‘Oh, it was beautiful,’ the kidnapper told Vanessa and Frank. ‘Callie was howling her way down that river. You could see Joe hesitate just for a minute but then he was after her. He must be some swimmer. Reckon it took it out of him though.’

Vanessa’s face wore a horrified expression. Frank yanked hard at the chain that was keeping him from charging their captor.

‘Relax Frank,’ the man laughed. ‘They’re both fine. Just a bit sad and sorry for themselves. They’ll be back at the campsite now. Callie will be toweling Joe’s hair. Joe will be drying her tears. They make such a cute couple.’

The absolutely ridiculous picture of his girlfriend drying his brother’s hair as opposed to yanking it out, caused Frank to snort out aloud.

‘You’re a sick man!’ Vanessa spat, glaring at him, her eyes flashing.

The kidnapper smiled. ‘Ah, you’re getting angry now, aren’t you Gorgeous! I’ve been looking forward to this! I wasn’t actually there to see them read it, but I bet Callie and Joe were really angry as well when they read the latest note I left them. They now know all about how intimate you and Frank have become over the last couple of nights. It wouldn’t surprise me if they pack up and start walking out of here.’

‘They’re not going to believe stupid lies you tell them!’ said Vanessa, venomously. She had been able to contain her fear and anxiety at being held captive, but the thought of this man manipulating Joe and Callie and putting them in danger was too much. Verbally, she let fly at the man.

‘You think you’re so brave, taunting us like this! It’s pathetic! You’re not impressing anyone. What are you possibly gaining from keeping us chained up like this and tormenting our friends?!’

The kidnapper raised his eyebrows in amusement and then moved closer to where his captives sat. He slowly extended his hand towards Vanessa’s face. She shrank back against the wall until she could retreat no further. She felt his rough fingers touch the side of her face and smelt nicotine. She thought for sure that she was going to be sick.

Suddenly, Frank smashed the man’s arm away from her with his unshackled arm.

‘Leave her alone!’ he yelled. Furious, the kidnapper drew back his elbow and delivered a solid punch to Frank’s nose. The force of the blow sent the young man’s head crashing back against the wall. Frank saw stars and immediately brought his free hand to his throbbing nose. As the kidnapper again prepared to strike Frank, Vanessa’s voice, now shrill with panic, startled both of them.

‘Stop it! Stop it!’ she pleaded. ‘How can you hit him like that when he can’t even fight back?!’

The kidnapper lowered his arm and rubbed his knuckles.

‘You’re right, Gorgeous,’ he said, smiling. ‘There’s not much fun in a game where there can only be one winner.’ He pointed his finger at Frank. ‘You’ll keep until tomorrow, Frank,’ he told him, ‘unless you give me anymore trouble. Tomorrow you’ll be joining my other visitors.’ He turned back to Vanessa. ‘And after tomorrow, I’ll have you all to myself.’

He moved as though he was about to walk away, but then turned his attention back to them.

‘Give me your watch, Frank. Gorgeous, I’ll have your bracelet.’

When neither of them reacted, he held out his hand imperiously.

‘Now!’

Reluctantly, Vanessa slid the silver bracelet her mother had given her for her 16^th birthday. Frank undid his watch, took the bracelet from Vanessa, and handed both the items to the kidnapper who pocketed them.

‘I like to keep things to remember my guests by,’ he explained.

With that, the man stomped out of the cabin. Vanessa immediately turned her attention to Frank. His nose had only bled a little. It didn’t seem broken.

‘Why did you hit him?’ she asked Frank sternly. ‘It antagonized him. He could have killed you!’

‘I couldn’t stand the way he was touching you,’ muttered Frank in a nasal voice. ‘I guess I did a bit of a Joe,’ he added.

Vanessa began to chuckle, but then, to Frank’s horror, her laughter turned to tears. She covered her face with her free hand and began to sob. Frank moved so that he was facing her and tentatively put his free arm around her, drawing her to him. Vanessa buried her face against his shoulder and continued to sob.

‘Why is this happening, Frank?’ she wailed miserably. ‘Why did he want our things?’ Frank held his brother’s girlfriend closely to him and sought for the words that were going to comfort her at this terrible time. They had no idea where Callie and Joe were, they had no way of contacting anyone, and their captor was threatening him with execution. Not a lot of comfort in any of that!

‘Joe will get us out of this,’ Frank found himself saying without even realizing he was saying it.

‘How can you be sure?’ said Vanessa, sniffing.

‘I just know,’ Frank told her, real conviction in his voice. ‘It’s a brother thing. I can feel it. He has a plan and he’s nearly ready to make his move. It’s going to be okay.’