Light Has Returned

Lauren presses her fingers against her temples as she starts to come to. “Ohhh, my head…What the hell happened? Where am I? Why is it pitch black?” Fighting her foggy mind, she focuses on her surroundings and removes the gag from her mouth.

“OKAY, first things first, there isn’t any noise…that’s a good sign, right?” Sluggishly whispering to herself. She waits and listens for a few more beats. “Good, no noise. I’m talking out loud…ahh, am I hurt? YES, pain is everywhere…this pounding head…damn it…and, there’s a lump.”

Taking stock, Lauren moves her hands up and down her arms and legs. “Okay, nothing seems broken at least. That’s a good sign! But the filth of my clothes and grime which I cannot see…Oh God! That isn’t. This is disgusting and very scary.” She heralds.

Smelling the stench on herself, she realizes it’s not just her, it’s her enclosure. “Okay, get a grip…I can panic, dive into depression even…or SURVIVE. Get a grip, now! I’m going to survive and get out of here.” She desperately tries to keep her verve.

“Think…what happened? Remember!” Commanding herself while still whispering cautiously. She recounts through her murky mind. “OK, I saw BT on the beach…there were two burly men acting like they were drunk, they took me to a car and pushed me into the trunk. I must have hit my head?

“Was I drugged? I don’t remember being gagged and bound but there’s rope burns.” She rubs her wrists. “And the cut ropes.” Feeling one at her feet.

“Kidnapping gone bad? Why me? Oh God, I need help…what do I do? SURVIVE…my book…I tell people to ask their Source for help…HELP. Please, Spirit, HELP ME.

“Stay calm. I gotta stay calm.” Despite the pitch black, she fixates about the perimeter of her cell and surmises. “This is a shed…fishing…by the smell of it…small room…a door…probably locked. Damn it’s so dark in here. Maybe it’s night out?”

Feeling doomed again, she quickly argues with herself. “NO! Okay, maybe it’s not!” Attempting to give herself hope. Very gently and slowly, she begins to stand. Shaking, she rises and has to brace herself against the wall for support.

“Please, just get to the door. Incase I can see something.” Lauren collects and steadies herself. Stepping slowly, she plops hand by hand on the wooden wall to find her way. Then quickly is enveloped in a jumble of spider webs at the corner of her cell. Panicking, Lauren swats and swipes at them, stumbling to the ground.

The shadow of blackness and fear of creepy crawlers forces her into a tormented ball of sobs. “Oh God, please help.” Then she berates herself. "I have got to get myself out of this. Stand, damn it.”

Despite her grimy hands, she swats at her tears and uses the gag to wipe her nose. “Ewe, that’s horrible!” She exclaims, which ironically forces her to laugh. She unwinds onto her hunches and chides. “Now I’m hysterical, this is crazy. This is survival, keep it up!” She emphasizes.

Lauren takes a few breaths to calm herself. As she exhales, she notices something odd in the gloom. She peers and studies it with a laser focus. Asking herself, “could that maybe be a door?”

She uses her hands again to fumble against her fortress and bumps next to an old door knob. “Please be unlocked.” She holds her breath as she turns the knob. “YES!” Thank you! Ohhh, thank you!” She exclaims.

Purposely, she cracks open the door and is blinded by the light of day. She pauses and blinks rapidly to adjust her eyes. “Wow it’s bright!” Lauren grabs onto the door frame to catch her swaying. “But at least it’s daytime!”

Then, horror garners her for she doesn’t know how long she’s been gone. “That’s alright for now. Don’t go there.” She soothes herself. “Focus on your eyes adjusting and let’s get out of here.”

She has to squint in order to clearly see that no one is around, for the blaze. Lauren opens the door further and steps out. As she looks around, she takes in breaths of fresh air, clearing her lungs of the rank that has bound her for too long. The area is seedy. But there are beautiful palm trees and greenery in the distance, making her wonder. Am I still in Hawaii?

Though wobbly on her feet and a groggy, throbbing head, she mashes at her eyes again to fortify herself, forcing to push on. She moves and braces herself along the short building, then rounds a corner.

