Undercover (Closed)

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http://www.oreillynet.com/digitalmedia/blog/images/anita-final.jpg

Skylar Vance
Age: 20
5'2 115 lbs


What a gorgeous day, Skylar thought as she walked out of the house and on to the expansive front porch. The perfect Texas morning. the temperature was in the high 60's, the sun was blinding as it rose in the sky, and Skylar was done with college for the summer. Life couldn't get any better.


Well.. actually it could, but she didn't like to dwell on that. Her father had been extremely stressed out lately; he had been receiving some veiled threats recently concerning the family's safety, and it was starting to get to him. Skylar figured it was all just a big hoax. After all, it wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

George Vance owned the largest ranch in Texas, and was one of the wealthiest men as well, so it wasn't uncommon for him to receive threats and stuff like that.

Shaking off the negative thoughts, Skylar headed towards the barn to saddle up her gelding, Cherokee, and go for him daily morning ride. Nothing relaxed her, and got her more ready for the day, than the long ride she took every morning just as the sun came up.

Cherokee was anxious to hit the open land, so Skylar wasted no time in saddling him up. Soon she was climbing onto his back and heading towards the open land. Once they were clear of the paddock fences, she let Cherokee have his head. The palomino gelding ate up the ground with his long strides and soon they were far away from the main house, out of sight of everything except for the rolling hills and green pastures.

 

[BeachBum25]

Gerry Singleton
28/m
FBI Field Agent
Deep Cover
now known as Chad Vaughn
6'2"
185 lbs

It had been a long time since anyone had called him Gerry. In fact, he didn't even call himself that. One of the requirements of his deep cover assignements was that he had to forget who he was and totally assume the identity he was given.

He was currently working to infiltrate one of the largest drug cartels in Mexico. He had been working his way into the good graces of the leader for almost two years now. He was ever-so-close to getting where he needed to be in order to bring down the cartel, but not quite close enough. Now he was in a position to earn the trust of the top men in the cartel.

He was leading a team that was supposed to carry out a kidnapping. The team was to kidnap the daughter of a rancher whose property was right on the border. That property would make smuggling drugs into the US much easier, and it would make the cartel much richer.

Chad led the team of three Mexican nationals across the border and they took up a position that would enable them to grab the subject without being seen. They got into position and waited. They knew she would be along soon. Their intelligence told them that she loved riding her horse.

Then, there she was.......

 

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Skylar took the same route that she usually did, allowing Cherokee to fly across the ground, his hooves tossing up dirt as he ate up the ground. Skylar threw her head back and let the wind fly through her hair, enjoying the feel of it on her face.

After a while she reined Cherokee in right as they reached a stand of trees at the edge of the field. Cherokee nibbled on some grass as Skylar lay back in the saddle, her head resting on the horse's rump, her arms dangling by his sides. She could feel the sun heating her skin where her tight tshirt had ridden up on her stomach some and sighed. If there was a heaven ... this would be it. She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the sound of Cherokee's teeth tearing through grass as well as the occasional rhythm of steps that he took.

Eventually she sat up and swung her leg over, deciding to get down and walk around for a moment. Her back was to the woods and she was completely unaware of the men in the woods behind her, watching her every move.

 

[BeachBum25]

Chad deployed his team along the perimeter of the woods. He gave them clear instructions.... no matter what, the target was not to be harmed. They were told that they were expendable, but the target was not. Chad watched carefully as the target approached.

As the target dismounted her horse several of the team members strted to move without being told to. Chad shot a look in their direction, which stopped them in their tracks. The driver of the van was sent back with order to get redy to go.

Chad then began to move slowly toward the clearing. His team followed close behind him. As soon as he saw the horse bcome startled Chad sprinted to the target. Before she could scream he covered her mouth. One of th eteam members took control of the horse as Chad whispered into her ear so that only she was able to hear what he said, "Do as I say and you will not be harmed. I promise you that. You need to trust me. I will not let you be harmed."

