8.00 pm Friday
Black Jungle Springs
Gina rolled over from her side to her back and bit her lip, stifling the cry that threatened as her elbow scraped on the rough timber wall beside the bed. Her hands had been bound together; the tie from the day spa bathrobe secured them tightly in front of her pregnant belly.
The first time she had regained consciousness, she’d been on a soft bed in a darkened room. As she looked around frantically, trying to work out where she was, another prick in her arm had dropped her back into the blackness that fogged her mind.
‘I’m so sorry.’ She was sure she heard a husky whisper but the thread of sound faded as the darkness descended again.
Next time, she’d woken enough to lean against the woman who helped her from the bed but Gina had not been strong enough to resist when she’d put her arm around her and quickly walked her to a door. She’d closed her eyes gratefully as she’d been laid down and covered with a soft blanket. The soft fibres tickled her nose as a car door closed quietly but she’d drifted back to sleep.
When she’d woken this time, she’d been lying in a vehicle that bumped and scraped over a winding road. Opening her eyes a crack, she held herself steady as the car swayed from side to side, stifling a cry when the car hit a bump. The roof above her was torn and splattered with drops of what could have been blood. Her stomach roiled and she hitched a breath. As her eyes became accustomed to the faint light, she tilted her head slowly, but all she could see was the back of the stained seat behind her. When she was sure there was no one watching her, she opened her eyes wider and turned her head to the side. A smell of something putrid reached her nose. It was almost dark, but there was just enough light to make out she was in the back of a large vehicle.
‘Are you awake?’ The car slowed a little.
It was Heather from the crèche; she’d recognise that husky voice anywhere. What had she done with Andrew and Binny? Were they all right? Bile burned her throat as nausea threatened to overwhelm her.
‘Where are we?’ Gina’s voice broke. ‘Where are my children?’
‘They’re with Ellie.’
‘Ellie?’ Dio, Ellie is involved in this too? And she had made friends with her?
Gina licked her lips. Her mouth was so dry. ‘What did you give me?’
‘Nothing bad. Don’t worry. It was just something to put you to sleep for a while. I’m sorry I had to do this.’
‘What are you doing?’
‘Please don’t be frightened.’
Gina tried to sit up but a cramp seized her lower back. She lay back and took a deep breath.
‘It’s going to be all right. Just stay calm.’ Heather’s voice was firm.
Gina’s body slid back a little as the vehicle traversed a steep incline and she closed her eyes again.
Where were they going? Was this man going to be there? It had to be the one who had threatened David.
Ellie? What did Ellie have to do with it?
‘Are you really sure my children are safe?’ Gina’s voice cracked; her mouth was dry and she needed water.
‘Yes, Ellie will look after them.’
Another few minutes and the car rolled to a stop. She closed her eyes as the car door slammed shut. The door at the back of the wagon opened with a squeak.
Gina didn’t resist when Heather held her ankles and gently pulled her along on her back until her legs hung over the rear of the car. She pushed herself up on her elbow.
‘You’re going to have to stand up and walk.’
‘I haven’t got any shoes.’
‘It’s all right. It’s only a little way on the grass. I’ll keep an eye out for snakes.’
Gina shivered but she didn’t resist when Heather took her arm gently and pulled her up to a sitting position.
‘Where are we?’ Heather had turned the headlights off and it was pitch dark. Only the noises of the bush broke the silence. Fear slithered through Gina, like a cold rush in her blood; no matter what she said, she wasn’t sure if Heather was telling the truth. Anyone who would sedate and kidnap someone was not a good person.
Heather took Gina’s tied hands in her own. ‘Don’t worry. Please, you have to trust me. You’re safe and it will keep him happy. When it’s all over, I’ll come and get you and take you back to your children. I promise.’
‘Is this where you live?’ Gina looked around. It was dark and there were no lights, no sign of any habitation.
‘God, no. It’s a fishing shack that Dad uses sometimes. I can’t take you to our place because then Dad would know what I’ve done. He’d kill me.’ For the first time, a glimmer of humour came into Heather’s voice. ‘As soon as he votes, I’ll come and take you back. I promise.’
‘Votes? But that’s not till Monday.’ Gina’s voice broke.
‘I have to go home now. I’ll come back tomorrow with something for your dinner.’
Home? Where was home? After she’d regained consciousness, they had been in the car for only a short time but Gina had no idea how long she’d been out to it.
‘I can’t stay here by myself.’ Horror at being left alone set her shaking again. ‘Why can’t you stay with me?’
‘Because I’ve got Dad’s car, and he’ll wonder where I am. I’ll get you a blanket. There’s some biscuits in the fridge and lots of water. You’ll be fine.’
‘Are you going to untie my hands?’ The conversation was almost surreal, but unless she was misreading Heather’s intent, there was no malice in her actions.
‘Yes, when we get inside. As long as you promise that you won’t try anything. I don’t want to frighten you, but don’t go outside. The shack is close to the river and it’s a gathering place for crocodiles . . . and there are snakes around too.
Heather held a small torch that lit their way through the long grass. Holding Gina’s arm, she led her up two steps onto a wooden porch before pushing open the door. The musty smell was cloying and Gina gagged again. Heather led her over to a low bed and she sat down as Heather disappeared through a door. Gina’s back was aching from being in the back of the car. When Heather returned, she held a bottle of cold water. She put it on the floor beside them and stared at Gina in the torchlight.
‘If I untie your hands, will you promise not to try anything?’ Her dark eyes were serious as she held Gina’s gaze.
Gina stared at her. She would do anything to get away from here, even if it meant driving that car herself. Her intent must have been clear. Heather sighed and turned around. She picked up the water bottle and unscrewed the lid before placing it in Gina’s hands.
‘Thank you.’ The bottle was cold in her hands as she drank and the water soothed her throat.
‘Lie down, and put your hands on your stomach.’ Heather pulled something from her pocket. Gina’s blood chilled as she tried to see what was in her hand.
‘It’s all right. I just have to take your photo and send it to him.’
The door closed and Gina was left alone. The sound of a vehicle driving away was the only sound in the still of the night. She lay on her back and worked at the tie around her wrists until the muscles in her forearms burned with the effort. She wasn’t going to risk standing unless she could use her hands to support herself; her head was still woozy from whatever it was Heather had given her. The last thing she wanted to do was fall and injure the baby.
Oh Dio, what if the drug has hurt the baby?
She lay still and waited for the baby to kick, but there was no movement. She pressed her hands onto her stomach and waited. In her haziness, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt it.
‘Come on, little one, wake up. Kick your mama. Please.’ She pressed again. Tears seeped from her eyes as she held her breath and waited for the familiar strong thrust against the walls of her womb. Waiting for what seemed forever.
But there was nothing.
A sob tore from her throat and Gina gave in and let go of the scream that had been building in her chest. ‘Help me, somebody help me.’
The mournful cry of a night bird was the only reply.