Deadly Embrace (Deadly Assassins Series Book 1) Read online

  Ryan was in shock, but I grabbed his hand and we began running toward the fence. I looked up at the towers where guards were usually on the lookout for boys trying to escape, but tonight they were empty which was odd to me. Once we got to the fence we heard the sirens, and the dogs began to bark. I knew I could get over the fence because I had been practicing my rope-climbing skills during our recreation yard time each day. I also knew if they caught us, we would be killed for sure. I climbed up the twenty-feet high fence first then Ryan followed. As he got near the top he started to slip, so I reached down and pulled him up.

  “Don’t worry I would never let you fall,” I said. We climbed the rest of the fence as quickly as we could, but on the way down Ryan fell and hurt his knee.

  “Ouch, Jason. It hurts!”

  “Come on, Ryan we can’t stop now. We have to get somewhere safe.” I picked him up in my arms and began running through the woods. It started to rain. We found an old abandoned shed and hid until it was safe to keep moving. I pulled a dusty tarp off an old abandoned car and wrapped Ryan and I in it. We held each other, shivering while we waited for the storm to pass. I could hear the dogs and guards as they shined their flashlights outside looking for us. I was hoping the heavy rain had washed away our scent and threw the dogs off our track. While Ryan and I sat under this tarp shivering, all I could think of is that I would rather die than go back there ever again. Before I knew it, we both had fallen asleep.

  The rays of the sun woke me the next morning. “Wake up Ryan, we got to keep moving.”

  We came upon a highway and saw a late-model minivan coming toward us. I ran out into the road and began waving my arms hoping they would stop. As the minivan approached I saw a middle-aged woman with sandy blonde hair driving.

  “Hi boys! I’m Ms. Virginia! You need a ride?”

  “Yes, please,” I said.

  “Where you boys headed? Where are your parents?” she asked.

  “That’s a long story Ms. Virginia, but for now we need to get as far away from here as possible because we are being chased and our lives are in danger.”

  “Okay, get in boys!” Ryan and I climbed into the minivan.

  “I’m so grateful Ms. Virginia you came along when you did. What brought you out this way anyway?”

  “Please call me Ms. V. I was coming from visiting my parents who live in Pittsburgh. My husband, Robert and I live in Dallas, Texas. Robert is stationed there in the United States Army.”

  Eventually Ryan fell asleep in the backseat. Over the next several hours I began to tell her about our terrible ordeal at Graveyard State Boys Home. I never told her about what happened to me but, I did tell her about what happened to the other boys at the home, and what they were going to do to Ryan that night. As it began to get dark Ms. V. pulled off the interstate and into a small motel in Lexington, Kentucky, with a gas station next door.

  “Okay boys, I’m exhausted and I’m starving. We’re going to stay here for the night and I’m sure you boys are hungry as well.”

  “Let me check in and get the key to our room for the night and I will be right back,” she said.

  Ryan looked at me with a look of concern.

  “What’s wrong Ryan?” I said.

  “I’m scared Jason. What if the Warden finds us? Can we trust this lady?”

  “Don’t worry Ryan. We’re never going back there.”

  Ms. V got the key to the room and came back to the car. We all walked into the room and Ms. V put her bag down next to one of the beds.

  “Alright boys, you two are filthy. I’m going out to go get you some clean clothes and some food for us all. Stay here ‘til I get back. Jason lock the door behind me when I leave.”

  When Ms. V returned, Ryan and I showered and changed our clothes, while Ms. V put our old clothes in the trash. We all sat down and ate the burgers and fries before we turned in for bed. The next morning, we were all up early and back on the road headed toward Dallas.

  Chapter 3

  When we arrived in Dallas, Ms. V pulled up to a nice house two-story house. As we got out of the car Ryan turned to me and said,

  “What if he doesn’t like us Jason?”

  “Everything will be fine Ryan.” I reassured.

  As we walked into the house Mr. Robert was sitting in the family room watching tv.

