36

 

Maven closed her eyes in prayer, thanking God for freeing the other women. Whatever happened to her was worth it. The three women and Moses were free and able to have a life again.

Tricia walked back in from the furnace room.

“I told you to leave.” Maven’s blood iced in her veins.

Tricia wiped the tears away. “I wasn’t going to leave you to face that monster alone.” She picked up the toilet seat.

“What is going on down here? I left this light off. You know the rules.” He walked down the steps.

Tricia ran towards him, holding the toilet seat like a bat. “The rules have changed.” She swung, hitting Reuben in the head.

He moaned and crumpled to the ground.

Tricia grabbed the keys from his pocket. She ran back to Maven, holding them up like a trophy. “I got them.” She leaned down and slid the key into the handcuffs.

“I don’t think so, Tricia.” Reuben was standing with a gun in his hand. “You know what happens when you don’t follow the rules.” He aimed, and the gun exploded.

Tricia’s eyes widened, and then she fell to the ground moaning.

“No. No. Don’t hurt her.”

He laughed. “Too late.” He moved closer, the gun aimed at Maven. “You’ll have to be punished, as well. But I think I’ll start the punishment by making you watch her die. And knowing it’s all your fault.”

“No. Shoot me. Not her.”

“Rules are rules.” He aimed the gun at Tricia’s head.

A gunshot exploded.

Reuben grunted and his eyes grew wide. He fell to his knees beside Tricia.

Trent Snoddy stood there with a gun in his hand.

Paul ran past him and to Maven.

“I knew you would find me. I knew it.” Maven sobbed.

“Are you all right?” His arms tightened around her.

I’m OK. Don’t worry about me. Take care of Tricia. He shot her.”

Trent was already kneeling beside Tricia, putting pressure on the wound.

Her eyes fluttered open. “Are the girls safe?”

“They are,” Trent said. “And so are you. An ambulance will be here shortly.”

“I assume you are Tricia Bell,” Paul said, his eyes misty. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time, Tricia.”

“You have?” Tricia mumbled.

“I was involved in the search for you from the start. Your mother refused to believe you were dead.”

“My mother,” Tricia mumbled, and her eyes closed.

Trent shook her. “Wake up, Tricia. Don’t give up now. Your mother’s waiting for you.”

Her eyes fluttered, and she smiled.

Maven clung to Paul. “What about him? Is he dead?”

Trent answered the question. “No way. I didn’t want to kill him. He needs to pay for his crimes.”

“And from the looks of things his crimes are many.” Paul picked up the keys beside Tricia and unlocked the handcuffs.

Maven flung her arms around Paul’s neck.

He pulled her up gently to him.

“I knew you were out there looking for me. I knew you would find me.”

“And I always will.” Paul’s arms encircled her.