Part 2

Danielle pulled the car up in the driveway of another house. Johnny looked curiously at her.

“Why are we here?”

“You want to get home…this is your way there.”

“Huh?”

“You’ll see.”

She opened her car door and stood out on the grass waiting for him. Johnny cautiously got out on the passenger side. A car came down the road and parked behind Danielle’s. Johnny recognized it as Maggie and Thomas’s.

Now what?

“What brings you two kids to our house?” Thomas asked.

“Johnny has some questions he wants answered,” Danielle explained. “Then he wants to go home.”

“Ah, I see.” Thomas rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Sounds fair. Come on in…Maggie can fix us all a late afternoon snack and we can shoot the breeze, as they say.”

Despite an uneasy feeling, Johnny figured right now he had no choice but to agree. He followed Maggie and Thomas into the house, Danielle beside him, her arm linked in his. As they entered into the living room, there once again was the large picture of the man hanging on the wall.

“What…did they have a sale on that picture at a county fair or something?” Johnny asked.

“You best keep your thoughts to yourself, son,” Thomas chastised. “You don’t want to make anyone mad.”

Johnny kept his face void of as much emotion as he could. Somehow he got the feeling his life depended on it.

____________________

“So, you want a tour of our house before you sit down, John?”

Johnny wasn’t sure how to answer. He really just wanted to leave these people, Danielle included, but he knew it was better if he played along for now.

“Sure. Why not? But isn’t it just like Danielle’s?”

Thomas gave him a look that reminded him he was walking on thin ice. He followed behind Thomas as he was led around the lower floor of the house. Maggie and Danielle sat in the kitchen talking about the latest plans Danielle had for updating her store. They didn’t pay attention as Thomas showed Johnny around. It was as if he didn’t exist anymore.

Johnny glanced back in the direction of the kitchen as he and Thomas reached the bottom of the carpeted staircase in the living room.

What have you gotten me into, Danielle?

____________________

Soon Johnny found himself in an office upstairs. Thomas showed him the bowling trophies he had accumulated over the years from various leagues he was on when he lived in the city.

“So you see, John, we’re just ordinary people like yourself. Except that we’ve found a better way to life.”

“Better by whose standards?”

Thomas stared intensely at Johnny. “You really want to push your luck, don’t you? Okay. You ready to get some answers now?”

Johnny slowly nodded. He hoped he was doing the right thing. If nothing else, maybe this way he would finally understand this strange group of people.

“You ever hear the saying, be careful what you wish for or you may get it?” Thomas was staring at him, waiting for a response.

Johnny clenched his jaw, not sure where this was leading. “What difference does it make?”

“None really. Your future with us has already been decided anyway. Maybe you do need to see this…it might straighten out your attitude. ”

Thomas motioned for Johnny to follow him into the hallway, where he opened the door to the next room. Johnny’s eyes widened at what he saw. The paramedic in him taking over, Johnny went into the bedroom, disregarding the fact Thomas was watching him. There in the bed was Brian. His face was bruised and swollen, a cut was on his left cheekbone; his left elbow had a large bloodied gauze Band-Aid on it. The young man barely seemed aware of Johnny’s presence.

“What happened? I thought he took my truck.” Johnny stated as he checked Brian’s pulse and respirations. He looked closely at the injuries on Brian’s face. A closer inspection of his elbow revealed a large gash underneath the dressing. Johnny could see discoloration under the edge of Brian’s t-shirt. He lifted the shirt and saw there were numerous bruises on his left and right sides and on his abdomen. Johnny palpated the young man’s ribs, gently feeling for any sign of breaks. As he looked up at Brian’s face again he noted that the man was unable to focus on anything with his eyes. The glassy, red-rimmed appearance of them led Johnny to believe Brian was under the influence of a drug. Once again he asked, “Who did this to him?”

Not getting a reply, Johnny spun around. He glared at Thomas.

“Did you do this?” He pointed towards the bed.

“Brian wasn’t cooperating. He needed an attitude adjustment. He’ll be fine,” Thomas assured in a soft tone. “We’ve come to an understanding.”

Johnny was furious. He didn’t even know what to say to the man. This was unbelievable. He nervously ran a hand through his hair, shifting on his feet.

Just what are these people capable of?

“You beat the guy up? What did he do? And where in the hell is my truck?”

“He wanted to leave. And don’t worry. Your truck has been taken care of,” Thomas shrugged. “You wanted to know more. Well, now you do. No one new goes anywhere once they come through that front gate.”

Johnny’s stomach knotted up on him as the implications of what he had gotten into came to light. The words echoed in his mind.

No one new goes anywhere once they come through that front gate.

“You can’t hold anyone against their will…”

“Wills can be broken, John. And the ones who can’t…the ones who defy the life Marcus and the rest of us offer…they have a place, too. You’ll see.”

Johnny’s mind raced as he tried to think of a way out of this. Surely someone would come looking for him. Except no one knew where he was. Danielle had made sure of that. If he could just get to a phone.

“Brian needs a doctor…he needs to be in a hospital,” Johnny said firmly. “You can’t treat him. You don’t know what you’re doin’.”

“Ah, and that’s where you come in. You can treat him.”

“You’re crazy! I’m not qualified! I’m just a paramedic,” Johnny emphasized, hoping it would finally sink in. “Look, I can’t make a move without a doctor telling me what to do. What about the doctor who comes around a few days a week?”

“He’s already been told he won’t be needed anymore. That we’ve found someone with the skills we were looking for.” Thomas looked directly at Johnny’s eyes. “When Danielle told us about you, we knew you were meant to be here with us. Marcus assured us this was the right thing to do,” he paused, his eyes narrowing. “So you damn well better get used to doing this without a doctor.”

Johnny shook his head. “No…no way this is happenin’.”

“Your bag is down on the other side of the bed. We had to borrow some supplies,” Thomas continued. “Your other stuff is in the office at the school house.”

Johnny couldn’t believe that Thomas wasn’t listening to him. The man was nuts…they all were. He wanted to help Brian, but the only way he could do it was to get help for both of them. Not knowing what else to do, Johnny suddenly rushed forward, taking a swing at Thomas. It was enough to cause the man to lose his balance and take a few steps backwards. Johnny then ran into the hallway and turned towards the steps. He paused momentarily when he saw Danielle looking up at him from the bottom.

“Maggie, no!” Danielle screamed.

Danielle’s eyes flicked to something behind Johnny. Instinct told the paramedic to turn around. He caught a brief glimpse of Maggie. A violent shove sent Johnny tumbling down the steps. He landed at the bottom in a heap. Paying little attention to any pain, Johnny scrambled for the door, desperate to flee these crazy people.

Thomas was beside him in an instant. He drew back a foot and kicked Johnny in the ribs. The paramedic’s breath came out in a pain filled “ooof!” He grabbed his right side and curled into a tight ball of misery.

“Thomas, that’s enough!” Maggie called out as she ran down the steps. “We can’t hurt him too bad, we need him!”

She knelt down by Johnny’s head. He opened his pain filled eyes and looked at the woman. Maggie smiled.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I had to borrow this from your supplies to have it ready for you,” she held up a syringe with clear liquid in it. “I hope I got the dosage right. Now don’t flinch…this is for your own good.”

Johnny tried to get away, but Danielle and Thomas held him in place. He watched helplessly as the needle went into his right arm.

