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Chapter 21-22

As I laid there on the ground covered in dirt, I decided I was going to head back. I needed to head back to my daughter, my sister and my home! Craig was still outfront with our security men. I could see Seth now calling someone. The all seemed to be frantically pacing around in the driveway. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I could only imagine. I knew I couldn't just walk up to them. Not now, not while Craig was trying to put an end to all of this madness. If I headed up there now it could change everything that he has accomplished. The sole fact that he is standing in the driveway is a sign that things are going the way he wants. I began to wonder what the cost was for our peace. What he had to offer to get his father to leave us alone. I know it has to be big! There is no way he is just letting us walk away without some kind of deal. 

I wanted to get up and get back into Sammie ́s car, but I knew they would see the headlights. I had to wait for them to leave. I had to wait for them to get far enough away for me to head back. As I am laying on the ground, I felt a vibration underneath me. I realized it was my cell phone that Craig gave me back earlier in the day. I pulled it out from my pants pocket. It was Craig calling. I looked over to where he was standing. I could see him pacing back and forth while calling my phone. Behind him in the back, I could see his father standing at the doorway. He was now making his way towards him. I decided I better answer it before Mr. Whitman hears I am missing. 

̈Hello.¨ I whispered into the phone. I was hoping the light would not reflect back towards them. ̈ ̈Jade, where are you?!¨ He then pleaded for me to tell him I was ok. I quickly told him I was. I decided for his safety I would tell him I just took a ride. You know, to clear my head. ̈Are you insane?!”He shouted, but then quickly apologized. ¨I love you Jade.¨ Then he whispered, ̈go home baby and

I will see you there.¨ I knew I had to beat him there, but I couldn't go anywhere until he did. As I looked back over I could now see him talking to Mr. Whitman. I could tell he was agitated from his body language. Both of their men were now surrounding them both. I still couldn't hear anything, but I could tell tensions were high as I could hear muffled voices now. They were either yelling or talking very loudly. 

I wanted so badly to just get in my car and go home with my husband. Go back to our almost perfect lives we had been living up until now. All this time had passed, I thought we were free from this drama. I thought we were free to live our lives and grow old together. We would spend our nights making love and our days raising our children together. I wanted that so badly! As I lay on the ground, thinking about all of the things I have, I began realizing none of this was worth risking it all. I looked back over again, now Craig was leaned in even closer to Mr. Whitman. I could tell this meeting was starting to sour. Craig needed to get out of there, but I knew his temper wouldn't allow him to just leave. I knew there were only a few things that could ever make him back down. One was me and the other Vikki. 

I dialed Craig ́s number, hoping to not be seen. It rang and rang, but he didn't answer. ̈ ̈Come on Craig!¨ I began to panic! This had to be bad for him to ignore my call. I tried again and again. This time I left a message on his voicemail. I looked over at him. He stopped what he was doing to look at his phone. His dad was waving around his hands in the air. Craig finally called me back. ̈ ̈Thank god!” I told myself as i answered. ̈ ̈Craig, where are you?¨ I asked then proceeded to lie to him. I told him I was already home and that the baby seemed really fussy that I needed him to come back. I needed his help I told him. I lied! He told me he was heading right there, but to my surprise he didn't jump in his car and leave. Instead he made another call. I wondered who that could be that he was calling. I wondered why he wasn ́t just heading back home. Nothing was making sense to me!

Whoever he called must of said the magic words because he whispered something to Seth and they all fled to their cars. One after the other began leaving the driveway of the mansion. I was so relieved to see him leaving. I waited about ten minutes before getting up to leave myself. I began pulling off all the piles of tree limbs off the car. As I was taking off the last one, I heard a limb break behind me. I turned to see Mr. Whitman standing there. I was in shock! It can ́t be him! How did he know I was here?! I began looking around and there were several of his other men walking towards me. ̈ ̈Jade, so glad you could join us!̈ ̈ Mr. Whitman said as he walked closer. I began to walk back towards the car. As he kept walking closer, I kept walking backwards until I was finally pressed against the car. ¨You look confused hunny.̈ Mr. Whitman chuckled. Cameras! He had cameras all over his property so he knew the minute I drove up that I was out here. I felt a sickness come over me. ̈Now you ́re getting it!¨ He said with a sick grin on his face. 

