Chapter 22
"Will I ever find this house? I've been driving for hours." It's dark and stormy. Angela is trying to keep her eyes open. She hasn't had a decent sleep in days.
While driving along the narrow road, Angela notices a supermarket, and to her surprise, it's open and empty. She climbs out entering the supermarket; there is no cashier either. She walks through the supermarket and gets some soda. When she notices a dead lady wearing a blue jacket in the aisle, she seems to be in her early forties. She hides when she hears the door opening from the back of the supermarket. "Someone just entered here; lock the door. That truck was not there before. Let's split up." Says a male voice.
"Why must I always get myself in these situations," Angela whispers to herself. She sees the opportunity and slowly walks through the back door, locking it from the outside. The back door leads to a staircase going down.
She is out by the stairs and checks the CCTV on the TV. The men run towards the back door but are unable to open it.
Angela had put a thick plank between the door handles, "She locked us in, Joey."
The men have now removed their masks, "let's go out in front." they run as fast as possible to get to the front. Just as they reach the door, Angela takes off in their car.
"Dammit, Mark, you said no one would be around this time at night. The bitch took the car."
"There is always a truck," says Joey as the men walk up to the truck.
The men carry weapons as they walk around the truck, "are you sure it's that same lady's truck?"
"We saw it black on white on the CCTV camera Joey. What more proof do we need?" They open the door, "is this what it looks like? Blood?"
"Yes, this truck is covered in blood, it will get us in hot water with the cops if we should ever get pulled over, beside every cop is out there looking for us, and it smells in here."
"Well, we have three choices stay here and get caught, or climb in this truck. The third choice would be to freeze to death."
"No one can survive out here in this weather."
The three men climb into the truck and take off.
"Those men will probably come after me," she says to herself as she drives the dark, isolated road. The car has a navigation system, but in the area she is in, all she can see is land, no street names or directions. While driving, Angela noticed a gravel road on her left side. She decides to drive down the gravel road. On each side of the road is a tall tree. It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents, except at occasional intervals when it was checked by a violent gust of wind that swept up the streets. Rattling along the tree tops and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.
Angela recalled when a chilly night crept upon the forest. The trees were constantly scratching the outer walls of the room she stayed in, swung by a howling wind that sneaked into the darkness of her room through a broken window. The noise was soothing, better than sitting in maddening silence. As a kid, she had learned to cope with darkness and storms being defenseless against the natural forces of nature. Her dad would lock her in a room with only a single flashlight. It was pitch dark as the coldness of the air that settled around her made her curl into a small ball. Her bare feet screamed not only for cloth and warmth, but they also had to feel the soft ground that was undoubtedly moist from the rain falling more often than not at this time of year. Though they would be cold in both ways, at least the latter would mean two things; no more darkness and no more captivity.
She had taught herself independence its only her who could save herself. At school, she learned high-level programming, creating apps that would someday make her rich. Little did she realize her mastermind would bring her wealth sooner than expected.
She was driving on the gravel road and saw a large blue fence with spikes. She stopped her car and switched off her brights.
"This must be it." She thought to herself as she climbed out of the car and walked over to the fence with sharp spikes on top. Alongside the fence was a fifty-meter wall, which was higher than the fence. And even if anyone climbs onto the wall, they would be shocked by the electrical fence.
Angela looked around and saw something shiny on the ground. She leaned over and picked it up. It was a Pentagon, the same Pentagon that Nicole always wore around her neck.
Angela was convinced Nicole had to be inside. She ran back to the car and searched for a phone to call for help, instead of a phone she found a revolver, it was loaded.
She had an idea that someone would come to the gate if she flickered her lights. She could ask to use the bathroom and look around, she had a loaded weapon, and this wouldn't be the first time she killed someone. Angela was determined to clear her brother's name.
She armed herself with the firearm and the knife, flickering the car's light. No one approached the fence, so she picked up a rock and banged it against the fence, "Hello, is anyone there?" She screamed.
Out of nowhere, there was a tall shadow. It was too dark to see the face until the person stepped up to the gate.
It was a 5.9feet man wearing a raincoat and denim. He had short black hair and light blue eyes, light in complexion, "hello can I help you?" he said in a passive sinister voice.
Angela looked around as if she was lost, " it's pouring out here, and I need to use the bathroom."
The man looked at her suspiciously, "are you alone?"
"Yes, I am." she walked over to the car switching on the car light, "I am alone." the man looked over his shoulder before removing the key from his pocket. Angela saw something lurking in the shadows of the tall wall. Angela took a step back, not sure what she was seeing.
She wiped her eyes, "this weather is freezing out here; why is a girl like yourself out here by herself?"
"I am visiting a nearby relative."
The man shook his head, "this relative must be significant for you to be out on your own in this weather."
Angela shook her head, not making eye contact staring at the corner of the wall.
"So, are you here alone?"
The man looked at her wearily, "why do you ask?"
"Sorry for asking. I didn't mean to offend you."
"No, I am the one who should apologize, im just cautious after the recent attack. Please follow me." Angela stepped into the yard, and she heard dogs barking. She stepped back and looked around, "please don't be afraid. They are tied up, and they are in the back."
"In the back?"
"Yes, we have a separate building in the backyard. The dogs are guarding that building."
Angela tried looking over his shoulder to where the dogs were.
"The bathroom is straight, to your left, then you will see a little wooden door; on that side, that's where the bathroom is. I hope you don't mind using the outside one. I have an ill mother who could have covid, and we are trying to contain it."
"Oh my, I am sorry to hear that. Are you here on your own, taking care of your mother?"
The man nodded, "yeah, it's my mother-in-law. My wife passed away recently."
"I am sorry to hear that, mister. My condolence." Angela was not sure what to say. This man seemed honest, but he was hiding something in the back. Why else would the dogs be barking this whole time? The man watched Angela as she walked straight the pathway and turned left. Angela had found the bathroom; it had a toilet and a sink, and it was tidy. Angela tried to look around for a clue, but there was nothing. She then heard footsteps outside the bathroom.
"Hello, is anyone there?" she stood up and pulled the chain; walking over to the basin, she leaned down and rinsed her face. She heard a cry for help. It was not loud nor soft. Angela gripped the revolver and stood behind the door as she heard footsteps and heavy breathing. She slowly opened the door and looked outside; there was nobody. She looked down the pathway; the man stood there with his hands behind his back, pacing slowly toward her.
"You heard that, didn't you?"
Angela played dumb. "heard what, Sir."
"Dont play stupid with me, you bloody nosey kids always finding ways to enter here."