I'll Always Be His

Chapter 14

Hardin

After leaving, I made a phone call, and rounded up the boys. I don't care how dangerous it is. I was going to search these tunnels even if it took me the rest of my life or cost me it. I would find Tessa at all costs.

We all met up at the old wood factory. There was an entrance here somewhere according to the map. Everyone hopped out of their vehicles with somber looks on their faces. Actually, maybe they were more looks of determination. They all nodded in greeting as we came together at the front of my truck.

I told them about the map and my meeting with the historian. We agreed it was dangerous. I was definitely going in but I would leave it up to them if they were coming with me. I would risk my own life for Tessa but I wouldn't ask anyone else to. I didn't need to though. I knew they would all come with me willingly. Most, if not all of us, would do anything for Tessa.

We broke into one of the side doors to the building. It was dark and dusty inside. It smelled of wet earth and pine from all the years of lumber work and building decay. We used the flashlights my brother brought for light. We knew the entrance would be in the lowest level so that was where we headed first.

There were several doors at the bottom of the stairs. We checked them one by one. Going from room to room like mad men on a mission. In one of the side rooms on the east side of the building had what looked to be a decent sized closet in it. We knew we weren't looking for a door. These tunnels had long been shut off. They were probably hidden after being closed off. This room was odd though. It was an odd shape and in an odd spot for a closet. Not to mention it was three times the size of a normal closet. I had a feeling we were getting close.

In each room we had spread out to look for secret entrances or any hollow sounding areas in walls and floors that might have meant a sealed off entrance. This room was no different. We had been searching for about fifteen minutes when I found a hollow sound in some floor boards that should have had a concrete foundation underneath them. I started trying to pry them up with some of the tools we had brought in with us. Once we had pried all the ones up that didn't have a foundation underneath of them we discovered a square shaped covering. Once we lifted it we were face to face with a giant square in the ground.

It had steps that led off down into the darkness. I don't know what awaits down there but I was definitely not walking away. I look at the whole in the ground with trepidation but it wasn't going to stop me. I pointed the flash light down the stairs and took the first step down.

Tessa

There was a click and I felt the cuff come undone. I was free from the chain holding me to the wall but I wasn't free from this room or my captors. I examined the door and the lock on it. The lock must have been on the outside of the door because there was no way to unlock it from this side. Now I needed a new plan.

I walked back over and sat down, leaning head against the wall, and sighing. Why me? My head was still pounding and my stomach was growling. I just wanted to go home. To be curled up in my bed in my favorite PJs after a shower. A nice, hot, long shower; that's exactly what I wanted right now.

I reached up to check the wound on my head. It wasn't bleeding anymore but it was a pretty deep gash in my head. That explains the killer head ache. I let the random thoughts drown out the drums beating in my head. I needed a new plan. They brought me food. I'm sure they will bring me food again at some point. Especially, if the food they brought is gone. I took the food over and dumped it in the corner. It wasn't dark enough you couldn't see but it was dark enough that the corners of the room were draped in dark shadows.

I hated waiting but then I had time to formulate the rest of my plan. I knew I had to make it look like I was still chained up but then what? should I act like I'm unconscious? They might not bring any food in then. If I'm awake and alert they might knock me out again. Only one person brought food the last time. If I'm alert they might bring others. Maybe it's just them. I don't even know how many captors I have or how many are here in this place.

What if I do manage to get out of this room? I don't know where I am or how to get out of here. I could be on an island surrounded by shark infested waters for all I knew. I need to focus which is so hard to manage when you have a marching band stampeding through your head.

First, I needed to get out of this room. I'd have to wing the rest as I go since I didn't know what was on the other side of that door. Maybe I should make some noise to get their attention. I could pretend I'm gravely injured. I don't know if that would work though. I don't know why they took me or why they are keeping me alive in the first place. Maybe they are gonna kill me anyways when they get whatever they want. Me, gravely injured, may not be high on their list if they see it as a means to an end anyways.

In the end I'd decided to lay my shackle around my ankle. I curled up in the fetal position and hugged my ankles keeping my knees at my chest. I used my hair to my advantage and used it to conceal my face like a curtain. Keeping my watching eyes hidden; I could see the door through the veil. I'd need to assess the situation when the time comes. Now I just had to wait.

It took awhile. I don't know how much time. minutes felt like hours in here. I closed my eyes. Listening for any little sound. All I could hear were the drops of water off in the distance. My mind wandered to Hardin. Wondering what he was doing at this very moment. Does he know I'm gone yet? I don't even know how long I've been gone. I don't know whether it's been hours or days. I don't even remember what happened. I was at the beach and then woke up in here. If my physical pain wasn't so bad I might have thought I was having a night mare.

I finally had Hardin and now I don't know if I'll ever see him again. I can remember the feel of his touch, his lips on mine, the scent of his body wash. My favorite one. All the things that made him Hardin. It's the only thing that makes this bearable. I heard footsteps coming down the hall. They were getting closer. My eyes popped open. They were zeroed in on the door the footsteps just stopped on the other side of. The key was in the lock and the lock came undone with a resounding click. It's go time!