I had to admit that my own heart was beating frantically. I found it difficult to control my breathing. I was terrified for Elise, and I was terrified for myself. I definitely didn’t want to be subjugated to anything that these people would have in mind for us.
Apparently, the terrorists were satisfied that we weren’t in the building after what seemed like an eternity of searching. However, the boy did not come back to release us.
Elise’s body was becoming increasingly tenser as she sat waiting in the inky darkness for the boy to come. But, he never came. I was certain she was going to combust, as her muscles and internal organs were so tight.
I squeezed her hand and whispered to her again. “Sometimes, they will leave one or two people behind to catch anyone should they come out of hiding. The boy will come to get us when all of them have left.”
She exhaled through her lips in an effort to calm herself. I was really proud of her for how she had controlled her fear. There were many other men and women who would have already lost their mind.
“You’re doing great. I know this is frightening, but you are keeping yourself together remarkably well. I am super impressed with how well you are doing. Just a little bit longer, okay, baby?” I whispered to her.
Once again, I could feel her nodding.
After a few more hours, we could hear the hay being moved away from the trap door. A rope ladder was let down into our hidey-hole. I helped Elise up, then climbed up myself, grateful to see the outside again. Despite my reassuring words for Elise, I found the entire experience to be nerve-wracking.
The boy’s mother had made dinner. Elise and I ate like we hadn’t been fed in a month. The woman was an incredible cook. Despite the language barrier, we were all able to communicate using sign language. It seemed that the farmers in the area had an equivalent of a neighborhood watch for the terrorists since they did come through often to make life a living nightmare for the people. The men were spotted, and it was clear they were searching for someone. Elise and I stood out like a sore thumb. It didn’t take much to figure out that we were the ones the terrorists were searching for.
We more or less told our story through sign language, and the family sympathized with Elise.
After dinner, the father heated up some water and poured it into a metal tub. Elise was given a tiny piece of soap. The men went outside while Elise washed herself, sighing with the luxury of having her first bath in such a long time.
They heated up more water so I could have a bath. I wasn’t a bath kind of man, preferring instead to take quick showers, but this was a bit of heaven for me. Although it had only been a couple of days for me, it felt like a year since I had been able to be truly clean.
The family apologized for having us sleep in the barn, but there was simply no room in the house. I didn’t mind anyway. I rather liked having my privacy with Elise.
Our adrenaline levels had calmed down, leaving us very tired. I pulled Elise into my arms and tenderly kissed her lips. Before the kiss was even completed, she was snoring softly.
I slept restlessly through the night. I was careful not to disturb Elise, but I could not completely rest. My body was still tense, and I was on high alert. Although we had successfully hidden from our pursuers, they were still in the area. They were doing a good job of tracking us and keeping up with us.
It certainly wasn’t Elise’s fault. She was keeping up with a far greater pace than I thought she would be able to. My heart beat a little faster at the thought of how amazing she was and how much respect and admiration I had for her. If I had been honest with myself, I would have thought that I was starting to fall in love with her.
Elise woke up as soon as I nudged her before dawn. The poor woman was likely going to sleep for a month after we got her back home. However, she was up and ready quickly.
The young boy brought some water so Elise could wash her face. Then, he brought us a simple breakfast. His mom brought out some food that we could eat along the way.
I gave her the equivalent of a hundred United States dollars in Iranian money, which would be a fortune for them. They tried not to take it, but we insisted.
We knew they would share the wealth with their friends. They saved our lives. They deserved the money and so much more.
The woman hugged Elise tightly, and then Elise and I slipped out into the cool, pre-dawn darkness.
8
Elise
Once I was finally able to breathe, after my belly was full and we were safe, I thought again that this would be a great story to tell my grandchildren, if I ever had any. However, this story was so crazy, they might not believe me. They would likely tell me that I had been watching too many movies.
That was okay. I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to adequately explain the fear I felt being chained to a wall, escaping through the woods, and then hiding in a hole in the ground.
I did know one thing for sure. If I wasn’t claustrophobic before, I would likely be now. I never wanted to be confined in a small space ever again. I would always take the stairs, even if I had to climb twenty flights, from now on. I might have to stop to take a couple of breaks, but I would get there eventually.
After everything calmed down, and I was fed, I was so sleepy. The mother was an amazing woman. I know that the sliver of soap she gave me was not the everyday soap that people used. It was soap that she used for special occasions. She also helped me wash my hair, which took several tries to get all the dirt out of it. I must have looked a complete mess.
Considering the metal tub looked more like a mud puddle than bathwater, I was certain I had been covered in at least three inches of dirt or more. I think there may have even been some grass growing in my belly button.
Jared and I bedded down in the barn, which I thought was delightful. A couple of blankets kept the scratchy straw from poking us. Jared was so warm, and I gravitated to his warmth like a moth to a flame. He held me tight, and I knew I was absolutely safe.
I felt his lips touch mine, but I was so exhausted that I couldn’t return the kiss with much vigor. I hoped that I didn’t hurt his feelings. I thought that I had fallen asleep before he moved his mouth away.