Chapter 8 - A friend in need
There was only one person I could turn to at that moment; calling my wife or other kids was definitely not an option. If any of them heard what had just happened they would freak out. I knew I would have to tell them everything, but that wasn’t the talk one can do on the phone. So I called to George Clarke, my closest friend, who was living in the same town. The two of us have been best friends for as long as I could remember; we went to the same primary school and high school together. Then George went to college and I started working in the constructing company, but it was never a problem for us to meet and hang out together.
“
Hallo?†I heard me buddy’s voice.
“
George, this is Jeff. Listen man, I need you to come to my place. Can you do that?â€
“
Give me five minutes, I’ll be there as soon as I can.â€
“
Thank, bud.â€
I hung out. To be honest I didn’t know how George’s presence could help, but it just felt right to call him and have him around. I took a deep breath and waited for one of the cops to return to me and my son and drive us home. I couldn’t help but cast Taylor a quick glance every now and then; I noticed he was a little tensed up, but there was nothing weird about that. Half an hour earlier he was cruelly tied up, gagged, thrown into the trunk of a car and squashed against his father, also roped up and gagged tightly. This kind of experience must have an impact on anyone; I just hoped my boy would be able to get over it soon.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen. My buddies will take care of the kidnappers and I’ll drive you home if you want me to.†Said one of the cops when he approached us.
“I understand. And yes, we would gladly use your kind offer.â€
“All right, get it, then.â€
When Taylor and were in the police car I told the guy our address and off we went. The cop was tried to talk to me but I had no idea what he was saying. It seemed very distant to me, as if the words we distorted in some strange way. I was too busy thinking about meeting George and the incoming days. Suddenly the car stopped; I looked through the window and saw our house. It brought me back from my semi-conscious state and I heard the cop explaining that the kidnappers must have been driving around the town for a while. According to him, the captors usually do so and it’s supposed to both confuse the victims and make it more difficult for the police to find them.
“I see, anyway, thank you for the ride, officer. And for the rescue, of course…â€
“I’m just gladly we could help.â€
All three of us got off the car. I told the cop that he didn’t have to wait with us for the arrival of my friend, but he insisted, so I invited him to the house. It was a bizarre feeling entering the house I had been kidnapped in, but I realized it would go away soon. Taylor and the cop sat on the couch and I placed the coffee table back to its place.
“I know you don’t feel too comfortable here now, Mr. Wheat, but don’t worry, it will be over soon.â€
“Is that why you wanted my Dad to call someone we trust?†Taylor asked. I was really relieved that he sounded calm and steady.
“Yes. You two need some sleep and you wouldn’t be able to do that alone; you would both be up all night waiting for the kidnappers to return. This happens in most cases like this. When someone trustworthy is around people tend to relax a little.â€
At that moment I heard the front door open. Immediately I rose to my feet and stepped in front of my son, wanting to protect him. I didn’t plan this, but my body acted on its own; the need to protect your child is so strong that it usually overrides everything else. But fortunately this time it was George who entered the house and I unwittingly let out a huge sigh of relief. When he saw the policeman in my living room, he froze for a second.
George was my age; he was a tall, very well built guy with a short heard and beard. He worked at a gym and everyone had to admit that was the perfect job for him. The guy was obsessed with working out and often said that a day with no training is a complete waste of time.
George Clarke.jpg
“Fuck, dude, what happened here?!†He asked.
“All right, gentlemen, it’s time for me.†The cop said as he stood up. Then he added: “I’ll come here tomorrow to get your statements. Try to get some sleep, guys…â€
“Of course, officer, thanks again for everything.†Taylor and I shook hands with him and he left. I immediately locked the door.
“What the fuck is going on here?!†George seemed really scared now.
“Sit down, man.†I told him and he did.
I started explaining everything from the moment the intruder came into our house. I told him how I was forced to tie my son up and gag him. How I was made look at his predicament completely helpless and how I later got the same treatment. I said everything I remembered from this damn day.
“Did they hurt you?â€
“No, we were just roped up, uncle George.†Taylor answered. Even though George wasn’t my brother, he was so close to our family that it was natural for my son to call him ‘uncle’.
“You were right to call me. I’ll stay here as long as you need me.â€
“Actually, it was the cop’s idea….â€
“And a fucking good one, I must say. I’ll be up all night when you guys sleep. No need to worry, I won’t drift off. You’ll be perfectly safe.â€
“Thanks man. Taylor, go take a shower and then off to bed, young man.†I ruffled my son’s hair a little.
“Uhm, ok Dad, see you tomorrow.â€
“How is he holding up?†George asked when we heard the water going in the bathroom.
“I think it could’ve been much worse. He’s a tough kid…â€
“And you?â€
“I’ll be fine.â€
“Look Jeff…†My buddy stood in front of me, put his hand on my shoulder and looked me in the eye. “I can’t even imagine what you went through, so I’m not going to say all that bullshit that I understand. But if you ever want to talk about this, I’ll be here for you, man. Ok?â€
“I know, man. I know…â€
I felt him squeeze my shoulder a little and then let go. When Taylor left the bathroom and went to his bedroom it was my turn for a shower. It felt so good to get rid of all the sweat from my body. After I washed myself I put on my boxers. At first I wanted to go to grab some rest, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I peeped into Taylor’s room and saw him fast asleep on his bed. I closed the door and went to the living room, where George was watching TV. I sat next to him, but after several moments I dozed off.