The poke of the needle was quick. As he glanced around from his position on the floor, Johnny began to feel like he was floating. The walls shifted and slowly faded. The last thing he saw before he lost consciousness was Maggie’s satisfied grin.

___________________

Hank Stanley looked up from his paper work on his desk as he heard someone walk in. It was Lieutenant Crockett.

“Lieutenant!” Hank said, standing up and walking around his desk. “What can I do for you?”

“Hi, Captain. Truth is, I’m hoping there’s something I can do for you.”

“I don’t get it…what’s up?” Stanley sat on the edge of his desk.

Crockett sighed and folded his arms across his chest. “Seems as though one of your men has run into a problem.”

Hank snorted. “What are you talking about? They’re all here on duty…wait…not John.”

The lieutenant nodded. “A couple driving up into the hills noticed marks going over the side of an embankment. When they looked over, they could see a vehicle down in the shrubbery. They drove to a phone and called the sheriff out that way.” He paused as he thought about how to break the next bit of news to the captain. “It was a white Land Rover that was traced back to Gage, so they contacted us. The worst part is, he’s not been found yet. There’s no sign of him anywhere near it.”

Hank’s mouth dropped open. Here he figured Johnny was off enjoying his vacation when all along he had been in an accident. And now he might be wandering around in the hills, injured.

The lieutenant saw the captain’s shocked expression.

“Remember, it’s not a missing person’s case yet,” Crockett tried to assure. “He hasn’t been gone long enough that we know of and the surrounding area hasn’t been completely searched.”

Hank nodded in acknowledgement. “Did you tell my other men yet?”

“No, but I need to talk to them. Since he’s from this county, and we’ve been notified about the circumstances, I need to find out if any of them knew where he was headed or who he might’ve been with, if anyone.”

“Sure! Anything to help. Roy would be the best one to ask, I think. Let’s go.”

Crockett nodded and followed Captain Stanley out of the office.

____________________

Johnny could feel someone gently stroking his forehead.

Who…?

He tried to open his eyes, but still feeling the effects of the drug, his eyelids felt too heavy. He could tell the hand was soft. Not being totally aware of where he was, he allowed himself to drift back to sleep.

___________________

Lieutenant Crockett and Captain Stanley walked into the dayroom where the other members of the crew were. Chet and Mike were busy washing the dishes from dinner, and Marco and Roy were playing checkers. Johnny’s replacement, Tom Wheeler, was sitting on the couch reading the paper.

All eyes fell on the two men as they came in.

“Lieutenant Crockett would like a word with you all, especially Roy,” the captain said. He glanced at the man standing beside him, then brought his attention back to his men. “Don’t jump to conclusions…nothing’s definite yet…but it looks like John’s been in a car accident and may be out wandering somewhere.”

Roy sat up straight, alarmed.

“What? When? Was Danielle with him?”

“Who’s Danielle?” Crockett and Stanley asked simultaneously.

“A new girlfriend. He was supposed to be spending a lot of his vacation time with her.”

“Yeah, remember the girl at the store fire a couple of weeks ago?” Chet asked. “The one in the pink shorts and crop top?”

Hank’s eyes widened. “That’s who he was seeing? Wow.”

“Do you know where this gal lives?” Crockett asked. “Or how to get a hold of her?”

Roy and the others shook their heads. Roy stood up and walked over near the two men.

“He’d met up with her at a bowling alley a couple of times, then she invited him over for dinner. One odd thing though.”

“What’s that?” the lieutenant’s interest heightened.

“She was so concerned with having her own transportation on their first two dates, like she didn’t trust Johnny. Then after those two, there she was inviting him over to her own home for a meal. It seemed kind of sudden to me.”

Crockett nodded, giving it thought. “It does seem kind of off. But no telling. I’ll let the sheriff know they may be looking for a woman as well, just in case. Anyone care to give me a description?”

Chet put down the dishtowel in his hands. “Brown hair, gorgeous face, a perfect figure …” he moved his hands in an hourglass motion. “Anything but what you’d expect Gage to be with.”

“I get the picture. If they don’t locate him soon, I’ll definitely try to find something out.”

“Keep us updated, will ya?” The captain asked.

“Sure thing.”

After the lieutenant left, the men exchanged glances with one another.

“Roy, you think you could look through Gage’s locker and see if there might be anything about this Danielle stashed in there? Just in case we need to try to get in touch with her.”

“Sure, Cap,” Roy shrugged. “I’ll give it a shot now.”

______________________

Johnny began to come around, although his mind was still foggy and he was having a hard time waking up. He cracked open one eye, and peered around to see where he was. The lighting in the room was dim, but he could see the outlines of the furniture at various places against the walls.

It wasn't a dream…I'm really here.

Johnny moaned. He could feel the aches and pains in his body from his fall down the steps and his encounter with Thomas. He closed his eyes again, trying to will himself back to sleep.

Maybe it'll all just go away.

___________________

His mind becoming more alert, Johnny opened his eyes and once again looked at his surroundings. The room was dark, with just a slight hint of moonlight streaming through. With his thoughts clearer, Johnny could rationalize more about his situation. He knew he was alone for now. How long it would last was anybody's guess.

Sitting up in the bed, he sucked in a deep breath and gritted his teeth when a pain shot through his right side.

Oh man, my ribs.

Putting weight on his left wrist to get himself up also left the paramedic gasping in pain. He held it up in the dim light and could see a support bandage wrapped around it.

Must’ve hurt it in the fall.

Glancing down at his feet, he could see he was barefooted. Where were his shoes? A quick scan of the darkened room proved to be useless. He would have to make due as he was.

Johnny wasn’t sure whose house he was in. He figured most likely the Willard’s since that’s where everything happened. He couldn’t hear any voices or other sounds in the house. With it likely everyone was asleep, he knew this could be his only chance to get out of there.

He stood up, grabbing on to the foot of the bed as he realized he was still woozy from the drug he’d been given. Putting weight on his right knee proved to be a challenge as well. Johnny stood hanging on to the bed for a few minutes, gritting his teeth. Once he felt more stable, he slowly limped to the door, peering out as he opened it. A nightlight cast a shallow, dim glow down the hallway. Johnny looked left and then right. There was no sign of anyone.

Keeping his hands on the wall for balance, Johnny made his way to the stairs. He then grabbed the railing easing himself down carefully, putting most of his weight on his left leg. Near the bottom of the stairs and the room below were dark. As Johnny reached that part of the house, he had to feel his way around. His left arm outstretched in front of him, Johnny tried to find his way to the front door, carefully limping around the furniture. When he got to his destination, he quietly slid back the deadbolt lock and opened the door. Suddenly, the lights came on in the room.

"Just what do you think you're doing? Where are you going?"

Oh shit! Thomas!

Johnny ran without looking back. He grimaced and bit his lip. The urgency to flee overrode the pain throbbing from his right side and lancing through his knee. Nonetheless, the paramedic’s limping gait slowed him down. He fell hard to the ground as he was tackled in mid-stride. With the wind knocked out of him, Johnny gulped for air. Thomas’s face came into view while John clawed at the grass in an effort to get away. Hard punches to his face momentarily stunned the paramedic and enabled Thomas to pin him to the ground. Johnny bucked his body upward in an effort to dislodge the man from his back. He continued to struggle until he heard a click near his ear. He slowly turned his head toward the sound, and his eyes met with the barrel of a handgun.

“One more move and you’ve had it,” Maggie threatened, as she squatted beside the paramedic.

