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Night descended with a cooling breeze that did little to drive away the mosquitoes that came to feast on her flesh. Sarah pulled a rain slicker out of the backpack the man had given her and huddled into its protective folds. She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped the ends around her bare legs too. There was no repellant in her pack, probably because the men wanted her to be miserable. They were happy to provide things that could extend their fun, but they didn’t want her to be too comfortable.
Bare arms unprotected from the biting insects, Annie sleptbeside her. Sarah couldn’t search for a cover for her since she was using her backpack as a pillow. Maybe there was something else in Sarah’s pack. She rummaged through and found a light throw she draped across her sister.
Annie roused immediately, and she sat up. “Sarah? You okay?” Her voice was a mere whisper.
“I’m feeling much better,” Sarah whispered back. “I didn’t hear you return. Did everything go okay?”
“I think I was successful at throwing them off our tail.” Annie huddled inside the thin blanket. “Thanks for this. The mosquitoes are vicious.” She waved the bugs from her face.
“Where’s the dog?”
“I didn’t see him when I got back. He was either sleeping or wandering somewhere. I’d hoped he’d stay put so he didn’t leave tracks. He might circle our tree and lead them here.”
Sarah heard the worry in her sister’s voice and wished she’d been smart enough to leave the dog behind. If they were found, it would be her fault.
The night was pitch-black in the forest. “What time is it?”
“I don’t dare light my watch. I can’t see the moon to estimate it without climbing higher. We’d better stay put and try to sleep.”
“I’m not sleepy now, but I could try.” The whine of the mosquitoes was enough to keep anyone from sleeping.
In the darkness Sarah heard the faintzingof a zipper before Annie pressed a throw into her hands. “Thanks.”
She pulled it over her head and burrowed into its folds. The instant silence from mosquito wings was a blessed relief. She tried to curl up enough to sleep, but the deer blind was narrow and hard. Neither of them had much room, and she was conscious ofhow Annie had to hug the side of the blind to keep from falling off. How she’d done it while sleeping was a mystery.
Annie shuffled beside her and came closer. A fold of the blanket lifted, and her sister moved under it with her, spooning against Sarah’s back. “I’m going to adjust both blankets so all our skin is under cover. Hold on.”
With a few deft movements, Annie moved things around before snuggling in close enough that the warmth of her body radiated to Sarah. A faint memory came of being in a makeshift “tent” in their bedroom bunk beds just like this.
“I think you read me books like this when we were little. You had a flashlight you took from Dad’s toolbox. He always knew where to find it.”
“You’re right,” Annie said. “Your favorite wasThe Little Engine That Could.”
“I think I can, I think I can,” Sarah whispered. She hadn’t remembered that book until now.
“We have to cling to that right now. We have to believe God will help us out of this terrible spot we’re in. He’s already led us to each other, and I’m glad I have you with me.”
Tears sprang to Sarah’s eyes. She’d never expected Annie to forgive her when she didn’t deserve it. “They would have already killed me if you hadn’t found me, Annie. I can’t believe men would be so cruel.”
“I saw the men.” Annie’s voice vibrated with a tight rage. “I know who the leader is.”
“That guy with the beard?” Sarah shuddered at the memory of him.
“It’s Max. Max was with them.”
“Are you sure? I can’t believe he would do this.”
“I saw him clearly. I recognized his voice before I saw him.”
Sarah struggled to take in the enormity of the news. It had to feel like a huge betrayal to Annie. She’d liked Max.
Annie threw her arm over Sarah. “I’m sorry, Sarah. Sorry I didn’t forgive you sooner. I sent you straight into the lion’s den when I had Jon take you to Tremolo Island. If not for me, you wouldn’t have been caught up in this. He would have gone straight for me when I didn’t give up the investigation.”
Sarah reveled in her sister’s embrace, the first true expression of love she’d had in all these years. Every moment of this terror they’d lived through so far was worth it for these few minutes of knowing Annie loved her.
“It’s not your fault,” she said. “I’d rather be here with you right now than living life the way things used to be. I won’t ever let you down again, Annie.”
“We all fail. I’m sure I’ll fail you again, even though I don’t want to. But when I do, remember I love you and I’ll never stop.”
