Later that night, Priscoll returned to see Wendy. After they spent the night together, Wendy's phone rang around 1am, shrill in the darkness. It was Jake on the line. Priscoll looked over at Wendy, but she was fast asleep. He quietly got out of bed, pulled on his shirt, and went downstairs. As he reached the bottom step, the same number called again. Priscoll hesitated for a moment, then picked up, covering the mouthpiece with a handkerchief to distort his voice.
"Boss, we have a problem," a nervous voice said on the other end. "The girl we abducted, Joanna, she's escaped. We're searching for her now, but..."
Priscoll didn't respond. He immediately hung up and left the house to meet Kim, his mind racing with the implications. Joanna was free, and he needed to find her before Wendy's people did.
As he walked, he dialed Kim's number. "It's happening," he said, when Kim answered. "Joanna's escaped. Meet me at the usual place."
Kim's voice was calm. "I'm on my way."
Priscoll quickened his pace, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew he had to move fast.
When they met, Kim pulled out Wendy's phone and dialed Jake's number. She covered the mouthpiece with a handkerchief, disguising her voice. "Jake, what's taking you so long? Find her! How could you be so lazy...where are you now?"
Jake's voice was hesitant on the other end. "We're at the old warehouse on 5th and Main. We think she might be hiding there."
Kim smiled slyly at Priscoll and hung up. "What's that, Kim?" Priscoll asked, his eyes locked on hers.
"They told me the location," Kim replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Priscoll's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh my God...you're a genius." He pulled Kim close, his lips crashing down on hers in a deep, passionate kiss.
Kim pushed him away, her eyes wide with surprise. "Priscoll, you're married!" she exclaimed, her voice firm but laced with a hint of embarrassment.
Priscoll's face fell, but he quickly recovered. "That doesn't matter right now," he said, his voice low and urgent. "We need to focus on finding Joanna."
Kim nodded, her expression softening. "You're right. Let's go."
They got into the car and sped off towards the warehouse, the tension between them palpable.
As they sped down the deserted streets, their hearts racing with anticipation, they suddenly saw a shadowy figure darting across the road. Priscoll slammed on the brakes, and the car skidded to a stop just inches from the mysterious form.
Kim gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my god, Priscoll! You almost hit her!"
But as they looked closer, they realized it wasn't a person at all. A massive bear emerged from the darkness, its eyes glowing in the headlights.
Priscoll exhaled a sigh of relief. "It's just a bear," Kim said, laughing nervously. "I thought you just killed someone!"
Priscoll chuckled, his tension easing. "Me too. Guess we're both a little on edge tonight."
The bear lumbered off into the darkness, and Priscoll put the car in gear again. "Let's keep moving. We don't have much time."
As they continued driving, the darkness seemed to press in around them, the shadows cast by the trees like skeletal fingers reaching out to snatch them. But Priscoll pushed on, his determination to find Joanna driving him forward.
As they drove, Priscoll and Kim couldn't help but reminisce about their past. Priscoll stopped the car and turned to Kim, his eyes burning with intensity. "Why are you saying all this, Kim? Do you still love me?"
Kim's voice was barely above a whisper. "Yeah, I do. I miss you."
Priscoll's lips crashed down on hers, and she responded hungrily. But their passionate moment was interrupted by a sudden noise from the back seat.
Meanwhile, I had been running from my captors and saw a parked car. I knocked on the glass, but they couldn't hear me. I kept knocking, but they were too engrossed in their moment. I had no idea it was Priscoll's car. "Hey, please open the door!" I tried the door handle, and to my surprise, the back seat door opened. I got in, not caring if it was one of the kidnappers' cars. I just wanted to be safe.
As I caught my breath, I heard moaning sounds in the dark car. I covered my mouth to stifle a scream. But Kim pushed Priscoll off. "Priscoll, ahh, you're rough. Why did you do that?"
"I thought you missed this?" Priscoll asked, his voice husky.
I was shocked. "We're not doing that, Priscoll," Kim said, trying to get out of the car. But Priscoll stopped her. "We'll stop, okay? Let's go."
Just then, I sneezed. Priscoll was shocked and turned on his flashlight. "Joanna?!"
Kim asked, surprised. "I'm sorry, I entered the wrong car," I said, getting out.
But Priscoll got off the car, grabbed my waist and pulled me close. "Are you okay?"
I tried to walk away, tears streaming down my face. "Let me go, Priscoll. Your wife was missing, but you didn't care."
Priscoll's grip tightened.
"All that matters is that you're okay. Get in the car, let's go."
He stared at my lips, and I saw the bandage wrapped around his head. I didn't speak, knowing he didn't care about me. But he wouldn't let go.
I refused to get in the car, but Priscoll wouldn't take no for an answer. He carried me to the car, my legs kicking and arms flailing as I hit his back. "Put me down, Priscoll!" I shouted, but he just kept moving.
He finally put me in the car and locked the back seat, then got into the driver's seat to drive. I kept crying until we arrived at his house.
As we pulled up, Kim got out of the car and Priscoll thanked her. "Kim, thanks a lot for helping out. I'm going to make a report tomorrow. I know it's a risk, but you have to help me cover up the lies."
Kim hesitated, then nodded. "I will, but it's your plan," she said before turning and disappearing into the darkness.
Priscoll looked at me with a smile, but I just glared at him. I got out of the car and walked towards the house, my eyes fixed on him as he followed me.
As we entered the house, I couldn't help but feel trapped. Priscoll seemed to sense my unease and kept a close eye on me. I knew I had to escape, but for now, I was at his mercy.
"Let's get you cleaned up," Priscoll said, his voice soft but firm. "You can't stay like this."
I nodded, knowing I had no choice. But as I followed him to the bathroom, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was walking into a trap.
I slept on the couch, just like before, but when I woke up, I found myself in the bed. I was disoriented and confused, wondering how I got there. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep on the couch, but now I was in Priscoll's bed.
I looked around, trying to get my bearings. The room was quiet, and Priscoll was nowhere to be seen. I threw off the covers and got out of bed, my heart racing with anxiety.
As I made my way to the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked tired and scared, with dark circles under my eyes. I splashed some water on my face, trying to shake off the fogginess.
Suddenly, I heard a noise behind me. I turned to see Priscoll standing in the doorway, a cup of coffee in his hand.
"Good morning," he said, his voice low and husky. "I brought you some coffee."
I took the cup from him, our fingers touching briefly. I felt a jolt of electricity, but quickly pulled my hand away.
"What time is it?" I asked, trying to sound calm.
"It's around 8 am," Priscoll replied. "You slept for a while. I thought you needed the rest."
I nodded, taking a sip of the coffee. It was hot and bitter, just the way I liked it.
But as I looked at Priscoll, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Why had he moved me to the bed? And what did he plan to do with me now?