The Life of the Wife

Chapter thirty

CHAPTER THIRTY

DET MORRIS

The crackle of the steps grew closer and soon enough a large presence hovered over our withered bodies.
'My lord, what has happened to you two?' A deep, angelic voice echoed through my ears and I opened my eyes to find a worried, aged man offering his hand. His hands were soft and warm and so much bigger than mine giving me the feeling I had when I would be lifted from my father at a young age. The old man clipped the undone side of his overalls covering his large well fed belly and lifted George to his feet as well.
'We need to get into town, can you do that for us sir?' My words felt fumbled and not my own, I had never felt so much fear and elation in one moment.
'Please, call me Wyatt. Of course I will help you young folks to town. Was going that way anyway! What are the odds?' His chuckling southern voice warmed my heart and made me feel like a child in the presence of Santa with his white thick bushy beard bouncing with every word he spoke.
The truck smelled of stale smoke and takeaway food, while the floor scattered old boxes of just that. We embraced the smell, not having been near that for far too long.
Wyatt's distended belly jiggled as he heaved himself into the drivers seat before reaching for his packet of cigarettes from his front overall pockets.
'Wyatt, I don't mean to be asking so much but, would you mind sharing a cigarette?'
'A young thing like you should look after yourself!'
'Shall I tell you the same thing?' I laughed, lighting up the cigarette. His laugh was contagious and sincere, it gave me comfort and a sense of safety.

'Just ten minutes drive to town, but that's no reason to still not have seat belts on!' Wyatt bellowed as he tapped the metal clips by our shoulders.
'So are you two lovely city folk married yet?' Wyatt continued, keeping his large brown eyes on the dirt road.
'Were just friends.' George replied, finally speaking since we got in the truck.
Wyatt seemed surprised but ended it there, whilst tapping the leather steering wheel with his left hand to the beat of the country music quietly playing from the speakers.
'Why were you in the middle of nowhere? Not getting into trouble I hope?' Wyatt quickly scanned us again, looking at our ragged clothes and stains of blood.
'I don't want to alarm you, but there are some very dangerous people living back there, they kidnapped us and kept us captive.' I answered, calmly.
'That's until we escaped.' George added.
Suddenly the truck drew to a halt and the brakes screeched in protest. Wyatt's eyes widened and shifted quickly facing us in shock.
'Is this true?' He finally questioned, his eyes fixated on my face.
'Yes, we have been missing for months, we need to get to town as soon as possible.' I pointed my eyes to the road then back to his worried face.
'Then we need to get a move on!' Wyatt's was much harsher now, and his body tensed over with his large hairy hands gripped tightly to the steering wheel.
The truck was moving again, but the mood had changed. Wyatt had become more alert, checking his mirrors a lot more constantly.

Driving into town was like seeing light for the first time again, it was glorious. George or I couldn't hold our excitement and relief and basically cheered as we passed the welcome sign. My heart pounded but not in fear as it had the past few torturous months. I kept touching my face to ensure I wasn't dreaming.

I stood aside George in front of the police station. It was all so surreal, we could barely contain ourselves and steps felt like we were floating on clouds.
The cool breeze of the air conditioner brushed against our sweaty faces as we pulled the glass doors open.
'It's you! Oh my lord it's you!' The front counter officer exclaimed.
'Please, stay right here, I have someone you might want to see!' He continued, almost skipping to the offices. George and I looked at each other confused before finding the water cooler. We must have looked like wild animals pouring the icy water into the styrofoam cups as quickly as we did.
'Frieda?' A small tired, familiar voice croaked. I lowered the cup to find Marian and my captain standing before me.
'Well you're a sight for sore eyes!' I exclaimed reaching for a hug.
'Thank god you're okay!' She cried, holding me tightly.

Everything felt like a blur. The questions, the statements, the explaining. George didn't want to leave my side and I didn't want him too either, we had gone through this together and we're going to get out the same.
The rush of the station had calmed me. Before this all happened all the buzz made me nervous, but this time it was all for me, for justice.
The police were already forming a group to raid the commune, and were waiting on a warrant, but the captain assured us that from our statements it was a sure thing.
Marian spent most of the time on the phone to everyone back home telling the, the good news, and checking on me to make sure I had everything I needed. I was content again. We were on the precipice of taking down the bad guys, this is what I was waiting for, what I needed to get on with life.
George sat next to me, caressing an apple before taking a bite, dropping his face to pleasure, then confusion.
'What's wrong?'
'Do you think she will resist arrest?'
'Johanna?'
'Yes.'
'I'm not sure, I'm sorry George.'
'Why did it have to be her to take my heart?' He sobbed, looking to the ground.
I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and laid my head on the other, giving him a consoling pat.
He needed this over just as much as I did.