Trails of Secrets

13. The Chase

Annalise walked along the grass that bordered the house. She looked up at the stars and loved the way they glittered through the tree branches above. 

She considered her options for a diversion, but was unsure of what would be the most efficient. She contemplated for a few more minutes while she covered ground. But before she could decide on anything, Annalise heard a rustling in the bushes near the house. 

Annalise silently slipped behind a tree and slowed her breathing. She knew that all the others were inside, so whoever this was, wasn't supposed to be there. 

A voice emerged from the bushes and Annalise silenced the normal noises all around her, just like she did every morning. Her focus was on the voice. She widened her eyes. Voices. 

"Grab the girl."

"Do we just go in there?"

"No. We wait for them to come out."

"How long do you think that will take?"

"Yeah, I don't want to stay here all night."

"Don't worry. They'll come out soon. I'll make sure of that."

Annalise tried to see the faces of the three men, but the trees and bushes covered most of them and the men were too far away for her to see. She watched as one of the men walked towards the house, with a club in his hands. The man swung the club and hit the house. When the club made contact with the house, it produced a loud bang. The man swung again. And again. 

Annalise nervously looked at the back door. They were trying to draw the others outside. Just like she was planning on doing. 

She thought quickly. What could she do? Annalise furrowed her brow in deep concentration. Hadn't the men said, "Grab her"?

It was decided. She would pretend to be Sara. 

                                                                    ~~~

Chris was running out the doors of the house, but before he got any farther, Sara realized that she didn't have the message. She must have dropped it on the way out. She couldn't let the men find it. 

"Keep going, Chris! I'm right behind you!"

Sara raced back to the room to find Liam, with a stupid grin on his face, holding the message. 

She snatched the message from him and yelled, "Why are you here? We are under attack!" Liam rolled his eyes. "It's just Annalise being stupid."

"You don't understand. This has happened before."

Sara grabbed his hand and pulled him through the house. She led him to the living room and opened a window. "Alright. Go ahead."

Liam looked out the window. "Why?"

"Just do it." The murderous look on Sara's face was all it took for Liam to obey the order.  

No sooner had Liam slowly and carefully climbed out of the window did Sara leap through the opening and land on her feet. She grabbed his hand and ran down the street. 

"They would never go this way." 

                                                              ~~~

Annalise watched as Chris ran from the back door, then stopped as he saw the three men before him. She had to save him. 

"Chris, run!" Annalise shouted in what she hoped sounded like Sara's voice and took off into the woods. Chris followed her with the men close behind. 

Chris reached her quickly and grabbed her hand to help her run faster. "Annalise?"

"Surprise?"

Annalise was glad that Chris was helping her run, because her feet felt like they weighed several tons and her stomach felt like it was rising into her esophagus. She needed to get in shape.

"Can't you run any faster?" Chris cried out in desperation.

"Yes?" Annalise hoped. Her stomach lurched. "Nope."

She really needed to get in shape.

Annalise only made it a few more feet before a large hand pushed against her back. She flew to the ground with Chris trailing right behind her. 

"We got her."

                                                              ~~~

Sara continued pulling Liam after her down the street. Liam didn't know where she was taking him, so he let her lead the way. 

"What is going on?!" Liam whisper shouted. 

Sara gave his arm a hard yank for a response. 

"We are being chased, idiot."

"I don't see anyone chasing us."

"They will be."

They continued running in silence until they reached town. Liam and Sara hid behind a large building to catch their breath. Through their loud panting, Liam heard a quiet grunt come from the other side of the building. 

Liam put a finger against Sara's lips. "Shhh..."

Sara angrily brushed his finger away, but listened to his advice. The two held their positions against the wall of the building and waited to see what would happen. 

"I lost them," The man said huskily into a walkie-talkie.

"Nevermind them," the voice on the other end replied. "We have the other two in our custody. Return to the rendezvous point."

"Will do."

Liam and Sara shared worried expressions. As the man walked away and disappeared from view, Liam's ear tickled as Sara whispered to him, "They got Chris and Annalise."

If they had Annalise, then Liam couldn't help but...

...feel sorry for the kidnappers.