When Terror Strikes Part 8
By: Stacy L.
PART 8
Gregory Evans headed outside to play. He was bouncing a basketball around when he fumbled the ball. It rolled down towards the sidewalk so he ran after it. He was told not to go out onto the road because it could be dangerous so he tried to get to his basketball before it rolled passed the sidewalk. When he was within reach of it a loud screech caught his attention. He glanced up seeing a big van stop before him and a man jump out. The man came at him, grabbing him so Gregory screamed, just as quickly the man released him and Gregory took off running towards the house calling for his mom. She ran outside frantic trying to see what was going on. She saw two men wrestling around then the one fell to the ground. The other man jumped in the van, which tore off down the road…
Gary ran around the corner just in time to see Gregory chasing after a rolling basketball. He ran faster, especially when he saw a blue van jerk to a complete halt right in front of the boy. He saw a man jump out of the van and grab the boy. Gary didn’t think as he threw himself towards the man. Gary plowed into the abductor, driving him towards the ground, and at the same time yelled, “Gregory run! RUN!”
The boy took off running towards the house yelling for his mother. Gary attempted to overpower the would-be kidnapper; they wrestled around on the ground for a little bit then the man suddenly sucker punched Gary right in the stomach. Gary fell hard to his knees. He vaguely heard a man yelling, “Go, go!”
He forced himself to look up and look at the vehicle now racing away from the scene. As the vehicle tore away from the curb Gary caught a glimpse of the license plate. He only managed to catch the last three digits as the vehicle bolted around the corner: X7Z. Gary then heard a feminine voice scream and looked towards the house. As he saw the source of the scream he couldn’t speak. He could only stare…
Amanda Riley was cleaning up the morning dishes as Gregory went outside to play. She had watched him for a little bit then focused on her task at hand. When she next looked up Gregory was chasing his basketball. She froze when she saw a blue van pull up to the curb and a man jump out. She took off running outside just in time to see another man tackle the assailant. The two struggled on the ground when the attacker nailed the interferer in the gut. She gasped as the man fell to his knees painfully doubled over at the waist appearing as if he were nearly retching. She saw the kidnapper then jump into the van and the vehicle speed away. When the man on the ground looked up at her she couldn’t speak, but could only stare into the face of one Gary Hobson. After her momentary shock wore off Amanda ordered Gregory inside then ran to offer aid to Mister Hobson. She approached Gary, bending down beside him she asked, “Mister Hobson? Mister Hobson, are you all right?”
Gary coughed violently then spoke up, “Thought we agreed…Gary…”
“Oh, Gary…here let me help you up.”
She placed his arm across her shoulders then helped him to his feet and guided him inside. She sat him on her couch then looked at him in concern before questioning, “How are you feeling?”
“A little sore, but I’ll be fine.”
He now held his left hand comfortingly across his stomach concentrating on easing his breathing so his gut wouldn’t ache badly. He glanced at her just when Gregory entered saying, “Mommy who’s he?”
Gary looked at her in surprise. She turned towards the boy then back to Gary nervously eyeing him up. Gary questioned, “Mommy? You have a son?”
She inhaled deeply wanting to keep the secret of Grey silent, but she couldn’t do it so she answered, “Yes. Yes I do. This is Gregory. Gregory, this is Mister Gary Hobson.”
“Is he a bad man, mommy?”
“No sweetie, he’s helped me several times.”
The boy nodded then said, “Good.”
Gary hesitantly asked, “You have a son? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was going to, but…”
“You got too busy?”
“Gary…”
“All right. Sorry…”
Gary looked at her then at the boy before focusing on her again and saying, “We need to call the police.”
“NO!”
“No? Amanda, someone just tried to take your son…”
“No, no police. Please Gary?”
“Amanda, if we don’t go to the police these people will try again.”
“No they won’t.”
“Yes they will. For some reason these guys want your son. The police can protect him. Detective Armstrong will…”
“No. No cops.”
“Amanda…”
“No.”
“You’re being ridiculous. You don’t have much of a choice here. Calling the police is the best thing you can do.”
“No police Gary. End of discussion.”
“Look Amanda, you can’t expect to do everything on your own. You’ll only wear yourself down. Please let me help you.”
