The drive to the party was long and tiring, so I was glad when we finally arrived.

From the signs it looked like we were in Missouri, close to the Nebraskan border. The snow was magnificent. Being locked up in an apartment with no windows, I had practically forgotten it was still winter.

The mood in the car for most of the way there felt tense. James held my hand off and on much of the ride. He couldn't possibly think I was going to jump out of a moving vehicle, could he? Given what I did to him after Thanksgiving, I supposed he had every right not to trust me. I still couldn't believe he was allowing me on this trip.

When we finally arrived, the building looked like a country club.

"Wow. Is this a house?" I asked.

"Yes, this is Nathan and Jennifer's place," James replied.

We got out of the car, grabbed our bags, and James led me in.

He knocked on the door, and a man in his late twenties wearing a tuxedo opened the door.

"James!" he greeted, as he gave him a big, masculine hug. "Long time no see, man. So glad you could make it."

"It's good to see you again, bro." James pointed to me. "Nathan, I'd like you to meet Corrine. Corrine, this is Nathan."

"Well, hello there, Corrine." He reached for my hand and actually kissed it. A definite charmer.

"It's so good to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you. Well, please, come in. Get out of the cold."

We entered into a magnificent foyer with marble flooring and a large staircase leading upstairs. His house was the biggest home I had ever been in. My entire apartment could've fit in his foyer.

"Let me show you where you can freshen up and change your clothes."

"Thanks for letting us spend the night," James said.

"Of course. We have plenty of room and love the company."

We took our things and followed him down a hallway.

"The party doesn't begin for almost an hour, so please, relax, and let me know if you need anything, anything at all."

Nathan was trying to be a good host, and I could tell he was comfortable in this role. Confident and handsome.

James began getting dressed in the bedroom, and he let me have the restroom to myself. I put on the dress and red high heels (I was not happy about those), and then began working on my hair and makeup. I wanted to wear my hair up, but I hadn't had my hair highlighted since October. It looked terrible in an up-do, so I settled for my usual drab style of loose curls. For makeup, I decided to go all out, including mascara and foundation, which I only did on special occasions—in my old life. In fact, it was my first time wearing this much makeup with him. I normally wore eyeliner, eye shadow, blush, and maybe lipstick.

Tentatively, I cracked the bathroom door open and inched out into the bedroom, embarrassed at the attention I knew I was about to receive. James stood up at once and didn't say a word, other than an approving gasp. It felt like that moment when I came downstairs for prom, and my date didn't know what to say. Neither did my father, with a mix of pride and paternal protection.

I stared down at the floor.

"You look absolutely gorgeous," James finally said as he walked up to me and put his hands in mine. "Look at you."

A nervous giggle came out of me. "Thank you," I said shyly. "You don't look so bad yourself."

James stood there with that crooked smile of his and winked at me.

"Well, we should get to the party," he announced. "I can hear the festivities from here."

As we began walking toward the bedroom door, James suddenly stopped me. "Listen, I don't have to warn you again."

I looked puzzled.

"There's a level of trust I have in you by bringing you here. And to be honest, I big part of me wasn't sure if it was okay to come. But, I decided to try anyway."

He squeezed my shoulders very firmly. "Look at me. There is no way you could ever possibly escape. There are more B.F.O.s here than you can imagine. And heed my last warning—you will not live through the next attempt."

I hardly recognized this man, his face scrunched up in anger. I tried to wiggle out of his strong grip he had on my shoulders. Tears welled up in my eyes. My mind kept swirling around the term B.F.O. I wondered how big this cult was. And where I fit in.

"James," I managed to squeak out, "please, you're hurting me. I understand, I understand."

He hesitated. "All right." He let go of my shoulders but kept staring at me.

He took in a deep breath, slowly walked in a circle behind where he was standing, and rubbed his face. I worried something was wrong.

"James, you're scaring me. If I did something wrong, anything, please tell me. Just tell me."

He walked over to the window and stared out into the dark.

James took another big sigh, walked back over to me, and said in a forced cheery tone, "Come on. Let's go have a good time." As if that was the end of it. Psychotic chapter closed.