While Chad gave the subject instructions, members of the team slipped zip ties onto her wrists binding them together, and then did the same to her ankles. Duct tape was placed over her mouth before they carried her to the wooded area. She was taken down the path to the waiting van. Chad climbed into the van with the target and it drove off, quietly, not causing a scene.

 

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Skylar was standing there stretching out her muscles when suddenly Cherokee shied away and whinnied. His ears pinned back against his head and the whites of his eyes flared. Skylar immediately looked down to the ground for a snake or some other threat. But then a strong hand clamped down over her mouth.

She started to scream until the rough, deep whisper in her ear told her not to. She wouldnt be harmed if she didn't scream. Like she'd believe THAT! She watched in horror as some thuggish looking man clamped onto Cherokee's reins so that horse couldn't bolt. She struggled against the man holding her tightly, afraid for her horse and herself.

Someone placed restraints around her wrists and ankles making her unable to struggle anymore. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes but she resisted them, refusing to let that weakness show. The man swung her up into his strong arms and carried her to a van where she was placed in the back and they drove off.

The entire time she struggled against her restraints but to no avail. They were cutting into her wrists and her struggling was only making it worse. She could already feel her wrists and ankles growing raw. The back of the van had no windows so she couldn't even see where they were taking her. She tried to memorize turns... left, left, right, left... but she lost track and whimpered in helpless frustration.

She should have listened to those threats her father had been receiving. But how could she have knowN this time would be any different??

 

[BeachBum25]

Chad sat on the floor of the van with the target. Once again he told her that she would not be harmed and that he would make sure of that. "We placed a note on your horse and sent it back to the ranch. Your father will get the note, realize that he has no choice and he wil cooperate with us. When he does, we will take care of business, and then, you will go home. Pretty simple."

Chad could see in her eyes that she believed nothing of what he said about her safety; however, he could not risk revealing to her how he was able to guarantee her safety. They rode in silence until they came to a warehouse. It was old and abandoned and was out of the way. Nobody ever came out this way, so, there was no chance of anyone discovering them. If someone did happen to come that way it would be a big mistake.

As part of his deep cover Chad had been involved in quite a few killings, but had never actually carried the act out himself. Most of the people killed were involved in drug traffiking, so, he didn't fel too bad about it. It was different in this case. Skylar had done nothing wrong. He was going to make sure nothing happened to her.

After pulling inside the warehouse Chad climbed out of the van. He turned, slid Skylar to the van door and picked her up and put her over his shoulder. He caried her up some steps and into an office that had been made into a holding cell for her. There was a bathroom (the door had been removed.) In the office had been placed a chair, a table nd a mattress.

Chad sat her down on the mattress and took out his knife. He smiled at her and then cut the zip ties... freeing her hands and feet. Then he took the duct tape off her mouth; slowly so as not to hurt her. "I know this isn't what you are familiar with at home, but it should only be a short time before you get to go home. Try to make the best of it. There will always be someone poste outside the door. If you need anything, let them know. They will check everything with me."

With that, Chad exited the room and padlocked it behind him.

 

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The man who had assured her safety sat in the back of the van with her as they drove. He again tried to convince her she would remain safe but she merely glared at him. She did not in any way, shape or form believe him. Why were they kidnapping her anyway? For ransom? He said they had sent a note back on Cherokee. At least Cherokee was safe... the note was probably a ransom note.

Skylar closed her eyes and willed this all to be a bad dream, but of course it wasn't.

They pulled up and parked the van somewhere. The man who had sat with her got out of the back and pulled her up and over his shoulder. He was a lot more gentle than she would expect a kidnapper to be. She looked around with wild eyes trying to identify where they were but had no clue. An old warehouse it looked like.

The man carried her into what probably had used to have been an office ... there was a bathroom with no door, and not much else. A table, chair and mattress. At least there was that, she thought wryly.

The man sat her down and sat down beside her. He was extremely gentle when he cut off the zip ties, and he even smiled. Skylar was confused by the man. Why would a kidnapper be so damn nice? He was actually kind of handsome when he smiled... now why she noticed that she had no clue... but it was true all the same.

