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“We need to go back to the schoolhouse,” Ember says. “Maybe if we get back there before Papa Rich notices we’re missing, then this will be like nothing happened.”
I stop staring at all the guts of the Jeep and look at her in the eyes. She has a point. If the couple makes it down the hill and is able to reach the authorities, then it’s just a matter of time until we’re rescued. But if we show our hand, and we have Richard chasing after them… Maybe trying to get back to the schoolhouse undetected is a good idea.
“Okay,” I say, nodding. “Let’s get back.”
I never thought I’d be going back to the schoolhouse if I ever got my chance of escape, and yet, here I am.
We quickly run back to Hallelujah Junction, scanning the area for any signs of Richard. Excuses were running through my head as to what we will tell him if he catches us outside. I decide to remove the gloves from both of our feet and bury them in some snow just in case we are detected. Maybe I can convince him that Ember and I were going stir crazy and had to get out… barefoot or not. I know it’s a stretch, but I have to tell the man something. Ember, however, doesn’t have a lying bone in her body. The chances of her getting away with a lie is about as impossible as escaping this godforsaken town.
“If your father notices the tracks in the snow,” I say as we get closer and closer to the school, “tell him we wanted to play in the snow.”
“He’ll know the truth,” she says. “He always knows everything.”
“Ember,” I snap. “You need to listen to me. Tell him we went for a quick walk. Nothing else.”
A new fear forms. Ember.
If she tells Richard about the couple, he may try to hide us or even relocate. He may go on the run and take us with him to avoid authorities. Hell… he may kill us both to hide any evidence of kidnapping.
“We went for a walk to get some fresh air,” I reiterate. “Are we clear?”
She nods, but I don’t really believe her. And as we open the door to the schoolhouse—our prison—I just pray to a God I don’t know that I believe in any longer that the couple is reaching civilization and getting help quick.
20
Ember
I see our prints all over the town below. If I can see them, then I know Papa Rich can too. There are so many, and two sets have snowshoes. There is no way to explain this. There is no way out.
“Shit,” Christopher sees what I do outside the schoolhouse window. “We need to somehow hide all those.”
It’s snowing but not hard enough. Not fast enough.
Mother Nature is not on our side.
We both have our feet wrapped in a blanket from our bedding, warming them up. I can’t imagine going back into the snow now.
“I don’t see how we can,” I say.
“Okay…” Christopher begins. “We tell him that you and I went for a quick walk outside to enjoy the fresh air. When we were down there, we saw the snowshoe tracks, but saw nothing else. We need to keep to this story.”
I nod for Christopher’s sake, but I already know we are doomed. Papa Rich knows. I know he knows.
“We just have to buy enough time for them to reach the authorities,” he says. He turns to look at me with a look of determination in his eyes. “If he finds out, or if he tries to move all of us, we have to fight him. Do you hear me? We have to do whatever we can to fight the man.”
I shake my head as tears well in my eyes.
“Ember, I need you to be strong. I need you to listen to me.”
“Christopher—”
“I’m your husband!” he shouts. When I flinch, he softens his facial expression. “I’m sorry for yelling. But I’m your husband and you need to trust me. You need to have faith that I’m going to get us out of this. You just have to be on my team. My team.”
“I’m scared,” I admit.
“I know. But we’re so close. We just need time.”
Father Time is not on our side either.
Because the next voice I hear is Papa Rich’s. “Trust,” he begins as he slams the door to the tunnel. “Trust is something that should never be abused.”
He knows.
He knows.
Christopher turns to face him without the slightest show of fear. “Let me guess,” he begins as he crosses his arms against his chest. “You’re annoyed that Ember and I went for a walk? Are we expected to never go outside and see the snow? Ember said that when the tourists leave, we can move about the town more freely.”
“Very true,” Papa Rich says calmly.