“You’ve already helped me Gary, more than once…”
“Then let me help again. Listen, I saw the last three digits of that license plate and the make of the vehicle. I might be able to even give a bit of a description of the person who tried to take your boy, but we can’t do this alone. We need outside help. Detective Armstrong is a good guy. I trust the man with my life. Hell, the man’s even saved my life on quite a few occasions. He could help you. Trust me. If you won’t go to the police then at least talk to Armstrong.”
Amanda considered what Gary said. She knew she couldn’t always rely solely on herself, but she also knew that the police weren’t all that reliable either. Throughout her abusive marriage she had called them multiple times telling them of her husband’s violent rages. The police rarely showed up and when they did they treated her more like a common criminal than a victim of a crime. The police never changed either and she came to learn that she couldn’t rely on their help so she just stopped calling them. She wasn’t about to trust the police again after what they had put her through before. The police were very unreliable and instead of being there to protect and serve they chose to ignore. She wasn’t about to trust a cop, for even after she had gotten a restraining order against her husband the police had often failed to enforce it. They had said that since she was still married her husband could still be near her. She divorced him and even after legally divorcing the man many police departments had failed to enforce her restraining order and she wasn’t about to trust them now. She looked at Gary then spoke, “No cops.”
“Armstrong is a cop, yes, but he is also a friend and he can help you. He will help you if you let him. Trust me on this, will you?”
“Gary, I don’t trust policemen and even if he’s your friend…I don’t trust that he will help.”
“Can’t you take my word on it then?”
“No I can’t. I’m sorry but too many times words were hollow, empty and didn’t mean a damned thing. Gary, I appreciate your help, really I do, but I just don’t…”
“Trust me? Is that it? Have I ever harmed you once? No, never…have I ever lied to you? No, never…look Amanda I understand how you feel, believe me I even went through a time when trusting another wasn’t very easy but I did it. You have to trust sometime.”
“I…I can’t. You don’t understand…”
“Then help me understand. Please Amanda?”
“I can’t.”
“If you can’t learn to trust again then you’ll never completely heal. You got away, but he still controls you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“HIM, the one who hurt you so badly!”
“No one…”
“Bull! Amanda, I know someone harmed you…very badly and now he’s after you…”
“No, no, no! No one is after me!”
“Amanda, admit it. This person has tried several times to attack you and now he’s after your son. Someone wants to get their hands on you.”
“No one does!”
“Amanda…”
“Nobody is after me…”
“Amanda, the longer you deny the truth and refuse to look at the facts the easier you make it for him to try again. Please listen to me. Let’s you and I go on down to the station and talk to Detective Armstrong. If you don’t feel comfortable enough going to the police station then let’s go to his home. I’ll be with you. Please Amanda. You can’t keep running. You have to ask for help. No one will think that you’re weak for asking for some help. If you won’t do it for yourself then think about your son. Think about Gregory. Do you really want his life to be nothing but constant running? Do you want him to never experience what having his own home is like? Amanda just…consider what I’m saying that’s all I’m asking…consider it, please?”
* * * * * *
Thompson was positive that he was going to get the kid that time and then Hobson interfered. Thompson made sure to look into the face of the man who had interfered. When he recognized Hobson he cursed. He knew how angry Jack would be when he heard of Hobson’s interference yet again. He showed up at Jack’s and hesitantly entered. Jack took one look at Thompson then said, “Let me guess…Hobson, right?”
“How’d you guess?”
“Where isn’t that man? I think I’ll go visit that bar of his again. He is such a troublesome person…maybe it’s about time I gave Mister Gary Hobson a message that he won’t forget.”
“Boss, what if he is psychic? He’ll know you’re coming. I never expected to be stopped. I was very careful. I actually had that boy in my arms then he interrupted me. He knocked me away from the boy. I had to sucker punch him. I jumped into the van and came straight here.”
“Did he see you?”
“No, no. I don’t believe so. Things happened too quickly.”
“What about the plates? Did he…?”
“Nah. I clocked him pretty good. He went down hard. No, I think he was in too much pain to even focus on the van.”
“If this guy’s psychic we have to figure out how he learns things.”
“What?”
