Rescued

This is a Non-Erotic story!

*****

I like words. I always have. I like math puzzles too. I enjoy manipulating letters, deciphering codes, unscrambling jumbled letters to form a word. I found several online forums in which to participate with other like minded people.

One of my favorite people with whom to match wits was a young woman. Bright, witty, and a dedicated participant, I had found my match in Elizabeth. We challenged each other with solving quadratic equations, logic puzzles, riddles, time and distance problems, and, of course, word games.

After some months of challenging each other Elizabeth disclosed her age to me. She was fifteen years old. Though wise well beyond her years, I felt a tinge of unease interacting with a child. But I continued, acquitting myself with the utmost scruples.

Over time Elizabeth revealed more about herself. She lived in the Los Angeles area, was in 10th grade, had a best friend, and made good grades. She also revealed that her home life wasn't happy. Her parents were in the midst of a contentious divorce. Her father was mostly absent and paid little attention to Elizabeth when he was present. She hadn't dated boys out of fear of embarrassment should one of her parent's stormy fights break out in front of a potential boyfriend. I concluded that I had become Elizabeth's safe place. We interacted daily and our online routine had become Elizabeth's haven for contentment.

In early September Elizabeth was absent for four days from the forum in which we interacted. I sensed something was wrong. On the evening of the fourth day I received an alarming email from Elizabeth. In it she said...

"...I just couldn't bear the stress and misery of living at home anymore. I've run away. Don't worry about me; I'll be alright. I hope to get back to the forum soon."

Alarm bells rang in my head. I immediately wrote back, asking her where she was. She was in Las Vegas and had emailed me from the Spring Valley Public library. I dropped everything and booked the next morning's first flight to Las Vegas.

"Stay put," I emailed her. "I'm on my way. My flight arrives in the morning and I'll be at the library by noon. Be there. How will I recognize you?"

"I have long blond hair and I'll be wearing a red tank top."

"Stay put. I'm on my way," I repeated.

~~~

I arrived in Las Vegas and immediately took an Uber to the Spring Valley Library.

"The library?" the driver asked. "Most people come to Las Vegas for the gambling and the girls."

"I'm here for a different purpose," I replied tersely. He fell silent and drove. We soon arrived.

I practically ran in and conducted a quick search. It didn't take long; Elizabeth was in the periodicals section reading Vanity Fair magazine. She looked waifish and forlorn. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes were dirty, her face had a layer of desert dust, and her eyes were red and tired. The grime and exhaustion caused her to look haggard and old. I approached her discreetly.

"Elizabeth," I whispered. "It's me, Christopher."

The look in her tired eyes was an expression of relief. It was obvious she was lonely and in fear. Running away hadn't been what she imagined it would be. She was grateful to see a trusted friend. She stood and bear hugged me.

We talked in hush tones for a while.

"Where have you been sleeping?"

"Under a bridge. It's a really good spot. It's not far from here."

"Under a bridge? Show me."

We had walked for twenty minutes when we came to a highway. Elizabeth led me down a dirt embankment and then up a sloping abutment. Above the abutment and below the bridge's main girder was a space of about eighteen inches. Elizabeth had made this hideaway her home.

"You've been sleeping here?" I asked incredulously.

"Yeah. For the past three nights."

I looked around. There were some dirty clothes in a shopping bag and some crumpled fast food wrappers.

"I have a room booked in a hotel. Let's go there so you can get cleaned up."

We walked back toward the Strip, the shopping bag of dirty rags in my hand. I made small talk as we walked.

"Where do you think you're going, cunt?" came a menacing voice from behind us.

We turned to see a scruffy miscreant approaching.

I glared at him for five seconds. "Beat it, fella," I warned.

"Beat it yourself, asshole," he retorted. I evaded his right jab, which only grazed my cheek. My own right jab caught him just under his left eye. My left uppercut slammed into his chin and shut his ugly mouth. The haymaker was my right roundhouse; it caught him square on his left temple. His eyes rolled, his knees buckled, and down he went.

I put my arm across Elizabeth's shoulder. "I'm sorry you had to witness that, Elizabeth," I apologized as I led her away from that scene of violence. She remained wordless.

"This isn't the end of this, asshole," the vanquished scoundrel shouted after us.

I turned to face him again, glaring. "It better be the end of this," I threatened. I turned back to Elizabeth and escorted her away.

We had walked in silence for some minutes when Elizabeth softly said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Elizabeth."

More moments passed. "He wanted me to take some pills." She hesitated and added, "He wanted me to do something dirty."

"You don't have to worry about him anymore," I assured her.

A tear fell on her cheek. "I was afraid of him. Thank you."

