Full Circle In The Wheel Of Life Part Three

Sylvie by now was becoming uneasy, not sure if she would sound authoritative enough over the intercom. Pressing the button a man's voice called out, “Yes!”

 

Sylvie spoke putting on her best voice. “This is the help, Elsa has asked me to take Master Jacob to the shops to buy a play station game, only he's been feeling a bit down in the dumps since his return.” She waited for a reply and smiled at the boy.

 

There was a pause as Sylvie felt panic rising up inside. This was the hardest part, she was taking a risk that she'd get caught.

 

“Okay!” Came the distant voice back. "Just opening the gates now.”

 

She was so relieved that he didn't go and ask Elsa, otherwise her plan would have been completely spoiled. Now she was glad she'd taken a chance. “Thank you!” she called back. “Well that was easy enough,” she said grinning again at the boy, as the gates began to open.

 

As soon as there was enough space to squeeze through, she grabbed the boy's hand once again. “Come on Master Jacob, we need to catch the shops before they close.”

 

Jacob never considered there was anything unusual, he just thought they were rushing to get him his gift before the shops shut. At the end of Walnut Avenue they turned left into Elm Road, still Sylvie yanked the boy along as if they needed to be somewhere in a hurry. “Sylvie!” The boy cried out. “Slow down, we can always come and get the game another day.”

 

“No, no! That won't do, we need to hurry now.” Sylvie kept looking behind to see if anyone was following, but they were the only ones on foot, apart from a woman walking her dog on the other side of the road.

 

After being dragged for about half an hour, the shops were finally in sight. It was a clear evening with no clouds about. There was quite a lot of traffic being a Friday. Jacob thought about all those families heading to the coast for the holiday's and people flying off to far distant countries, then he pondered on his friends in Hawaii and wondered what time it was there.

 

Many people would be late evening shopping, spending their well earned cash. The boy looked across the road and glimpsed one of his old school teachers, he wanted to call out, but Sylvie had such a tight grip on him, he started to feel intimidated constantly being dragged along. He also speculated about why she kept looking at her watch. Pulling back Jacob was so out of breath, he was puffing and panting. “Stop!” He demanded, but she wouldn't listen. Jacob couldn't believe how strong her grip was on him.

 

As she continued, they passed a Burger King. The boy looked back in anticipation. “Can I have  burger and chips?” He was now desperately hungry and his stomach was rumbling.

 

“No! Boy; we ain't got time for all that nonsense. Just you come along with me.”

 

Jacob thought her voice was rapidly changing from the kind sweet woman, to someone slightly more terrifying. “I want to go home Sylvie.” He uttered, but still she kept pulling him. All of a sudden they came to a halt. Sylvie looked at her watch again then uttered, “It won't be long now.”

 

Jacob was puzzled and didn't understand. “What won't be long? Why have we stopped here? I want to go home – take me home.” The boy demanded feeling very afraid.

 

Suddenly an old battered, blue ford car drove up beside them and stopped, two men got out grabbing Jacob and forcing him in the back.

The boy was petrified and started struggling, but Sylvie got in and restrained him. “Shut up! Or I'll gag you – do you hear?”

 

Tears began to fill Jacob's eyes as he realized he was being kidnapped, but why! He thought. What could these people possibly want with me? " Please why am I here? I want to go home.”

 

“You'll find out soon enough boy. Don't worry we're not here to hurt you, just keep your cool and everything will be fine.”

 

“How can I stay cool when you won't tell me what's going on?” He pleaded as the car sped off down the road. None of the occupants of the vehicle would give him an answer. His heart began beating fast as his cheeks twitched, he knew it wouldn't be long before he burst into tears. Then it came like a tap being turned on and Jacob began sobbing hard, tears running down his cheeks.

 

“You got any hankies in that glove compartment?” Called out Sylvie to the driver in front.

 

“Nah! Only an oily rag, but it's dry oil, so the kid won't get black on his face – well not much anyway.” He turned to the other guy in front with a smirk.

 

The driver turned to look at Jacob announcing. “We got a long drive ahead so buckle up and make the best of it. I'm in no mood for tantrums, so you'd better be quiet – or else.”

 

Jacob decided not to cause any more bother, he didn't want to anger the men, they looked like they might be dangerous if annoyed.

 

“How's Lilly doing?” Said Sylvie. “Is she angry with me for taking so long?” The woman bit her bottom lip as if she was about to come up against the Godmother of all villains.

 

“I think she's just pleased that you've finally accomplished what you set out to do. I wouldn't worry too much about Lilly, you know she gets angry, then sweeps it under the carpet and forgets about what she was annoyed with in the first place.” Said the driver.

 

The guy next to him spoke up. “Yeah! I think it's got something to do with her age, she ain't no spring chicken anymore.” He laughed at his humor and wondered why nobody else was finding it funny.

 

“I wouldn't let Lilly here you say that,” said Sylvie, “she's funny about her age and doesn't like the fact that she's not young and beautiful like she used to be.”

 

“Who's Lilly?” piped up Jacob, wiping his eyes with the clean bits of the oily rag.

 

“Oh! You'll find out soon enough, don't you worry about that boy.”

 

To be continued...