"Let's go, it is time to move out," He muttered to Jason. Jason cringed at he saw his brother being thrown around and it scared him to know that Adam had now missed his evening dose of his seizure medicine. Jason prayed silently for Adam to snap out of it, but his brother remained motionless as the captors threw his body into the back of the small red hauling trailer. The one called Paul tied looped a rope to Jason's bonds and then tied the other end to the trailer.

"I suggest ya keep up or yer gonna git dragged all the way to the van," the dirty man said with a sneer. He climbed on the back next to Junior and they were on their way. Thank goodness for Jason they could not go very fast because of the terrain, but Jason was growing tired and winded. He kept looking at Adam for any sign of movement. Finally, after a mile of walking, Adam's eyes began to stir. His eyes flickered open and then Jason could see the blue in his eyes. Giving his brother the signal to remain the way he was, Jason felt relieved to know that Adam was now alert.

They finally made it down into a ravine. Jason was looking around, trying to figure out where they were when he spotted a figure moving from tree to tree and bush to briars. He could almost swear that it was Jacob. Adam opened his eyes to check on Jason and noticed him looking up the side of the ravine. Without moving his head, he glanced up there as well. He almost had to contain his feelings of relief when he spotted the familiar chunky figure of his cousin. Both brothers knew that they had to be prepared for when Jacob was able to give them their chance to escape. Adam had almost cut his bonds loose, but Jason was not having any luck since he had to keep up with the four-wheeler. All of his muscles were starting to turn to jelly and he was hoping to have enough strength in him for their getaway.

Then the conditions grew worse when Paul and Junior drove into a shallow creek that flowed in between two steep hills. Jason had to walk through the cold water with his hiking boots, zapping his energy even more. The oldest Kramer was just about to collapse when he heard something from up above and the next thing he saw was the four-wheeler lurching forward, throwing everyone riding off. Adam sprang from his position and disappeared in the heap of legs and arms on the other side of the four-wheeler. Adam was trying to hold off Paul while Jacob had wrestled Junior to the creek bottom. Both boys were so involved with their adversaries that they did not notice that the four-wheeler had continued on, dragging Jason with it. It finally curved up the hill and being unable to climb the hill without a driver, toppled backwards into the trailer and a very weak Jason. The eldest boy was wedged between the trailer and a fallen down log. He tried to move the trailer off of him, but he just did not have the strength to do it.

At the same time, Adam was having better luck. He had pinned Paul to the ground only to spot his brother, helplessly under the trailer and four-wheeler. Adam knew that he needed to get to Jason so he set up to give the final finishing blows to Paul. But he was knocked out of his position by a flying body. Junior had managed to throw Jacob like a rag doll. Jacob slammed into his cousin, giving Paul the chance to recover. Before any of the boys could move, their captors already had the guns trained on their every move.

"You have caused enough trouble. I am not gonna be late for my drop," Paul yelled angrily. "You two git over thar and git that trailer unhitched. You are going to pull it now!"

Still getting their breath, Adam and Jacob complied with the orders. Adam then rushed to his brother's side.

"Are you okay?" he almost whispered to his brother.

"I think it bruised me up. My side is killing me though. It is hard to breathe," Jason winced as he talked to his brother slowly. It killed Adam to see his brother in pain. Adam lifted up his brother's wet jacket and shirt to see a large red line that went across his chest. It was apparent that the trailer landed on him.

Adam turned to face a shotgun and Paul. "Why don't you just leave my brother here with him? He is hurt and he will only slow you down."

"And just what are YOU planning to do if I do consider that? Run ahead and tell yer daddy and mommy?" Paul sneered back.

"No, I give you my word that I will help you get away and make your shipment. You can even take me with you. Just please, let them get help for my brother. By the time they will be able to get anywhere, we will be long gone," Adam pleaded. "I can even be your hostage. Just let my brother and cousin go."

Paul stood there and looked between the brothers. Jason was beginning to cough up blood and it was apparent that he was going to slow the process down. He then glared back over to his crate that lay on the other side of the trailer.

"How do I know that I can trust ye?" Paul said, looking straight into Adam's eyes.

"I give you my word. No funny business I swear. I just want to get my brother help and I will do whatever I have to do," Adam said, almost begging.

"Are you willing to die for him even?" Junior asked with a menacing tone. "No one can guarantee that hostages come back alive, especially ones that know too much."