~~~

We arrived at the hotel. The desk clerk wore his affected smile.

"Welcome to our hotel, Mr. Lennox. I've taken the liberty of upgrading you to one of our deluxe suites. It features a king sized bed, a large sofa, an 80 inch flat screen television, a refrigerator, and a wet bar," he boasted.

"I reserved a room with two queen beds."

"Unfortunately, sir, those rooms are presently occupied by other guests. Our only remaining accommodation is our deluxe suite. I offer it to you at no extra charge, of course."

"That's all you have?"

"Yes, sir. I'm sure you will find it most satisfactory."

I would sleep on the sofa. "We'll take it."

We checked into our suite. Two plush bathrobes hung in the closet. I handed one to Elizabeth and directed her to the shower. "Get yourself cleaned up, Elizabeth."

I didn't need to do any urging. She took the robe and headed straight to the bathroom.

"The door locks," I informed her as she closed it behind her.

During the hour she spent in the bathroom washing off the desert grime I called room service and ordered a full lunch. I also sent Elizabeth's clothes down to the hotel laundry. I then sat down and thought.

I was now harboring a runaway and might even be accused of kidnapping. I was certain Elizabeth's disappearance had been reported to the police and they were actively searching for her. I didn't want the authorities involved with their attendant inquiries and investigation. I would avoid the police and take Elizabeth back to her mother tomorrow.

Elizabeth emerged from the bathroom wrapped in her robe. She was clean now; the layer of dirt was gone and her clean hair hung down her back. She looked like a different person. The food had arrived while she bathed.

"I ordered lunch for us, Elizabeth. Are you hungry?"

She nodded.

"When was the last time you ate?"

Her eyes fell. "Yesterday morning."

"Well dig in." She did and ate enthusiastically.

As we ate I broached the subject of conducting her home. "Elizabeth, you need to return home. Your parents must be worried sick about you. Your friends, too. You need to think of the affect your disappearance is having on the people who are close to you. The people who love you."

She pondered this a moment.

"Does anyone beside me know you're here in Las Vegas?"

She shook her head 'no'.

I continued. "I understand it's difficult at home but it's where you belong."

I expected some pushback, but got none.

"I rented a car, Elizabeth. We're going home tomorrow." A faint look of relief crossed her face.

As we ate another thought crossed my mind.

"Elizabeth, do you need to see a doctor? I'll take you."

She shook her head 'no'.

"Has anyone hurt you and possibly made you sick? Don't be embarrassed. It's best to address it now."

Again, 'no'.

No sooner had we finished eating when Elizabeth stood and announced, "I'm tired. I want to take a nap." She retreated to the bedroom and closed the door.

My intent was to go out and buy Elizabeth some new clothes while she slept to replace the rags she was wearing. But I was concerned that leaving her alone in the suite would give her the opportunity to run away in my absence, so I reclined on the sofa, took out my tablet, and read. The afternoon passed with Elizabeth sleeping deeply and not stirring. Evening came and I ordered room service for dinner. Elizabeth woke, ate, and immediately went back to bed. I was tired too and took my place on the sofa where I spent the night.