Johnny lay still as Thomas got up. Resigned to his fate for the time being, Johnny cooperated as they helped him to his feet and into the house.

_________________

It was seven-fifty in the morning and the men of A-shift were anxious to get off duty. Captain Stanley had called Lieutenant Crockett and found out that Johnny hadn’t been found yet and was now officially considered a missing person. Roy was unable to find any helpful information in Gage’s locker the night before. The men had decided they would head up to the area where the accident had occurred and help in the search for their shift-mate.

____________________

Johnny’s Land Rover was finally being pulled up from the shrubbery below when the firemen arrived at the scene. Chet let out a low whistle as he got out of Roy’s car.

“Man, it’s totaled. If Gage walked away from a crumpled mess like that, he’s gotta be hurtin’.”

“Yeah,” Roy agreed, staring at the mangled vehicle that three days ago had been in good shape.

The roof was caved in on one side. The front-end smashed in and the windshield shattered. Looking at the scraped and dented sides, it was obvious the Land Rover had rolled a few times.

One of the sheriffs walked over to the five firemen that had arrived on the scene. After they explained who they were and what they were there for, he filled them in on some of the details. The one that surprised them all was that there was no sign of blood anywhere in the ruined vehicle.

“How can that be?” Stanley asked. “A wreck like that? Surely he wouldn’t come out if it without a scratch.”

“Most likely not, but stranger things have happened,” the sheriff explained. “I’m sure all of you have seen your share of unusual things.”

They nodded in agreement.

“Boy, have we,” Chet remarked.

“We’re not ruling out the possibility that his car went over after he got out,” the sheriff went on to explain. “We are searching about a ten mile radius for now. If we need to, we’ll branch out, but in these wooded areas, it’s doubtful a guy would get very far on foot. Especially if he is injured.”

The captain sighed. “Well, just tell us what we need to do. We’re ready.”

______________________

Johnny heard the door open and footsteps come across the room towards him. He kept his back to the person and faced the wall, staring at the flowered pattern on the wallpaper. He couldn’t get over how this small town had gone from being a cool place, to some kind of nightmare.

“Hey,” Danielle said cheerfully, “aren’t you even gonna say hello?”

As many times as she changed moods on him, this had to be the ultimate. Danielle was carrying on like nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Johnny cleared his hoarse throat.

"Can you get me a glass of water? I'm thirsty."

"Sure. I'll be right back."

He lay on the bed wondering if Maggie would make her grand appearance soon. When he heard someone come into the room again, he rolled over. His left ankle chained to a corner post at the foot of the bed, Johnny made an awkward attempt to sit up.

“You certainly have had better days,” Danielle remarked as she took in Johnny’s battered appearance. He had bruising on his face, and his bottom lip was split. His right eye had a black and dark blue bruise around it and was swollen partially shut. “You look awful.” She helped him to a sitting position and handed him the glass.

Johnny took a sip of water. “I had help.”

“So I hear. You know, you’d better be careful. You keep forcing Maggie to have to give you medication, she might just give you too much by accident. You could end up brain damaged or worse,” the woman frowned. “And then you wouldn’t be much use to us. I don’t think you want that to happen.”

“Why? You gonna take me out like an old race horse and shoot me?”

“Who told you?” Danielle grinned at her own joke. “No, silly. We’re not bad people. We don’t hurt anyone unless they threaten us.”

“Did I threaten you?”

“You threatened to spoil our plans in the further development of the town. You’re part of the plan and you wanted to leave,” she sighed. “It’s like I told you before, if anything happened to you, remember, you brought it on yourself.”

“I didn’t--”

Johnny stopped in mid sentence as Maggie walked into the room.

“You ready to take our new member to let him see the others?” Maggie asked.

“Yes!” Danielle smiled. “I think he’ll enjoy getting out of this room, won’tcha Johnny?”

He didn’t answer, but rather gave the two women a wary look. Maggie unlocked the padlock on the chain, and the two women helped the injured man get his shoes on. They got him on his feet and out of the room. Once the three were downstairs, they aided him in getting outside and into Danielle’s car. Danielle turned on to Main Street and drove towards the main gate.

___________________

Johnny sat quietly looking out at the scenery. The land was still beautiful with the afternoon sun shining on it. Too bad these people being here tarnished it. He looked over at Maggie sitting in the back seat beside him. Johnny tried to tune out the conversation the women were having, hoping somehow he could forget for a few minutes they were there.

Danielle stopped the car on a gravel side road that had led to a grassy hill a mile left of where the main gate was. Maggie helped Johnny to get out, while Danielle stood looking at the flowers and trees.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it Johnny?” Danielle asked, as she turned to look at him.

Johnny returned the gaze, hoping somehow she would see the pain in his eyes. Maybe she would surprise him and help him leave.

“Well, here’s what we brought you to see,” Maggie explained, pointing to six small white crosses in the grass. They were spaced evenly apart and each had a first name painted on it.

Johnny looked at the crosses and then to Maggie for an answer.

“These are the ones who wanted to leave. Who wouldn’t give in and accept the good life Marcus and the rest of us offered them.”

The implications of what these people had done screamed at Johnny. But he didn’t want to know the answer. He instead chose to tell himself these particular ones did find a way out and were just remembered as ones who failed to conform. Johnny looked at Maggie, at Danielle and then back to the crosses.

“Marcus has asked us to bring chosen ones into this town at different times, to give them a chance at a quality life they’ll never find in the city,” Maggie explained. “If any of those people who thumbed their noses at our community ever got out to tell others too much about us here, this could all be lost.”

Johnny stared blankly at the crosses. Danielle came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder.

“You wondered about the picture everyone has on their wall. That’s Marcus. He’s our leader. He’s a wonderful man, who has promised to keep us all together almost like a family.”

That was all Johnny needed to hear. He had all the answers now. Except one. How was he going to get away from these people?

___________________

The search for Johnny slowed as evening approached. No one had found any signs that he or any other person had been in the area. No footprints, trampled weeds or grass, nor any markings indicating a trail.

The crew of Station 51 had left earlier when they became too fatigued from a long night and day to continue in the search.

The sheriff leading the rescue efforts decided it was time to regroup and come up with another plan. He pulled the men off the search for the night, now speculating that John Gage was not in his truck when it went over the embankment. The sheriff hoped morning would bring some answers.

_____________________

“You ready for some dinner?” Maggie asked as she came into the room.

Johnny was back in the bed, his left ankle once again chained, holding him in place. He hadn’t eaten all day since Danielle and Maggie had informed him that he wouldn’t get fed until he agreed to cooperate. Knowing that part of his ablilty to escape would rely on strength, Johnny decided to try a new plan.

“Yeah…you win.”

“Well, now, see? Was that so hard to say?”

He shook his head. “No ma’am.”

“I’ll be right up with your dinner.”

She came back with a bed tray, a plate of food on it. Johnny slid up, Maggie helping him, as the food was placed in front of him.

Johnny took a bite and shifted the food to the side of his mouth. “How’s Brian doing?”

“Better. Except, it wouldn’t hurt for someone experienced to check his progress.”

“Can you help me get to his room when I’m done eating? I’ll take a look at him.”

Although he was injured, Johnny couldn’t forget he wasn’t the only one. By examining himself, he had determined both his wrist and knee to be bad sprains, but nothing was broken. He had probed where his ribs were bruised and thought that a few of them may be cracked. He couldn’t be sure without an x-ray and hadn’t been given the luxury of that yet. Now with nothing left to do for himself, it was time to take care of Brian.