Adam knew that they were testing him and he stood true to his convictions. "Yes, I would. I love my brother and he needs help. It is already going to take Jacob forever to just get him back to the road, let alone help. By the time they can tell anyone, we will be long gone."

Jason tried to speak up, but he coughed instead. He instantly grabbed his abdomen in pain. Jacob just held his head in shock and disbelief. Adam knew Jacob was scared, but he trusted his cousin to do the right thing.

"We really need to get him to a hospital, he is coughing up blood," Jacob said, afraid to try to unpin his cousin until Paul gave his word.

Paul grimaced at the idea of leaving witnesses, but Adam had a point. He had to get that shipment out or his suppliers would be after him for sure. At least with Adam, he would have a hostage and he could easily drop him somewhere.

"So I have yer word that you will remain as a hostage without a fight if I leave yer brother and friend here. I can do with you as I please," Paul repeated again.

"Yes, I will not give you any trouble. Just spare my brother," Adam replied, sensing that Paul liked the idea.

"Fine, you have a deal. Junior get the keys to the four-wheeler and grab the crate. We need to git goin'," Paul directed. "You are gonna stay in front of me so I can keep an eye on ya."

"Could I please just check on Jason?" Adam said as he slowly started to move in the direction of his older brother. Paul grimaced at first, but then motioned him over.

Jason's eyes were fully of fear and fury. He could not believe that his brother would make such a deal. He did not want to leave Adam alone to fend for himself, especially if he had a seizure. Adam knew his brother was not happy with the deal, but everything Jason tried to talk, he winced in pain and clutched his side.

"Jason, you have to trust me on this. You are going to be just fine. I can take care of myself. Please trust me," Adam said as he smoothed his brother's hair back as he knelt down beside him. Tears filled Jason's eyes and Adam instantly understood what he was trying to say. "Look, you have always looked out for me and now it is time that I looked out for you. I will be just fine. Don't you worry." But he did not know himself what was going to happen. He did not know if Jacob would get him to a hospital in time or if something would happen to him with the deal. Jason knew his brother was just as scared as he was and uncertain about what was going to happen.

"We---go---to-ge-ther," Jason stumbled. But Adam ignored his brother's wishes.

"Jacob, take good care of him," Adam said, noticing Paul getting more uneasy. He wanted to get out of there before Paul had a chance to change his mind. He looked down at Jason again. His once strong older brother who always tried to protect him looked up at him like he was memorizing his face in between the streaks of pain. "I love ya, buddy."

With that, Adam disappeared into the think woods without even looking back. Jason tried to get up, but he could not.

"St-op him," He would stutter to Jacob, but Jacob was too busy getting the trailer off of him so he could begin carrying him to safety. Tears streamed down his eyes and that helpless feeling that had overcame him at the accident scene, flooded him once more. He felt numb both in his body, but also in his heart. He was the oldest, but he now felt like a helpless little child.

Jacob knew that Jason was upset, but he also understood what Adam was doing. He carefully lifted Jason up into his arms gently and made his way slowly out of the ravine.

A few minutes ahead of Jason and Jacob, the group was loading into the van. Adam glanced back into the woods, but there was no sign of anyone. He prayed that Jacob would make it in time. He feared that Jason was seriously injured since he was coughing up blood.

Paul explained what had happened to the rest of the party to Jim, who again reminded him of his no killing stance. They drove down the road, only passing a couple of cars. Then one came that Adam recognized. It was Jacob's jeep and as it passed, it looked like his father and uncle was in it. Breathing a sigh of relief that Jason might be okay, he was able to relax a little knowing his plan might work. Paul noticed the change in Adam's face and immediately questioned him about any funny business.

"I gave my word and I meant it," Adam replied. "So what are we going to be doing?"

"Well, you son are going to make sure that my shipment makes it to my supplier. You are gonna hand deliver it and what he decides to do with you after that is his business," Paul said, glancing around suspiciously.

"That sounds easy enough," Adam said, noticing that they were now entering the small town of Sugar Creek. It was now dark, even though it was only eight. The winter nights were long and cold, but Adam knew he had to come through on the deal.

But Paul and Junior chuckled. "Easy? You have no idea of how we DROP our shipments if ya don't mind the pun," Paul said, still laughing. "We strap our crates to a bungee cord and drop them over the side of the bridge to be picked up and guess what, you are goin' over the side with it!"