Before the Moon Rises by Catherine Bybee Page A

sockets.
    Janet dropped her handful of vegetables. "I'm a nurse.
    Show me where he is." Her heart rate jumped as it always did
    when she knew time was critical.
    He walked her in a few feet and pointed to an open door.
    "He's in there."
    "You go call the paramedics," she ordered while she ran in
    the direction he pointed.
    The door was open, but no one was on the floor of the
    room. There was another door, which she ran to and opened.
    Empty.
    Frantic, knowing time for the patient was ticking away.
    Janet scanned the first room again. Boxes were stacked high
    with very little room for a person to be behind. She searched
    anyway but found no one. "Where is he?"
    Walking back the way she came, Janet heard the creak of
    a hinge. The weight of someone's stare burrowed into the
    back of her head. Hair on her neck stood as the cold bristle of
    tension wove along her spine. She stopped mid step and
    swirled around. A cloth covered hand clamped over her mouth
    and nose in a firm grip. The last thing she remembered before
    blackness came was the distinct smell of ether.
    The first thing Max thought when he rounded to corner and
    saw their cart abandoned with Janet's purse in the basket
    was; she thinks I'm the one who doesn't know anything about
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    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    grocery stores. Everyone knows not to leave your purse in the
    cart.
    The closer to the cart he moved however, the stronger the
    smell became. He spun in a complete circle then called her
    name. He tossed the packages of meat on the russet potatoes
    and followed her scent. Each step brought his fear for her
    safety closer.
    Her scent mixed with Gorman's when he passed through
    the swinging doors. He ran around yanking open doors and
    calling her name, his search frantic.
    Gone.
    He ran his hand through his hair searching for clues.
    There, on the floor outside a small room was a matchbook.
    On it was an address and the words. "Before the moon rises."
    He snatched the small paper and placed it under his nose.
    Bile rose in his throat.
    Jaw clenched, Max cursed Gorman's name.
    He retrieved her purse, pushed through the crowded store
    and hopped into his car.
    Alone, he flipped open his cell phone and dialed. He
    started with his parents, and then moved on to the rest.
    The pounding behind her eyelids woke her. She murmured
    a protest and tried to turn on her side, but the task proved
    impossible.
    Janet's eyes shot open when the memory of her abduction
    hit her. She attempted to shift her weight but pain shot
    through her arms which dangled above her. Panic-stricken
    eyes traveled the length of her bound arms. Shock bolted her
    upright when she realized she'd been shackled to the wall.
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    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    Her body screamed in protest with her sudden change of
    position from slouched on the stone and dirt floor.
    Her eyes adjusted to the dim light that peeked through the
    small window above her.
    She was in a basement, of that she was certain. Her
    clothes were intact, and her body felt more normal than not.
    The fact she had no recollection of how she had gotten to
    where she was scared the hell out of her, and had her
    worrying about whether or not she'd been raped. Her memory
    flashed to a past patient who had been violated during a drug
    induced stupor. The lady woke with a distinct feeling of the
    violation, but couldn't remember the act.
    Trying her best to keep her wits about her, Janet closed
    her eyes and forced her breathing to slow down.
    "Freaking out isn't going to help," she told herself.
    She wanted to panic. God knew she was on the edge. But
    doing so would decrease her chances of survival.
    How many times had she stood by a patient's side,
    listening to the cop's applauding a victim's strong sense of
    calm, which kept the person alive? Or the opposite when,
    under whispered words around a grieving family, the police
    told the ER staff of what could have been to make the
    outcome more favorable.
    Janet