Steven, Emily, Anne, both of her sons, and I were taking a long walk. We were on the northeast side of the port of Tacoma, walking from my parents house. We had decided that walking to downtown would be an excellent way to spend the day. As we came down the large hill to the port, I noticed a road that at the very end of it was the suspension bridge into Tacoma. I didn't remember such a road cutting across the port, but it was there and it looked traveled enough that it wouldn't be difficult for the stroller to go on.
The road got trickier the further we traveled across the port. About half way across, we all were beginning to feel rather exhausted from all the walking. Emily, though, had met some guy along the walk. He was friendly enough and opened his home up to us that was down a side street. In fact there happened to be a neighborhood right in the port that I hadn't known about. It seemed like one of the neighborhoods in northeast Tacoma.
We rested that night in the man's home. In the morning, I woke up around 9am. I looked about the room and saw no one was there. I got dresses and figured everyone else must have woken early and got a head start on finishing the walk to downtown Tacoma. As I left the room I saw the man who greeted me warmly. I told him good bye and thanked him for his hospitality. Once out the door, I saw my car. It didn't register to me as odd considering I had walked there the day before. What stood out was as I approached it, the car shook a few times. I couldn't see anything in the car so I figured I'd check the trunk.
When I opened the trunk, I was shocked at what I saw. Steven and Emily were each tied up and gagged. Their eyes were pleading and yet helpless. I knew something awful was done to them, something no person should ever experience in their life time. I asked who did it to them. They said it was the very man that welcomed us into his home. I felt sick in my stomach that the man would do such a vile thing! To violate our trust on so many levels. I was furious and was determined to bring him to justice.
I called the police and that's when things got tricky. I still had the trunk open. I was still outside the man's house. I needed to get the address. I needed to get the man's name. No one knew his name! As I tried to give the house number, the man came out. We made eye contact and I saw him note the open trunk. He gave that look of 'you really shouldn't have done that.' He advanced toward me to which I ran with the phone, yelling at him to stay away. I didn't care if I lost connection with the 911 operator. If I was killed, I wouldn't be of any use.
The man gave up on his pursuit after me. I watched him, from behind a fence, shut the trunk of my car and walk back into his house. With the car key clenched tight in my hand, I knew I had to move quick. I was certain he'd be waiting, but I had to get to the car and get home. I didn't know where Anne was, but I hoped somehow she and the boys got away.
I took a deep breath, then ran with all my might. Sure enough as I got to my car door, the man stepped out. I slip into the seat and in the heat of the adrenalin, I don't recall inserting the key into the ignition and starting it. Never the less, I stepped on the gas and got out of there as fast as I could. I saw the man in my review mirror and he was not happy.
Once to the safety of my parents home, I got my sister and husband situated. I then dialed 911 once more. The person who answered was expecting me. I couldn't answer his questions about the man's name and location other than saying he lives in the neighborhood that's in the port of Tacoma. I explained that if someone came to my parents and got me, I could then navigate them there. My phone then alerts me of a new message. It's a picture message from an unknown number. I open it and find myself looking at Anne and her baby boy. They didn't look good and clearly were frightened. Tagged on the end of the picture was, "Report me and I'll kill them."
I remember breaking down as I feared for my friend's life and that of her children. What would I tell her husband? How was I to stop this man from doing more evil if I didn't try to get the police involved?
Unfortunately there isn't a happy ending for I woke up after breaking down. It was strangely vivid and I hadn't had a dream so vivid in a long time. The anger and fear that I felt still lingers. I keep reminding myself how grateful I am that it was just a dream.