Johnny had to hide his anger when he saw Maggie smile at him.

“Now that’s how it should be,” Maggie said. She knew better than to think John had made a turn around in his attitude so quick, but it was a start. After he got used to it, the life here would feel natural to him.

____________________

Early the following morning Johnny woke to find he was still in the same nightmare. His left ankle was once again chained to the bed and no sign of help anywhere. As he moved his leg slightly on the bed, the padlock on the chain released.

They didn’t get it fully locked!

He gingerly sat up and tried to get to his feet. The pain in his right knee when he put weight on his leg nearly caused him to pass out. Johnny leaned on the middle of the bed and took some deep breaths, ignoring the hurt that it caused his still bruised ribs. He hobbled quickly to the door. As he opened it, he could hear voices downstairs.

A man’s voice, “…see Mister Gage, please contact the sheriff’s department.”

“We will, officer,” Maggie could be heard saying.

Johnny was stunned. Cops? They can get in? They’re here now? Don’t they know what these people are like?

Johnny started to hobble towards the staircase. If he could get to the landing at the top of the steps and get the sheriff’s attention, this whole nightmare could end now. He was half way there when he heard a voice behind him.

“You look like you’re hurting a lot.”

Danielle.

Johnny stopped and turned around, knowing full well he’d been caught. Danielle had one hand behind her back, as if she might be hiding something. He wanted to yell, but the possibility of Danielle having a weapon with her kept him from doing so.

I…’m okay.”

“No you’re not. You shouldn’t even be up.”

Johnny tried to listen to the conversation downstairs as he carried on one in the hallway.

“Look, I was up helping Brian last night. Why shouldn’t I be up now?”

“No one is watching after you. Till now,” Danielle reached out and took hold of his right arm. “C’mon. I have just what you need.”

Johnny’s face fell when he saw her hands were empty. He glanced down the hallway towards the stairs as he heard the front door close.

Damn it!

After Danielle led him back into the room, he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

I was so close…I could’ve been free right now.

“Here, take these,” she was saying.

He looked at the two capsules she placed in his hand. “What are they?”

“Just pain killers,” the woman gave him a devilish grin. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna poison ya.”

Johnny hesitantly put the capsules in his mouth and accepted a glass of water from Danielle. After taking the medication, he allowed her to help him back over to the bed.

It wasn’t long before Johnny started to feel strange. The walls and furniture in the room seemed to be shifting shape all on their own. Danielle’s face as she came to check on him was distorted. He looked closely, blinking his eyes to clear his vision.

She giggled at his predicament.

“Looks kind of weird, huh?”

Johnny nodded, feeling nauseous, as the room seemed to tilt.

“Wha…what did…did you give…me?”

“Maggie’s own special pain reliever. Just close your eyes and the show’ll be over. You’ll sleep like a baby.”

Johnny complied, as he lay on his back and closed his eyes. Anything would be better than what he was going through now. He was asleep within two minutes.

____________________

Captain Stanley called Crockett later in the morning to see if any evidence of Johnny’s whereabouts had been found. The Lieutenant explained to him that the sheriff figured Gage wasn’t in his Land Rover when it wrecked. He went on to tell Stanley about the sheriff going into some communities within a 50 mile radius and asking door to door if the people had seen Johnny. One was a gated community, but it had been thoroughly checked out as a precaution. There had been no sign of Gage anywhere.

The captain hung up the receiver and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk, his chin in his hands.

I guess we just have to hope he turns up somewhere soon. John, where are you, pal?

Roy peeked his head in the office.

“Cap, you find anything out?”

“Just that if there’s anything like the Bermuda Triangle in California, John found it,” he shrugged. “They can’t find any sign of him anywhere.”

Roy didn’t know what to say. He nodded slightly and stepped back, looking at the floor. He glanced back up at Captain Stanley.

“He’ll turn up,” Roy tried to convince himself, as well as his captain. “I’ll go back over to his apartment tomorrow after we get off shift and look around some more. There has to be a clue somewhere.”

_____________________

“Johnny, are you okay?” a soft voice.

Soft hands caressing his face, his arm.

Johnny slowly came to awareness, hearing his name. He hurt from head to toe. His ribs and right knee, his entire body, ached. His still foggy mind made him feel like he had a hang over. Johnny moaned as he opened his red-rimmed eyes slightly to see who was there.

The beautiful features were somewhat blurry, but he could tell who the person was.

“Danielle…” His voice was raspy from his dry throat.

“Hi,” Danielle looked down at Johnny, smiling. “Didn’t I tell you that you’d sleep like a baby?”

“Whe…where…?” Johnny lifted his head slightly and peered around, memories of the past few days flooding back.

Just someone wake me up from this nightmare.

Johnny tried to sit up, but Danielle quickly put her hands on his shoulders, and stopped him.

“Johnny, you need to lay still.”

“No, I need to get out of here,” Johnny mumbled, his voice still not clear, as he tried to get up.

Danielle held him more firmly.

“You can’t. You belong here.” She sighed, shaking her head. “You don’t want to stay chained to the bed or drugged do you? You’d better just accept things have changed in your life…changed for the better.”

As he moved his left leg, Johnny could tell he was indeed still restrained. A new resolve came over him. He would get away from his restraints and he would get some sort of independence. No matter how long it took playing along, he would do it until he could find a chance to make a clean break from these people.

_____________________

Roy and Chet headed over to Johnny’s apartment when they got off duty. After searching through many of his belongings and various notes lying around, they still had no clue as to Johnny’s whereabouts.

"It's like he’s just vanished into thin air," Chet commented. "Hey, Roy, you don't believe in alien abductions do you? I mean Gage would make an interesting specimen to a Martian."

Roy shot Chet an annoyed look. "I appreciate the humor, but don't even go there. He has to be somewhere.” Roy bit his lower lip, looking around from where he stood in the living room. “This just isn't like him to not let anyone know what's up. If he could get a hold of us, he would. I know he would."

Chet nodded in agreement. Roy had a point; Johnny was never a no-show for anything. He took his job very seriously and was very responsible about it. What could’ve happened to him?

Roy interrupted his thoughts.

"I guess we wait to hear from the police again. Maybe they’ll come up with a lead.”

Chet agreed as they left the apartment, Roy closing the door behind them.

_____________________

It had been two days since the policeman had been in the community. Johnny was given more of the drug Danielle slipped to him that day. He had spent part of the time in a fog as a result and the ordeal was giving him a haggard appearance.

Johnny remained chained to the bed, only being allowed to get up to use the facilities. The women and Thomas took turns escorting the paramedic when it was necessary.

They had no problem giving him his privacy in the bathroom. Since there wasn’t a window, there was not a risk of Johnny trying to make a break for it while the door was closed. Johnny had no choice but to remain a prisoner in their house. Even his shoes were kept in the closet, out of his reach. He was only allowed to wear them if he went out on a medical call.

Brian had gotten well enough to go back to his own home and job. With the fear of getting worked over again still with him, he had decided to go along with everyone else. It was a nice place to live, after all, he reasoned. And anywhere a person goes has its problems in one way or another

_____________________

Danielle came into Johnny’s room with his lunch. Once she had the tray set up, she stepped back and watched the man, taking in his appearance.