He explained about someone being at the door and then left. And that was it. Skylar was alone in the tiny room with no idea what was going to happen to her. She looked around the room for another escape but there wasn't one. Not a window, no other door, no ceiling vents, nothing. She was utterly trapped.

With a whimper she lay back on the mattress and stared at the ceiling, trying to think of a plan.

 

[BeachBum25]

Chad pulled out his cell phone as he walked down the steps. He dialed the number. "It is done." That was the extent of the conversation. When he reached the bottom of the steps he called the team together and gave them their instructions. Their directives were very clear and in great detail.

They were told when they were going to be on duty, where their duty post was, and that if they were late for their duty, or were not attentive to their duties that the consequences would be severe. They knew what that meant. Chad had earned a reputation, and they were not going to do anything that would upset him.

The last instruction they were given was that the girl was not to be touched and she was not to be mistreated in any way. If anyone harmed the girl Chad told them that he would personally kill them.... not pass it on to someone else to carry out. The look on his face told the team that he was not playing.

Then his phone rang. The voice on the other end was a familiar one. It was the second-in-command of the cartel. Chad was told that he had been chosen to go and speak to the girl's father and to give him the conditions for the return of his daughter. Chad smiled. This was evidence that he had gained their trust. He smiled to himself and hung up the phone.

He went back upstairs and unloked the door. He walked in, sat down at the table and said, "If your father does as I instruct him you will be home very soon. Now, call him and tell him to meet me at this location." He handed her a disposable cell phone and a piece of paper with a remote location along the river written on it. "Tell him you are ok, and to make sure nobody follows him to the meeting."

 

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Skylar lay there for what seemed like hours with no interaction from anybody. Just the deafening silenece of the room. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and questions. Who were these people and what did they want? Were the main ones. When she suddenly heard the doorknob rattle she bolted up from the bed and pressed her back to the wall. The man who had been so gentle earlier entered again and sat at the table.

He must be the leader she thought to herself. He seemed to do all of the speaking and decision making. He told her then that she was supposed to call her dad and explain to him the situation. She was to tell him she was OK and to meet the man at a location, with noone else there.

Her hands trembled as she reached for the cell phone. Her eyes connected with the mans. "Why ate y'all doing this to me?" She asked softly, almost whispering. She didn't want her father hurt, or any of her other family members. Herself either. She just wanted it all to be over with.

"What do you want from us? And why are YOU so nice when all those other men were..." she shivered slightly... "not nice at all."

 

[BeachBum25]

Chad looked at her knowing she was scared. He could not be any nicer than he already was. "Do as you are told and make the phone call. Remember, I told you that if you and your father do as you are told, you will be sleeping in your own cushy bed and back in the arms of your boyfriend before you know it. Now just do as you are told."

He watched her eyes get big. He could see the fear, but he could also see some strength. Strength that kept her from crying. Strenght that was unusual in a woman of her age, and her upbringing. Daddy must have raised her right.

"Don't wait any longer. Make the call, and don't mess it up. Make sure daddy does exactly what he should do or his little princess could be in jeopardy of getting her pretty little self hurt."

 

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Skylar felt crushed when he didnt answer her questions. She felt like crying. Like breaking down and begging. But her pride wouldn't let her. She couldn't show weakness to this man or any of them. Instead she took the phone and dialed with shaking fingers.

Her father answered on the first ring, sounding frantic and it made her want to bawl. Instead she steeled her voice.

"Daddy its me..."

Shouting erupted in the other end with a lot of cursing involved and a lot of damning people to hell.

"No daddy really. I'm... ok... I need you to do this."

She relayed the instructions then to him and made sure he understood everything. He was still cussing up a storm when she interrupted him.

"Love you daddy. See you soon" she said before hanging up and handing the phone back to the man. She glared at him with pain in her eyes. She was ready to burst after talking to her father but still managed to hold it in check.

"Will you at least tell me your name?" She asked in a voice, thick with emotion.

