Chapter 5

"That feeling when you're near home", Fregley inhaled deeply and let the smoke of the cigarette out almost immediately. Their hideout was situated in the heart of the woods about 7 miles from where they were and so it was impossible for them to get there in a vehicle. They had to go on foot.

"Mackey, you've gotta keep a really close watch on that kid. So that he doesn't outsmart you, again", Fregley said and gave Mackey a sneer.

Keith was fast asleep at the back of the car, right beside Marcus. Mackey gave him a heavy tap on his shoulder. This jacked Keith up. He immediately reached for a bottle of Bourbon that was sitting right beneath his feet.

"Put it down", Fregley echoed in his usual hoarse voice.

"I'm starving. I need to get something in my belly, okay?" Keith returned and went on with uncorking the bottle.

"I said put it down this minute! We still have a distance to travel on foot and getting drunk ain't gonna be helping matters. We have a hostage that needs absolute attention. So put the bottle down now", Fregley said, reaching for the drink in Keith's hand.

The bottle fell with a thud. The noise must have been really loud because Marcus slowly started regaining consciousness.

"My head. Uh…" he cried, holding on to his head, "I need to eat something, please".

Fregley gave Keith an accusing look and asked that Marcus be given food. Mackey got down from the vehicle and made for the booth. He got some junks and handed them over to Marcus, which he ate hungrily without leaving a drop.

* * *

"The kids ain't with my mom, Burdett. We've gotta return to the station this minute", Carla kicked off the shoes she had on and sunk into the sofa. Burdett stood where he was with his head down.

"Listen, the cops are doing their job. You really need to calm down now, okay?"

"You know, I feel like I'm the only one who is really concerned about our missing children. You've been acting really nonchalant since the incident", Carla snapped at her husband, "I'm going to the station", she got up and picked her keys to leave before Burdett held her back.

"I'll drive", he said, taking the keys from her. They drove down to the station and walked straight into the office of the Chief of Police.

The Chief of Police had a lot of paperwork to handle. He was sipping out of his coffee mug when his door swung open. He stood up and exchanged handshakes with Mr Kinney. Carla sat without saying a word. The Chief of Police, of course, knew why they were present. But trust me when I say, the cops were putting in their best on this case.

He heaved a sigh and returned back to his sitting position. Burdett sat right next to Carla.

"Our search team is out there, looking in every corner of the state for your kids. We even got a call that two young children were spotted at a pub earlier today. A team of patrol officers were sent over immediately and the said kids were identified. They weren't yours", he said this with a tone of disappointment, "We're really sorry that this had to happen. But we assure you that we will keep striving till your kids are found. I give you my word. Please you have to take it easy on yourself", he said, gesturing at Carla who had tears in her eyes.

She sniffed and leaned back into the chair she sat, having nothing to say. This wasn't happening, she thought. All she wanted to hear was that her kids had been found, safe and healthy and they were being brought home, but no one was telling her that.

This was the worst moment of her life.

"We know that you guys are putting in the required efforts towards finding our children and we really appreciate it. But what if our kids ain't in New York anymore? Just what if?" Burdett stared hard at the officer who had his head down. All he could do now was imagine the worst. He shouldn't have made that statement because this sent tears rushing down Carla's face. He was right after all. Otherwise, the cops should have been able to locate her kids, right? She started having mixed feelings about the whole situation. Was she ever gonna see her kids again?

"That's not possible. They can't get past the borders of New York. Probability is like -0.5% out of 100. That's crazy. Your kids are still within New York, I can assure you. You shouldn't get all negative about the issue on ground, okay?"

Carla was beginning to get suffocated, sitting in that office. She got up and slowly made her way out.

After she was gone, the officer leaned in and as though in a whisper, he said,

"Right now, you shouldn't be making certain comments around her. You just have to keep letting her know that your kids will be found. Keep a closer watch on her 'cause she could hurt herself anytime. All will be well and in no time, this whole thing will be over. I understand your pain".

* * *

They had been walking for 7 miles now and were close to their destination. Marcus had lost count of time. They must have walked for 13 hours or more, he thought.

They only stopped at intervals to get some rest. Marcus was very exhausted. He didn't think he could go any further. This was torture. He spent every minute regretting why he had decided to leave for Eric's house that afternoon. He should have just remained indoors as always. He dropped to the ground, groaning in pain. His legs were sore and felt so heavy.

Fregley paused on hearing Marcus drop to the ground. He turned around but didn't say a word. Mackey was still a distance away, lousy as always. Keith, still full of energy made to pull Marcus up but Fregley waved him aside. It seemed like Keith hadn't been walking with them all along because he still had a lot of life in him. Well, his physique was a great advantage to him. He wasn't so built unlike Fregley who made sure to hit the gym every second he got a chance until every muscle in his body looked so popped up. Keith kept his at a minimum. Mackey on the other hand, would rather sit the whole day, stuffing his face with junk. He never took his looks seriously. He was stout and had a bloated stomach.