“Well, does he have visions, images of things, or does he have to actually be touching an object to see things? We don’t know how things are transmitted to him. Hell, we don’t even know if the man’s psychic. All we really know is that up until five years ago he was a normal man. Then all of a sudden his name begins to appear in police reports linking him to cases. He has this unexplainable knowledge of things, events, before they even occur. He’s getting this information some how. We just have to figure out how he acquires his futuristic knowledge. If we find that out then we have the upper hand. Maybe we should cool down for some time. Don’t go for the boy or her. We’ll let some time lapse. I do want to visit the bar though. Thompson just back off for the time being.”
“Sure but boss…going to the bar? I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Well, what if he can…I don’t know…sense your presence some how? I know this sounds so stupid, but what if he…some how… Boss, if he is psychic he might have already seen your face in visions or something. I think going there is too dangerous.”
“It may be dangerous but I’m going. Even if he doesn’t see me she may. I want her to know that I know where she is. I want her looking over her shoulder fearing I’m there. I want her to realize that she has no escape and that I can get to her at any time and in any place.”
“Boss, what about her restraining order?”
“What about it? The police won’t enforce it. They don’t care, and if they do attempt to enforce it what can they do? Tell me I’m not allowed near her? Just because they tell me I can’t be near her doesn’t mean I’ll listen, besides…”
“Boss, you’re wanted by the police.”
“Then I’ll disguise myself. They won’t get near me.”
“Boss, I just don’t think this is a good idea.”
“I’m going. She need to know I can get to her at any time and Hobson, well it couldn’t hurt to send the man a message.”
“But if he’s psychic…”
“Who cares, he’ll still understand the message.”
“I don’t think you should draw this Hobson guy into this…”
“Why the hell not? He got himself involved! He’s making a play for my wife! I’ll be damned if I’ll let him touch her! He needs to learn to mind his own damned business.”
“But Detective Armstrong…”
“Who gives a rat’s ass about Paul Armstrong! Hobson is mine to deal with. He’s done nothing but cause problems, and he’s going to learn the penalty for not minding his own damned business.”
“But boss…”
“I’ve made up my mind. I know what I’m doing. I’ll be careful where Hobson’s concerned just in case he miraculously gets some insight into what I’m planning on doing to him.”
With that said Jack Wallis quickly exited the room a plan already beginning to form in the deep recesses of his mind.
* * * * * *
The Next Day…
Gary awoke to his alarm and quickly showered. He decided to go have a small talk with Armstrong. He knew he shouldn’t interfere in Amanda’s life but all of his instincts were screaming at him, demanding he take action and soon. She was in trouble. She needed help, and the longer she refused to accept any aid the bigger a target she made herself and her son. He tried talking some sense into her yesterday explaining how she couldn’t handle this threat on her life all alone and again she took a defensive stance claiming no one was after her. How could she even continue believing she was safe when all the evidence screamed that she wasn’t? The woman both confused and infuriated him at the same time. He couldn’t just stand by and let her be victimized. He had to do something and talking to Armstrong seemed to be his best option right now. The two had argued yesterday and again they solved absolutely nothing. Why couldn’t the woman see how much her outright denial of the facts was putting not only her life, but also the life of her son at risk for harm?
Gary rapidly dressed and ate. He picked up his newspaper and read through it, glad to see nothing needed his undivided attention…yet.
* * * *
Amanda Riley awoke and showered and again her curiosity plagued her. Why did she let Hobson get to her so easily? She had sworn not to visit the man or even agree to talk to his friend last night, but now here she was actually considering going to McGinty’s. She couldn’t believe that she was actually considering talking to Gary’s friend Armstrong either. She hated to admit that Gary could be right about her being in danger but when she analyzed the facts they all pointed to danger. She also hated to admit that maybe her husband had found her again and was again stalking her. She moved only a few weeks ago to this state. How could her husband have possibly tracked her down so quickly? She was very careful with covering her tracks…except with Gregory along she was easier to track. Even after using a fake birth certificate that said he was eight instead of six still didn’t help to hide their location very well. She covered up her true identity very well, but not her son’s. Her husband probably searched for Gregory knowing that where the boy was she would definitely be. She silently cursed. When would she get free of that man? Would she ever truly get free of him? She was tired of being on the run and knew that Gregory deserved a better life than the one she was presently providing him with. He needed stability and she couldn’t yet provide that for him. He never complained, ever, but in her heart she knew that Gregory deserved to have a place to call home, a place where he would be safe always. She also wanted a permanent and stable home…
As she thought over the conversation she had had with Gary the previous night she made up her mind. She would speak to his friend and see if he could help her at all. She didn’t even try to get her hopes up knowing this idea could be useless, but she had to at least try it. She decided to head over to McGinty’s to talk to Gary about her decision.
