Cherry Tree

Chapter 11

Jake's POV

Every thing felt so perfect with Catherine. I was about 50 pages into the book when I decided to go. I felt so vulnerable there, I hadn't talk to anybody for months other than Catherine, I didn't know what to say to them. "Come on Catherine." I said, tugging on her sleeve. She had fallen asleep on my shoulder.She looked so cute there, I just wanted to let her sleep. But I knew it was time to go. I said her name again and her eyes fluttered open.

"Huh, where am I?" she said, half asleep. She looked around a little more and I saw realization appear on her face. I saw her smile as I started standing up. "Where are you going?" she said, her voice still sounded a bit sleepy. 

"It's getting kind of late." I said, trying not to make it sound like I'm ditching her. "I don't want people getting curious about me." She smiled again, her blue eyes soft. Catherine nodded and she followed me out of the little corner. We said bye to the librarian and I started toward my tree house. I turned around to see her following me. 

"When do you have to be home by?" I asked Catherine as we made our way down the dirt trail. She didn't say anything, she just shrugged. I decided to not worry about it while making my way up the rope ladder. I pulled open the trap door as I have many times before. It felt more loose than usual though. When I got in, I pulled Catherine up. 

"Want a lemonade?" I asked Catherine. 

"Sure. I'm a bit thirsty." She replied, and I saw her go lay on the couch.

I walked into the kitchen and started squeezing lemons into a pitcher. Right as I was about to grab another lemon, two thick and leathery hands cup around my mouth. I fell back in surprise and I yelped, but it made no sound. I tried struggling free, but that just made them tie up my wrists and ankles. I could tell there were at least three men, even though they put a blindfold over my eyes.

"Tie up the girl now." I heard someone whisper. No, not Catherine! I thought. I started squirming around in these men's huge hands. But it was no use, they were like two rocks, with stone hands holding me there. It hurts to move, and I can already feel bruises forming on my forearm. After realizing it was no use to struggle, I stop and relax into these men's arms.

I feel them drag me away, and struggling to get me down the ladder. Once I'm down, I'm dragged further down the trail and I feel myself get thrown into a car. I immediately feel someone else hit the seat next to me. It makes me feel so terrified and resentful at the same time. Once I feel the car start driving, I attempt to get the fabric tied around my mouth off, using my tongue. 

The fabric taste likes sweat, so I immediately get disgusted. The blindfold tears my hair, and the tie around my mouth burns my lips. My wrists and ankles are torn up by the ropes tied around them. We were in a very bad situation. I feel Catherine next to me trying to struggle free. I want to tell her there's no point, but I couldn't talk. 

I feel her stop struggling for a bit, then I feel her lips next to my ear. Her breath is quick as she whispers, "You okay?" I still didn't have my mouth tie off, so I shift a bit to signal that I was. "Stay calm." She whispers again, then she moves back to her original position. I'm paralyzed with fear in my spot, but I try and calm down, thinking about our possibilities.

Does any of this have to do with my father? Why did they take Catherine? Where are we going? Who are they? My mind races with many thoughts. Everything seems to feel like a blur. It feels as if this is all a dream, and I will wake up any minute to find out it was just a nightmare. I have nightmares every night ever since I was abandoned. Lately, they have been about Catherine. But, I don't usually feel things in my sleep, so this must be real.

I felt the car stop suddenly, and a few seconds later the thick hands were back to gripping my arms tightly. I heard a scream come from Catherine's mouth. What are they doing to her? I start shaking, knowing it's no use to struggle. My nails were digging into my skin, causing my hands to bleed. I feel a tear drip onto my cheek as I get dragged into what seems to be a building. I still have the feeling that I'm in a dream. Something sharp sinks into my arm and I feel myself falling asleep.