Omniscient Leaps (16 page)

“What do you mean?”

She cleared her throat and I could see markings on her neck. Fred had abused her on more than one occasion. “The wife of the dealer was devastated to hear about her husband’s side job. I brought her some comfort food and talked with her a while. When I was leaving, Fred snatched me up. I guess he thought I was the wife. He has no idea who I really am.”

If Gail was who she said she was, I wondered how Fred never got arrested. Had I changed the course of events? It definitely made sense. I had probably messed things up beyond repair. I didn’t know how I was going to get myself out of the trouble I had created.

“So Kara, why would Fred risk kidnapping you on top of everything else? Who are you to him?”

“I’m nobody,” I replied sadly. “No one knows me here in this town,
not yet anyway
, and no one’s going to even notice I’m missing.”

“That still doesn’t answer the question though, does it?” she pushed. “Why would he go after you?”

My mind spun with all the obvious answers. Fred had no use for me and my future didn’t look too bright. “I caught him setting up his wife for shoplifting charges at the local Wal-Mart. I tipped her off and have been trying to help her ever since. They have children and Fred Parton should not be raising them. There’s no telling how they might turn out.”

“Why not go to the cops? Why would you try to do this on your own? No offense, but you are just a young girl with a lot of life ahead of you. Why would you stick your life on the line for an unknown woman and her children? There are authorities to take care of problems like these.”

I looked over at Gail and smiled. There was no easy way to answer her question. Most of the time I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. All I knew was that God wanted me to do this and so I had to make the effort. I’d never questioned His request because I knew He had his reasons. I might not know Him very well
yet
, but Luke said God didn’t make mistakes. When God has faith that you can succeed at something, then you return the gesture. How could you not?

“It was the right thing to do,” I finally said. “It might not have been the smartest, safest, or most logical thing to do, but it felt right.” I paused to gauge her reaction. “How many people take pity on a drug dealer’s family and bring them food?”

“You’re right,” she replied cracking a smile. “I’m a good Christian woman, Kara, and it was the right thing to do. I do understand what you mean. I just don’t usually see such a keen awareness in someone your age. You must have an old soul.”

“Maybe,” I whispered. “But it doesn’t seem to be giving me any ideas for how to get out of this mess.”

My eyelids were heavy and my mouth was dry. I wasn’t sure if I would ever flash back to reality. Gail had a strong spirit, but I could see she was dehydrated and fatigued like me. If there was a way to signal another leaper for help I wished I had asked Luke about it before I got myself into this situation. It was going to take a miracle to break us free now.

A rattling at the door startled me back to consciousness. Gail’s eyes widened as we both waited to experience another round with Fred. He talked about disposing us so maybe the end had come. The door suddenly swung open and Gage stepped inside. For a young boy he was certainly resourceful.

“I followed my father here,” he began. “I had to make sure he was long gone before I tried to break in. I can’t believe he would do this.” He was practically in tears as he worked to untie my hands. The frustration was building in his eyes when he realized how tight my bindings were fastened.

“Gail first, Gage,” I insisted. “She’s been here longer than me and she has connections. She knows people who can help. Get her out of here first.” Gail’s eyes were wide with disbelief. I doubt she expected to be rescued by a young child.

Gage quickened his pace when he heard she could help us. I wished I had the connections she did, but the most important thing now was ending this nightmare once and for all. Once Gail was free and standing, I noticed a gash in the side of her head. She needed medical attention immediately.

A crunching sound on gravel began to ring out as Gage’s eyes widened with panic. “Get out of here,” I screamed. “She needs help and she can send in backup. Please go now while we still have a chance.”

“You could die,” Gage sniffled. A tear streamed down his face and I hated Fred in that moment. He was so fragile underneath his tough exterior; no child deserved a childhood riddled with such fear.

I avoided his eyes while I focused on Fred’s potential plan of extermination. His cruelty ignited something within. It was crucial that Gage escaped. “Go! Leave now!” I shouted harshly.

They both deserted me with a weary reluctance in their eyes. The shadowy surroundings would help shield them. Wherever we were couldn’t be too far from town if Gage was able to follow on foot. I prayed they would return before anything tragic happened.
Lord, please protect and watch over me
.