* * * *
Amanda hesitantly ascended the steps leading up to Gary’s room. She had inquired as to his whereabouts in the bar and was told that he was still upstairs. She knew she was taking a huge risk trusting the man, but she was out of options. She was so tired of running and living in fear even after she had divorced her husband. If Gary could help her get a normal life she would try it. She came to his door and hesitantly knocked. From the other side of it she heard his voice reply, “Coming! Hold on a minute.”
She could hear his footsteps as he made his way to the door then he opened it. He at first only stared then spoke up, “Amanda? Can I help you?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“I’ll give it a shot.”
“What?”
“I’d like to speak with your friend Detective Armstrong.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Will you come with me? Please Gary?”
“I’d be happy to.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s go.”
“Now? But what…?”
“I was on my way out. Let’s go.”
“But…”
“Amanda, do you really want to do this?”
“Yes…”
“Then let’s go. If you change your mind just speak up.”
“No, I’m…I’m sure. I want to do this. I’m tired…of running.”
“All right then let’s go.”
The two headed downstairs to the bar together.
* * * *
Jack Wallis decided to pay a visit to McGinty’s to check up on Mister Hobson. He watched from the street when he saw his wife enter. He followed her inside hanging back at a distance so she couldn’t see him. He was ready to kill when he saw her go to the stairs and make her way up to Mister Hobson’s place. Why was she visiting him? What was she doing here at this time in the morning? She had no reason to be at Mister Hobson’s, so why was she?
He was so angry that he deliberately took a seat right at the bar. He sat where he would have a perfect view of those stairs…and anybody descending those stairs would definitely see him. It was time Samantha realized he had found her again!
He ordered a beer and sat patiently waiting for the two to come down those steps. His mind drummed up all kinds of scenarios and images of what Hobson could be doing with his wife right now and each time his mind showed him a new scenario he wanted to kill! He was ready to explode.
Finally after what seemed like hours the two descended those stairs and it took all the self-control Wallis had not to jump up and rip Hobson’s throat out. The man looked so damned smug! How dare he even approach his wife! The bastard would pay for courting his wife! She would pay for leading him on! How dare they flaunt their relationship like that! It made him sick! His hands began to shake in rage. He clenched them tightly together into fists ignoring how his nails dug deep into the tender flesh of his palms. She would pay for her betrayal, and he would pay for pursuing her! Just then his wife looked directly at him and he felt euphoric as he saw her stark terror. She tore away from Hobson’s side running for the door like the devil was after her. Wallis laughed sinisterly and viciously. Hobson looked at him just then and his face went from shock to anger. The man looked as if he saw pure evil and recognized it. Hobson then turned and ran after Samantha.
Wallis felt totally smug. He felt totally powerful. He held all the control here; he was in control. He decided that since he revealed his presence to his wife that he could now make his exit. As he left McGinty’s he felt overjoyed and extremely charged up. He had showed her!
Jack laughed as he made his way down the sidewalk heading in the opposite direction that his wife and Hobson had taken… Life was great right now!
* * * *
Gary and Amanda headed downstairs when Gary noticed that Amanda was no longer focusing on him. She was staring intently across the room. Gary felt fear for her as her face when stark white as if she had just seen a ghost. He started to ask her what was wrong when without warning she took off at a dead run. She ran as if hell’s angels were pursuing her. It was then that Gary focused on a man who was smiling his way. The man’s smile seemed cold and sinister. Gary felt cold chills rush through his veins. The man seemed as if he was purely evil; Gary shuddered inside as he read the insanity in the man. Then he remembered Amanda and took off after her…temporarily forgetting the man at the bar…
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