Chapter 9

Lyle drove slowly and methodically up the mountain side road. He seemed to be on edge. Amaris assumed that was because she had been questioning him and he was deep in thought about what she had asked him about.

In reality, Lyle knew this was the exact same route that Amaris’ parents had been driving the night that they had been killed and he wanted to make sure that they weren’t followed or worse chased.

Fortunately for Lyle there was not another car on the mountain side for the entire ride. There was usually light traffic at this time of day but he had never seen no traffic at all. This made him even more nervous.

Amaris peered out the windshield knowing that they had to be close now. The lights were getting closer and they could see the gate blocking the road up ahead. Lyle slowed and came to a stop at the gate. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” Lyle got out of the car and walked toward the two men standing at the gate. Amaris watched as they greeted one another, and then Lyle pulled on of the men aside and had a quick hushed conversation. They gave each other a pat on the back and clasped hands, and then turned and walked away. Lyle returned to the car and moved forward as the second man waved him through. The first man stood on Amaris’ side of the car and bent down to peek at her through the window. He simply stared at her like he was watching a celebrity drive by. Amaris was wondering what Lyle had said to him. Did he tell him about what had happened to here. If he had, just like any small town the news would spread like wild fire and they would soon all be staring at her. Amaris just wanted to get to Lyle’s cabin and change and then wait for the sheriff to call with the all clear and tell her that she could go home. More than anything she just wanted to find Gran and be sure that she was safe.

Lyle turned off the main road onto a dirt side road and followed it for a few miles . There were no other lights, and no other houses visible out here. They were alone. Amaris was not sure how she felt about being out in the middle of no where with Lyle. She had know him through the school for a few years, but nothing more than a teacher and student relationship. To find out that he and Gran had known each other for years and that they had been talking about her behind her back. Was he telling her the truth? Was he crazy? Was this a cult compound that she had just allowed herself to be taken to?

Finally there were lights showing through the trees. Out of the forest came a small cozy log cabin with a wrap around porch and it even had a couple of rocking chairs. There were warm glowing lights showing out through the windows in the front.

Lyle pulled up and parked next to the front steps. He and Amaris got out of the car and moved to the steps. As she reached the bottom step the front door opened and out walked Gran.

“Finally! You made it! Oh Thank you Lyle. I knew if anyone could find her it would be you.”