But all of my excitement had deflated. I kept my head down and my arms crossed. And I could feel James's fingers in my shoulders. For one small second, I had felt like an equal—only to be slapped by reality once again.

We walked back down the long hallway and ran into Nathan.

"Well, well, well. Don't we all clean up nicely," he said.

I kept my eyes to the ground.

"Hey, what's with all of the glum faces? This is a party."

"We're fine," James said. "Just trying to bounce back from a little discussion is all."

James put his arm around me. I stepped to the side.

"Oh, one of those. Well, on that note, I have things to attend to."

Nathan continued to walk down the hall into another room.

"Come on, this is a celebration," James said, trying to liven up the mood. This time he put both arms around my shoulders for an embrace. But he must've felt my body tense because he backed off and took hold of my hand instead.

The music got louder as we headed down the hallway. And I tried to snap out of my sudden funk before James got mad at me for ruining the night. After all, how often did I get out of the apartment? I wasn't going to let this dampen the evening.

And I really wanted to find out more about the B.F.O.

We turned into a large room, a beautiful ballroom, that could hold about ninety people. There was a dance area, food, a bar, a DJ area, many large round tables, and people of all ages mingling. Maybe about seventy people in all.

As we entered, some people turned and greeted us with big hellos, which made even more people turn around and take notice. Toni and Dave Palmer were the first to come over to say hello.

"Guys! Great to see you again. We haven't seen you in ages," Dave said.

They exchanged hugs while I stood to the side. I wondered where Allie was, until she ran right by us with some other girl around nine years old running behind her. They were both giggling.

"Hi, Corrine," Toni said. "It's so good to see you again."

"You, too," I managed to say with a forced grin. I couldn't seem to shake off the bad mood James so kindly gave me.

And the fact that this woman stole another person's kid without a second thought.

"Let's go get some drinks," James said to Toni. I looked at James not to leave me alone, but he didn't look back.

"Are you hungry?" Dave asked me.

"Sure."

Dave lead me over to the banquet tables where there was a big enough feast for multiple kings. I wasn't very hungry, but I didn't want to seem rude. So I filled my plate with the usual items I liked, many things I was not allowed to have any more. We sat down at one of the round tables. Just as I began eating, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

"You look ravishing this evening," Dr. Manning said. He took my hand and motioned for me to stand, embracing me in a firm, fatherly hug.

"You're happy to see me?" I said, shocked.

"Yes, of course. Oh, I know I was upset the last time I saw you. But if James can forgive you, it's best I do, too."

He winked at me, giving me another hug. I hugged him back even harder, tears in my eyes. This was just what I needed to shake off my sour mood. I had been so distressed about seeing him, but knowing he had forgiven me released all the tension I felt.

"Where's Sophia?" I inquired, looking around the room.

"She's in the ladies' room, but she'll be back any moment."

As if on queue, she came up behind me, squealing in excitement, uncharacteristic of the poised lady I knew.

"Corrine! Oh, it's so good to see you again. I've missed you," she said, hugging me.

"I missed you, too," I said. And I really did.

"We have so much to talk about," she said as she squeezed my hands. That piqued my curiosity.

Toni and James came back with drinks for us, and we sat down at a table. Dave went to find Allie, and then they joined us with food as well. It was like the Thanksgiving party, all of us squished together at the table. But no one seemed to mind. I wondered where Dan and Tyler were with their significant others were. Or should I say victims?

Sophia made sure to sit next to me, and James was to my left. I felt a little more secure next to him.

Sophia leaned into me and said lowly, "So, word has it you pulled a big stunt a while ago."

I blushed, too embarrassed to say anything.

"Didn't heed my advice, did you, about accepting your fate?"

Lovely. Now I had to worry about Sophia's opposition. Of all people, I thought she would be the one to understand.

She bumped shoulders with me and said, "It's okay. I'm just giving you a ribbing."

"Really?"

"Yes, of course. Remember the scar I showed you from the time I tried to run away years ago."

"That's right. I had forgotten."

"I think many of us do, but that's why I was warning you—out of experience and concern. I didn't want you to go through what I did. But, you know, that's life. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way, and until you know what you can lose, you don't fully appreciate what you have."

