Trapped

She moved back, just a millimeter. “We should, um, watch the trees. Make sure no one is coming.”

“Yeah.” Tyrone learned backward. He looked quickly over her shoulder, then back at her. “One helluva first date, huh?”

Cindy smiled shyly. “Best I ever had.”

“Me too.”

Cindy watched one side, Tyrone the other. The woods were quiet and dark, and though a sliver of moonlight broke through the tree tops, it was hard to see more than a few yards. Her eyes swept back and forth, like a security camera.

When she heard the scream it made her feel like she needed to pee again.

“That’s Tom,” Tyrone said.

“He doesn’t sound too far away.”

They listened, and the sound made Cindy want to claw her ears off. She didn’t like Tom, especially after he acted all crazy with the gun. But he didn’t deserve whatever horror was happening to him.

“You think they’re cooking him?” Her tone was hushed. “Like Meadow?”

“Dunno.”

“What should we do?”

“We have to wait here for Sara. That’s what she told us to do.”

Tom was begging now, screaming, “No!” and “Stop!”

What could they be doing to that poor kid? Something even worse than burning?

“It’s awful.” Cindy wanted to cover up her ears, but was afraid if she did she would miss the sounds of someone coming.

“Be strong, girl. I know you strong.”

Cindy nodded, trying to stay strong. Being strong didn’t make it any less horrible.

Then, after a very long minute, the screaming stopped.

Now what?

They waited. Cindy’s imagination went into overdrive. Is he dead? Are they eating him? Or did they gag him with a spiked ball, like Sara said they gagged Martin?

Cindy stood perfectly still, staring into the woods, waiting, hoping, to hear Tom scream again.

Then something flashed. Bright and quick, temporarily blinding her.

Cindy took a step back. “Tyrone…”

“I saw it too.”

“What was it?”

“Maybe Sara’s comin’ back. She got a light.”

Another flash, lasting only a few milliseconds. From the thicket to their right. Cindy realized with a shock what it was.

“It’s a camera,” she whispered. “Someone is taking our picture.”

Tyrone stepped in front of Cindy. “Who’s there? Answer me.”

Another flash. Cindy doubted the cannibals had a camera; they seemed too primitive and animalistic.

So who is it? And why don’t they say anything? This is seriously freaking me out. Where is Sara?

“Maybe we should go,” Tyrone said.

“What about Sara? We have to wait for her.”

The bushes shook. Whoever had the camera was coming toward them. Cindy decided that Tyrone was right. The smartest thing to do was get the hell out of here, fast.

Tyrone apparently wasn’t waiting for her to approve, because he had his left arm around her waist and was already leading her away. The pair had only taken three steps when they heard:

“The boy and girl are Martin’s kids.”

The voice was soft, almost effeminate, but definitely male. Whoever it was, he knew Martin. Cindy stopped and swung around to face him.

The man was ridiculously tall and thin. He wore blue denim farmer’s overalls, and even in the low light Cindy could see a smiley face button pinned to one of the straps.

Tyrone had also turned to look. “Who the hell are you?”

“Lester.”

Lester raised his camera and took another picture, causing Cindy to blink. She was still scared, and this guy totally qualified as creepy. But he seemed extremely relaxed. So far, his appearance was more menacing than actually threatening.

“Do you know Martin, Lester?”

“Martin is Lester’s friend.”

Cindy didn’t know if she bought that. But Martin was a psychologist, and he did work with all types of people.

“How do you know Martin, Lester?” she asked.

“Martin is Lester’s friend.” He paused, cocking his head to the side. “Would the boy and the girl like to follow Lester to Martin?”

God, did she ever. Martin was smart, and strong, and Cindy trusted him like she trusted Sara. Unlike most teens, Cindy liked adults. During her drug years, Cindy had begged for money from hundreds of adults, and the overwhelming majority were either indifferent or somewhat caring. But as much as she wanted to trust this tall man, he had a strange vibe to him.

She came out from behind Tyrone and took a tentative step closer. “Do you know where Martin is, Lester?”

“Lester knows. The boy and the girl should come with Lester.”

Lester smiled. Cindy was shocked to see fangs in the big man’s mouth.

Tyrone shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He backed up, pulling Cindy with him.

“Lester won’t hurt the boy and the girl. That would make Martin angry. They should come with Lester.”

“Where’s Martin?” Cindy asked.

Lester took another picture.

“Stop taking pictures and tell me where Martin is!”

The strength in her voice surprised her. It must have surprised Lester too, because his smile became a deep frown.

“The girl yelled at Lester. Lester doesn’t like that.”

Tyrone pulled her closer. “You know where Martin is, man? Then tell us.”

It hit Cindy all at once, like a physical blow. Lester. Lester Paks. This was the serial killer Sarah had told them about, the one that crazy doctor had experimented on.

“Lester will take the boy and girl to Martin.” The giant moved toward them, spreading out his arms. His reach was so wide he looked like he could hug a truck. “Martin will be so happy.”

When Lester got within five yards he’d officially gone from menacing, to threatening, to terrifying. She and Tyrone continued to back up, but Lester’s strides were so big he’d be on them in only a few seconds.

“The boy and the girl shouldn’t try to run. Lester gets angry when they run.”

That’s when Cindy was grabbed from behind.

Sara couldn’t find the kids.

After hearing Tom’s screams, she quickly stuck her head back through the window and into the cabin to grab something she saw inside. By the time she had it, the screaming had stopped.

Her first intention was to go after Tom, to protect him, to save him, and without considering anything else she’d impulsively headed in the direction of his cries.

But Sara wasn’t sure where he was, or even how far away, without the sound cues. Even worse, once she lost sight of the boat she became lost, unable to find her way back.