Freedom

            Flash forward eight years.  Jess had completed the five required years for experience at the local police department. She finally landed herself the role of a Deputy Sheriff.  In her small town that meant sitting just inside of county lines trying to catch a speeder, or handling drunken brawls at the local dive bars.  Nothing of real excitement.  She had talked her parents into letting her rent out her family home when they retired in Florida last March.             

            She was content in her life.  She had never regretted not leaving for college and she loved her job.  She also loved her fiancé, Trevor.  He traveled for work and was gone for weeks at a time but when he was home he lived with her and they made up for the missed time.   

            Life had never been better.  Every once in a while she would get a second glace and hear whispers like, “Hey isn’t that the woman who…” and she knew all too well they were talking about her abduction.  Sometimes she would finish their sentences with “Who got away.  The woman who lived.” Those people looked away ashamed.  The truth was it stopped bothering Jess years ago.  It was as much a part of her as learning to drive a car or shoot a gun.  However, she did have to teach herself to be okay alone. It took a few years after the trail to really feel safe by herself.  She also knew that with her training she would never allow something to happen to her or if she could help it, anyone else.  She would go weeks without it even resurfacing in her mind.  It was nearing the anniversary of her abduction and the death of her friend.  Trevor was always extra careful with Jess and her feelings around this time of year.  He also made a point to be home with her for a few weeks. 

            The night before the exact date of her abduction; Jess and Trevor had just started making their traditional Wednesday wine down and Pasta dinner.  As an acting Deputy Sheriff Jess had to keep her phone on at all times.  The joy of her dream job was she was at the whim of every criminal in the county.  Her phone rings just as she takes her first sip of cabernet.

            “Come on babe, just ignore it this once.” Trevor smiled his charming smile and batted his eyelashes as he continued to cut garlic. 

            “You’re cute. How would you feel if your emergency was ignored because the law officer in charge wanted to drink a glass of wine and bump around the sheets?” She laughed, he cheesed and she picked up the phone.

            “What’s goin’ on Phil?  This better be something good. I was about to have my one glass of wine for the week.” Her smile quickly disappeared from her face and she tried to place her glass on the counter.

            The stem of the glass caught the counter and the glass shattered and her wine went everywhere. She ignored the fact that the wine was all over her and the floor.  Trevor came over concerned and place his hand on her lower back.

            “No. No. No. No. How could he- how did he? I mean what are they?  I need to call you back” The world felt spinney and the blood drained from Jess’ face.  

            “I need to sit, I’m gonna pass out.” She quivered.

            “I’ve got you.  What’s happening? What’s wrong?  You look like you are going to puke.”  Trevor handed her the pot he was about to cook sauce in just in time.  Jess puked.  He held her hair and rubbed her back.

            “Jess what the fuck is going on?” Trevor clearly wanted to help.

            Jess handed him the pot and stood to walk to the couch.  She felt like she was walking through a room of fun house mirrors and nothing made any sense.  Trevor grabbed a water and followed handing it to her when she sat.  He kneeled in front of her and rubbed her thighs impatiently waiting for her to tell him the context of the phone call.  Her phone rang again and she ignored it.  Trevor looked from her to the phone.  “Should I grab that?” He asked.

“No. I can’t.” Tears started to well in her eyes.

“Ok, what? I’m officially worried.”  Trevor had always been patient with her but, you could tell it was wearing thin.

            Jess looked him square in the face but seemed to look through him.  A huge tear fell from her cheek.

“Baby. WHAT!?” he pushed.

“He. Got. Out.” She said dry.

“Who got ou – Oh. Shit.” He stood up and started pacing. 

“We have to get you out of here. This is going to be the first place he looks.  We can get in the car.  Drive to Denver.  Fly to Florida.  Where do you want to go?” He pulled his phone out to search for flights. 

“Let’s go pack.” He started up the stairs.  “Jess let’s go!” he shouted from the stairs.

“No.” She said quietly.

“What?!” He shouted from the landing.  When she didn’t respond he came half way down the stairs.  “What did you say?”

“I said no. I am not running from this.” She said sternly.

Trevor came behind the couch and put his hands on her shoulder.

“I support you. I am here for you.  You know I think you are one of the smartest people I know.  But, staying here is stupid Jess.  He will come here first thing.  You are giving him exactly what he wants. Don’t be so stupid!” He spoke from a good place and Jess knew he was just scared to lose her.

“I am not being stupid.  I am not some scared injured little girl anymore, Trevor.” She stood up and faced him.

“I am not saying that.” He defended.

“I know.  We are fine. Everything’s fine.  I’m fine.” She started to ramble and she looked a bit crazy at this point.

“So you are saying you are just going to wait here for him to find you.” He was shocked.

“If he makes it this far. He can find me.” Jess walked to the kitchen grabbed a towel and started picking up her wine mess. She tossed the shattered pieces in the trash.

“When he does. I’m going to kill him.” She broke the noodles in half and tossed them in the boiling water, which caused the water to boil over.

           Jess knew killing him was the only way she would ever have her freedom.  Either she was going to kill him or vice versa. Either way, it was going to be over for good.