Chapter One

WOUNDED MIND—ESCAPE

I was running through the woods, branches, and bushes, scraping my arms and legs. I had been hyperventilating since I escaped, and now I could hardly catch my breath. My heart felt like it was going to explode at any minute. To make things doubly worse, I barely had any clothes on, so my body shook from the cold as much as from the fear.

The fear had thrown me into fight-or-flight and with that fear adrenaline had overwhelmed my senses, making it even harder to think. It was dark, and I could hardly see a thing, yet right when I thought I’d lost my way, the sky opened with a jagged slash of light, followed by the loud sound of thunder. At least I could use the lightning to see through my tears and find a path to safety. Yet, with every crash of thunder, I cringed and prayed for God to guide me to safety. Finally, I saw streetlights and cars passing on the road. What was I supposed to do now? Wave a vehicle down in the middle of the street while standing in only a body suit, ankle socks, and shoes? No way was this going to happen. I was already scared to death.

I started questioning myself. Why didn’t they kill me? Why did they let me get away, or did they? Are they behind me? Are they chasing me? After all, I was the only living witness, which paralyzed me with fear.

At least now, there were lights around me. I just needed to cross the street to the convenience store. I felt a lifeline had been provided, so I darted to the doors of the High’s store, only to find the store was closed. I looked around and then ducked into the phone booth outside the store. I grabbed the phone book and rifled through page after page of the three-inch-thick book filled with names and phone numbers. My shaking index finger scanned the pages until I found what I was looking for, and there it was,Donald Edgren. “Is this Donald Edgren? I have a collect call from JoAnn Morris.”

“Yes, this is Doctor Donald Edgren. Yes, I’ll accept the call.”

“Dr. Edgren, this is JoAnn, JoAnn Morris. I’m in trouble. I need help. Please, please help me.” My hands could hardly hold the receiver. “I need help. Please, please, I beg you, come and get me. I’m at the High’s.”

“Which one? What’s the address?”

“Address?” I was so traumatized I couldn’t comprehend what he was asking. Something so simple, and I couldn’t even think straight . . . BUT NOTHING WAS SIMPLE AT THAT POINT.

Slowly, calmly, he said, “Put the phone down and look at the top of the building. Tell me what numbers you see.” I read the numbers out loud, “It’s the High’s store on Piney Branch Road. I’ll be in the bushes; flash your lights three times so I’ll know it’s safe to come out. Please hurry, Doc! I don’t know how much time I have left.” My next call was to the Howard County Police. “I’m looking for Detective Charlie Gable. Is he there?” I asked the dispatcher.