I began to vomit! I couldn't believe what I just had done! I left my baby and then lied to the very man that I wanted to save. My mind began to race. I didn't want my last words to be a lie to him. I turned around while wiping off my mouth. ̈ ̈Please, let me call Craig!¨ I begged him. I begged him to let me tell him goodbye. I wanted him to let me make it right so my last words to him were not a lie. I started to cry as I pleaded! Mr. Whitman found this very amusing. He could care less that I was crying. He was truly a sick man! He looked over to his goon and asked him, ̈should I let her call him ̈? Then he looked back over at me. I was a mess. Just short of hyperventilating, I asked him again to please let me call him and say goodbye. 

¨I am impressed!¨ He was now clapping his hands together. He was impressed that I didn't beg for my life, but to say goodbye to the man I love. He sickly found it all amusing. Mr. Whitman was a deranged man! Bring her into the house he shouted as he started to walk away. His men grabbed me and took my phone. I glanced back at my sister ́s car. I wanted to take it all back. I wanted to go home. As we made our way through the foyer, Mr. Whiman told them to bring me into his office. They placed me in a seat that they handcuffed me to. One of the guys threw my phone down on the desk as Mr. Whitman poured himself a rum and coke. ̈ ̈Want one?¨ He asked almost teasingly. ̈ ̈Just get it over with!¨ I shouted angrily. 

̈Where is the fun in that Jade?̈ ̈ Mr. Whitman now sitting down in his chair. He interlaced his fingers and sat there as if he was thinking of some diabolical plan. I couldn ́t believe this is the same man that gave my husband life! I felt so angry! I hated that I lied to Craig. I looked at him with hate filled eyes and spit at him. ¨You know he is going to kill you right?¨ I snarled. I told him killing me was going to be the last thing that ever happens and finally the world would be free from his evil! He didn't care though. Mr. whitman just laughed and laughed! Then he looked at me with this smug look on his face. He got up walking to the front of his wood desk, he sat on the front of it with one leg dangling. ̈So, when did you plan on telling my son the baby isn't his?̈ Now he was leaning closer almost waiting for my response. My heart sank! He knew! My head began to spin.

̈ ̈Don ́t worry, I already told him for you when he was just here.¨ He said while making his way back around his desk. I sat there in shock as he told me that it was all planned from the start. They tracked my ovulation for months and planned it out. I was taking supplements to help the progress so they were almost guaranteed that I would become pregnant. My heart sank further into my chest. He knows I have lied to him and now my last words were a lie. I sat there crying. I didn't care anymore. I wanted this all to end. I wanted him to just get it over with. I said a prayer for myself, my beautiful daughter and my beloved husband. As I sat there a little bit longer just thinking about my family, I looked at Me. Whitman and I said ̈you know I can't help but laugh at the irony of it all!¨. He looked a bit confused so I continued, ̈well my love for Craig started here and my life will end here.¨ Then I smiled at him. He then told me I was incorrect. ¨You mean your love for Craig started here and died her sweetie!¨ he replied as if he was so certain. Then I let him know my love for Craig will never die and I began to laugh. I was no longer scared. I could tell as his face became more somber that was what he got off on. He got off on my fear! As I started to tell him off my phone rang, it was Craig. He must of made it home and saw that I wasn't there. Mr. Whitman quickly grabbed it off the table. 

̈ ̈Let's play a little game¨ he said as he began to answer it. I froze with fear! Just like that he was back in full control! I hated this man so much! Why was he so evil I wondered? I became scared for Craig. ̈ ̈Hello son¨ he answered snarkily. I could hear Craig angrily yelling through the phone. I knew he was already heading back here as soon as he heard his voice on the other end. I began to panic! I shouted, ̈Craig please just stay with Vikki ̈! I knew he would never listen. I knew he would never leave me here to die at the hands of this monster. My fear was, that now we both will!  