Johnny had stubble where a beard was trying to grow since he hadn’t been given a chance to shave. His eyes remained red-rimmed from the drug, the swelling in his blackened eye down, but the bruising remained, though it had changed color. Johnny still sported a support wrap on his left wrist. His left ankle had multiple bruises and badly chaffed skin from having the chain on it constantly.

Although he was given the clean underwear, t-shirt and jeans Danielle had gotten for him, Johnny’s clothes looked rumpled from wearing them night and day, sleeping in them. His own shirt and jeans had been stained with grass in the struggle with Thomas. In an odd gesture of motherliness, Maggie had pitched them out, explaining to Johnny that it would be inappropriate for him wear such clothes any longer. It was just another puzzling encounter with these people to Johnny. He attributed it to the game they were playing that kept him guessing on what would come next.

Johnny turned to face Danielle, his tired eyes focusing on her, pleading for help.

“If you aren’t gonna do anything to help me, leave.”

“I just wish you would realize that all you have to do is be a part of us long enough, keep your record clean and this will all end.” Danielle sat on the side of the bed. “Johnny, things’ll get better and you’ll love it here. You’ll see.”

Johnny didn’t answer. Instead he took a few bites of the food on his tray. As he swallowed the third bite, he recognized a familiar expression on her face. She was anticipating something.

“Did you--?” Johnny stopped himself from asking.

“Finish eating.”

Johnny stared at the food on his plate. Had she drugged it?

As she realized what Johnny was worried about, Danielle giggled. “Is it or isn’t it, Johnny?” She got up and walked out of the room, knowing his food was okay, but the game she was playing with his mind was fun.

Johnny watched the door close as the girl left. He looked down at his food. Not wanting to take risk, he shoved the food aside.

____________________

Wanting a scruffy Johnny to have a chance to get cleaned up again, Danielle had talked Maggie and Thomas into letting her take him to the barbershop on Main Street. Since everyone was aware of his situation, there was no danger of him being able to get help from anyone in town. The other citizens paid no attention to the obvious injuries Johnny had sustained.

Danielle and Johnny were coming out of the building when he noticed a dairy truck turn in behind the grocery store. Johnny stared at the truck as it disappeared from sight. Danielle could see the curiosity in his expression.

“It’s a delivery truck,” she answered the unspoken question.

“A delivery truck?” Johnny looked again at the spot where the truck had just gone by.

“Yes. It comes a couple of times a week.”

Danielle could see Johnny was still puzzled.

“They don’t fall under the same rules,” she went on to explain. “They aren’t part of the town.”

“I see. So they just go to the gate and get let in and out, no hassles?”

“That’s about how it is.” She eyed Johnny carefully, as if trying to read his mind. “And, no, you can’t apply anywhere for that job. Your future is planned out and it stays as is. If you try to fight it, things could get very unpleasant for you here.”

He raised his hands defensively and forced a grin. “Got it.”

Johnny was deep in thought on the way back to the house. He knew if he could time it right, one of the delivery days could be his way out.

____________________

Roy sat in Captain Stanley’s office, Lieutenant Crockett with them. The captain and lieutenant were going over details with Roy again.

“So, no more thoughts on who this Danielle chick was have come to mind?” Crockett asked.

“No, other than what I said before. Johnny met her at that one rescue and started dating her,” Roy explained again. His expression turned to one of sudden awareness. “And that she was going to give him directions to her house right before he left for there. I forgot to tell you!”

Crockett rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “That could mean nothing. Or it could be that she didn’t want to chance him telling anyone where he was going to be.”

Captain Stanley sat forward and rested his elbows on his desk.

“You mean, you think he was lured into something?”

The lieutenant looked over at Hank. “It’s a possibility he was set up. Except without knowing anything about this Danielle, including her last name, I’m not sure how we find out.”

“Wait a minute,” the captain snapped his fingers. “Roy, did you guys get her name since you treated her on the scene?”

“No,” Roy shook his head, disappointed. “She really didn’t need much. Just a real short time with oxygen and even then I had a feeling it was more to get close to Johnny. Whenever I looked at her, she was watching him intently.” Roy gave what he said some thought. “I guess I should’ve picked up on something there, but Johnny does seem to attract the women when he’s not trying so hard.”

“She might’ve found a vulnerability in Gage that she used to set some sort of trap,” Crockett suggested.

Roy and the captain exchanged glances. They both new one vulnerability was being attracted to the woman herself. Johnny would fall for her easily till she showed her true self if she was being deceitful. The other vulnerability was his training.

“If someone needed medical assistance, he might help, but he wouldn’t make a move without contacting Rampart somehow,” Roy assured. “Johnny’s too conscientious to just treat someone on his own.”

“Unless,” the lieutenant added, “he got called into a room to assist and while his back was turned…”

“The door was shut on him,” Hank finished.

The three men looked at one another. The scenario was starting to fall into place. But where was the missing fireman?

_____________________

Johnny played the role he was expected to for the next week and a half. Shoving his anger and fear away, he led the Willards, Danielle and the others to believe that he was willing to give the community a fair chance. He still wasn’t allowed to be by himself at any time, but Johnny hung on to hope he would get that small window of time soon.

Johnny had been taken out of the house on four medical calls. During two of his travels near Main Street, he had seen the dairy truck in town almost at the same time like clockwork. Now it was another day that the dairy truck should be making a delivery. Johnny glanced at the clock. It would be in town again before long.

As he and Thomas sat in the living room of the Willard’s house watching television, Johnny thought back over everything he had been through. He wondered how his friends were fairing in this time. What were they thinking? Johnny glanced once more at Thomas. It was time to carry out a plan.

“I need to go to the bathroom again,” Johnny said, getting up.

“Okay. Let’s go.”

Johnny looked over his shoulder as he hobbled up the stairs ahead of Thomas. He could see the expression of annoyance on the man’s face.

“What are you looking at?” Thomas asked, sounding angry.

“Nothin’. Nothin at all.”

They continued on up to the bathroom in the hallway.

_____________________

Now in the bathroom by himself, Johnny pulled a small bottle of chloroform out of a hiding place under the sink. He had found it in the medical bag they had given him and stuffed it under his mattress a couple of days before. He had then put it in his left jean pocket this morning and stashed it up under the sink on his first trip of the day to the bathroom. Now was his chance to throw one over on these people and get out of town.

Maggie was at the clothing store with Danielle, while Thomas was guarding Johnny. She wasn’t due back until lunch, which was still over an hour away. Johnny took a washcloth out of the cabinet and steadied his shaking hands as he poured some of the chloroform on it. He then flushed the toilet and ran the water as if he were washing his hands. He slowly opened the door, being careful not to make a sound. Thomas was standing over to the side and with his back to the door. Before the man had any chance to move, Johnny put the rag over his nose and mouth and pressed hard. Thomas struggled, but was quickly overcome by the drug. Johnny eased him to the floor, stumbling back with his sore knee, and left Thomas lying on his back. He looked down at the man, wishing it hadn’t come to this. But he had been cornered. He had to fight back.

After finding his shoes in the closet of his room and putting them on, Johnny limped down the stairs and out of the front door, feeling a sense of freedom for the first time in days. Now he just needed to get to the delivery truck in time and without being noticed. He shoved all thoughts of the consequences if the truck wasn’t there out of his mind.