“It’s a bar, and of course it’s name is ‘Dive Bar’! Just my luck…oooivey.” This realization renews a worse pounding, driving her to stop and and grab her head.

Fortunately this time, it subsides quickly and allows her to get to the door. Lauren bolsters herself, pulls the door and is immediately blinded by the darkness and hears. “What the hell do you want?”

She manages to focus in on the angry man behind the bar and stumbles her way to a swivel and disgusting bar stool. “Hi? I could use some water…please.”

“Did you NOTICE this is a bar?” He spouts sarcastically.

“Ohhh yes…then I’ll have a…whiskey…with a water chaser? Please! May I also borrow your phone?” Placating him sweetly.

He grumbles away and she emphasizes to his back. “THANKS!”

Teetering with exhaustion, she holds her head up with her elbows on the grungy bar and waits. In a whisper, she mutters. “Never mind my grubby hands, this horrid bar and the dreadful circumstances, I’m hoping I’m at least safe here.”

Startling her with the slam of an old rotary dial phone and a couple of whiskey glasses in front of her, he demands. “You best be paying me for ‘dese.” His face twisting in anger. “Dis ain’t no motel.”

“Oh of course…yes…my Father will pay you. Honest.” Aiming to convince him.

He stands a few feet away, leaning at the back of the bar, glaring at her as she sips the water. It cools her throat. She really wants to guzzle it down, but weirdly a fact jogs her memory, ‘when dehydrated, never drink fast’. “Just great.” She expels and nips at the whiskey instead. It burns her throat, causing her to choke.

“Look, if you can’t take it?” The barkeep threatens.

Struggling to breathe with her eyes reddening, she gulps the water that causes her to gag. She puts her hand out in an attempt to speak but grabs her throat instead. The man throws his hands up and disappears.

Finally, Lauren regains her breath and takes a sip of water. OK, steady she goes. Be still. Gotta call Dad. Stay still. Breathe. She whispers and holds onto the bar as she gets wobbly again.

Moments pass as she stares at the phone. At last, she takes one hand to pull it toward her and the other holds her head to stay stable. After making the call, she waits. Both drinks are consumed by the time she hears the door open behind her.

Turning on her stool, she sees her father and BT. They’re framed in a glow of light, making them look as angels of redemption. She shuts her eyes from the brightness and puts her arms up to accept her father’s bear hug.

Stefen doesn’t let go and declares in a whisper. “Thank God! Lauren, you’re safe. Lauren, my Darling, my God. Thank God!” He breaks the hug and asks her. “Can you walk?” She nods, holding on to him. They go outside.

At this, the bar-keep stomps over and BT smacks a hundred dollar bill on the bar. He addresses the now, smiling bartender. “Thanks for helping her. Did you see anything out of the ordinary around here last night?”

“Uhh, I dunno…” BT slaps another bill down.

“…’matter o’fact, nev’ saw such a purtier boat out dare bef’…real nice power boat it was. ‘Den ‘dis morn’, real early like, it was gone.”

“Can you describe it? It’s name, color? Anything?” BT persists.

Back at the hotel, Lauren is checked out by the doctor on staff. He confirms she’s alright, despite the many bruises, rope burns and small cuts here and there. He assures them she’s past the danger of concussion, recommending hydration and rest.

Once safely in her room, Lauren peels off her clothing piece by piece as they stick to her skin from the hideous sweat and grime. Only now does she realize how fortunate she was that she had left her tennis shoes on after golf instead of her usual way of slipping on her flip-flops. She piles the mess onto the shinny, white marbled floor, ready for a plastic bag and earmarked for the trash.

The shower is bliss. She lets the hot water flow and cascade down her head. Horribly dirty, it seems like all the soap provided is not enough. Still feeling grungy, she scrubs herself down again. After washing her hair three times, she just stands under the water until the original hot water temperature diminishes.

She never appreciated how comfy, big, soft towels and a robe could feel. Lauren wraps her dripping hair in a toweled turban and pads toward the divine smell of all types of foods. Before her is a wonderful array of dishes.

“We didn’t know what you’d want, so I ordered all of your favorites!” Her dad remarks, working to be cheerful.