                                                        Chapter 22

As Mr. Whitman slammed down the phone, he ordered his men to unlock the handcuffs and take me to the back of the house. I tried to fight them, but they were all to strong. They began carrying me out to the backyard past the pool. One of them yelled to hit the lights and just then the whole backside of the house lit up. It looked like a maze was set up in the back. As they sat me on the ground, I sat there crying. Mr. Whitman walked over and grabbed my face. ̈ ̈Crying?!̈ he snarled ̈There's no crying Jade-remember the rules!¨then while squeezing his fingers into my face, he tilted my head up towards him. His eyes looked into mine, he told me the game starts now. I didn't understand what he meant until he walked behind me. I heard a gunshot, then I felt a bullet that just grazed my arm. I looked down to see blood dripping from the hole in my sleeve. I frantically turned to see him with the gun aimed at my head. ̈ ̈Run!̈ ̈  He shouted as he started to shoot again. I jumped to my feet and began to run through the maze. It was made of wood and it had long halls that led into different directions. When I got to the end, there was an open field that had targets. I saw a man step out in what almost looked like paint gun attire, but as he raised his rifle towards me I knew it was real. The man shot a giant hole just above my head. I crawled behind a shield off to the side. I tore off my shoes to make it easier to run. I was breathing so heavily. I was so scared. I knew they were going to kill me! I heard footsteps approaching me so I quickly ran towards the hall off to my left. This one was dark and I couldn't tell which way to go. I began feeling the walls looking for an open spot to exit. Finally, I saw a light up ahead. I peaked out. There were three men, all with rifles standing there talking. One was pointing towards the hallway across from where I was as another headed towards the otherside. I realized they were coming for me. I ran back in hoping to find another exit. 

I was covered in sweat as I ran through the maze. My arm kept bleeding so I knew they were just toying with me because they could just follow the trail of blood. That is when it dawned on me that this is another sick game that they need to drag out. If I keep running then they get what they want for their client and I still die in the end. I knew I was not walking out of here. I headed back towards where I saw the three men and began to exit. I put my hands in the air as I walked out. To my surprise, they weren't there anymore. I began to shout in anger! ̈ ̈Come get me you assholes!̈ ̈ Now I started to taunt them again. All of a sudden, I heard several rounds of gunfire. ̈ ̈Craig is here¨ I thought to myself. I coward down behind one of the stands. I knew if I stayed alive until he reached me I would get out of this. I sat on the ground praying he would find me. 

I was starting to shake in fear. I didn't know what to do or where to go to hide. I couldn't stay here, but I didn't want to go back into the maze. I heard more gunfire. Then a loud siren went off. It sounded like a fire alarm, but I wasn't sure what it was to be honest. I couldn't see outside of the maze as it was closed in. I started worrying that maybe they set the maze on fire to burn us inside of it. I covered my face in fear. I cried so hard. I was emotionally drained. I could hear more gunfire, this time it was closer than before. I decided to pull it together. I wiped my face and began to look around. Someone was coming. I tucked my feet back so they couldn't see me. I could hear them walking towards me. I grabbed my mouth in an attempt to muffle my own cries. I was so scared. My heart was pounding and I felt like I might pass out. I quietly pulled my legs back further in towards my chest. Now the man was standing just on the other side of the stand. I didn't know if I should make a run back into the hallway. I don't know if he would be quicker than me. I could hear his feet moving again. I couldn't just sit here and let him kill me. I had to try and make it to the hall again. Just as I jumped up to run out came another man. I was frozen in fear when a gunshot range out. I saw the man in front of me fall to the ground. My ears were ringing. I turned to see Craig standing behind the stand. He ran towards me and pushed me into the hall. He pressed my body back against the wall while covering my mouth. Then he put his finger over his lips telling me to be quiet. He went down the hall and came back. ¨How many of them are there Jade?¨ He was so calm. I tried to think. I was shaking and confused. I told him I think ten or so. ¨Ok, so there can only be two more-I need you to stay with me ok Jade?¨ He asked in a way that he was trying to calm me down. 

