Full Circle In The Wheel Of Life Part Four

Jacob had no idea how long they'd been traveling, but he'd now given up struggling with nowhere to go, the effort was too much and Sylvie had threatened to gag him with the oily rag if he started making a fuss. The scenery had become boring too with just the sky and miles and miles of fields, they'd left any sign of a busy town miles behind. Light was starting to fade, so Jacob presumed it was quite late. “What's the time Sylvie?” He inquired of the woman politely, but only because it had been drummed into him to always respect his elders, no matter what.

 

She looked at her watch and sniffed. “Nearly 9.30pm, but don't you go worrying about time, you'll be sleeping in the car for most of the night.” She gave the boy a pillow from the back. “There! Lay on that, you'll find we're not so bad once you get to know us.”

 

Jacob couldn't help wondering where they were going, but was too afraid to ask again, he'd already been warned enough times. Taking the pillow the boy placed it against the window and lay his head down. Closing his eyes he hoped it was all just a bad dream and when he woke up he'd be back in his own bed, but this was all too real. A chill went through his body and struck terror in him, when he supposed that maybe they were kidnapping him for money, knowing what a wealthy family he had. He then wondered if his Mum and Dad would pay the ransom and if not what would become of him. Would they leave him to die alone, or worse still torture him? His Mum always said he watched too many nasty films, but that was what the other boys watched at boarding school in their spare time, now he was wishing he'd listened to her more.

 

Eventually Jacob fell asleep. It wasn't till the car engine turned off that he awoke with a sudden jerk. Stretching his arms he sat up, squinting he yawned. It was dark outside and the lights from a petrol station had him desperate to go to the toilet. “Please Sylvie, I need to pee.”

 

The woman wasn't happy that the boy had woken, but at least if he needed the toilet they were in the right place. “The guys have gone to pay for petrol, you'll have to wait till they get back – but no funny business okay?”

 

Jacob nodded that there wouldn't be any struggling. “I'm really hungry Sylvie, please...please can I get something to eat too.”

 

The woman exhausted by the day's events, decided that the boy hadn't been much trouble, so agreed that when the two men got back, he could get some food and a drink. It cheered Jacob up slightly that at last she was being kind and perhaps he would be all right.

 

When the two men returned, neither was happy about having to take the boy to the toilet and get food. “Well! I can't take him,” announced Sylvie rummaging through her coat pocket for change. “He's a good lad really, I'm sure he won't be any trouble, here take this money and get him something to eat.”

 

“Famous last words saying he's good, he could change at any time!” Said the driver desperate to be off and back on the road. “He opened the back door and grabbed the boy pulling him out of the car. “You better not start anything – do you hear me boy?”

 

Jacob nodded and exhaled, this man was so hostile it made him panic, he nearly peed in his pants. “Please Sir! I really need a wee.”

 

“Yeah! Yeah! I know. Can't have you pissing in the car, now can we?” Placing his arm around the boy's shoulder, he led Jacob to the toilets, whispering. “No funny business – you hear?”

 

“I've already told Sylvie that I promise I won't run or scream.” He gazed up at the man. “Honestly!”

 

The car park was empty apart from some lorries parked up for the night. The boy thought about running for help but changed his mind, knowing if he didn't manage to escape he'd be in even bigger danger.

 

Reaching the toilets, the driver came in with the boy, watching his every move. Nobody else was in there, it was so silent as he peed against the metal basin, Jacob was aware of the sound echoing around the white painted walls making him feel self conscious, he looked down on the floor too afraid to look directly at the man. Washing his hands, he splashed his face with water to wake himself up,then dried his hands and face.

 

Jacob was just about to ask the man his name as they left the building, but then thought better of that idea, he felt doubtful the man would tell him anyway, so decided to ask about food instead. “Look!” The boy pointed, “there's a shop over there, can we get something to eat?”

 

The driver sighed, “I'll go get some rolls and cans of coke, you go back to the car.”

 

Jacob nodded, again too afraid to attempt anything else with all eyes watching him. Oh! How he wished for the courage to run, but that was out of the question. Sylvie wound down the window and waved for the boy to come on, gazing at him in a threatening manner.

 

The night air was cold as Jacob reached the vehicle even though it was July. Opening the door he climbed in shivering but realized it wasn't only the cold, but the shock of what was happening, the woman noticed and gave him a blanket to put round his shoulders. "There! See...we're not so bad now are we?"

 

Jacob forced a smile but thought the car stunk of cigarette smoke combined with the oppressive odor of sweat, which he hadn't noticed before, but now as Sylvie lit up a cigarette, it all became clear. His parents had hated cigarettes, they were such health freaks and would have gone ballistic if he'd taken up the habit. A lot of the boys at school smoked, but Jacob hadn't ever been interested and didn't want to 'stunt his growth!' As his father kept telling him would happen, though he never really understood the meaning of those words.

 

The driver didn't take long to return with the food as he made his way back across the car park. Opening the door he reached across. “Here! Take this,” he uttered, passing a couple of cheese rolls and a can of coke to the boy.

 

Poor Jacob was so hungry he almost gobbled down the rolls before he'd had chance to swallow the last bite.

 

“Hey! Slow down, you'll get a bad stomach eating so fast.” voiced Sylvie. “Can't have you being sick, that wouldn't be wise.”

 

“Sorry Sylvie,” replied the boy. “It's just that I'm starving.” The sugar in the coke was a real pickup and already Jacob was feeling slightly better.

 

“Yes! Well we've still got quite a way to go yet, so when you've finished your food, it's best you sleep again.”

 

The drive was by now getting tedious after his long journey back from school and now this. Jacob became fidgety at sitting for so long and still had no idea why he was being held as they set off again. Now Jacob knew they were going far away from his home as they turned off down the motorway. There was nothing else for it but to try and sleep, which with the car engine humming away wasn't really a problem, though the stench did make him retch a few times.

 

The next time he was awoken by Sylvie nudging him. “Jacob – Jacob! Wake up, we're here.”

 

The boy opened his eyes and quickly gazed out of the window in shock horror. By now it was daylight and he could see that they were in a bad, run down area, but where? He hadn't a clue. There were boarded up windows on some of the houses, mattresses were carelessly rotting in gardens with springs protruding through the stuffing, while rubbish was scattered everywhere. Gates were hanging off their hinges, while the posts were at an angle and not really doing the job of holding the gate up at all.

 

They parked outside one of the houses, when a man came to the front door with a mug of something or other and three angry looking dogs came bounding out barking at the car and its occupants.

 

“Where...where are we?” Cried Jacob, mouth open wide and a look of horror on his face.

 

“You'll find out in just a moment boy.” Sylvie grinned, happy that she'd delivered without any problem.

 

To be continued...