______________________

Hobbling down the street, Johnny kept close to the houses hoping this way he wouldn’t stand out. As he neared Main Street, his heart pounded faster. This was it. If he screwed up now, he had no idea what Thomas and the others would do to him. As he came upon the back of the grocery store, Johnny saw the dairy truck was already there. It was unattended, the motor still running. Johnny ran around to the rear and tried the large door. By luck it opened and he could see some full milk crates near the back that he could use to conceal himself. Johnny climbed up in, closed the door and scrambled to a hiding spot. The refrigerated truck was cold, but he hoped to be out of it before long. Johnny curled up in a ball to keep warm. Suddenly the door opened and two empty crates were tossed in, the driver not even looking inside as he did so. Then just as sudden the doors were closed and it was pitch dark again. Johnny felt the truck begin to move.

____________________

Bill Wheaton opened the gate for the dairy truck as it approached. When the driver had it just outside the open gate, Bill stopped him.

“What’s up?” The driver asked curiously.

“Just need to do a random check of your supplies in back, Doug.”

“Go ahead…I’m not hiding anything.”

Doug got out and walked around to the rear with the gate guard. As he opened the rear door, the phone in the shack could be heard ringing. Bill excused himself as he ran to answer the call. Doug lit up a cigarette and stood near the shack enjoying his break.

Johnny heard the gate guard say he had to get the phone. As soon as the footsteps faded from earshot, Johnny crawled to the open door of the truck and climbed out. Limping and bracing his ribs with his right arm, he ran as fast as he could into the thick of the surrounding trees.

____________________

Bill was just coming out of his shack, his eyes focused on the dairy truck, when he caught a glimpse of Johnny disappearing into the wooded area nearby.

“Damn it!”

“What?” Doug asked, confused. He dropped what was left of his cigarette on the ground and stepped on it.

Bill ignored the question, just shouting back, “Stay put! I’ll be right back!”

The truck driver pulled out another cigarette and lit it. He got back into his truck and sat watching as Bill disappeared completely from sight in the trees. Something strange was going on. Doug turned on the ignition.

“The hell with waiting. I’ve got a schedule to keep.” He slowly drove up the dirt road towards the main highway.

___________________

Johnny hobbled through the wooded area around him at a hurried pace, as he tried to get as far away from the town as possible. If the phone call had been in regards to him, it would mean they were looking through the town for him. He didn’t know if he had been seen running into the woods, but he wasn’t taking any chances slowing down. He couldn’t afford to get caught now.

Johnny could feel renewed pain in his knee as he ran, along with his sore bruised ankle, and his lungs felt like they would explode. As Johnny continued to run, branches on the bramble bushes that were throughout the wooded area scraped across his arms and sides. His concentration on getting away, he blocked out all the stinging pain that was searing through his skin.

His right foot got caught on an exposed root of a tree, and Johnny tripped, landing hard on his stomach. The impact sent a sharp pain along his already injured side and knocked the wind out of him. Johnny quickly go to his feet, blinking back the white dots in front of his eyes. He swayed slightly, leaning on the nearby tree while he got his senses together.

Johnny now could hear rustling noise somewhere behind him. He figured he was being chased and whoever it was, was gaining on him.

____________________

Bill Wheaton ran following almost the same path Johnny had taken. He could see a flash of Johnny’s clothing now and then through the trees and bushes as the paramedic ran in the distance ahead. Bill knew he was gaining ground. It was only a matter of time now.

____________________

Johnny stumbled out onto the dirt road. As he looked both directions, he saw the back of the dairy truck that had just passed by. Waving his arms frantically, he hoped the driver would look in the rearview mirror and see him.

_____________________

Doug glanced in his side mirror and caught the sight of the man behind him hobbling up the road, waving his arms. A little farther back, Bill was coming out of the woods and onto the road. Doug stopped the truck and threw it in reverse. As he got to the injured man, he rolled down his window.

“What’s going on?”

“Ju…jus…get…get me out…”Johnny panted, trying to convey the urgency of his situation. “Please. Now!”

Doug could see Johnny was clearly injured. Besides his limp, Johnny was still sporting the bruises on his face, though somewhat lighter in color. The scratches on his arms from the bushes were an angry red and slightly raised, and his t-shirt had a two inch tear on the right side. Being that Bill was apparently after this man, the driver complied and opened the passenger side door, deciding questions could come later.

“Get in.”

Johnny limped around to the other side of the truck and climbed in. Knowing he wasn’t safe until they were on their way he urged the driver on.

“Go! Jus…just go!”

Doug threw the truck into gear and took off, leaving Bill in a cloud of dust. He glanced over at his passenger as they went down the road. The man had his head tipped back, his eyes closed.

“You okay?”

Johnny opened his tired eyes and looked over at the driver, his head still resting on the back of the seat. “I don’t know.”

“You got amnesia?”

The paramedic shook his head. He paused a few minutes while his breathing slowed down. Swiping a hand across his forehead to wipe off some sweat, Johnny began to tell the driver about his ordeal.

___________________

Roy was out in his yard taking care of some chores when Joanne called out that he had a phone call. When she told him it was concerning Johnny, he rushed inside.

“Hello?” Roy felt anxious.

“Roy, it’s Hank Stanley. Lieutenant Crockett just called to inform me they found John. He’s in a clinic up north east of here.”

The news of him being in a medical facility worried Roy, but it was better than not knowing anything.

“Is he…okay?” the paramedic asked hesitantly. “How long has he been there?”

“I really didn’t get clear answers in those regards. He did tell them some of what happened.”

“And…?”

“I’d rather tell you in person. Can you meet me at the station and we’ll go up to where he is together?”

“Sure. I’ll be on my way.” Roy hung up the phone and leaned against the wall. Breathing a sigh of relief, he thought about his partner. Where had he been?

_______________________

Hank drove as Roy watched the scenery out of the passenger window. The captain had explained what he had found out about Johnny, and Roy was now letting it all sink in.

“I can’t believe that the sheriff’s department didn’t know anything was going on there,” Roy said as he turned his head. “Didn’t they say they even searched that town?”

Stanley nodded. “They went door to door asking about him. But they had no reason to think those people were holding him,” he explained. “They were thinking more along the lines that since his Land Rover was wrecked within forty miles of the place and anything could’ve happened to him prior to the accident, that maybe in their travels on the road the people might come in contact with him somewhere along the way.” He sighed. “Roy, it’s hard to believe, but evidently there were never any outward warning signs that would lead the sheriff to think anything wrong was taking place in that town.”

“What’s gonna happen to the people there? Did they get them yet?”

“I don’t know. Crockett didn’t have an update yet.”

“Makes you wonder how people can fall into something like that.”

Hank glanced over at Roy, then turned his attention back to the road ahead.

“Maybe we’ll get an answer to that before long. Once they can question individuals.”

Roy nodded solemnly. “Johnny may have some of those answers. I hope he’s okay.”

Hank knew what Roy was getting at. While they were concerned about physical injuries, they couldn’t forget there were bound to be some emotional ones. The ones no one could see until John allowed them to surface.

___________________

Johnny slept soundly, oblivious to the fact that two of his shift mates were in the room with him. The doctor at the clinic had given him a sedative to help him get some much-needed rest. Since none of the physical injuries produced a risk of Johnny becoming unstable, he was going to be transported to Rampart the following day. The doctor figured getting in familiar surroundings would be in Johnny’s best interest.

Roy and Hank took in Johnny’s battered appearance…the fading bruises on his face and the scratches on his arms. His left arm rested on the edge of the blanket that was up around his waist. An Ace bandage was wrapped on his wrist.

The two men quietly exited the room, and stepped out into the hallway.