 

[BeachBum25]

He looked at her. He truly felt sorry for her, but he couldn't show it. However, telling her his name wouldn't hurt, and it might help her relax. "Chad. My name is Chad. What's yours?" He asked her the question even though he already knew it. Once again he just wanted to put her mind at ease and make her relax.

He looked at her as she looked quizzically at him. She was surprised he asked her name. He could tell that she was wondering how it could have gone this far and he not know her name. He smiled at her, reassuringly. "Relax, things will be fine. They didn't tell me your name. They only told me where to find you."

He could tell she didn't believe him. Why should she? After all, this guy had just grabbed her and taken away her freedom. "OK, you don't have to tell me. If you want to talk just let me know." He got up and headed toward the door. As he reched the door he turned and winked at her. Then he exited, closed the door and locked it.

 

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Chad. A normal name. Of course what had she expected? Bin Laden or something? Hardly. Then he asked her name and she glanced over at him in surprise. He had to know her name didnt he??

He confusion must have shown in her face because he offered her an explanation. "Just let me kbow if you want to talk".

With that he got up and walked to the door and actually winked at her. Before she could utter a word he was gone. What the hell? Skylar thought. What was a girl supposed to talk about with the man who had just kidnapped her? She hadn't a clue. She lay back on the bed for what seemed like forever until she couldn't take it anymore.

She hopped up and went and beat on the door. It opened almost immediately and a thug glared ay her. With wide eyes she fumbled for words for a second. "I... uh... need to speak to Chad" she said softly.

The thug slammed the door in her face and she gasped before going and sitting down on the chair, feeling dismal.

 

[BeachBum25]

The team member guarding the door walked down the steps and spoke to another member of the crew. The second member walked over to Chad and said, in broken English, "the broad wants to talk to you." Chad gave a small nod of his head and took another sip of his coffee. He smiled. It had not taken her long to ask to speak with him.

He decided to make her wait a little while. He had some details to take care of and would do that first; then he would go up and see what she wanted. He made several phone calls making sure that everything was set up for the meeting with her father. There was going to be a recon tem that would follow him from the time he left the ranch, and another team that would check for tails along the way. Finally, he had t make sure that the snipers were in place just in case anything went wrong.

After he was finished ironing out the details, which was 90 minutes after she had asked to talk with him, Chad walked up to the holding area. He had the guard unlock the door. Chad walked inside, closing the door behind him in order to make sure that nobody herd what they talked about. He looked at her, "yes?"

 

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He hadnt come. So much for him talking to her if she needed it. She shoulda known not to trust the man. Instead she lay there... for forever... by herself. after a while the door swung open and Chad was standing there. Skylar bolted up out of the bed and looked at him wearily.

YES?

That was all he said and suddenly she felt foolish. She had nothing she needed from him. "Y-you said that if I wanted to talk we could... I'm about to go crazy in here alone" she said quietly.

She hated being locked in there not able to speak to anyone or to know what was going on... especially because it was her life apparently in the balance. She glanced up into his surprisingly un-cold eyes.

"I wanna go home Chad" she whispered softly. "Can you at least tell me if the rest of my family is safe??"

 

[BeachBum25]

He watched her and could see her mind working. She was trying to figure out what was going on. It was obvious daddy had kept her in the dark. Sure, he may have mentioned that there had been some threats made, but he probably didn't provide his family with any details.

"No other members of your family have been touched. No one has been harmed, nor will anyone be harmed as long as daddy follows very simple directions. It will cost him nothing. He jueeds to follw directions exactly as they are given to him. If he doesn't......."

He watched her face as he left the last statement hanging out there. He needed to be careful about appearing too nice. He did not want to encourage her to do anything that might get her hurt. He was going to be away for a while, and he would not be there to control the men if she tried to escape and was caught by them.

"What else would you like to chat about? Are you going to tell me your name"

 

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Skylar was relieved to hear that everyone else was OK. But he said it wasn't going to cost her dad anything. He asked for her name again and her eyes flew to his.
"Skylar... my names Skylar" she said told him in her soft voice. "If this isnt about money then what's it about? Can't you tell me anything??" She pleaded.