  “Robert, I’m home,” Ms. V said.

  Robert turned and looked at us all and said, “Oh who do you have with you Virginia? Can I talk to you in the other room please?”

  Mr. Robert and Ms. V went into the other room and closed the door. I listened as they spoke.

  “Virginia, what were you thinking bringing those boys here?” Mr. Robert said.

  “Robert, what was I to do? The boys were on the side of the road begging for help,” Ms. V replied.

  “Where did you pick them up?”

  “On a back road I was taking through Pennsylvania so I could avoid a traffic jam that was on the main interstate.”

  “Well, what are we supposed to do with them Virginia?”

  “Robert please! You should have heard Jason and Ryan’s story of what they had been through at this boys’ home they were in. I couldn’t just leave them on the side of the road. I’m at least gonna need a few days to help the boys settle in and go down to the police station so the boys can tell what happened to them.”

  “Okay sweetheart. They can stay for a few days while we figure everything out with Child Services. I guess I should go introduce myself.”

  Ms. V and Robert came back in the family room where Ryan and I were waiting.

  “Hello boys, I’m Robert Armell.”

  “Hi, Mr. Armell. I’m Jason and this is Ryan.”

  “No please call me Robert, okay?”

  “Okay.” Jason and Ryan said together.

  Ms. V took Ryan and I upstairs and showed each of us our bedrooms.

  “Okay Ryan this is your room.”

  “Thank you,” Ryan responded.

  “You’re welcome I will come check on you in a while and let you know when dinner is ready. Okay, Jason your room is down the hall there to the left.”

  “Thanks, Ms. V.”

  “I’m gonna get that food started okay? “Come find me in the kitchen if you need anything” Ms. V said.

  “Okay,” I said.

  It was strange going to bed that night in an unfamiliar place, but a few days later, Ms. V took Ryan and I down to Social Services. As I sat between Ms. V and Ryan in the waiting room I looked around at the other children sitting, waiting to be seen. Their sad faces had me hoping everything went well today. Ms V dressed us both up in hopes of making a good impression. I wore a blue, buttoned up shirt, dress khaki pants and black shoes. Ryan sat next to me dressed in a white shirt, blue jeans, and black Chuck Taylor sneakers. Ms. V was dressed in a nice navy-blue suit with a white blouse and matching heels. She honestly looked very nervous as she was biting her nails. A short, chubby woman with bad skin and big thick glasses came into the waiting room and called our names.

  “Mrs. Armell, come with me please,” she said to Ms. V.

  As we walked down the hallway past the rows of cubicles, Ryan looked at me with a look of concern. I put my arm around him to assure him everything was gonna be okay. I whispered in his ear, “don’t worry, I would never let them tear us apart.”

  As we entered the social worker’s office, Ms. Virginia, Ryan and I sat down on an old couch that looked like it needed to be thrown in the garbage.

  “Hi, I’m Miss Burns, and I’ve been assigned your case. I have looked over all the information that was provided by you and the District Attorney’s Office. I know your husband was deployed yesterday, but he did come down a few days ago to sign the required adoption documents. As long as neither boy has next of kin to come forward and contest the adoption, then it will become legal as soon as the judge signs the petition we send over to the court. So, Jason and Ryan are now officially your sons!”

  Miss Burns stood and shook Ms
. V’s hand.

  “Congratulations and good luck,” she enthused.

  “Thank you so much Miss Burns. Come on boys let’s go,” Ms. V said with a smile.

  Ms. V stood and hugged Ryan and I with tears streaming down her face. When we got in the car Ms. V called Ms. V called and left a message for Robert to call home. The phone rang a few hours later.

  “Oh Robert, I am so happy the boys get to stay with us. You know I always wanted children, but God has now blessed us with these boys because He knew we couldn’t have any of our own.”

  “You’re right honey! I know I’m away right now, but I want you to know I love you! Let me talk to Jason for a minute.”

  “Of course, and I love you too.”

  Ms. Virginia handed me the phone as she started the car.

