by the hair and dragged her toward him.
“Let me go!” Amy struggled in Darrell Gene’s grasp. The big man wrapped both arms around her and squeezed as hard as he could, cutting her air supply off. Amy coughed and gasped for air, unable to speak.
“She’s praying for you too.” Judith struggled to free her hands from the telephone wire restraints. “So am I. If you’re going to kill us because of that, then go ahead. “
“Oh, I won’t kill you. I’ll just cut your tongues out so you can’t pray.”
His tirade was cut short by the slamming of a car door outside. A note of panic registered on Darrell Gene’s face and he raced to the window, wondering who was here, if the cops had somehow been notified. What he saw, however, put a smile on his face. “This just keeps getting better and better.”
There was something about the way he said it that made Amy want to be sick. What she saw through the window did the trick. The hamburger she’d eaten earlier in the van came back up almost immediately and it was several seconds before she could stop heaving up bile and half-digested French fries.
“No.” She wiped the slime from her lips.
“What is it?” Judith was startled by her daughter’s sudden reaction.
“It’s Peter. For some reason, Brenda’s bringing him back.”
“Just act normal now. Answer the door like you normally would. Take your son, thank your babysitter and close the door. Don’t think of trying anything cute, or I’ll carve a few more wrinkles in your mother’s precious face.”
Amy nodded and tried to compose herself as Brenda approached the front door. The doorbell sounded, and Amy hesitated for just a moment before answering. Darrell Gene growled at her. “Do it!”
Amy opened the door and forced herself to smile. “Hi Brenda.”
“I’m so sorry to bring Peter back so soon. I tried to call, but I couldn’t get through. I think something’s wrong with my phone. I know I was supposed to keep him until nine, but Danny’s had a breakdown on the side of the road. I’ve got to go and pick him up, and I’m afraid I’ll be out a lot later than nine. I hope I’m not ruining your plans for the evening.”
“No, no.” Amy took Peter and kissed him on the head. “I understand completely. You go and take care of Danny. Tell him I said hello.”
“Aaahhhh!” Peter cooed and pointed at Darrell Gene who stood quietly behind the door. Darrell Gene grimaced at the toddler..
“Okay, I’ll see you at church Sunday.”
“God willing. Thanks a bunch, Brenda. I appreciate it.”
Darrell Gene waited until the door was closed before moving in front of the window again. He watched as Brenda’s Oldsmobile backed out of the driveway.
“Now where were we?” He eyed the two-year-old. “Oh yeah, right. We were talking about what a horrible childhood I had. I’m sure this little guy wouldn’t know anything about that.”
“You leave him alone!” Amy turned her back on Darrell Gene and shielded Peter with her body.
“Well, now that’s not very Christian. I was just going to play with the boy. But I guess I’m not classy enough to associate with your child.”
Amy’s screaming scared Peter, and he quickly joined in.
“Shut him up! I’m not going to listen to much more of that.”
Judith’s strong resolve wilted as she realized that Darrell Gene wouldn’t hesitate to harm Peter. Her face turned a ghostly shade of pale.
“Please don’t hurt us! Especially the baby. We’ll do whatever you want.”
Darrell Gene thought about that for a moment, and an idea quickly formed in his head. “Is that right?”
Amy nodded. “Don’t hurt Peter, and I’ll do what you want.”
Darrell Gene smiled a predator’s smile.
“Do you still have your wedding dress?”
Chapter 31
I knew Darrell Gene was a volcano that could erupt at any time. I also knew that Asterion was the master of this maze and the only one who knew where the exit was.
“Asterion! Show yourself. It’s time to end this!”
The minotaur didn’t come. The only response I received was a deafening knock like the ones before.
Boom!
It was the sound of two planets colliding in space.
Boom!
It was a noise made by a herd of stampeding elephants.
Boom!
It was the sound of a mountain being picked up and dropped.
Boom!
It was the sound I heard the first time I ever fired a shotgun.
“Asterion! I’ve played your game. Now it’s time you played mine. Come out and face me!”
Boom!
“Connie!” I struggled to make my voice heard over the ruckus. “I need