“Well, he looks better than I expected,” Roy commented. “I still can’t believe this kind of thing could happen in the 1970’s.”

“I know what you mean.” Hank paused. “How about we go grab something to eat and come back later,” he suggested. “That way we can be here when John wakes up and he’ll know someone came by.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me. I think there was a fast food place a couple of blocks from here.”

The two men headed for the lobby of the clinic.

____________________

It was late in the evening, and Roy and Captain Stanley were still waiting for Johnny to wake up. Neither wanted to leave until they had a chance to talk to him. In the mean time, they talked with the doctor, discussing more on Johnny, and also the differences between city and country life.

A nurse came into the office where the three men were gathered.

“Doctor Lewis, sorry to interrupt, but Mister Gage is coming around now.”

“Great! Thanks, Bonnie.” The doctor looked at the two men in his office. “Well, let’s go see how your friend is doing.”

_______________________

Johnny eyed his surroundings. He could tell he was in some sort of hospital.

They didn’t have a hospital in the town.

Relief came over him as he remembered he had escaped and made it to a clinic several miles away. No one from that place would be able to get to him now.

The door to the room opened and in walked a familiar man.

The doctor.

Johnny started to sit up, but the woozy feeling from the sedative had him lying back down.

“I don’t think you’re ready to be up,” Doctor Lewis commented as he did a check on the IV line and Johnny’s vital signs.

Johnny nodded and cleared his throat. “How long will I be here?”

Doctor Lewis grabbed a clipboard at the foot of the bed and jotted down the information. “We’ll transfer you down to Rampart General tomorrow, but I think you need to stay put for the night.”

“ ‘Kay.”

“In the meantime, you’ve got two very worried friends waiting out in the hall who would like to see you. Feel up to it?”

Johnny gave the doctor a wary look. Who would know where he was? What if it was Danielle or the Willards? His heart raced as what ifs ran through his mind.

“Who? Wha…what do they look like?”

Doctor Lewis folded his arms across his chest, the clipboard still in one hand, and smiled.

“If you’re worried about anyone coming after you, don’t be. The sheriff checked out everything you told him and it’s being taken care of. He’ll want to talk to you before you leave for the city, but you gave him enough information to warrant him and his men to go right in.” He paused, seeing Johnny was confused. “You don’t remember talking to the sheriff, do you?”

Johnny shook his head. “No.”

“No surprise, as exhausted as you were. It’ll come back to you,” he reassured. “But these are friends from where you work who want to see you. Hank and Roy.”

Upon hearing who was there, Johnny was both glad and uneasy. He wasn’t sure he could face them just yet.

“Tell ‘em not now.”

Doctor Lewis was surprised. “You sure?”

“Yeah…I’m sure.”

“Alright,” he hung Johnny’s chart at the foot of the bed. “But they aren’t going to like it.”

__________________

Less than two minutes after the doctor had left the room, the door opened again. Johnny peered at Roy and Hank Stanley.

“I thought I told him no,” he said quietly.

“You did,” Roy answered. “But I told him it was probably the medication talking, and that we were going in.”

“What’s going on, John?” Hank asked, concerned.

“Nothin’. I jus…I …I should’ve seen it comin’.” Johnny’s eyelids drooped slightly, as he fought to stay awake.

“Why?” Roy asked. “Because it’s normal for people to go to someone’s home for dinner and be held prisoner?”

“No. Because…I just should’ve known. I…I played right into it.”

“Hey, pal,” Stanley broke in. “No way was this your fault. You’re a victim.”

“I…look I’m tired.” The younger paramedic hoped they would be ready to leave so he didn’t have to talk about it anymore.

“Just give some thought to what we’ve said,” Roy emphasized. “We’ll discuss it more at Rampart when you feel up to it. But I’m gonna give you the same assurance you’ve given many of the victims we’ve treated. This was not your fault.”

Johnny nodded weakly.

“It’ll be awhile before I’m at work, Cap. Thom…Thomas cracked a few of my ribs and my right knee is really hurtin’. It’s just a bad sprain, though.” Saying Thomas’s name was harder than Johnny even imagined. It left a bitter taste in his mouth.

“I know.”

“You guys know all of it?”

“Most of it,” Hank answered.

Johnny stared at the two concerned faces staring back at him. They knew and they didn’t think less of him. That was a start. Now if he could convince himself that it wasn’t his own doing that got him into the mess. If nothing else, he could give himself credit for getting out when he did. There was a lot for him to think about. Johnny decided if his friends thought it was that important to give him some assurance now, he could return the favor. Besides, he was still tired and wanted to get back to sleep.

“It’ll be okay. I’ll be okay. Really.”

_________________

A short time later, the captain and Roy were heading towards the city. Still thinking about what happened, Roy turned slightly in his seat and began to ask a question. Before he got beyond the word “Cap”, he was cut off.

“He’ll be okay Roy. I think John meant what he said. He’ll be okay.”

The senior paramedic held his gaze on the captain. He was probably right. After all Johnny never was one to lie.

__________________

The following morning Johnny sat in the bed, reflecting back on his conversation with Roy and the captain. It almost seemed like a dream that they had been there. Movement of the door opening interrupted his thoughts.

When he saw it was the sheriff, Johnny’s face brightened. In a quick moment he tried to gather his thoughts on what had happened over the past couple of weeks so that he would be able to answer more questions if necessary.

“Mister Gage, I’m Sheriff Paul Grady. How are you doing this morning?”

“Okay. I’ve been better.”

Grady gave a small chuckle. “I imagine so.” He paused. “Well, as I’m sure you know, I have a few things I need to talk to you about.”

Johnny nodded, his hands shaking slightly at the anticipation of reliving the ordeal answering questions.

“As I’m sure you’ve been told,” the sheriff continued, “we went into the community you claimed held you like a prisoner.”

Again, the paramedic nodded. But he didn’t like the use of the word ‘claimed’.

“We checked it out and nothing you told us added up.”

“What?”

“Just what I said. We never saw any white crosses on the hill. There wasn’t a couple by the name of Willard, no one named Danielle Carson nor Marcus. No one had a picture of the same man hung in their homes, and the clothing store was Ruby’s Retail.”

Johnny’s mouth dropped open in shock. This wasn’t what he was expecting to hear at all.

The sheriff carried on. “The gate guard was a young man named Tim Harding. He’s been in that position for months.”

“No,” Johnny said as he shook his head. “This is all wrong. You gotta be kidding me.” His mind raced through thoughts, grasping for anything to ask the sheriff about for proof. “Brian! What about Brian at the garage?”

“He says he may have met you when he worked in LA, and may have mentioned he was moving up this way. But he never saw you in the town.”

“He’s lying…they did something to him...” Johnny waved his right arm. “They threatened him or something.”

“Look, I don’t want you to think I don’t believe anything you said. But without evidence, there’s not a damn thing we can do.”

“What about the driver of the delivery truck?”

“The one you said dropped you off?”

“Yeah,” Johnny felt another blow coming by the words of the sheriff’s question.

“We can’t locate him and no one saw him bring you in.”

“The doctor did. He can tell you…” Johnny’s words faded as he saw Sheriff Grady shaking his head. “No?”

“Doctor Lewis said you were brought in here by a man in a station wagon.”

“The doctor is in on it, too?”

“He’s a good man. I don’t see him being in on anything. You passed out in the delivery truck, right?”

“I guess…yeah,” Johnny shrugged.

