Chapter 9
Howie, Kevin, and Nick went numb with fear as
they still struggled to pull free of the firm grasp that held them back. They
hadn’t seen Brian or A.J. come up in a while. Finally after what had seemed
like forever Rob, yelled something over to Charlie. A.J. and Brian were finally
pulled out of the freezing water.
Both Rob and Charlie struggled to keep hold of the two young men
they held in their arms. Brian and A.J. weren’t heavy at all, but they were
completely limp. Minutes later Rob and Charlie reached a shallow area. Rob
signaled Chris, Craig, and Jack to let go of Nick, Howie, and Kevin.
The three men ran as fast as their tired legs would carry them.
Kevin lifted Brian out of Rob’s arms and into his own. Frantically straining to
see what was going on with A.J. Nick and Howie were rushing him out of the
water. Kevin carefully placed his cousin on the ground. He could hear Nick’s
screams as he realized A.J. was not breathing. Kevin quickly grabbed Brian’s
wrist; surprised to see he had a pulse. “Oh my God,” Kevin muttered, surprised
he wasn’t dead. Seconds later he raced to Nick’s side. Howie was performing CPR
on A.J.
Kevin immediately took over. He went from A.J.’s chest to his
mouth, hoping desperately that he could revive his friend. Minute’s later A.J.
gasped for breath. Nick began sobbing; thanking God A.J. was spared. A.J. woke
up disoriented coughing up water. “Shh, shh, it’s okay now, everything is gonna
be all right, it’s over now,” Kevin soothed.
Nick rushed to Brian’s side after he was satisfied A.J. was okay.
“Brian, you okay?” Brian just moaned and coughed up a little bit of water. Nick
rolled him on his side.
“Let’s go it time to get.”
Howie looked up at Rob, his dark brown eyes filled with hatred. He
decided he wasn’t going to get himself into trouble like his band mates had
done. Instead he turned his attention back to A.J.
“Hurry up! We have to go you stupid kids!”
“We will go when we are ready,” Howie yelled. His outburst shocked
the others. Howie rarely went off like that. Surprised, but relieved Howie
didn’t receive a punishment they continued helping A.J. up into a standing
position.
“Come on Bri we’ve gotta go,” Nick gently urged.
“Nick,” Brian moaned.
“Oh, God Brian, you scared the crap outta me! Are you okay? Do you
think you can stand up?”
“Yeah, just give me a sec.”
A.J. was in no condition to walk; instead Kevin decided to just
carry him back to the house. Relief washed over him as he saw Brian standing
up. He couldn’t stand to well, let alone walk, but he leaned on Nick for
support. Howie ran over to help Nick.
“I’m okay I can do this myself,” Brian wearily stated.
“Are you sure?”
Nick and Howie were surprised as Brian walked away on his own. He
had a slight limp and nearly fell a few times but he made it fine into the
house.
“Maybe next time you won’t be so stupid,” Rob screamed as he
slammed the door shut and walked away.
“Guys,” A.J. began. “What happened?”
“You don’t remember,” Howie asked astonished.
“No.”
“That’s okay it’s probably best that you don’t Jay,” Kevin said.
“But, could you please tell me?”
“Sure, if you really wanna know. It’s pretty traumatizing.”
Nick looked over at A.J.
then Brian. “Maybe Bri should explain, I mean he was there.”
“Good idea, if that’s okay with you Rok?”
Brian reluctantly agreed. Truthfully not wanting to relive the
terrible experience. After explaining it all to a shocked A.J., they all five
went to sleep. Praying yet again that they would be rescued, before it was to
late…
Three miserable weeks passed by slowly. They were all physically
and emotionally drained. So much had happened. Everyday it seemed, something
happened. They had all lost consciousness at one point or another, from the
excruciating amount of work they were forced to do. Even the work had gotten
worse. Their captors were harsher on them. Far more strict and let them get
away with nothing. Everyday they lost more and more hope that they would be
found.
“Nick, Nick wake up!”
“Leave me alone!”
“Nick, Come on wake up!”
“What do you want Brian?”
“I hear something!”
Nick sat up quickly listening intently. “Ohmygosh,” Nick slurred,
realizing it was sirens. “Sirens, wake up the others, they’re getting closer!”
Brian rushed to Howie and then to A.J. and Nick woke Kevin. They
didn’t have time to talk the doors swung open. There right at the door stood
their five captors. They made their way quickly down the stairs.
“It’s over boys!”
***
