Page 63 of Burning Escape

He found the radio. “Price to base. We need help. Tori is missing, possibly kidnapped.”

Tucker’s voice came through. “What’s your location?”

“At the Refuge. The fire is skirting around us, heading south and east. Most likely, if Tori was taken, they’ll be following the river north of here.”

“We’ve got the Firehawk chopper in the air with another load of water. We’ll have them fly over and scope it out. The rest of the team is on the way to help.”

But would they get there in time?

* * *

Tori had gotten into smokejumping because it was the most dangerous job she could think of. She wanted to prove to herself that she could face her fears and overcome them. That she wasn’t a helpless little girl afraid of the dark. Or a lost, broken teenager so scared to be alone that she found herself in even darker places if it meant she could, for a little bit of time, feel like she belonged.

Yet here she was, very much alone and now blindfolded.

Well, not completely alone. The sound of water and rhythmic splashing meant she was still in the canoe withhim.

Damian.

Sure, as a client he’d always wanted more attention, a little more handholding than others, but she’d never thought he was this sick.

“It’s about time you woke up.”

Tori pushed herself up to sitting, ready for a showdown. So her head was a little fuzzy still. She had enough wits to fight. Starting with ripping off the blindfold. “What do you think you’re doing? Kidnapping me?”

He glanced back and continued to paddle. “You weren’t paying attention. I needed to get you away from that other guy, from your friends. You don’t need them.”

“For what?”

“To build a new life. Together.” He turned in the seat and let the paddle rest on his lap. The current carried them slowly downstream.

“With you? What makes you think—wait. Are you part of the militia? Is that what this is?”

“They were a means to an end. They’re busy killing off some fish, testing drones to release toxins, and establishing a new order. But what they’re forgetting is our greatest asset: our children.”

His straight face and soulless eyes as he spoke gave her goosebumps. “You have kids?” That was a scary thought.

“Not yet.” He paused. “But I’ve found the perfect mother for my children. A woman who’s strong. Fit. Beautiful.” He lifted his hand to caress her.

She balked, dangerously rocking the canoe. The man was more than sick. He was completely delusional. “What about that girl, the one you were with at the bar?”

“Amber? I told you. She was a friend. She doesn’t have the strength needed for this new life. We need to populate, establish a new generation. One that can fight back. Think for themselves. I’ve watched you for a while now. You’re the one. The others can worry about governments and establishments. I’m thinking of the future.”

Tori glanced around. Not a thing to use as a weapon or restraint in the vessel. She needed to get away from him and run. It wasn’t too far to the shore. She had no idea how long she’d been knocked out for or how far they’d gone. The air was still smoky. The fire was still out there.

“Well, I hate to break it to you, but I’m not part of that future, Damian. I’m not drinking the Kool-Aid, not buying into this new way of life.”

He didn’t look concerned. Instead, a smile creeped on to his face. “Not yet. But you will.”

“Not on your life!” She threw herself to the right but then leaped out the left side of the canoe, into the frigid river water. The shock of it stole her breath, but she didn’t care. She kicked her legs and came up for air.

Just get to shore. Get to shore.

“Tori!”

Damian couldn’t be far behind her. She didn’t dare look back to see. She paddled, fought the current, but kept her head above the surface.

Finally, her feet found purchase. She slogged to shore and ran, crashing through underbrush, weaving around the aspen and spruce.

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