The Cabin on the Lake

Escape

I’m laying on a hard surface and everything is pitch black. I feel around me and realize I’m inside something. Just then I’m lurched forward and hit the hard side. That’s when I realize I’m in the trunk of a vehicle. I furiously look for the release to get out. I find it and wait for the vehicle to slow down before I jump out. My head hurts like hell and my vision is a little blurry, but when I get the chance I run to the woods. I hear the breaks, then car doors slamming. s**t! I try to run faster, but my head hurts so badly and I can’t focus. Someone grabs my arm and I scream before pulling my arm free. The movement makes me lose my balance and I lurch forward. I didn’t see the ravine before falling. I hear the men yelling at each other before everything goes dark again.

The cold night air wakes me from my sleep. It takes me a while to realize where I am. I see lights above me and hear people calling out. My body hurts everywhere and I groan with the movement. I’m not sure I can get up. I hear voices again and I’m silent, please don’t be Thad. My ex is more relentless than I give him credit for. That’s when I hear him.

“MAGGIE! MAGGIE!” I’m here! I try to respond but my head is throbbing and I can’t move. It’s not Thad and I could cry with joy. The lights and voices are moving away from me. No!

“Help!” I try to respond but my voice is weak. ’Help!” Louder this time but I know they can’t hear me. I try to sit up this time. “HELP!”

“MAGGIE!”

“I’m here!” I yell back.

“Maggie! I’m coming!” Kane yells back to me. I fall back to the ground, relieved. Kane. I’m so grateful to hear his voice I start to cry. I see lights at the top of the ravine.

“Kane!” I wave my arms to get his attention and shield my eyes from the light.

“Stay right there Maggie! Don’t move. I go in and out of consciousness while Kane and the others figure out a safe way to get to me. The ravine is steep and rocky. I wake to the feel of arms around me.

“Kane.” I whisper.

“I’ve got you Mags. Stay with me. We’re almost there.” His soothing voice puts me at ease and I hold on to him tighter.

“Kane.”

There’s an annoying beeping that wakes me. I can tell I’m in a bed with blankets over me but I can’t open my eyes. I feel like I got hit by a bus. Everything hurts but not as bad as before and I groan trying to stretch.

“Maggie, don’t move baby.” Kane says, placing a hand on my arm. “They have you hooked up to everything right now. I’ll go get the nurse.” Kane kisses my head before I hear the door open and close. I try to lick my dry lips and I can tell there’s a mask over my nose and mouth. What in the world happened? Kane and a nurse come in and I feel Kane hold my hand. I slowly open my eyes to look around the hospital room.

“Welcome back dear. How are you feeling? Are you in pain?” She asks as she checks my IV bag.

“Yes.” I whisper hoarsely. “My head is throbbing.” I say grimacing.

“That is to be expected. I’ll let the doctor know you’re awake so he can give you details of your injuries. You have a concussion, a broken ankle, cracked rib, and a small fracture in your right arm.” Well I guess that would be why I feel like I got by a bus. “You also have two black eyes and judging from your nails, you really fought back.” I glance at Kane and he looks like he’s ready to kill someone. “The police will be by to ask you a few questions about what happened. I’ll give you a small dose of morphine for pain and will give you more after you talk to them.” I nod my head in understanding.

“Thank you.”

“No problem dear. Press this button if you need me.” She places a device in my hand and closes my fingers around it. Once she leaves the room I turn to Kane.

“Hi.” I say, not really knowing where to start. He takes a deep breath and kisses my hand.

“Hi. Are you ok? Are you up to talking to the police?”

“Yeah, although, I really don’t remember much. Kane, how did you know where to look for me?” He shook his head and holds up my Apple watch that he insisted I have.

“I was able to find you on the locator. One of the guests heard the commotion and called 911, we were about 10 minutes behind you. When I realized the tracker lead us to the woods, I worried they tossed the watch out and we were chasing an animal that found the device. When I heard your voice I...” His voice cracks and he looks away. “Mags I was so worried about you.” I squeeze his hand.

“I was so scared. Thank you for finding me Kane.” Just then two officers come in and we go through everything that happened. I wish I knew where Thad and Jack were headed so that they could find them and arrest them. They are going to put a watch on Jack’s accounts and try to catch him that way.

“By the way Miss, you did a great job getting away from those men. Not everyone knows how to escape from a car trunk.” The two of them leave and soon after, the doctor comes in. He explains the ankle surgery they did and what my recovery looks like. The concussion has him concerned but they want me to stay for another 2 days to make sure I’m ok.

“You should get some rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.” Kane says kissing my hand again.

“Kane, you should go home and sleep. We have guests at the house.”

“The guests are taken care of, nothing to worry about there. I arranged for my cousin to stay there and she knows what to do. My new manager has the bar covered so I can stay here with you. I’ve got you Mags.” I take his hand up to my cheek and lean into his touch.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you Kane.” He moves his thumb across my bottom lip.

“I love you Maggie.”