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“Really, let me persuade you then. See, I already have a guest with me. He was just riding his bike all alone when I happened to drive by. It was so easy convincing him to come with me. His mom and dad should have warned him about talking to strangers,” Logan taunted.
“Kidnapping, Logan? That’s a new low, even for you. Let the kid go. He doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
“Oh, but you see Claire, he does, and it’s so hard being nice to him, because Liam here, looks so much like his big brother,” Logan snarled.
Oh my God, Liam. He was talking about Brent’s little brother. I remember Brent telling me about him, at the beach house. Brent told me Liam was ten years old and because he had been away for so long he didn’t get to see Liam grow up. They had become really close since Brent moved back home.
“You hurt him Logan, and so help me,” I hissed, though it didn’t sound as threatening as I intended it to.
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t touch him as long as you do exactly as I say.”
“What do you want?” I asked bitterly.
“Mr. Phillips is keeping your boyfriend, and his pathetic tag-along son, busy. You are going to get in that luxury ride of yours and come see me. Don’t stop anywhere and don’t bring anyone or little Liam here may end up with the same fate as your poor aunt,” Logan instructed. I wished I had the ability to climb through the phone. I wanted to hurt him. How dare he drag Brent’s brother into this?
It suddenly dawned on me that Logan knew where we were and what I was driving. I looked around through the trees and homes, but I didn’t see him.
“Where are you?”
“Hey, now there’s the spirit, Claire. That’s a way to come to your senses. Your boyfriend would be so upset if you had the chance to save his sweet little brother, and you ignored it. I’m in the old mill, the middle building. I’ll be waiting. Remember, come alone.” Then there was a click. I threw Brent’s phone in the grass and climbed into the Audi.
My hands were shaking so wildly, I struggled to turn the key, barley able to get the Audi started. I backed out of the driveway, not even looking to see if Brent or Reese came out after me. I couldn’t allow myself to worry about how upset they would be with me for leaving. I couldn’t let Logan hurt Brent’s brother. I pictured Liam scared and alone, wondering what was happening, all because of me. It wasn’t right. He’s way too young to go through something like this. Insecurity directed my thoughts, as I wondered if it would be better for Brent if I stayed away from him. He didn’t ask for this, and now his family was in danger. I couldn’t let myself think about it. I had to stay focused on Liam. What if Logan was lying and he didn’t have Liam? Maybe I should get the boys.
Don’t stop anywhere, and don’t bring anyone, or little Liam here may end up with the same fate as your poor aunt.
I couldn’t risk it. I took a deep breath, fortifying my strength. I could do this.
CHAPTER 14
“When my grandmother was alive, she used to tell me that every time God creates a soul in heaven, he creates another to be its special mate. And that once we’re born we begin to search for our soulmate, the one person who’s the perfect fit for our mind and body. The lucky ones find each other.” – Lurlene McDaniel
The Audi bounced over pot holes as I made my way through the run-down lot in front of the mill. I parked as close as possible to the door, and nearly fell getting out of my car when the toe of my sneaker caught the lip of one of the wide cracks in the pavement. The lot was covered in weeds, most of which were taller than me. I had to push them out of my way to find a door to enter the building. The mill was made up of several brick buildings, and had been condemned for over eighteen years. Memories of Logan were making my insides spasm, and my hands were shaking uncontrollably. I took a sluggish breath. I had to save Liam.
I hesitated when I tried to pull the door open, worrying the pressure may cause the old structure to collapse around me. An upper corner on one of the buildings had collapsed recently, and all that remained was a pile of bricks. Remembering Layken told me kids come out to the mill frequently, to have parties, I assumed the glass windows were shattered from kids throwing bricks at them. With a little force, the door creaked open. A mouse scurried across the floor almost touching my feet, and I screamed. This seemed like an auspicious beginning.
“Here she is,” Logan announced, tottering toward me. He was really dirty, and smelled like urine. The stench was volatile, causing my stomach to churn, and I felt like I was going to vomit. “So glad you could make it, Claire. I see you are alone like I asked. That’s a good girl.”
Instinctively, I stepped to the side, away from Logan.
“Where’s Liam?” I demanded.
“So anxious, Claire. You only just got here. Did you think you could walk in and I would just hand him over and let you leave?” He held his index finger up, shaking it, making a tsk, tsk sound in his throat. “Follow me. We need to talk first,” Logan
instructed.
I found the thought of spending anytime talking with Logan disturbing, but I had to help Liam. I followed him, alarm bells going off loudly in my head. I ignored them, knowing I was Liam’s only hope. We went through what looked to have been a cafeteria at one time. The remnants of old folding tables lined the walls, covered in dirt and cobwebs. Weeds had grown through the cracks in the floor where the linoleum peeled away. I heard water dripping and noticed a puddle on the floor where the roof was leaking from last night’s rain. I recalled my dad telling me stories about having lunch here, and imagined the room with more life in it; mill workers sitting with their aluminum lunchboxes opened on the table, sipping from thermoses, talking about their families. We passed through double doors into an old kitchen. Pots and pans were still hanging above a gas stove. The cobwebs draped from the ceiling so thickly, it looked like a curtain blocking my view from the rest of the room.
“Through here,” Logan signaled, walking through a door into a small dark room. As I entered, he put his hand on the small of my back, guiding me. I smacked it away which made him snicker. He slammed the door and suddenly, it was pitch black.
“Ah, Claire, this was way too easy. With everything I heard about you, I thought this would be so much harder. Your love for your boyfriend makes you weak, you know. You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” His voice was more haunting in the darkness, seizing my body with fear.
I heard a click, and then the room was filled with a light glow. Logan held a campsite lantern and set it on a shelf. I was trapped in a large freezer. Thankfully, the room no longer operated in that capacity, and the temperature was comfortable. I looked around the confined space, but didn’t see Liam. There was a couple of metal shelving units on the side and a few empty burlap sacks in the corner.
I made eye contact with Logan who observed me with amusement. As reality sunk in, I said, “You don’t have him, do you?”
“Correct, Claire. I do not. Little Liam is at home, safe and sound with his parents. He’ll stay that way as long as you don’t do anything foolish,” he laughed intimidatingly.
Ignoring his bullied laughter, I asked, “Where’s Kace?”