I let her words sink in. She was right. I had to learn the hard way for myself.

"So, tell me, what did you take away from that experience?" Sophia asked.

Everyone else at the table seemed to melt away, leaving Sophia and me in our own private bubble.

"Well, I learned not to mess with James," I half-joked.

She laughed rather loudly, and James looked over at us.

"What's so funny, ladies?" he inquired.

"Oh, nothing, James. Go back to talking football, dear," Sophia chided, waving him off with her hand.

I loved it. I wished I could talk to James that way, in that casual, joking banter. He smiled and squeezed my hand underneath the table, returning back to his conversation.

"No, seriously, now that it's all said and done, what do you take away from all of that?" Sophia prodded.

"Well, at first it felt like the right thing to do. I mean, all I was thinking about was my dad. But afterward, all I kept thinking about was how I disappointed James and how things would never be the same between us. I've paid a big price."

"What do you mean?"

I had to think about it for a minute. "Well, it's just that, before I tried to run away, things were going okay. I mean, James was good to me, you know? I wasn't being abused or anything, and he was always trying to have fun with me."

She nodded her head in agreement.

"But then, all I kept thinking about was my dad, and something was pulling me to him. I had a horrible nightmare about him one night, and I felt it was a sign."

I fought to keep the tears at bay.

"I completely understand," Sophia said. She squeezed my leg.

"So, now I feel like I'm having to make up for this huge mistake I made. And I don't think I'll ever be able to," I confided.

"You will, Corrine. You already are, or else you wouldn't be at this party."

"You think so?" I was doubtful.

"I know so." She smiled.

"But James gave me this big warning right before we walked in tonight about how I better not try anything." My voice cracked. "Or else he'd kill me."

I couldn't keep the tears away anymore. I was trying so hard not to cry at a special event, but it overtook me. I didn't want anyone to notice me bring down the mood of the table, but I could see Dr. Manning glance at me. He leaned in and said something to Sophia, but she brushed him off. I kept my napkin up to my face, and my body turned toward Sophia, hoping others weren't looking.

"Listen, Corrine, they're going to tell you that to scare you, and they mean it. I heard the same thing from Richard years ago. And he was not joking. But they want to scare you for one reason and one reason only—they don't want to lose you. They don't want to hurt you. James truly wants you to be a family."

"James loves the thought of me, not the real me."

"I disagree. Look at how much time he took at picking you over anyone else," Sophia corrected.

"But James told me I was nothing special, that I could be replaced at any time," I choked.

"He said that? When?"

"Right after I tried to escape."

"Oh, I bet he was only talking out of pain. I can guarantee you he didn't mean that. I'm sure he was angry and hurt. He just wanted to hurt you back."

I glanced up at James, and he was in some deep conversation with Dave, enjoying himself.

"Yeah, maybe. I just think he's really upset at me," I confided.

Sophia chuckled. "I know that's not true. He adores you."

That was a big jump for me.

"Don't repeat this to anyone, or else Richard would be so angry with me. But James is quite wrapped up in you."

We both looked up at him. He looked at us quizzically, then gave us an uncharacteristic wink. I couldn't help but chuckle at him.

Maybe Sophia was right. Maybe James did think I was special after all. And, again, why did I care? Why was I excited he really did care for me?

The food was absolutely delicious, or maybe it was because I hadn't had fatty foods in so long. They even had one of those chocolate fondues at the dessert table where you could dip strawberries or other goodies into melted chocolate. I was in heaven and could've hung out at the dessert table the rest of the night.

After I didn't think I could take another bite, James leaned over and asked if I'd like to dance. Journey's "Faithfully" was playing, a slow song from the 1980s, that I loved. I liked listening to retro music.

We walked to the dance area. I felt like a high school girl at her first dance.

He held me snugly around the waist, and my hands were wrapped awkwardly around his neck. Even though I saw him in suits quite often, this was one of his nicer ones, and he looked so handsome. I could smell his aftershave, subtle but sweet, not overpowering. Just like him.

"You look so beautiful, Corrine. Really," James said. His smile melted me, even though I didn't want it to.

"Thank you."

