The Trouble Within

Chap 18

Randall slept solidly through the night and sunlight in his face the next morning woke him up.

He sat up and stretched and yawned. When he looked around, he saw he was not at home. Then he remembered, that he was at Stanton's cabin.

"Now I just need to get out of here."

Randall pulled himself off the couch and an instant pain in his left foreleg made him go down, groaning at the pain.

He pushed himself up and he could walk, but it just hurt. It was either sprained or strained. Either way, he looked for a first aid kit.

He found one in the bathroom and bandaged the leg up. He then looked for a keys. He didn't find one. He went out and checked the truck out there. There was no keys.

"Great. Stanton must have had them on him."

Randall knew this was going to be a long walk ahead and his leg was not in good shape. But he couldn't stay here. There was no food.

Randall found a canteen and he filled that up with water. He also brought along the first aid kit. He found a backpack and put needed essentials in there.

His stomach growled for some breakfast, but there was nothing he could do about it. He just drank a whole glass of water, hoping that would satisfy it for now. Then he went outside, ready to start his trip and he found a good stick that could be used for an assistance walking stick because of his leg.

Randall began his journey back home. He could only hope that he found someone to give him a ride back. With the hurt leg, he didn't know how far he would make it.

It was one long road and no one had come down it. When he came to the highway, he had no idea which way was what. If he remembered right, the way to his right led to a small town. Or was it the left?

He decided to go left. Just following the road was the best thing he could do. If someone saw he was hurt, surely someone would stop for him.

The day wore on and got warmer. It was tedious walking under the hot sun. Many cars went by, but none stopped.

Hunger became intense. Randall found himself drinking quite a bit of water in small sips. He had to stop often because of the painful leg.

At one time, he was just sitting in the grass and a red car suddenly stopped on the side. Randall looked up.

"Randall? Is that you?" An elderly woman's voice said.

"Mrs. Bing?" He said, recognizing her voice.

"Randall, it is you!" She smiled.

Randall pushed himself up and went to talk to her.

"What are you doing out here, Randall?" She asked.

"Trying to get home to my family." He said. "I was dragged out here again by the guy that kidnapped me before."

"You don't look pregnant now. So what are the babies?"

"One girl and one boy. My sister has them right now."

"You look injured. What happened?"

"My kidnapper pursued me and I hurt my leg. I don't think I can make it back on foot."

"Monstropolis is a long way off, my boy. Get in."

"Wait. Back at the hospital so long ago, did you call the police on me?"

"No. I never did. Someone else in the hospital apparently did. I promise."

"Alright." He said and went to get his things and got in her car, strapping the seatbelt.

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. I really need this ride."

"You're welcome."

"So, how have you been otherwise?" Mrs. Bing asked.

"I had the kids at a special resort that the prison sent me to so I wouldn't be so stressed while pregnant. Then I went back to prison and had to let my sister take custody of Lori and Jason. And I got out granted with parole. I've been learning to be a parent. I work back at my old company, but definitely am not a scarer anymore. I was a canister maker and repairman, and now I also serve in the lunchroom."

"My sister has a son named Rex and he started kindergarten this fall. The twins are otherwise in the daycare program while my sister and I are working. We've been happy together, but I do aim to get my own apartment again someday. I'll have to at least live with my sister until my parole is up. I hope I wasn't deemed violating it when I was forcefully taken again. It wasn't my fault." Randall explained.

"He didn't love me. He just wanted to use me. He wanted my kids. And he wanted another. He raped me again. Yes, he was also the father of the twins, but I wouldn't tell him where they were and how many. I was trying to protect them. I wasn't going to let him drag my sister and nephew into this mess too."

"So how did you get away?"

Randall wasn't about to tell her what really happened. "I lured him and lost him in the woods. I don't know where he is now."

"I'm sorry that he did that to you again. I'll take you back to my house and you can call your sister that you're safe and I'll take you home tomorrow." She said.

"Thank you. I could use a good meal."

Mrs. Bing took Randall home with her. She let him stay in the same room again.

Randall was finally able to get to a phone. He called his sister.

"Hello." A kid's voice picked up.

"Rex? It's Uncle Randall. Is your mom there?" Randall asked.

"Yes. Here Mommy, it's Uncle Randall." He heard Rex say.

"Randall?! Where are you?!" Amanda's desperate, worried voice came into the phone.

Randall told her where he was and he had been kidnapped by Stanton again and managed to get away.

"I'll be up to get you."

"No! Mrs. Bing said she would bring me home tomorrow. You are too stressed to drive. I'll be fine, Sis. How are the kids?"

"They are just fine, but it's you I'm worried about and Rex was mad that you couldn't take him to the park. But it's fine now that I know you're safe. Take care and I'll see you tomorrow." Amanda said.

"Yeah. Good night. And tell Rex I'm sorry. I couldn't control what happened." Randall said. "But I'll make it up to him soon."

They hung up.

Shortly after, Randall and Mrs. Bing sat down to a good meal. He was so hungry, but he was still worried about another possible pregnancy happening.
..................

Amanda called the police and said her brother was found and he was fine, but had been taken to that town by force and had escaped.

Randall did have another parole meeting in a few days. It was important for him to get back before then.