"I just don't understand what this was all about. I know someone had been threatening us but I don't know why..."

She was unaware that his leaving would leave her vulnerable to the other men in the warehouse with her. Unaware that it could put her in potential danger...

 

[BeachBum25]

"Hmmm, Skylar. That is a nice name." He watched her closely. She seemed to relax, if only a little. "Skylar, I can't tell you anything. I cannot give you any details. The less you know, the better off you are. Trust me." He smiled. The irony of kidnapper saying trust me was not lost on him. However, deep down, suppressed way down there was the reality that he was an FBI Special Agent.

That would never go away, and it was he duty.... his moral responsibility to protect the innocent. Many would say that one innocent life lost was worth it if it saved hundreds, if not thousands of other lives. Chad did not believe that in this case. Skylar was not going to be harmed. He was not so sure of why he felt this way, but he was going to do everything possible to protect her.

"I realize you are saying to yourself, why should I trust him he is the one that kidnapped me. Know this, however, I am the one that is going to keep you safe. Me and me alone. I am not sure if you have seen the animals that work for me, but they don't give a shit about you or anyone or anything. I will be going away for a little while to meet with your father. Do not do anything that would jeoprdize your safety. Am I clear Skylar?" He looked at her in a way that tried to make sure she understood his message, yet reassured that he was going to protect her.

 

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That was exactly what she was thinking. Why SHOULD she trust him? But the way he forcefully said hat HE was the one that was going to keep her safe... well it was kind of convincing. She called herself twenty kinds of a fool for believing him but for some reason she did.

Slowly she stood and walked up to him until she was barely a foot away. Her green eyes bore into his, searching for answers. Her brows drew down in a frown.

"Why are you mixed up with these men Chad? You said yourself that they don't care about anything. Well you obviously do. So how'd you come to be one of... one of them??"

She really wanted to get to know what made the man tick.... although she didn't question WHY she wanted that..

 

[BeachBum25]

He watched as she walked up to him. With her that close he got his first real look at just how attractive she was. He had strange feelings for this woman and he didn't know why. He had to keep her off balance.

He stepped in even closer to her and whispered in her ear, "Because I am going to make a boat load of cash. That is why. You are my lottery ticket Skylar. You are going to make me a very rich man. However, I am not going to risk any kind of murder charge or even an assault, so, I am going to protect your pretty little self. For me, not for you."

Damn, he thought to himself. You really play the part well. You can act like the hard ass when you need to, and you can be a softy when you need to. I guess that is why you are always chosen for the most challenging and dangerous assignments.

"I will be back in a while. Hopefully daddy will do as he is instructed." He ran his finger over her cheek and gave her another wink before turning and walking out the door. He told the guard that nobody was to enter the holding area without his permission, and no one would be given that permission until he returned. "Don't do anything to piss me off or I will fucking kill you myself. Am I clear?"

With that he walked out to meet with the team that was heading to the rendezvous. He gave them their final instructions. Then he climbed into the back of the black Suburban and they rode off. Hopefully this goes well and I can put this case to bed, he thought.

 

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Skylar's eyes flared a bit as he leaned forward and spoke in her ear. She could smell his aftershave and it tingled in her nose, it smelled amazing. But his words made her hopeful heart sink. Money. He was doing all of this for money. Upsetting her life, scaring her, and her father, to death, risking her safety.. her LIFE. She felt like screaming at him.

With that said,Chad ran a finger over her cheek which made her body tingle... much tobher dismay... and told her he would be back. He walked out then and she sank back to the bed. She had to get out of here. She didn't trust these men. Not a bit. She neeeded to save herself. But what could she do to get herself out? It had to be done while he was gone because he was obviously the boss...

She settled onto the bed as an idea formed in her head...

 

[BeachBum25]

While Chad rode in the back of the Suburban he made several phone calls to get progress reports on the plans for the rendezvous. He didn't want any slip-ups. That would mean someone would get hurt, or worse. He had to make sure that innocent people remained safe.... that was his job.