Craig grabbed my hand and placed it on his lower back while he began to lead us down the hallway. We were almost out when he pushed me down and began shooting. I kneeled down covering my head when I felt him tap me. ¨You can get up Jade, they are both dead ̈ As I turned to look at Craig they were both lying on the ground. He could tell I was falling apart. He pulled me in and gave me a kiss. He was trying to keep me calm. He told me that we were almost out of there. They set fire to the house and it won't be long before the police are all over the place. He told me we have to get out of there now. I agreed and began to follow him. Once we got to the last exit, I could see the house was engulfed in flames. The whole mansion was burning. The black smoke was billowing out from the roof. As Craig urged me to get out of there we heard someone start shooting. ̈Run Jade, run!̈ Craig yelled while pulling me with him. We ran towards the front of the house. Seth was at the end of the road way waiting for us. As we made our way down the long driveway, more gunfire rang out. We ran as fast as we could. Craig flung open the door to the back seat as he began to push me in. Once Craig was inside, Seth took off. 

We sat there so out of breath. Craig looked around to see if anyone was following us. He then turned back towards me and grabbed my face and started kissing me. ̈ ̈ Don't ever scare me like that again Jade ̈ he said as his voice began to crack. Just hearing the emotion in his voice made me break down. He just kept kissing me telling me it was ok. I cried some more. I couldn't talk. I was in shock, but I also felt terrible for everything Craig just went through to get me back. As we pulled into the driveway I felt sick again. I hated myself for everything that just happened. Craig started to get out and he asked me if I was ok. I nodded yes as I took his hand to get out of the car. I felt weak and really tired. As I stood up, I heard Craig cry out. ̈No, please god no!¨ He fell to his knees. Confused I looked down and that is when I noticed my clothes were soaked. Dazed, I look back into the car and I saw all the blood. Then I look back down and touched my stomach. When I put my palms out in front of me they were drenched in blood. I realized I had been shot. I fell to the ground. Craig now pulling himself together. He kept telling me to hold on. Seth was on the phone calling me an ambulance. I looked up at Craig, ̈I am so cold ̈ I whispered to him. He laid down next to me. He wrapped his body over mine. ¨I know baby, I know, but it will be ok¨ he said as he started gently kissing me. I knew by the way he was acting that I was dying. I started to cry. ¨I don't want to leave you Craig.¨ I mumbled. He kissed me and whispered in my ear, ̈you will never leave me Jade, I love you and nothing can ever change that.¨ He gave me one last kiss as I took my last breath. When the ambulance came they knew it was too late. They allowed him to stay with my body until the corner arrived.He slipped off my wedding rings and put them in his pocket. He kissed me a few more times before they told him they had to take me. About the same time they were loading me into the van, Sammie came out. She was an emotional wreck. Seth had already made arrangements to move her to another location until Craig could get himself together. Sammie wanted to take the baby with her, but Craig wouldn't allow it. He thanked her, but he wanted to keep his daughter with him he told her. Sammie begged him to just let her take the baby for just one night and he finally gave in. He was in no shape to care for her. 

After everyone was gone and Seth took care of the cops, Craig headed upstairs. His hands now stained in my blood along with his clothing. As he went to shower the blood filled the floor of the tub. Mr. Whitman had finally won. He finally broke him. Craig sat slumped in the shower when Seth came in to turn the water off. ̈ ̈Get up Craig ̈ he barked. He repeated himself. Craig then looked up at him and asked for what? He had nothing to live for, so why should he leave the shower? Why should he even go on living for that matter?

Seth looked at Craig and he replied, ̈We have a job to finish sir, now get up ̈!