As Stacie drove down the highway, her and Beca were just talking about anything and everything on their journey to find their friend and wife. Stacie had just told Beca about how she and Chloe met in college and how she got with Aubrey. Although they were talking, Beca was still texting Chloe and checking everywhere. It was a good 40-minutes into the events and Chloe's vehicle showed no sign of stopping. It just kept going on the highway. Stacie was travelling over 100 miles per hour, so she has been able to gain some extra time.
"How's she doing?"
"Not good, but if she was fine then I would be even more worried, you know? I mean, I am worried, but we're getting there. Sorry, I don't know. I'm worried, but also pissed off too. Not with you, but why would anyone do this? You've met her she wouldn't hurt a fly yet here we are talking about her and she's in the back of god knows what. It doesn't make sence."
"I get it, I have no idea how I'd react, but my instinct would be to go and find Aubrey. I'm sorry I couldn't contact sooner, I was trying and trying to get through to Chloe and then getting through to Bree was a nightmare, too."
"Don't worry about it. We sort of know where she's going so let's just bring her home. Go down the next left, please. They're driving past Canebrake."
"Towards Bakersfield?"
"Looks like it, but we'll see if they stop."
Beca send Chloe another text about where she's heading.
Stacie was right, not only were they definitely heading for Bakersfield, but that's also where they had stopped. They were around Hillcrest and Chloe was in East Bakersfield.
"Do you know anyone around here?"
"No, I didn't even know Chloe knew anyone from here."
Bec, I can't talk anymore. We've stopped and I can hear them getting out. The locations left on and inside my bra. Please don't call me unless I call you. Chloe quickly typed out before sending.
Beca read that out loud to Stacie.
"Ok, where are they?"
"Middle of nowhere. Like where the fuck is that?"
"Pull up maps, check it out."
As Beca listened to what Stacie said, it took a minute, but she got there.
"There's a park, down Vernon Avenue, that's where they are!"
"Ok, look we have to be careful now. Look over there."
Stacie pointed out to the left and there were masks, people, guns and screaming. It sent a shiver down Beca's spine.
"Get the MP5"
"I don't know guns, how am I meant to know what that is?"
"Sorry. Habit. It's on the middle seat. Just pick it up and keep the safety on until I say otherwise. I don't know what this could be like, we could be okay, but we can't be too prepared."
Stacie got more and more closer to where Chloe was and Beca certainly wasn't getting any calmer. She kept jumping at every bang she heard, and nearly dropped the gun she was holding. Stacie wanted to swap.
"Right, we are swapping. You are like a leaf. Hop in the back, we'll switch seats, and you are driving, I will keep guard. I take it the phones not moved?"
Beca shook her head which Stacie understood as a no and certainly didn't hesitate. She undid her seatbelt and within a minute they had swapped and Beca was driving.
"This is where is gets tricky ok? We can't drive on the field, it's too obvious. You have to trust me, I know Chloe and she would kill me if I ever let anything happen to you. But, Beca, you have to trust me next. Can you do that? The sooner we do this, we can then drive back home. Got it?"
Beca couldn't respond. She was shaking. She knew what this meant. Them getting out and walking. Walking in this chaos. Although it's been going on nearly two hours, to Beca, it felt like days. She was scared to say the least. Beca didn't want to die, she was about to start producing Ed Sheeran's next album. She has a life with Chloe. She just wants her wife with her and them at home safe and sound.
Stacie saw how terrified she was. "Hey, it'll be okay. I'm here." She held out a hand and placed it over Beca's shaking knee.
"Look, we have everything we need. We have no reason to get out other than to go in that building there, yeah? Everything is in the bag behind my seat, and the guns are on the back seat."
Beca listened to what Stacie was saying. She knew that they couldn't stay sat here long, it wouldn't be long before someone finds them. They were close to Chloe for sure, but it was just getting to her safely which was the problem.
"I hate to push you, but we really need to go. Look, we'll just get into the church there, yeah?"
"No, I'm fine. I am. Where are we heading?"
"Going round the back of the church and behind there are some trees. Then we just need to be careful as there's a road. But once we have done that, we are in the woods over there. If we go quickly, we'll be there in less than a minute. Have you got everything you need?"
"Okay, ok. Yeah, I do."
