Chapter 5 Wondering

• The air is cold and dark and feels like it might rain. This has to be real. Eloise felt moisture on her face; the fresh, cold air is wonderful. She wanted to cry with the pleasure of it.
• Three black SUVs are waiting out front. She was placed in the middle vehicle, followed by the man who carried her and three others, including the driver, a man in the front passenger seat, and one in the back facing the opposite direction.
• She was quickly fastened in and had a blanket wrapped around her. The first thing that comes to mind is how clean the blanket smells.
• They travel away from the building. Eloise has no strength, and her head seems to have a life of its own, bouncing around until it finds a comfortable bump on the blanket. She watched the driver’s hands slide over the wheel, perfectly calm.
• After they are a good distance away from the house, the man who carried her tears off his goggles and helmet, he runs his hand through his black hair and looks over at her.
• She was surprised that he appeared to be only a few years older than she was, maybe early thirties.
• “Eloise? You’re okay now. You’re safe,” he said quietly in a steady voice.
• Eloise just stared at him. She heard what he said, but it didn’t register in her brain. She was still afraid to believe she was really rescued from her prison. Perhaps this is only a nasty trick.
• He studies her face for a moment, then reaches over. She flinched, closing her eyes momentarily. He pulls his hand back but points at her forehead. “Looks like that hurts. Are you all right? Do you hurt anywhere else?”
• She wanted to tell him about her back but could not speak.
• “The jet is standing by, Sir,” the driver said into the rearview mirror.
• The man beside Eloise nods. “Good. Tell them we’re ten minutes out.”
• “Yes, Sir.”
• Eloise started to feel dizzy. The lack of food has taken a toll on her. She flopped her head against the window and watched as tiny raindrops made paths down the glass.
• She doesn’t recognize anything. Houses and streets look different, and nothing makes sense. She wondered where she was and where she was going.
• Again, she felt the rush of cool air as she was lifted out of the car. The rain was cold but felt fantastic as her head bobbed against her carrier’s shoulder. She has no strength left. The raindrops bounce off her face, sweeping away some grime.
• If this is a dream, it is the best dream ever.
• Eloise was placed on a warm leather couch inside an airplane and watched as ten other men dressed in black board took their seats. They look like SWAT or something. Her vision was getting very fuzzy, and she was so tired.
• “Stay with me, Eloise.” The voice comes from beside her. She forced her eyes open to see her carrier looking down at her. His incredibly dark gaze holds onto her for a moment.
• A voice sounds over a speaker, and within a matter of minutes, she feels movement, and her carrier is gone from sight. Her eyes grow heavy again with the hum of the plane. She has fought sleep for as long as she can. She felt herself sliding down into the void, and her last conscious thought was how she usually hated flying.
• The calming sound of rustling leaves brings me back to consciousness. She moved her head slightly, rubbing her cheek against the softest pillow ever. She smelled the faint fragrance of fresh roses.
• Can this be right?
• Her eyes flutter open, blinking a few times to absorb the soft sunlight filling the room. A wall made up of large windows with three doors that open to a balcony is on one side. An ivory curtain flutters in the breeze, wafting the floral scent of the roses in a glass vase to her eager nostrils.
• She felt a tug on her arm and realized she had an IV attached to her left wrist. The bag hanging from a pole next to her is almost empty. She took in the queen size sleigh bed with its amazingly red sheets and a duvet that felt like heaven. She was overwhelmed and closed her eyes, drifting back to sleep.
• When Eloise regained consciousness, it was dark, her fluid bag had been changed, and someone had lit a fire in the stone fireplace. The lovely sound of crackling wood almost brings her to tears—it is beyond soothing to her soul.
• Is this heaven? If so, she was completely fine with being dead.
• She heard a creaking sound and froze.
• A door opens off to her right. An older lady, maybe in her fifties, wearing slacks and a blouse, comes holding a tray.
• Eloise started to push herself up into a sitting position, but, God, everything hurt.
• Sadness washes over the lady’s face. “Oh, no, dear.” Her voice is soft. “Please, I’m not here to hurt you. I’ve been taking care of you for three days.”
• Eloise’s mind goes blank.
• ‘Three days!’
• Eloise pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, flinching. The pain is another reminder of the hell she’d been through.
• “Please.” The lady sets the tray down on the table and raises her hands. “My name is Annalise. I didn’t mean to scare you. I know you’ve been through a lot, but you’re safe now. I wanted to bring you something to eat and maybe a few answers.” Annalise raises her eyebrow, knowing she is interested. “May I sit?” She points to a rocking chair.
• Eloise swallowed past the lump in her throat. At least she seems nice enough. She cautiously nodded and watched as Annalise pulled the chair over, being careful not to make any sudden movements.
• She knew she should welcome Annalise—and this place—with open arms, but instead, she wanted to curl up in a ball and protect herself. She wanted so much to believe she was safe.
• “There, that’s better.” Annalise smiles warmly. “Thank you. Please call me Annalise or Anna. Everyone else does.”
• ‘Everyone? Who else is here?’
• Eloise looked around, taking in the room again with a more critical eye. It is huge and has a high cathedral ceiling.
• “I bet you’re wondering where you are,” Anna said, making Eloise turn back to her. “You’re at a safe house. No one here will hurt you. You’re extremely dehydrated and malnourished, but you are young, and your body is healing fast. Your back…” She clucked her tongue and looked sadly at Eloise. “Your back must still be sore, but it will heal soon. It will take some time to regain your strength and feel like your old self again.”
• Eloise stared at her momentarily, then out the window, wondering where exactly she was.
• Anna smiles, sensing her confusion. “You’re in North Dakota, Eloise,” she pauses while this information sinks in.
• ‘What?’
• “I know it’s a lot to take in right now, but once you feel better, I can tell you more. You really need your rest,” Anna continued.
• Rest? Indeed, that does sound like a good idea. Suddenly, she was exhausted again.
• “But first, Eloise, could you eat for me?”
• ‘Oh, God, food. I’m unsure if I am truly safe; eating is out of the question.’
• “You’ve lost much weight, and your body is battered. You really need to help it by eating something.” Anna handed her a saltine cracker. “Baby steps.”
• Eloise slowly reached for it. Holding it in her hand, she looked up to see her hopeful eyes. Anna lifted the cracker to her nose, sniffing to see if it was laced with anything. It doesn’t smell funny. She took a small, cautious lick. It tastes normal.