Aednat and the Wolf

Chapter 24 Missing

"Have you seen the girls?" Siofra asked.

"They were eating pizza over there," Leman replied, "I saw them walk out of the rink area." Siofra made a quick search. She located their skates and checked the girl's room before returning to Leman.

"I can't find Loki either."

"I'll check outside." Leman stepped out and unobserved assumed his wolf shape to take advantage of the wolf's heightened senses of sight, sound and smell. He quickly picked up their sent trail that lead him to a vacant spot in the parking lot. He followed the tire tracks until he lost them in the tangle of other tire tracks on the road. He then returned to the skating ring in human form.

Siofra saw him enter the rink and ran to him, "Did you find them?"

"No, but I believe they were taken. I definitely picked up the scent of the First and Fifth Lord. They took off in a car."

"Were is Loki?" Siofra whispered.

The police had just finished talking to everyone and left. Siofra was carrying a paper bag that contained the girl's shoes when David and Eric arrived. Loki also quietly entered the lobby of the rink. The sun had set and snow was again falling.

"Why were the police here?" David asked.

"Someone took the girls," Stacy's mother whispered through her tears. "The police say there is nothing they can do as they believe they simply ran away."

"Who ran away?" David asked.

"Aednat, Rosie, Greta, Stacy, Gloria and Joanne," Siofra whispered.

"Since there apparently was no struggle they think they simply left voluntarily," Leman said.

"That don't make sense!" David said. Loki pulled David aside.

"I saw them taken by a group of armed men. I followed them. I know where they are."

"Let's tell the police!" Eric said.

"The girls could get hurt if the police rush there with their sirens and lights," David said.

"Go home David," Siofra said touching his shoulder. "I'll go to them and standby. Get a group together."

"I'll lead you there Siofra," Loki said, "then I'll come to you and lead the rest of you there."

"I'll go with you!" Leman said fiercely. Siofra nodded. Once all the Hendersen's left for the lodge an owl lead two wolfs as they ran silently in the night.

The blue panel van stopped in the long driveway. The gags but not the bindings were removed from the captives as they were unceremoniously dragged from the van and made to stand in their stockings in the snow. Aednat's sweater still hung loosely exposing her right shoulder as she tugged at the hem to afford a semblance of modesty. The villain who had accosted her smiled snugly. The First Lord carefully assessed his prizes. He noted Aednat's torn sweater, missing pants and bruised face. He pulled out a large revolver with a silencer and put the gun to her temple. "Did you give my man a bloody nose?" he asked. Aednat looked terrified and her body was shaking with fear.

"Yes, only I am responsible. Don't hurt my friends." She then closed her eyes and waited.

The First Lord turned quickly and pointing the gun into his snug henchman's face and pulled the trigger. The man's head exploded splattering everyone with blood. Aednat opened her eyes wide watching. "I gave specific orders did I not?"

"Yes sir," the others mumbled.

"You can have the girls only when I say you can. Not before."

"Yes sir."

"I expect my orders to be followed to the letter. You can cut this piece of garbage up and burn him with the other two deserters. Lock our guests in the coal room for tonight. We can interrogate in the morning, the Overlord will be here for the fun." The First and Fifth Lord walked into the cottage and the girls were shoved and pushed to the back door. They descended a narrow stairway to the dirt floor of the basement. The walls were rough stones. The basement was illuminated by a single light bulb suspended on a wire. The room was dominated by a large coal fired furnace that stood on a cement slab. Huge asbestos covered pipes exited the top of the furnace like the arms of a huge octopus and lead to openings in the ceiling. One man slowly shoveled coal from a small room, also illuminated by a single bulb, to an open grate on the furnace. The girls recoiled in terror as two other men carelessly tossed dismembered body parts into the fire. They stood helplessly watching the grizzly work until the last body part was thrown into the fire.

"Got some more stuff to burn in the morning," one of the henchmen said. "These," he said with a cruel smile motioning toward the girls, "we'll do you all later this week." The girls were them shoved into the coal room and the door locked. They huddled together weeping.

"Let's untie each other," Aednat whisper and proceed to work on Rosemary's bindings. It took several minutes to get everyone loose and then with their arms and hands free they held each other. Then they tried to comfort their companions as they wept in each other's arms. "Greta, could I have my necklace back." Greta looked confused but unsnapped the clasp and handed the necklace to her sister.

"Got a plan Aediy?" Rosemary asked.

"We got to get out of here first."

The Hendersen family men had gathered in the lodge dining room. They were all checking an assembly of deer rifles and shot guns. Eric also was given a twenty gauge break-open single barrel gun. David stood next to him explaining how to load and fire the gun. "David and I have military experience," Ted said loudly, "so just follow our lead."

"Please hold your fire, we don't want to hurt any of our girls," David said.

"Loki told me where they are located. I know the location well."

"We have two people there already," David said, "so be careful." Gert and Ruth were also standing with the men armed with shot guns.

"We just all can't go rushing in," Ruth said. "This calls for careful planning."

"Let me walk up and knock on the door," Gert said.

"NO! Grandma that's..."

"Just listed Davey. Please all of you listen. I'll say my car went off the road," Gert explained, "I'll ask if they can give me a push. Perhaps I can lead a few down the road a bit."

"Gertrude you are a genius," Ted said.

"I'm a cunning old lady!"

"That's too dangerous," David objected.

"Do you have a better idea?"