I blushed and looked down. He lifted up my chin with his index finger and lightly kissed me on the lips. It felt nicer this time. I wondered how I would ever get used to this from him.

James was beaming, and I had to admit, a small smile was peaking at the corners of my lips. Receiving acceptance meant the world to me. Even if I told myself it didn't.

The song came to an end, and he unexpectedly dipped me, making me laugh. No one had ever done that to me before.

Tyler tapped on James's shoulder. "May I cut in?"

I hadn't seen Tyler or Dan or either of their partners (their victims) yet that night.

"Well, I guess I can share," James replied and winked at me.

Another slow song began, and Tyler started to lead me around the dance floor.

"Wait, wait! I can't dance like that," I laughed. "What in the world are you doing?"

"Don't you know how to do the two step?" he teased.

"Uh, no. I must've missed that class in school."

"Everyone should know how to dance properly," Tyler informed me.

In one song, he taught me the basics, and we were on our way. Quick-quick . . . Slow slow. Quick-quick . . . Slow slow. It really wasn't all that difficult—until he began twirling me.

"Slow down there, partner," I said. "I'm a slow learner."

"Oh, no. You're doing just fine." We danced in silence for a couple minutes.

"So, it seems you're back on track."

"Pardon me?"

"With James. You got that little stunt out of your system?"

"Oh, uh, yes." What an awkward turn. "It was a dumb move."

"Uh, yeah, just a tad." Tyler rolled his eyes. "I thought you learned from your run from the van."

I wasn't sure what he was expecting me to say. I was suddenly feeling flushed, and I stopped dancing.

"Come on, let's go sit down."

It couldn't have come soon enough. Tyler led me to a table where a family was sitting.

"Hi, Jordan, Emily. I'd like to introduce you to Corrine."

"Hi. It's so nice to finally meet you," Emily said, offering me her hand. "We've heard so much about you. This is our son, Matthew. Can you say hi?" she directed him in a high-pitched voice.

"He's so cute," I said. "How old is he?"

"He just turned seventeen months. We adopted him when he was three months," Jordan said, matter-of-factly.

Adopted. I knew Matthew was like Allie—and Sophia and me.

"I'm going to go check up on Alexandria," Tyler said to me. "Stay here at this table, okay?"

"Okay."

I did a quick glance around for James but didn't see him anywhere.

"So, Corrine," Jordan began, "how are things going with you?"

His tone insinuated he knew my story.

"Fine, fine."

"Did you have a hard time adjusting at first?"

I wondered how much he knew.

"Oh, yes, a lot. I really missed my family. I mean, do miss my family," I corrected, although I had to admit I thought of home less and less as the weeks and months went on. I supposed it was more of a survival instinct than anything else.

"Matthew had a hard time adjusting, too," Jordan said. "He had a difficult time sleeping and would hardly eat. But in a few days, he came around. Within a week or so, you couldn't even tell he had had a problem."

"A problem." If you could call kidnapping a problem.

I looked at the baby, and he seemed happy, smiling a lot and giggling. It would take a baby a lot less time to adjust, I imagined.

I took a long, hard look around at all of these people. If you had walked in off the street, you would never have imagined something tragic happened to some of these people—like me.

James came back with some coffee for me. Dan was with him, and along with Jordan, they began talking politics once they sat down. I was zoning out in my own thoughts, of the complexity of all that was going on in the room. All of these captors had united somehow. Some had babies or children with them; the others were adults, such as Sophia and me. This was mind-boggling. My stomach ached as I thought of the kids in the room like Matthew and Allie. Imagining their parents' grief after the abduction was incomprehensible.

I wondered what the inner-workings of a system like this was—an underground society, all on its own, and no one knew we were spread all over the states. Right under everyone's noses. Their neighbors. Their friends. Their classmates.

Who was its leader . . . Dr. Manning? Someone else? Most victims' families probably imagined we were dead by now, buried in a ditch somewhere, but little did they know we were living well, right in the heart of the USA.

I wanted to know more, much more.



So, what do you think of the B.F.O.? Please make any comments you'd like, follow me, and/or vote. Thank you. The next two chapters will be posted Thursday evening.