The Maze The Lost Labyrinth

CHAPTER 30



“I’m praying for you,” Carl said. The words were like a blasting cap rigged to dynamite and Darrell Gene exploded as a result.

Before Carl could react, Darrell Gene threw Amy to the ground and moved toward him, needling him in the back with the tip of the knife. He pushed hard enough to pierce the skin. Carl whimpered but refused to cry out. Darrell Gene pushed a little harder, driving the blade in about a half-inch. Carl gritted his teeth and groaned, crying out to God to help him.

“Don’t ever tell me something like that again,” Darrell Gene hissed. “The last thing I need is prayer. That‘s what people kept telling my daddy and me after mama left. ‘We‘re praying for you,’ they‘d say. But I know they never did. They were nothing but a bunch of liars. And even if there were some of them who remembered us at night, it didn’t do any good. My life still turned out miserably.”

“You don’t have to do this,” Judith reminded her captor. “You could let us go and we’d forget the whole thing.”

“I know I don’t have to. But it’s kind of fun watching you squirm.”

“God loves you,” Carl bled onto the carpet. “Nothing you can do will change that.”

“Shut up!” Darrell Gene placed his hands over his ears. “Don’t say another word to me, or I promise I’ll cut you again!”

Carl wisely kept his mouth shut, but Amy wasn’t about to be bullied into silence. Although it wasn’t clear what she was saying, it was obvious that she was praying too.

“And just what do you think you’re doing?” He grabbed Amy by the hair and dragged her toward him.

“Let me go!” Amy struggled in Darrell Gene’s grasp. The big man wrapped both arms around her and squeezed as hard as he could, cutting her air supply off. Amy coughed and gasped for air, unable to speak.

“She’s praying for you too.” Judith struggled to free her hands from the telephone wire restraints. “So am I. If you’re going to kill us because of that, then go ahead. “

“Oh, I won’t kill you. I’ll just cut your tongues out so you can’t pray.”

His tirade was cut short by the slamming of a car door outside. A note of panic registered on Darrell Gene’s face and he raced to the window, wondering who was here, if the cops had somehow been notified. What he saw, however, put a smile on his face. “This just keeps getting better and better.”

There was something about the way he said it that made Amy want to be sick. What she saw through the window did the trick. The hamburger she’d eaten earlier in the van came back up almost immediately and it was several seconds before she could stop heaving up bile and half-digested French fries.

“No.” She wiped the slime from her lips.

“What is it?” Judith was startled by her daughter’s sudden reaction.

“It’s Peter. For some reason, Brenda’s bringing him back.”

“Just act normal now. Answer the door like you normally would. Take your son, thank your babysitter and close the door. Don’t think of trying anything cute, or I’ll carve a few more wrinkles in your mother’s precious face.”

Amy nodded and tried to compose herself as Brenda approached the front door. The doorbell sounded, and Amy hesitated for just a moment before answering. Darrell Gene growled at her. “Do it!”

Amy opened the door and forced herself to smile. “Hi Brenda.”

“I’m so sorry to bring Peter back so soon. I tried to call, but I couldn’t get through. I think something’s wrong with my phone. I know I was supposed to keep him until nine, but Danny’s had a breakdown on the side of the road. I’ve got to go and pick him up, and I’m afraid I’ll be out a lot later than nine. I hope I’m not ruining your plans for the evening.”

“No, no.” Amy took Peter and kissed him on the head. “I understand completely. You go and take care of Danny. Tell him I said hello.”

“Aaahhhh!” Peter cooed and pointed at Darrell Gene who stood quietly behind the door. Darrell Gene grimaced at the toddler..

“Okay, I’ll see you at church Sunday.”

“God willing. Thanks a bunch, Brenda. I appreciate it.”

Darrell Gene waited until the door was closed before moving in front of the window again. He watched as Brenda’s Oldsmobile backed out of the driveway.

“Now where were we?” He eyed the two-year-old. “Oh yeah, right. We were talking about what a horrible childhood I had. I’m sure this little guy wouldn’t know anything about that.”

“You leave him alone!” Amy turned her back on Darrell Gene and shielded Peter with her body.

“Well, now that’s not very Christian. I was just going to play with the boy. But I guess I’m not classy enough to associate with your child.”

Amy’s screaming scared Peter, and he quickly joined in.

“Shut him up! I’m not going to listen to much more of that.”

Judith’s strong resolve wilted as she realized that Darrell Gene wouldn’t hesitate to harm Peter. Her face turned a ghostly shade of pale.

“Please don’t hurt us! Especially the baby. We’ll do whatever you want.”

Darrell Gene thought about that for a moment, and an idea quickly formed in his head. “Is that right?”

Amy nodded. “Don’t hurt Peter, and I’ll do what you want.”

Darrell Gene smiled a predator’s smile.

“Do you still have your wedding dress?”