They pulled off the road and waited. The rancher had to arrive first and be made to wait. Doing this would make him uncomfortable and it would also reinforce who was in charge. After making him wait for 20 minutes after the scheduled meeting time, and making sure there was no one who followed Mr. Vance in there, Chad ordered the driver to proceed.

When they pulled up Chad remained in the back seat for a moment. Then, after one of the team members patted Vance down for weapons and listening devices and gave him a thumbs-up, Chad got out of the vehicle and walked directly to Vance. Without showing any emotion, Chad said to Vance, "Your daughter is fine and will remain that way as long as you comply. Here is what you are going to do. Tomorrow night four large trucks are going to enter your property and drive back to the portion of your property that is along the border. You will do nothing. You will say nothing. You will make sure that all of your workers are out of that area. Just go to sleep and when you wake up the next morning you will have a beautiful present awaiting you. Any mistakes, however, will result in some very serious consequences. These are my only demands and they are non-negotiable."

Without waiting for a response, Chad turned and walked back to the Suburban. He got in and they drove off.

 

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Skylar pounded on the door to her room. "Hey!! Some help in here?!" She shouted to the thug she knew would be guarding her door. When the door swung open she face the man her most charming smile.

"My toilet is clogged up" she explained to him. "And I really need to pee. Do you think you could try and fix it please?" She asked sweetly, making sure to pour on that Texas charm thick. The thug glared at her for a moment and then walked inside her room. Skylar waited until he was busy trying to fix the toilet that she she flushed a sock down before darting for the unarmed door.

She heard the thug bellow even as she sprinted down the stairs and to a door that led to the outside. She yanked open that door as well as she heard running footsteps behind her.

"¡Vuelve aquí, punta!" She heard from behind her. Get back here, bitch!

She didn't hesitate as she heard more men's voices join the shouting. She slipped through thwbsoor and out into the dark... and directly into the black surburban's headlights that was was pulling up to the warehouse. She darted to her left where there wad a bunch of old wooden crates and ran into the center of them... hoping and praying she would be able.to escape.

 

[BeachBum25]

Chad sat back in the Suburban as they headed back to the warehouse. The meeting had gong exactly as he had hoped. Vance had said nothing. He wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize his little baby. CHad knew that and used it to his advantage.

Chad picked up his phone and dialed the number. "Meeting is over. Proceed as planned." That was it. That was all he needed to say. Now all he needed to do was wait until the shipment was delivered and he could deliver Skylar back to her family.

Chad was relaxed in the back seat until...... "What the hell is that?" He saw something dash out of the headlights, and then he saw men chasing after it. "That better not be who I think it is, " he said to his driver. The vehicle skidded to a halt in the dirt road. Chad jumped out and heard all of the men shouting ... "She went that way." He yelled to them, "If she gets away you all die... every single one of you pieces of shit will die. You better make sure you catch her."

 

[play_and_ride89]

Skylar heard Chad's voice bellowing behind her, shouting that the men would die if she escaped. She darted in and out of between the large crates, her heart in her throat. She was more scared then ever as she tried to evade the shouting men and pounding footsteps. She heard someone shout out for them to create a perimeter around the crates and slowly move in... searching everywhere.

Fighting back a scream of terror Skylar wheeled on her heel and began to run... only to crash into a brick wall... or what felt like one. She stumbled backwards and looked wide eyed at the huge thug bearing down on her. She tried to sprint away but he shouted out that she was there and grabbed a fistful of her hair. his grip stopped her in her tracks and she screamed as the evil man slammed her to the ground.

The impact knocked all breath from her lungs and she lay there trying to draw in a breath. When she finally could she was gasping for breath. Her hands, knees, and the side of her face stung from where gravel had scraped them during the fall. Her wrist throbbed unmercifully from landing on it but she didn't think it was broken. The brute who had caught her placed a booted foot at her windpipe and pressed, effectively cutting off her air.

"You're a real pain in the ass little girl!" He whispered harshly and Skylar fought back tears. He was gonna kill her. He was gonna suffocate her right here...