Fregley moved over to a felled trunk and sat on it pulling the gun he had on him out. Just in case Marcus tried something funny. The cell phone he had on rang and the person on the other end seemed to be having a conversation with someone in the background. He started talking almost immediately in a language Marcus couldn't comprehend. It sounds like Spanish, Marcus thought.

"Hola, sé que ustedes deben estar aquí. ¿Qué está pasando? Ya han pasado ocho horas…. Hello, you guys are supposed to be here already. What's going on? It's been eight hours", the guy at the other end said under a breath.

"Nosotras estamos cerca. Solo estamos un pequeño problema con el niño. ¿Sergio está contigo?..... We're close by. We're just having a little issue with the kid. Is Sergio with you?" Fregley replied, taking a glance at Marcus who was still on the ground, groping his abdomen.

"Si, si, él está aquí conmigo. Datê prisa ahora….. Yes, yes, he's right here with me. Hurry up now" and he hung up on the other end.

Fregley swiftly jumped to his feet and asked that everyone do the same. Keith pulled Marcus up roughly and tugged him along.

* * *

Bella had fallen asleep at the cafe where they had stopped by to get some food with the little money on them. Aiden sat right next to her, doing nothing. A news popped up on a television screen hanging up in the cafe, stating that three kids had been missing. All siblings. Then their pictures were displayed on the screen. Aiden shook Emma vigorously until she was awake, then he pointed to the screen.

".....and at this very active investigation, the New York Police Department are urging that anyone with information should contact the NYPD Missing Persons Unit at……" the woman on the news went on.

Emma wasn't surprised. She knew this would come. They both picked their bags and walked out of the cafe, unnoticed. They didn't know where to go next. They were slowly losing out on the chase. This was getting beyond their power.

* * *

There was a light tap at the door. Footsteps stealthily approached the door from within and Alejandro opened up to see Fregley and the others. He stepped aside for them to get in. All the while, his eyes were on Marcus and he didn't take them off till everyone was inside then he turned to bolt the door. The building was poorly lit and it was impossible for one to see more than two steps ahead. Fregley led the way. He climbed up the stairs and the rest followed closely behind. He seemed to be very familiar with the place.

The building was located right in the heart of the woods. The walls of the building were old and had bushes grown all over which served as a camouflage. That way, no one could easily discover it.

Fregley led them into a wide room which had a large table in the center. More like a conference table. Keith let go of Marcus and he fell to the ground. There was a guy sitting at the table, waiting expectantly. Sergio.

He had a smirk on his face on seeing Fregley and stood up to hug him.

"Amigo! Ha pasado un tiempo. ¿Cómo has estado? ¡Qué bueno verte de nuevo!..... Friend! It's been awhile. How have you been? Good to see you again!" Sergio exclaimed and pulled Fregley into his arms.

"Sabes, cuando escuché que estabas cruzando la frontera, estaba muy emocionado. Siempre he anticipado este día….. You know, when I heard you were crossing the border, I was really excited. I've always anticipated this day", Fregley replied, holding Sergio tight. They both laughed and held on for a while before Alejandro interrupted their blissful moment.

"Let's discuss why we're here. The kid", he said walking over to the table.

"Yeah", Sergio paused to clear his throat, "He should be out by Thursday night", and he turned to pick his glass of drink.

Out where? Who? Marcus thought.

"Cuál es el plan?..... What's the plan?" Fregley asked, crossing his arms and turning to look at Marcus who pretended to be asleep.

"Simple, we move him to Arizona tomorrow and from there, we get him into a container crossing over to Mexico. Easy", Sergio laughed.

Mexico… So that's the language they've been speaking all along. Wait, he was gonna be moved to Mexico? For what? Several thoughts ran through Marcus's mind. He wondered if he was ever going to see his family again. The room seemed to be spinning around him.

"Se han hecho arreglos con un camión articulado que transportará unas veinticinco toneladas de mercancías. Lo envolveremos y lo rellenaremos. Así no seremos descubiertos….. Arrangements have been made with an articulated truck that'll be carrying about 25 tonnes of goods. We'll just wrap him up and stuff him in. That way, we won't be discovered", Sergio concluded.

Alejandro had been nodding the whole time. It was going to be a smooth execution. They got some food to eat and afterwards, everyone retired to their place of rest. Marcus didn't sleep the whole night. He stayed up thinking about what they had said. This was a nightmare that he needed to wake up from.

* * *

Carla was fast asleep with Burdett by her side. She kept on muttering inaudible things about her kids. Burdett really felt sorry. He decided to go downstairs for a drink. He hadn't been present at his office since the day of the incident. Things had really changed around. He couldn't wait for things to go back to how they used to be. He was drowned in his own thoughts when he heard Carla scream. He rushed up the stairs and into their bedroom to find her sitting in bed and staring into space. She had had a really terrible dream about Marcus.