  “Hey Jason, I would be there right now if I could. I wanted to let you know that I am very happy you and Ryan get to stay with us. You are the man of the house while I’m away, so I’m leaving you in charge to take care of everyone. I will be home as soon as my tour here is over,” Robert said.

  “Don’t worry I can handle everything. Stay safe Mr. Robert.”

  Within days Ms. V had contacted the police and news media. Ryan and I both got to tell our stories of what we had witnessed at the Graveyard State Boys Home. Both of us testified against Captain Johnson and Warden Litwalk. Captain Johnson testified against Warden Litwalk for a reduced jail sentence, but it didn’t benefit him for long. He was stabbed to death in the prison shower by another inmate a month after he arrived. Later I found out Warden Litwalk took the easy, cowardly way out by hanging himself in his cell. The media attention from the case helped many of the boys from the home get adopted by good families from all around the country. Graveyard State Boys Home was shut down permanently.

  Chapter 4

  Unfortunately, Robert was gone on deployment for over two years on a special assignment. During that time, although we missed him, Ryan and I got settled in our new lives. I joined the football team and Student Government at school, as well as ROTC. Ryan excelled at soccer and baseball. Although I tried to bury the horrible ordeals I had endured during my childhood, they gave me nightmares regularly. I would often have sudden flashbacks while I was awake. I would have vivid images of Warden Litwalk putting his hands all over me. I would try to fight him off but then black out. I am sure he was drugging me as well. Ms. V and Social Services suggested I attend therapy, but I refused. I never told anyone what really happened to me and I never would. The shame I felt was often overwhelming. I buried my past and moved on with my life.

  When Robert returned from his deployment, he was on leave for a few months. Ryan and my birthdays were only a few days apart in January. I had just turned sixteen and Ryan turned eleven. He surprised us and took Ryan and I up to his family’s lodge in Missoula, Montana for some bonding time. As we pulled up to the lodge, it was nothing like I’d expected. The lodge was massive. When we pulled up I thought we were at a mountain resort. It was snowing hard and there was fresh snow everywhere. Robert told us it was an old ski resort that his grandfather had bought and restored, and it was passed down through the generations. He said that one day it would be mine and Ryan’s. Former President John F. Kennedy actually vacationed here one year with his family back in the 1960’s. There was a picture of Robert’s grandfather with President Kennedy hanging on the wall next to the fireplace. Robert’s grandfather was a high-ranking General in the Army back then. The resort originally had eight bedrooms with four bathrooms, but they were converted into four suites each with their own ensuite bath. The entire lodge was made of a beautiful cherry wood. Robert said he renovated the kitchen himself the summer before he deployed and said it was definitely a labor of love.

  “Okay boys, go upstairs and pick a room while I get the rest of our supplies out of the truck,” Robert instructed.

  “Yes, sir.” Ryan and I both ran up the large staircase. I picked the first bedroom at the end of the hall. It had a king-size bed with a large patio with views of the rapidly flowing river below. I jumped on the bed and landed flat on my back looking up at the ceiling.

  I closed my eyes and then began to say a silent prayer.

  Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by Ryan running into the room and jumping on me.

  “Hey butthead what are you doing? Come look at my room dude,” Ryan said.

  As I walked down the hallway I passed by a room where the door was slightly ajar. I reached for the door handle when Mr. Robert yelled to me, “Jason, STOP!”

  Ryan came walking back down the hall. “What’s going on?”

  “Sorry Jason, I didn’t mean to yell at you. No one is allowed in this room but me. I usually keep it locked but I must have left it open by accident,” Robert said.

  “Why Robert, what’s in there?” I said.

  “What the hell, I guess you boys have to learn at some point.”

  As Robert pushed the door open, the room was dark until he pulled a long cord that was attached to the light in the ceiling. As the room lit up I couldn’t believe my eyes. The walls were covered with every gun, rifle, knife, and various other weapons you could think of. There were bullet proof vests and all kinds of military gear. He even had a large plastic case with a rocket launcher inside. I had so many questions to ask I didn’t know where to begin.

