| Chapter Seventeen Heidi crept back down the hall and quietly slid the key into the lock. Moving as slow as a snail she turned the key and felt the lock give way. She inched the door open and all she could see was a pair of feet propped up on the desk. Suddenly the feet dropped down and the man they belonged to stood and moved around the desk. "Welcome back Nicky-boy," he said as he stood in front of Nick. Now that his back was to the door, Heidi pushed it open a few inches more and looked around the room. Nick was tied to a chair; a filthy bandanna lay limp against his neck. Heidi squeezed her eyes closed. It was her nightmare. She opened her eyes and was shocked to find Nick looking at her. She motioned him with her head not to give her away and Nick averted his eyes. Now that she knew she would go undetected for the next few minutes, she took in the site of Nick. His face was bloodied and bruised. His mouth was swollen and his nose looked like it might be broke. Pure rage shot through her, and it was all she could do to keep from launching herself at the man who had beaten Nick. She couldn't hear what Harry was saying, but she could tell it was upsetting Nick. His eyes grew wide and fear replaced the calm indifference that had been there just moments before. She watched, paralyzed, as Harry reared back and slapped Nick's bruised face. Nick grunted and dragged his head back up. "Why don't you untie me and we'll see who's the better man" Nick taunted, keeping Harry's attention away from the door. "I bet you'd like that wouldn't you? But I don't think so. I've waited months for this moment and I'm not going to let you goad me into doing something stupid," he said as he reached behind him and pulled a small pistol from his belt. 'No, no, no, no' Heidi thought. This just cannot be happening. Harry continued to talk to Nick in a tone to low for her to hear, as he waved the pistol about. She had to distract him, keep Nick and herself safe, but how? She let her gaze roam the immediate vicinity of the room and it landed on a long wooden two by four. It was their only chance. Carefully, her movements full of stealth, Heidi inched her way into the room and grabbed the two by four resting against the wall to the left of the door. Moving as quietly as possible, she got into position and lifted the board to her shoulder like a baseball bat. Breathing deeply and preparing for the fight, Heidi waited until Harry was in the right position for her to render him helpless. Just as she began the swing, Harry turned slightly and the board caught him on the shoulder. Stunned, the gun flew from Harry's numb hand and Nick kicked it into a dark corner. Harry bellowed with rage and flung himself at Heidi. His strong arms wrapped around her ribs and he began to squeeze. Heidi felt the air leave her lungs and knew if she didn't do something fast she would pass out. She let go of the two by four and it clattered loudly to the concrete floor. She brought her arms up and hit both of his ears, hard! He screamed in pain and grasped for his ears, the pain and the ringing relentless. He cursed soundly and moved to grab her again. Heidi had been waiting for just that moment. As he stepped in, she swung her clenched fist up and punched him in the nose. She felt the bone crunch under the force of her punch and blood spurted, dripping down the front of Harry's shirt. She waited, knowing retaliation was coming. Harry feinted with his left as she brought her hands up to block the punch. �Heidi watch out,� Nick cried. Harry�s right fist shot out and clipped the side of her head. She reeled back and thanked God for Nick's timely warning. He had seen the right hand coming up and shouted out just in time for Heidi to move her head. Harry roared with rage and threw caution to the wind, charging her, intending to hem her in against the wall. Fast on her feet, Heidi moved to the left and grabbing Harry's arm, used his momentum to throw him into the wall. Harry hit headfirst and he crumpled to the ground in a limp heap. On shaky legs, she made her way over to Nick and began to untie him. She almost had the last knot undone when Nick cried out, "Look out!" Heidi moved, but not fast enough. Harry wrapped his arms around her, pinning her arms to her side and shook her violently. Nick reached for and grabbed the loosened knot and quickly finished untying it. Just as he stood up, the door banged open and bright light filled the room, momentarily blinding the occupants. Using that moment to his advantage, Kevin clubbed Harry in the head with something heavy and metal, for a metallic sound rang through the room. Harry fell to the ground and Heidi spun around to see Kevin holding the fire extinguisher. "Man am I glad to see you," she said with a smile. Kevin nodded and looked at Nick. "God!" he sighed, "Are you all right?" "I am now," Nick answered and then grimaced as the split in his lip tore open again. SNC Index Chapter Eighteen Main Page |