The next morning I ordered breakfast. Again we ate and Elizabeth went right back to bed. She still was fatigued. I was confident now that Elizabeth wouldn't run so I left her in her slumbers and went out and bought her some clothes. I had written down her size from the tags on her clothes and returned with shorts, tops, socks and sneakers, and underwear. She was still asleep. I woke her at dinnertime and as we ate I informed her that tomorrow she was going home. She looked relieved.

~~~

We woke at sunrise, checked out, and got under way. Some four hours later we pulled up to Elizabeth's front door. She rang the doorbell. Her mother answered, stood in shock for some seconds, then burst into tears as she hugged her daughter.

Finally she demanded of me, "Who are you?"

"Mom, meet my friend Chris. Chris, this is my mom."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Mrs. McGrath."

Elizabeth's mom eyed me with suspicion then turned to Elizabeth. "Did he hurt you, Baby?"

"Of course not. Chris took care of me."

Seeing Elizabeth's relaxed demeanor, mom relaxed her guard a bit and immediately called Elizabeth's dad. He came right over. Again I was eyed with suspicion but he invited me in. The girls had withdrawn to one of the bedrooms and I sat with dad in a plush seat in the comfortable den.

"What was your role in my daughter's disappearance," he bluntly asked.

"I had no role in her disappearance. Only in returning her home."

He stared at me.

"Elizabeth and I are internet friends. We play word games, solve puzzles, exercise our brains." I paused. "And nothing else," I added to allay his suspicions.

I continued. "Four days after she disappeared Elizabeth emailed me informing me she had run away. She told me she was in Las Vegas. I immediately flew to Las Vegas and got her off the street and to safety.

After some seconds he simply said, "Go on."

"Well, to be honest with you Mr. McGrath, when I found Elizabeth she was dirty and, quite frankly, she smelled. I took her to my hotel where she showered the grime off of herself and out of her hair. She hadn't eaten in over a day and I ordered food for us. I had her clothes laundered as well. I told her that I was going to take her back home and although I was concerned she'd quarrel with me, she didn't. Elizabeth had already concluded that running away wasn't such a good idea after all."

He remained quiet, waiting for more.

"Elizabeth had spent three nights sleeping under a highway overpass. I didn't want police involvement so we hid in the hotel for two days. I intended to bring her home the very next day after I found her but I was unable to get Elizabeth to wake up. She probably hadn't slept well under that bridge for three nights with trucks roaring overhead. She was absolutely exhausted. So one day in the hotel turned into two days."

He nodded, understanding.

"We were in a suite with a separate bedroom. Elizabeth slept in the king sized bed. I slept in the other room on the sofa," I emphasized.

He remained impassive.

"Elizabeth was alone and in fear, Mr. McGrath."

"In fear of what?"

"A street punk was trying to lure Elizabeth into substance abuse." I hesitated. "And more." He caught my drift. "He accosted us on the street, called her a filthy name, and took a swing at me."

"What happened?"

"Some punches of my own convinced him that Elizabeth was off limits."

He nodded and couldn't quite suppress a smile.

"I then took Elizabeth to my hotel suite, fed her, and kept her safe."

All of his suspicions were allayed; as another guy he understood a man's instinct to protect a woman and to provide for her. He understood all the more a man's innate need to protect a child. We had bonded.

"This calls for a celebration," he announced. He rose and fetched a bottle of whisky.

"I've been saving this for a special occasion," he announced, holding up a bottle of Yamazaki Single Malt Japanese Whisky. "There's no more special occasion than Elizabeth's homecoming."

He measured two shots and we toasted. "To your health."

"To yours too, Mr. McGrath. And to Elizabeth."

"To Elizabeth," he agreed.

Elizabeth's mom appeared in the doorway.

"Chris, Elizabeth told me all you did for her. I can't thank you enough. You took her in. You bought her clothes."

"It was my pleasure," I responded.

She turned to her husband. "Did you know that Chris rescued our daughter from a dangerous situation?"

He nodded. "Yes. Chris explained."

A brief silence fell and the gravity of the potential peril of that outcome hung in the air. She turned back to me.

"Stay for dinner," she ordered.

I accepted.

~~~

Dinner was quite a homecoming celebration. Elizabeth and I sat across from each other; mom and dad occupied the heads of the table. Joy and gratitude were freely expressed. The police had been advised that Elizabeth had returned home and they could call off the search. Details were omitted.

After dinner Elizabeth's father invited me back to the den for another toast. The whisky loosened his tongue.

"I haven't been a very good father to Elizabeth," he confessed. "I've been absent and I haven't been involved in her schoolwork. I don't know who her friends are. I don't know her thoughts, her feelings. I've neglected my obligations to my family."

"Elizabeth is quite smart," I informed him. "She's good with numbers and words. She challenges me in online forums. She's mature beyond her years and is quite intelligent."

He smiled with a hint of pride. "I vow here and now to become a better father. I'm going to get involved in her education, her associations, her life. I want to reconcile with my wife for Elizabeth's sake. Stop these divorce proceedings. Get these blood sucking lawyers off our backs."

I merely nodded.

"Where are you staying tonight?"

I shrugged. "Is there a nice hotel nearby?"

"Hotel nothing. You stay here tonight. We have a spare bedroom. You won't have to drive. Another toast!"

I stayed one night and left in the morning.

Elizabeth's parents insisted on staying in touch with me. They offered a standing invitation to visit anytime I wanted. They expressed a debt of gratitude that they could never repay.

I've stayed in touch with Elizabeth's family. Her parents have reconciled and are happy. Elizabeth is doing well and we still meet in the forums. She excels at school and is learning to play the piano. Elizabeth has no more desire to run away.