  “Cool, Robert,” Ryan said.

  Ryan began to reach for one of the knives on the wall.

  “Ryan, don’t touch anything! Robert why do you have all these weapons,” I asked.

  “I have been in the military for over twenty years and I collect them. Some of them we are gonna use when we go hunting tomorrow. I’m gonna teach you boys how to use these weapons and to respect them. The moment you don’t respect their power, you could kill somebody. I don’t want you boys to ever come in here without me. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” both Ryan and I answered.

  “Come on, let’s go and get dinner started.”

  While Ryan and Robert prepared dinner, I went outside and chopped firewood. As I was chopping wood I could see Ryan and Robert inside the kitchen laughing and smiling. It felt good to be a part of a family again. By the time I was done chopping the firewood dinner was ready. Robert and Ryan had prepared T-bone steaks, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a salad. During dinner Robert had wine and entertained us with his military stories. Afterward Ryan went to bed, but I stayed up to talk to Robert about some things that were on my mind. We both sat on the big leather couch in front of the fireplace. Robert pulled out a long Cuban cigar and held it to the fire to light it.

  “Robert, I just wanted to say thank you for everything you and Ms. V have done for Ryan and I.”

  “We are Christian people, and it was the right thing to do,” Robert said.

  “Robert, I want to let you know I want to be a Navy SEAL when I grow up.”

  “Really Jason? Preparing to be a SEAL is very challenging. There are many steps you have to take to be successful.”

  “Can you give me some advice?”

  “Of course! I have some friends in the Navy I can reach out to when the time is right. You are in good shape now, but not at the level athletically you will need to be at, to become a Seal. You will have to increase your stamina and endurance substantially. You already have some of the skills by being captain of the football team so it’s obvious you are a natural leader. You will have to study hard and get the best grades to even be considered. Maybe I will come down to your school and talk to your ROTC recruiter. Do you have any idea what you would want to study?”

  “I have been talking to Mr. Thompson, my ROTC recruiter and he said I could either go to the U. S. Naval Academy first or college and study a foreign language and get a better understanding of other cultures. I will need to study chemistry with a minor in mathematics as well, because I will need a good understanding of those subjects when it come to the laws of physics and diving. The advantages of being an ROTC member, I can get a mi
litary scholarship and apply to the U. S. Naval Academy or college. Mr. Thompson has been taking me to the gun range for target practice.”

  “Well it sounds like you have it all planned out. If you show me you are really serious by putting in the work, I will contact my good friend. He has over twenty years’ experience in training Navy SEALS and is currently one of the lead instructors at the Navy Special Warfare Training Center in Coronado, California. Why do you wanna be a SEAL, Jason?” Robert asked.

  “Well Sir I admire and look up to you. The Navy SEALS are the best our country has, and I feel I can serve with distinction. I want to travel and see other countries and cultures.”

  “Okay, well you know Ryan wants to do everything that you do so I’m sure he’s going to want to enlist as well.”

  “Well, he’s only eleven-years-old so I don’t want to tell him about it yet so I don’t upset him.”

  “Good idea,” Robert said.

  What I didn’t know was that Ryan was sitting at the top of the stairs listening to our conversation. The next morning, I woke up to the sound of Robert’s voice. “Come on boys let’s go.” I hopped out of bed and quickly jumped in the shower. My stomach began to growl as the smell of fresh bacon filled the air. After I got dressed, I ran downstairs to the kitchen, as Ryan followed me simultaneously sliding down the banister almost knocking me over.

  “Hey Jason, look out!” I practically had to catch Ryan at the bottom before he crashed into an end table.

  “Stop goofing off Ry! I’m starving.” Robert laughed as we all sat down to eat breakfast. After we had finished and cleaned up we walked out to the garage and loaded all our hiking gear into Robert’s black, Ford F-150 pickup truck. We all jumped in and headed deep into the Montana wilderness.