As Hope and Promise Fade

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

“Marc!” It was Andrew calling his name.

“We’re trapped under you!” Marc called back knowing even with the layers of earth between them that his words could be heard. “He has some sort of remote that leads to a man made cave underground!” he added.

“We’re work on finding the remote. I have Jax with me, is Ariana with you?”

Marc glanced at her. “Yes. She showed up when I was talking to Hal like we had set up. He realized she knew about us and felt betrayed.”

“Ok we’ll get you out. Give us a few minutes to search the house.”

“Be careful!” Marc shouted as he listened to their retreating steps. “Andrew and Jax are here.” He explained to Ariana who probably couldn’t hear everything that was said.

She choked back a sob and stumbled back against the wall. “What do I tell him?” it was obvious she was scared about Jax finding out about last night or what happened after they were reunited.

“He doesn’t have to know.” Marc said again, echoing his same promise from that morning.

“I can’t just lie to his face.” She was careful to whisper in fear of Andrew or Jax overhearing.

“It doesn’t help any of us for him to know. It wasn’t in our control and it’ll never happen again.” As much as it pained him Marc vowed to make sure he never laid a hand on her for a second time. “You’re finally back together and happy. Nothing should ruin that.” As lovely as it had been to know her he wished to turn back the clock and never let it happen.

Ariana sank to her knees. “I don’t think I can do that.”

Marc opened his mouth again to tell her if she wanted Jax to know then he should be the only to tell him when Andrew’s voice cut through the silence. “The house is cleared out and whatever remote he had to open this is gone with him. Of course this couldn’t be too easy.”

“Of course.” That was an inside joke he and Andrew shared. He couldn’t remember the last time something went all that easy. One way or another there was always something to overcome.

“Stand away from the opening.” Jax shouted. “We’re going to start digging and maybe there are some wires or something Andrew can rig.”

That was the best sounding plan he had heard all day. Having heard the muffled sounds of his directions Ariana took as many steps as she could back away from the round opening making of the cave roof.

They stood there in silence as the loud sounds of digging could be heard from above. He glanced at her minutes later and noticed she was swaying on her feet. “Are you ok?”

“Fatigued, hungry, emotionally drained on very level, take your pick.” She had a lot more fire to her personality when she was in a bad mood.

“We’ll be out of here soon enough.” With Jax and Andrew so close it’d only be a matter of time before they were free.

Jax was taking the shovel to the dirt like a madman. He had spent the last twenty hour hours going insane with fear of all the worst possible things. Andrew had first tracked Hal to a warehouse that turned into a dead end. It wasn’t until that morning they tried the house again after stopping by yesterday afternoon. When they searched it yesterday there were no signs of Marc or Ariana but something told him to try again and sure enough they were here at the house trapped beneath the dirt.

“Hold on.” Andrew said and singled him to stop. He dropped to his knees and dusted through some layers of dirt before putting two wires free. “I knew when Marc mentioned a remote there had to be something that remote controlled.” He grinned from ear to ear, allowing his inner technology geek shine through.

Jax waited with bated breath as Andrew pulled some wires, cut others and reconnected them. He needed to wrap his arms around Ariana and make sure with his own two eyes she was ok. It was moments like these he knew he could never live without her and he had been foolish to think he could.

The last year apart had been hell but the worst was the last twenty four hours. While she had been gone at school he knew she was ok and safe, he hadn’t known that yesterday and went crazy trying to find her, searching every place he could get his hands on.

He stepped closer as a whirring sound broke through the air. His lunges tightened as he held his breath waiting to see if this worked and the torment was over.

A round shape about the size of a sewer cover began to slide to the left, a dust cloud of dirt blurred their vision for a moment as the whirring stopped and the cave lay visible.

He was able to breath again as his eyes met hers. She was covered in dirt, her dress was ripped at the sleeve, her hair messy and greasy from sweating but damn it she looked perfect. Jax reached in and grabbed her first to pull free.

Standing away from the cave he held her tight in his arms as she cried. “It’s ok baby.” He never wanted to let go. He was furious that her father could do such a thing leaving her in there to suffer. His mother had been right all those years ago, hunters were evil.

He held her to his side and watched as Andrew got Marc free. He instantly noticed his uncle’s arm and the missing part of Ariana’s dress wrapped around it. “What happened?”

“He has been quick on his feet and pulled one over on us before I could realize it. I had no time to prepare for the landing and my arm broke the fall.” Marc flexed the wounded arm to test its strength. It appeared sore but nearly back to working order.

“What next?” Andrew asked, always ready for his next command.

“We can figure that out later once we’ve had a chance to shower and eat.” Marc said while the four of them started back to the driveway. “Do you know what happened to our cars?” he asked of his and Ariana’s.

Andrew answered. “The hunter must’ve disposed of them.”

Jax kept a tight grip on Ariana, he knew hearing about her father could have been easy. There wasn’t much more said as they piled into the van and headed straight back to the cabin. He’d leave it in Marc and Andrew’s care to figure out what happened and what came next. Right now his sole focus was on Ariana and helping her get through this rough time.