Mistaken Identity

 

Chapter 1: Heat and Brotherhood

The Texas sun hammered down at 110 degrees as Jake Benson and Celab Beaumont finished the last of the barn work. Sweat poured off both nineteen-year-olds as they secured the final gate.

"Man, I'm dying out here," Jake said, pulling off his soaked shirt and tossing it aside.

Celab followed suit, his shirt hitting the ground next to Jake's. "Tell me about it. I think I lost ten pounds in sweat today."

They stood there for a moment, bare-chested and breathing hard, looking toward the ranch house shimmering in the heat.

"Nobody's home till dinner," Jake said, grinning. "Cold beers in the fridge."

"Now you're talking." Celab wiped his face with his forearm. "Race you there."

Six months ago, I was just the new neighbor kid, Celab thought as they jogged toward the house. Now I can't imagine being anywhere else.

The two young men bounded up the porch steps, leaving their sweaty shirts draped over the railing, and headed inside to escape the brutal heat.

Chapter 2: Ambush and RED ALERT

Three armed men stepped out from behind the kitchen island, guns drawn.

"Don't move, boys!"

Jake's hands were yanked behind his back and quickly tied with rough rope. This can't be happening, he thought, struggling against the bindings.

"Hold him still," one kidnapper ordered. "Let him watch his buddy get the full treatment."

Jake was forced to stand helpless as they worked on Celab methodically. First, they pulled Celab's arms behind his back and bound his wrists with thick rope. Then they wrapped more rope around his torso and arms, lashing everything tight against his chest.

Fight them, Celab! Jake screamed internally, watching his best friend struggle.

They shoved a bandanna deep into Celab's mouth, then sealed it with layers of black duct tape. A blindfold came next.

I have to get loose, Jake thought desperately as they applied the same treatment to him - the rough rope cutting into his wrists, the suffocating tape over the gag, the blindfold plunging him into darkness.

"Perfect, we got two Bensons!" one kidnapper laughed.

What if they find out I'm not a Benson? Celab worried as they were hauled toward a waiting truck.

The truck rumbled down the ranch road, both boys bound and gagged in the bed.

---

An hour later, Billy Jr. bounded up the porch steps and stopped dead. Two sweaty shirts draped over the railing, but no sign of Jake or Celab.

"Uncle Jake? Celab?" he called, stepping inside.

The house was eerily quiet. On the kitchen floor lay coils of rope and a roll of black duct tape.

Billy Jr.'s blood ran cold. He grabbed his radio with shaking hands.

"RED ALERT! RED ALERT! All family members respond immediately to Benson Ranch. Uncle Jake and Celab have been taken!"

Chapter 3: The Wrong Son

The truck bounced to a stop outside a remote cabin. Jake and Celab were dragged from the truck bed and shoved inside, their blindfolds still tight.

"Get them on the floor," the leader ordered. "Hogtie them both."

This can't be happening, Jake thought as rough hands forced him face-down on the wooden floor. They pulled his bound ankles up behind him, connecting them to his wrist bindings with more rope.

Celab received the same treatment beside him, both boys now completely immobilized.

"Alright, let's see what we got," one kidnapper said, pulling out their wallets. "Jake Benson... and..."

A long pause.

"What the hell? Celab Beaumont? Who the fuck is Celab Beaumont?"

Oh God, no, Jake thought desperately.

"You idiots grabbed the wrong kid!" the leader snarled. "We needed two Bensons for two million. This one's worthless to us."

They're going to kill him, Jake realized with growing horror.

"What do we do with him?"

"Take him to Miller's Swamp. Dump him. He can't identify us if he's dead."

"NO!" Jake screamed through his gag, thrashing wildly against his bindings.

Two kidnappers grabbed Celab under his arms. This is it, Celab thought, his heart pounding. I'm going to die.

"MMMMPH! MMMMPH!" Jake's muffled screams filled the cabin as they dragged his best friend toward the door.

"Shut him up!" The leader kicked Jake hard in the ribs, then slapped him across the face. "You're going to behave, or you'll join your friend in that swamp."

Jake's vision blurred, but he kept fighting the ropes with everything he had.

I have to get loose. I have to save him.

"Get the camera," the leader ordered as Celab disappeared through the door. "Time to send Daddy Benson some proof we mean business."

The flash went off as Jake stared defiantly into the lens, his face streaked with sweat and fury.

