Abducting Avery ( completed )

Escape

Rourke was smiling and before Heather or Gregory could ask why, she explained.

"I just got off the phone with agent Gonzales. The man's name is Bruno Beckett, they're heading to his house now."

Avery's parents both smiled and for once Heather's hope remained. They hugged again, Gregory kissing her forehead gently and squeezing her hand again. 

"Does that mean you'll find her? Will she be there?" Gregory asked, their smiles fading once again.

Rourke shook her head, her smile disappearing as well. "We don't think he'd keep them there. But there is a chance he'll be there and he might tell us where they are."

"And if he's not there?" Heather asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Rourke sighed. "If not then it's a matter of tracking him down. But if he knows we're onto him it's likely he'll take the girls and run."

Tears flooded down her cheeks and her heart raced. Anger took over Heather and suddenly she turned on Gregory, balling her hands into fists. "This is all your fault! You brought her to that stupid daycare and now she's gone because of you! Why couldn't you be a real father instead of dropping her off at a daycare when you were supposed to be spending time with her?" She yelled at him, backing away from him angrily.

"Don't you dare blame this on me, Heather! I told you every time you dropped her off that I was busy! There was nothing I could do. You're the one who let her get taken! He was in her room for God's sake, Heather. How couldn't you know something was wrong?!" He shouted back. Before Heather could retort, Rourke intervened.

"Please, you two. This is not going to bring your daughter back home. You both need to stay calm; this isn't his fault, Miss Hayden, and it's not her fault either Gregory. This is Bruno Beckett's fault. He took your daughter, and we're going to need both of you to cooperate if you want to bring him to justice and get Avery back. Understand?" The woman snapped, looking to each of them expectantly. 

Gregory let out a loud grunt, running his hands through his hair. He glared at Heather, before finally turning to face Rourke. "I understand." He muttered, sitting back down. Heather followed suit, nodding at Rourke. 

"I just want my baby back."

- - - -

"Do you know what this means, Avery? We can escape! We can get out of here, we can go home to our families! You miss your mommy, don't you? Don't you want to see her again?" Charlotte's excitement seemed forced. A part of her looked willing to leave, but maybe that was just because of Avery. Earlier Charlotte had agreed that Bruno took better care of them, but somewhere deep inside she knew that wasn't true. He'd beat her before, purely for her being scared of him and his rough appearance; sometimes he had a bad day. And a part of that ten year old little girl missed her mother and her father.

Avery nodded, turning to go retrieve Biscuit from the ground. Before she could reach him, Charlotte shook her head, tugging Avery's arm as she pulled her up and out of the dark room. "We don't have time. Come on." She urged. Tears threatened Avery's eyes at the thought of leaving her stuffed friend behind, but she soon realized that their time was limited.

Charlotte started to run, making it hard for Avery to keep up. A sigh passed through the older girl's lips, and she retreated back a few steps to take Avery's hand into hers, before starting to race passed the trees again. 

They were in the woods, surrounded by nothing but wilderness. Even Avery knew how dangerous this was and if she didn't lack the right vocabulary she would have voiced this to Charlotte. But instead the girls just kept moving, kept running. They only lasted a couple minutes before both tired out. They weren't strong enough. Bruno hadn't thought about proper nutrition and Avery hadn't been fed since the night she was abducted. Her hunger was unbearable, but the only thing on that four year old's mind at that moment was her mother. 

"I'm sorry, Avery... I can't..." Charlotte managed between heavy breaths, bending over with her hands on her knees. Avery mimicked Charlotte's earlier behavior, tugging on her arm and repeating over and over to her: "We gotta."

Charlotte nodded, taking several deep breaths, before finally grabbing her hand again and continuing to run but at a slower pace, which continued to slow until they were both walking. Avery looked around wildly before realizing that they were lost and it was getting dark. Terrified, it was impossible for her to keep her composure. She let out a loud, audible cry. 

"Shh, it's okay. Don't worry. We'll find our way out of here, I promise. You can't be so loud, though. He'll find us." Charlotte whispered to her. They were far from where they first started, but Bruno could be back by now and it wouldn't take him long to find them if he chose the right direction and used his car. 

"O-okay." Avery muttered, sniffling and wiping her eyes with her free hand.

They went on for another few minutes before Charlotte paused, squeezing Avery's hand. "Sh.. Do you hear that?" The other asked in a hushed tone, quickly picking Avery up into her arms and retreating into a nearby tree, surrounded with bushes. "Be quiet." She whispered to her, setting her down behind one of them. Avery listened closely, able to detect two different sounds. The sound of an engine, and then, the sound of voices, calling what sounded like her name. The voices were very distant, however. Avery almost got up at the sound but Charlotte pushed her back down, shaking her head at her. "He'll get to us before them." She warned. A few tears climbed down her cheeks, but Avery nodded and remained concealed in the bushes. Charlotte bent down, too, but it was clear to the both of them that she didn't fit. 

"Listen to me, Avery. I need you to stay quiet and stay here, no matter what happens... Promise me you won't move from this spot until he leaves. I-if... If something happens to me I want you to wait here until those people reach you. I can hear their voices getting closer-" The sound of the car cut her off and Charlotte quickly removed herself from Avery's hiding place and began climbing a nearby tree for cover.

Avery ducked down, bringing her knees into her chest and letting out hushed cries as the sound of the car inched closer and closer until it stopped altogether. Then she heard something else: a car door slam and the sound of heavy footsteps heading in her direction.

"Charlotte! Avery!" Bruno called out angrily. Avery held her breath.

"Get down here! Right now, you little *****..." He yelled. Charlotte screamed.

"No!! No!" She cried out.  

Avery shook with fear, letting the tears flood down her face. But she kept quiet, fearing for her own as well as her friend's life.

The little girl peeked through the bushes, watching as Bruno headed up into the tree, snatching Charlotte's leg and dragging her down onto the ground. Avery jumped at the loud 'thump.'

Charlotte continued to cry as Bruno began to strike her with powerful fists. Avery turned away, flinching with every audible punch. 

"Wheres Avery?" Bruno screamed loudly. Charlotte didnt answer him, just laid there, cried and took the pain. Overwhelmed with anger, he kicked her in the stomach - as if he hadn't already done enough to the poor girl. Then he yanked her messy hair into his bloody hands and dragged her across the ground, through the tall grasses and branches. Grunting, he tossed her into the back of the car like some doll, clearly not concerned that he could kill her acting out that way. Then he hit the gas, and they drove off.

Once he was far enough away, Avery emerged from the bushes, letting out the loud sobs to mourn her friend. 

The voices in the distance faded away and Avery realized just how alone she was. Filled with fright, she retreated back into the bush, remembering what she had promised Charlotte.