“What the?” was all Fred could say when he opened the door to the shed. He had a can of gasoline and a lighter. My outlook didn’t appear promising. “Where is
she
?”

“I passed out,” I replied. “Obviously your boy scout skills are lacking.”

He walked over to me and smacked me across the face, hard. “She can’t be far. I’m going out to find her and once I do… well I am going to take care of my two little problems for good.” He tapped the gas can and I shivered.

Fred bolted out of the shed and I never heard the car start up. He was going to search by foot and I could only hope that Gage and Gail had gotten enough of a head start to make a difference. As much as I tried to fight the urge to fall asleep, the fatigue washed over me like a warm blanket and I grudgingly drifted off to sleep.

“Kara! Oh honey, please wake up.” It was Luke’s voice. He was calling my name and I wanted to reply but I was so tired. Something cold and wet was hitting my face and I wondered if we were stuck outside in the rain.

I opened my eyes to see Luke’s incredible blue eyes staring down at me. “What’s the matter?” I croaked.

“You Kara,” he said, stroking my hair. He wiped the wetness from his face and kissed my forehead. “I thought you were dead. You’re in bad shape. I don’t understand it because we are here in your happy place. You’re not supposed to be hurting in the dream realm. What’s going on?”

“Oh Luke, I messed up. I really messed up.” He pulled me towards his chest as the tears burst forth like a dam breaking. “I flashed back to turn the tapes in. I was going to be finished with this job. But Fred caught me. He’s got the tapes and he’s got me.”

“What do you mean
he’s got you
? If you are dreaming you must be home safe in your bed.” His voice was desperate. I knew he wanted to believe that. I didn’t know what I was saying.

“That’s what I thought,” I explained. “But I never flashed back. Fred dragged me to some cabin in the woods and he had some other woman there. He’s planning something awful, Luke. He’s going to kill us. I’m so tired and I don’t understand it.”

“You should’ve flashed out. This doesn’t make any sense. You’re not supposed to be in any danger. That’s not how this works.” Luke’s voice was shaky and I knew I was in trouble.

“I know. I was hoping it would happen numerous times, but it never did. How did you know to come to my dream?”

“I could hear you calling for me and then I just appeared here. I never know what to expect with you. You’re an anomaly among leapers.”  His voice was almost a whisper and it didn’t provide any reassurance. “Then I just found you laying here unconscious.”

“So you don’t know any way to make me flash out? Can’t you pull rank, or something, and rip me from my mission?” I didn’t recognize my own voice. I sounded scared, as I should. “Please Luke. I’m so tired. I just want to go to sleep at home.”

“You are asleep,” he said, pulling away from me. “Why
are
you like this? Did you take something? I mean, I don’t really know you, and you might have some habit that I’m not aware of.”

“Like a drug habit?” I said, suddenly sitting up. Now I was mad. “You
do
know me, Luke. We’ve spent hours and days together. Don’t try to turn this around on me. I don’t do drugs!”

“Sorry Kara.” He grabbed his head. He was frantic and I should have had more compassion. “It’s just the only situation I’ve ever heard about a leaper being stuck somewhere was when they used drugs. I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s okay. I guess I do take nighttime headache medicine every now and then when I feel a migraine coming on.” Suddenly I gasped. I knew exactly what I had done wrong. A fierce anger quickly built up in my stomach and I lunged towards Luke. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me I couldn’t take anything? I had so much caffeine in my system from staying after school and my head was throbbing. I needed to sleep. How was I supposed to know not to take anything?”

I was pounding on his chest with all my strength and he just allowed it. He didn’t move away from me and he didn’t try to stop me. When I finally ran out of energy I dropped to the ground and began to sob. He grabbed my hands in his.

“You took nighttime headache medicine to sleep?” He repeated quietly and I nodded my head. “How many?”

“Just one,” I uttered. “They usually only last long enough to tame my headache and put me to sleep. It feels like hours have gone by.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to you,” Luke finally announced after a long pause. “It can’t. I’ve never heard of anyone dying while leaping. God won’t let it happen.”