There was hot coffee and breakfast foods, as well as a display of different meats, cheeses and fruits. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she picks up a piece of bacon. Sipping and chewing slowly as if testing herself, for she is ravenous. She sits down and scoops up eggs, toast and more bacon. The fresh papaya is nothing like she had ever tasted. “This is delicious!” She announces, smiling.

Stefen and BT sit at the edge of their seats. They watch her closely, ready to step in at any moment. “Easy does it, Honey.” Her dad cautions.

“Ummm, yes I know. As much as I wanted to inhale that water at the bar, I remembered not to.” At this, he pours her a tall glass of water.

“Slow and easy on all of it.” He reminds her and pats her shoulder.

“Okay,” mumbling over her chewing. “This tastes amazing. That shower was amazing. I’ve always taken them for granted, never again!” She continues to eat.

Slowing down, she leans back. With her coffee cup in hand, she looks at the two of them. “Go ahead you guys, eat up, there’s plenty!”

The men just look at each her, then continue to watch her. Feeling unnerved, Lauren proceeds with conversation. “Tell me. What happened? How long was I gone?”

Stefen gives BT the nod, as he grabs a plate.

“Almost 24 hours.” In his PI professional, resounding manner.

Stefen glares at him and puts down his plate. Softly he says to her startled look. “Not quite a day, it’s about two in the afternoon now, the day after you were…uh…well, taken. I got your call about two hours ago. Thank God we found you.

“You were able to escape. Oh, Lauren, I’m sorry I promised I wouldn’t get emotional.” He puts his hands to his face and weeps.

BT puts his hand on his shoulder and this time speaks in a calmer demeanor. “Will you tell us what you remember Lauren?”

“Dad, please, I’m safe now.” He looks up at her, eyes wet and red.

“Yes. Please tell us what you know happened. But only if you can.” Stefen pleads.

“Oh wow, geeez. Okay. When I awoke in the shed, after coming to with a splitting headache, I checked if I was hurt. I was, but nothing broken. I figured no one was around, when I didn’t hear any noises, so I started talking out loud to keep sane.”

Lauren pauses to take a sip of water then resumes. “Actually, I wondered what Magnum would do!” At their mutual confusion, she remarks with humor. “You know, being in Hawaii? The TV show? And BT, you’re a PI after all!”

“You’re not having it? Fine, alright!” Striped of her own laughter, she carries on stoically. “I remember seeing BT at the beach last night. Right? I was taken last night?” They nod in unison.

“I yell at him to get his attention, when these two men, acting drunk, pick me up. I yell and fight to get away, but they pick me up quickly. I struggle while they put me in the trunk, I had to have hit my head because I don’t remember anything till the shed.” She rubs her pulsating goose egg.

Everyone is silent. Sitting there, looking down at the plush carpet.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of information.” BT interrupts, quietly. “We did find a stolen, abandoned car about a mile from the shack you were in. The lab is running tests. I know there were three of them, because I saw the two men carry you and there was also a driver.

“Lauren, I’m sorry I couldn’t get to you in time. I didn’t know it was you until I heard your yelling. When I turned and ran toward it, they were already on their way…I am so very sorry you went through all that.”

Adjusting his demeanor, he continues. “According to your friendly bartender, there was a power boat at the dock outside the bar last night. He said it was gone early this morning, which tells me they must have fled after they realized they took the wrong woman…”

She cuts in. “That’s why the rope was cut at my hands and feet and the gag instead of…it was horrible. Lying there in the filth, not knowing…” Lauren begins to cry, whispering to herself, I think I’ll go into that depression now.

Stefen hurries to his daughter. “Let’s get you to bed. You’ve been through enough for now. The police will want a statement. O’Reilly here, will take care of that.”

“Alright, thank you.” She signals to BT in gratitude and lets her Dad walk her to her room. He tucks her in like he used to when she was a child. He kisses her forehead. She smiles meekly at him and falls fast asleep from sheer exhaustion.

At first it’s a deep sleep lasting into the night. But the adrenaline finally wears off and nightmares begin to disturb her slumber in the wee hours of the morning. She tosses and turns from the unrelenting agony. Night sweats leave her unsettled and fidgety, until she rouses with the dawn.