face on one of the blankets. She ripped open the closet and grabbed a long-sleeved t-shirt, then took a pair of cargo pants from one of the drawers. She knew it would be a waste of time to search for shoes that may fit in a house that was apparently inhabited by only men, so to save time, she stole the sneakers from the man she?d just killed. They were too big by far, but at least she could lace them tightly to keep them on.
When she was dressed, she searched the man?s pockets for keys, but didn?t find anything at all. She quickly tore through the house, looking for a set of keys to unlock the cell in the basement, but most of the drawers and cabinets were empty. The only thing she found that would be useful was a pistol in the closet and a roll of duct tape which she used to tape up the toes of her sneakers so that she could run. She ran to the basement and ransacked the desk, although she knew better than to think that there would be a set of keys to the cell right in the very room they?d been held hostage. What she did find that she?d forgotten about, was the syringe full of some chemical that Lucifer had claimed would return her memory. Not ready to make a decision if she trusted him to inject herself with it, she stuck it in her pocket.
She ran to the cell and saw that the girl was still sleeping. She yelled to her, but got no response. She panicked and yelled again, louder this time and breathed a sigh of relieve when the girl jumped. The girl?s eyes widened and she leaped to her feet, ?You?re out!? she yelled.
Jane nodded frantically, ?Yes, I?m out, but I can?t find another set of keys to get you out too. The other man left and he had them in his pocket.?
Jane saw the hope fall from her expression as her eyes dropped to the floor. ?Go.?
?What?? Jane questioned.
?Go. Neither of us can get out of here if you don?t go get help.?
?I don?t want to leave you,? Jane whimpered.
?Go!? the girl yelled at her.
Jane took a breath, trying to suck in some courage and gripped the bars of the cell. ?I promise I?ll be back. I?ll come back for you.?
The girl nodded and Jane studied her expression one last time before turning and running up the basement steps. She peered out the front door and couldn?t see anyone but thought that it may be safer if she left from the back door. She hadn?t heard anyone using the door on that side of the house.
She peered out the door and didn?t see anyone, so she cracked the door, listening and looking for anything to indicate someone was outside. When she felt the coast was clear, she stepped outside and tried to decide which direction to run. It was getting later in the evening and the sun was shining from the west. She also noted that the wind was blowing west. She decided that heading east would be the smartest decision. If she came across anyone, she?d have the benefit of the sun in their eyes and her scent would be blowing the opposite direction. She took off in a jog, watching her footing to be as quiet as possible and keeping her breathing steady so that she could hear easier.
She ran for quite some time with no idea where she was running to. She thought of going in search of a road, but she was fearful that any vehicles she?d encounter wouldn?t be anyone able to help, but instead, it could be her captors.
***
Dirk was awakened by a bucket of cold water and a slap to the face. He opened his eyes and stared around at the men before him. It was difficult to make out their faces as he was still groggy from whatever they?d given him, but he recognized two or three of them.
?Where is the rest of your pack?? a voice boomed.
?I? I don?t know,? he breathed.
?Why are you alone??
?I couldn?t wait for them. I needed to find Jane. I couldn?t wait any longer.?
Dirk knew that he shouldn?t be telling them anything, but deep inside his foggy mind, he hoped that if they thought he?d came alone, that they wouldn?t be suspecting anyone when Fritz and the other men showed up.
?What are we going to do with him?? one of