“Maybe the driver turned you over to someone else and you don’t remember it.”

Johnny was still in shock. How could it end up like this? Suddenly words he had heard when Danielle was injured ran through his mind.

We have a doctor that comes into town twice a week.

Was it Doctor Lewis? Johnny was getting a chill up his spine.

“They had a doctor who went to their town a couple of days a week,” Johnny explained. “He came from a nearby town.”

“You insinuating Doc Lewis was that doctor? Sorry, but he never leaves this town that I’m aware of.”

“So what happens from here?”

The sheriff shrugged. “None of your story can be backed up, we’ve got no evidence, no witnesses, no one remembers you being there…it’s over.”

“No, it can’t be. What about my injuries? I didn’t make them up. Aren’t they like evidence?”

“They’re only proof that you got hurt. And there’s no solid evidence that you weren’t in your Land Rover when it went over the side. We just speculated that you must not have been.” He gave a sympathetic look to the baffled face staring back at him. “For all we know you eventually made it to the road and hitchhiked. I’m sorry.”

“I wasn’t in my Land Rover,” Johnny said, clenching his jaw. “They told me it was stolen. I had no idea where it was. They even called the police about it.”

Grady shook his head again. “There was never a report made. Son, face it, it’s over.”

The nurse came into the room, glancing at the unhappy expressions on both men’s faces.

“Excuse me, sheriff, but I need to get Mister Gage ready to transport to Rampart. The ambulance is here.”

“That’s fine, Bonnie,” Grady answered. “We’re done anyway.” He looked back over to Johnny. “If by chance these people ever contact you again, get a hold of Lieutenant Crocket and have him call me. We’ll step in.”

“Thanks.”

Johnny watched the as the sheriff left the room. He couldn’t wait to get away from this place. It may very well have been that Doctor Lewis wasn’t the one who Thomas referred to. But gut feeling told Johnny otherwise.

____________________

Doctor Lewis watched out of his office window as the ambulance carrying Johnny pulled away. When it was out of sight, he walked over to his desk and picked up the telephone receiver. After dialing a number he waited for the line to pick up.

“He’s gone. The ambulance just left for LA.”

____________________

Five days later Johnny was getting released from Rampart. Many people, including a therapist, had talked to him about his ordeal during his stay. The most frustrating thing for Johnny was still the fact that nothing could be done. No one blamed him for what had happened, but with the outcome, it was a small consolation. Everyone around him squelched any thoughts he had entertained of confronting the people himself. And deep down, Johnny knew they were right. It would only make things worse for all involved.

Doctor Brackett and the therapist had decided that it would be okay to release Johnny from Rampart on the condition he alerted someone if he started feeling depressed or unsettled, or if anyone from that town tried to contact him.

A nurse pushed him out in a wheelchair, while Roy walked alongside carrying a pair of crutches. When they emerged outside, Roy excused himself, handing the crutches to the nurse, while he went to get his car to drive it up near the sidewalk area.

Roy and the other men at Station 51 had each offered for Johnny to stay with them while he was still hobbling around. Johnny passed on the offers. It had been too many days since he had just been able to do what he wanted…to be left alone. That was what he felt he needed most.

Roy hopped out of his Ford station wagon after he parked it near where Johnny and the nurse were waiting. He opened the passenger side doors and helped Johnny get in the front, putting the crutches on the back seat.

“Wow, Joanne gave up her car for me?” Johnny grinned.

“Well, we figured you’d find it easier getting into this than the little sports car.”

“Thanks. Tell Joanne I said thanks, too,” Johnny said as he got into the car. “That’s one great lady you have there.”

Roy nodded his head in agreement. He knew Johnny was feeling some shame in who he had connected up with, but at the same time he was sure his partner wished Danielle had been everything he had expected her to be. It was unfortunate she wasn’t the sincere person his friend deserved. Johnny was a good-hearted guy who got lured into a planned trap by a beautiful face.

___________________

Roy helped Johnny get up to his apartment on the second floor.

“You know, this is one time I wish there was an elevator in this building,” Johnny snorted as they reached the last step.

“Isn’t your laundry room downstairs?”

“Yeah. Down on the backside of the building.”

“Well, when it comes time for that kind of stuff, call,” Roy said firmly. “Joanne or myself can either come help or just take you to our house. Heck…the kids can always chip in.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Roy stared a Johnny a minute. “You really okay now? I mean…” he averted his eyes, not sure how much he should bring up just yet, “after all you went through with everything. You’re all right?” He looked back at his partner to see the reaction.

Johnny sighed. “Yeah, I am. I just need some time alone.”

“Okay, well you have our number.”

The younger paramedic nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

Roy gave a long look at this partner, wanting to make sure Johnny wasn’t hiding anything about how he was feeling. Being half certain Johnny was really okay for now, Roy walked out, closing the door behind him.

Johnny looked around the room taking in the familiar surroundings. It was so good to be home. He made his way over to the couch and sat down, setting his crutches off to the side.

When he told Roy he was okay, it was a sincere answer. Johnny really thought he was. Now while he finally had time to be by himself, he realized he wasn’t as okay as he had thought. Memories of the experience raced through his mind.

Those people are still there…who will they go after next? Or will they lay low for a while?

Leaving the crutches where they were, Johnny got himself up off the couch and onto his feet. He made his way into the kitchen and stood in front of the refrigerator. Resting his right hand on the nearby counter, Johnny opened the refrigerator. There was a six-pack of beer still in there from before he had gone on vacation. Beside it were two cans of orange soda. Tempting as it was to grab a beer to help numb how he was feeling, Johnny reached for one of the sodas. Besides, he reminded himself, the last thing he needed was to mix medication with alcohol.

________________

After several weeks, Johnny was finally at work, back into his routine again.

As Roy was driving the squad to the station after a run, Johnny saw a familiar woman walking down the sidewalk near a row of stores. She was facing away from them, but with her brown hair and trim figure, it could very well be Danielle. Johnny’s heart pounded, his hands shaking, as he sat forward and looked more intently at the woman ahead. He glanced at Roy to see if the older paramedic had caught his reaction. Roy was looking straight ahead, oblivious to the woman on the sidewalk. As they passed by her, Johnny looked in the side mirror to see her face. Disappointment and relief hit at the same time. He didn’t completely understand his own reaction. It was as if he wanted to see her, while at the same time the anger was strong enough, he hoped he never had to look at the woman again. Johnny sighed.

“What?” Roy asked, still looking ahead.

“Hmm? I didn’t say anything.”

Roy glanced over at his partner. “I thought you did.”

“Hmm mm,” Johnny shook his head. He suddenly wished he were going back to his apartment instead of the station. His nerves were rattled and right now he wanted nothing more than to be alone with his thoughts.

Johnny knew he had a long road ahead of him, but he would get there. For now all he could hope was that the people in that small town would realize what they were doing was wrong and that sooner or later, some of them would get the courage to put an end to it.

________________

As Danielle hung Marcus's picture back up on her study wall, Maggie Willard said, “It's too bad about John Gage, isn't it?”

Danielle turned. With a sad smile she faced the woman. 

“Yes, it's too bad.  I really thought Johnny was the one.”

Danielle crossed to the window and looked off in the distance.

“But another 'John Gage' will come along, Maggie.  Trust me, another John Gage will come along.”

Thanks to Kenda for the beta read and help in some areas. And a huge thanks to Susan Mitchell for a beta read of the first version of this story and some wonderful tips on writing.