he need to come here.” Rob offers.
“Okay. You stay with Alizabeth. I’m going to go tell the others what going on and then you boys can go home.”
“You might have a hard time getting us all to leave.” Rob sort of smiles and looks down at me.
Keith smiles back. “We need you boys to get rest and keep things running at home, so Kevin and I can take care of these two tell they can come home. You can come back and see then two or three at a time. It will probably be better for them not to have all of you here at once anyway.”
“That’s a good idea. These two need rest.” The doctor agrees.
“I’ll go talk to the others.”

their safe (part 12)

Chapter 14

“Boys.” Keith calls everyone together. “They’re going to be okay Alizabeth doesn’t have anything broke which is good. She’s bruised all over and that’s going to take time to heal. They are both dehydrated and need fluids. Chris has the burns and is actually worse than she is. Kevin and I are going to stay here with them. I want you boys to go home and keep everything running until they can come home too. I know you want to see them but for now they need rest. You can come back in 2s and 3s tomorrow to see them. Please help us out by letting us take care of them.” Keith is gentle but firm.
“Anything special that we need to do or just keep things going normally?” Matthew asks looking around at his brothers.
“I don’t know of any thing unusually happening this week but if something comes up you don’t know how to handle just give us can call.”
“You and dad are going to need rest too. I’ll agree to go home tonight but tomorrow night 2 of us will stay and you 2 go home.” Vin said.
“We’ll talk about that tomorrow.” Keith smiles at him. “I know you’re worried about them too.”
“Not just them, you and dad too. Dad hasn’t slept since this started and we all need him to be okay.”
“He’ll be fine now, but your right about the rest. Maybe we can go home tomorrow during the day and sleep. Then we can come back in the evening.” Keith doesn’t want to leave us but he knows the boys will need to help and see us.
“That’s a good idea. Now let’s give them time to sleep and go see what needs to be done at home. We’ll split your work up between us for the next week. Tell dad he needs to send out a reminder that all of his meetings are cancelled until further notice.” Robert Jr. told Keith.
“Thanks Robert. You boys work together and I’m going to put Robert Jr in charge. Don’t be hard on anyone.” Keith smiles at Robert Jr. because they all know he’s the least likely to be hard on anyone.
“Yes, sir.” Robert Jr. smiles and heads for the door.
Each of the boys gives Keith a hug as he leaves. After they’re gone Keith comes back into our room. He saw that all three of us are asleep. He sits down in the other recliner and closes his eyes. He knows that they are all going to be okay, but it’s going to take a while.

their safe (part 13)

Chapter 15

“No stop! Don’t hurt her! Please stop!” Chris screams as he sits straight up in the bed.
“Son it’s over you’re both safe.” Kevin rushes to his bed.
“Please don’t hurt her!”
“Shh. It’s okay son, it’s okay.” Kevin is trying to calm him down but he seems to still be asleep.
“Chris!!!” Kevin finally raises his voice to shock him awake.
“Dad? Where’s Alizabeth?” Chris is now looking around the room, looking for me.
“She’s right here. She safe and asleep.” Keith says as he moved the curtain between the beds so Chris can see me. After he sees me he calms down.
“I couldn’t stop it. I tried to get free. I didn’t know what to do. Oh, dad I messed up I should have never got out of the car. I could have back up and got us out of there.” He whispers and falls into dad’s open arms. He cries himself back to sleep.
“Keith, I knew he would feel like this. We have to help him again. He was like this when he and Lee came to us.”
“We’ll help him, we did before. She’ll be the best help when she’s rested and starts to heal. They are good for each other.” Keith helps dad lay Chris back on the bed. He gently covers him and kisses his forehead.
“Dad??” I wake up trying to understand where I am. “What’s going on? Where are we?” I can’t see very well because my eyes are swollen and the lights are low.
“It’s okay baby. You’re in the hospital. You got away and saved Chris. Your both doing fine.” Dad gently puts his arms around me and I start to cry.
“Is Chris really going to be okay. He kept getting shocked.”
“Yes, baby he’ll be okay, just has some burns and needs rest.”
“Tommy.” I say the name with contempt. “he enjoyed hurting us. He said he is my cousin. Is it true?” I know dad won’t lie to me.
“I don’t know who he is. Keith turned him over to Agent Morgan and he being questioned. He admitted to taking you two, so you don’t have to go to court. We just need to make sure there isn’t anyone helping him. We think he was alone but we have to be sure.” He sees the panic on my face when he mentions a possible helper.
“He never had anyone with him. Dad I wanna go home.”
“I know but the doctor wants you to stay at least tonight and Chris will have to stay a couple of days.”
“I’m not leaving without him. He tried so hard to get free. Tommy wouldn’t have hurt him as much if he hadn’t tried to get to me.” I’m getting hysterical again. “Why did he do that he kept getting himself hurt more and more.”
“Calm down. He did it because he loves you and you were being hurt. Tommy would have done it anyway. He’s crazy and he wanted to hurt all of us, I think. He knew taking you would drive the rest of us up a wall. And hurting you would only make it worse.”
“Rest now, you will be able to talk to Chris in the morning.” Keith gently lays me down pulling me from dad.
“Okay. You aren’t leaving us, right?”
“Of course, were not leaving tonight. The boys want to come stay tomorrow and let Kevin and I go home.”
“Ok. You two need rest too.” I say sleepily. I’m safe and so is Chris, I can sleep.