I sat up and stared at him. Everything about Luke was loveable, his angelic face, his kind heart, and his unwavering devotion to God. “I love you Luke,” I finally blurted out. “I’m sure I’m just scared and I wish I could admit to holding the same faith, but if I don’t get out of this I want you to know how I feel.”

He didn’t say anything but his eyes were fixated on mine. I wanted my declaration to mean something. I wanted him to be happy. His eyes reflected with pain instead of joy and I knew exactly where the sentiment was originating from. He didn’t think he deserved to be loved after what he had done so many years before.

I leaned forward, kissed his cheek and brushed my cheek against his. An electrical impulse shot through the both of us and I knew he felt it too—he jumped. “I said I love you, Luke. Don’t you have anything to say?” I had whispered softly in his ear because I didn’t want to move my cheek from his face. I felt so safe and warm exactly where I sat.

Luke pulled away. It took him several minutes, but he was the one who made the first move. His eyes were soft and sweet, but I could feel a letdown coming already.

“Kara, I don’t know how you think this could work with us, but it’s just not possible. As much as I wish it was it—”

“Wait,” I interrupted. A jumble of flutters erupted inside of me while an oversized grin swept over me. “Did you just admit you have feelings for me?”

“Yes,” he said, closing his eyes. “But that’s not the point here. I don’t think it’s meant to be. You’re supposed to be with someone in your time, someone your age.”

“Luke,” I laughed. “There’s no one like you in my time or my age and I don’t want to settle. I only want you. And how do you know it’s not meant to be if you don’t even give us a chance.” I gathered my guts, leaned forward and attempted to kiss him.

Luke immediately leaped to his feet. “Please don’t do that again, Kara. I have a hard enough time controlling myself around you and I don’t need any further temptations.”

I tried to suppress my delight, but I was ecstatic to learn he admittedly had feelings for me. Everything else would come with time. “Sorry Luke. You’ll change your mind, eventually.” I paused and then added, “It’s not like I’ve never been kissed, Luke. I hate to admit it, but I’ve kissed a lot of guys. I never enjoyed it and I’m not even sure why I did it, but I’m not some delicate flower you need to tiptoe around. I’ve never felt like this before.”

A momentary smirk faded from his face as he shook his head. He leaned against a tree and sighed. “I can’t believe we are even talking about this when your life is in danger. How did you so easily forget?”

“You told me that everything would be alright so I am trusting in that.” I pushed against the damp pine straw and stood up. I still felt dizzy, but there was definitely an improvement. I made my way towards the dock.

“But you’re still asleep?” Luke added in protest.

I poked his stomach as I moved past him. “It’s the company, I suppose.”

“Seriously, Kara. You need to focus and get yourself out of danger. You shouldn’t be playing around like this.” I could see his frustration building and I didn’t think it was fair. I was the one in trouble after all. If anyone deserved to be discouraged it should have been me.

“Luke,” my tone was now sharp. “I’ve been tormented and petrified for the last few hours so forgive me if I don’t want to return to that scene just yet. I need to mentally strengthen my psyche and you’re not helping.”

His intense stare ignited a fire within me. It was almost too much to handle considering he didn’t want me to go near him again just yet. I moved towards the edge of my dock and peered down. I didn’t know how deep the water below the surface was, but I was certain that a cold blast of water would do me some good. Without hesitation I leaned forward and dove in.

The shriek that escaped me was a sound I had never heard before. It wasn’t the chill of the icy water that sent pain radiating through my body, but something external. Something was happening on the outside with Fred, he was trying to wake me. I let myself drift under the water hoping the icy sensation would dull my pain. When I surfaced I barely had the energy to tread water.

Luke plunged into the lake and grabbed on to my shirt. My body felt helpless, lifeless, and in shock, as he dragged me towards the shore. “Kara, what’s going on?”

For a dream, our sensations had stepped up in intensity. Both Luke and I were shaking uncontrollably. He wrapped his arms around me in an attempt to warm me. If I hadn’t been in danger I would have been reveling in the gesture.