Chapter 4: The Horrible Truth

The three families converged on the Benson ranch within minutes of Billy Jr.'s RED ALERT. Trucks roared up the driveway, kicking up clouds of dust in the fading light.

Sheriff Wade Nelson was first through the door, followed by his wife Mary and daughter Edna. The Beaumont parents, Robert and Caroline, arrived seconds later with Anna close behind them, their faces pale with terror.

"Where are they?" Robert demanded, his voice cracking.

Billy Jr. led them to the kitchen, pointing at the coils of rope and roll of black duct tape still scattered on the floor. "This is all I found. And their shirts are on the porch."

More vehicles roared up the drive. Deputies Wilson "Horse" Nelson and Ryan Nelson burst through the door, still in uniform.

"Billy Jr.!" Anna cried, running to him. "Are they okay? Where are Jake and Celab?"

"We don't know yet, Anna," Billy Jr. said, trying to sound braver than he felt.

My boy, my baby boy, Caroline thought, her hands shaking.

Tom Benson paced like a caged animal. "Professional job. They knew exactly when to hit - when the house was empty."

"Three sets of boot prints," Wade observed, crouching by the back door. "Heavy men. They had this planned."

Pops stood in the corner, his weathered hands clenched into fists. "Sons of bitches took our boys."

"Where are Mom and Rebecca?" Billy asked.

"Sarah's driving back from the store," Tom replied. "Rebecca's coming from the hospital - her shift just ended."

Billy Jr.'s phone buzzed.

Everyone froze.

The boy's face went white as he looked at the screen. "It's... it's a picture."

"Let me see it," Wade ordered, but Billy Jr. was already holding the phone up for everyone to see.

Jake stared defiantly at the camera, his face streaked with sweat and fury, bound and gagged with black duct tape.

The silence stretched endlessly.

"Where's Celab?" Anna whispered, staring at the phone. "Where's Celab in the picture?"

Another buzz. A text message.

Billy Jr. read it aloud with a trembling voice: "One million dollars for Jake Benson. 24 hours. Wait for instructions."

"For Jake Benson?" Caroline's voice cracked. "But what about Celab? Where's my son?"

Anna stared at the photo, her face going green. "Only Jake... only Jake is..."

She doubled over and vomited on the kitchen floor.

Billy Jr. immediately knelt beside her, holding her hair back. "It's okay, Anna. It's okay."

Caroline rushed over with paper towels, helping clean up the mess while rubbing Anna's back. "Breathe, sweetheart. Just breathe."

The horrible understanding hit them all at once.

"Oh God," Mary Nelson breathed. "They only want Jake."

"Which means they know Celab isn't a Benson," Wade said grimly.

Robert collapsed into a chair, his head in his hands. "What did they do to him? What did they do to my son?"

Billy punched the wall, leaving a hole in the drywall. "We're going to find them. We're going to find them and kill every last one of those bastards."

Just then, car doors slammed outside. Sarah Benson rushed in carrying grocery bags, took one look at everyone's faces, and dropped them. Rebecca burst through the door seconds later, still in her hospital scrubs.

"What happened?" Sarah demanded.

"Jake and Celab have been kidnapped," Tom said grimly. "But they only sent a ransom demand for Jake."

The weight of it crushed down on them all. Somewhere out there, Jake was being held for ransom. And Celab...

Please, God, Caroline prayed silently. Please let him still be alive.

Chapter 5: Desperate Resolve

Back at the cabin, Jake thrashed against his bindings with renewed fury, his wrists raw and bleeding from the rough rope.

They're going to kill him. They're going to kill Celab and it's my fault. I brought him to the house. I suggested the beers.

Even after the beating, even with his ribs aching from the kick and his face stinging from the slap, Jake never stopped working the ropes. He twisted his wrists, feeling the bonds cut deeper into his skin.

I don't care if they shoot me. I have to get free. I have to find him before—

The rope around his right wrist felt slightly looser. Blood made it slippery.

Come on. Come on!

---

Miles away in Miller's Swamp, Celab lay bound and blindfolded in the murky water, fighting to keep his head above the surface. The hogtie rope connecting his wrists to his ankles kept him in a painful arch, but it was the only thing preventing him from face-planting into the swamp.

Stay calm. Breathe through your nose. Don't panic.

The water was chest-deep where they'd dumped him, but every small movement sent ripples that threatened to splash over his face. His shoulders screamed in agony from the position.

How long can I hold out? Hours? Minutes?

Through the duct tape and bandanna, he could barely make any sound. Even if someone searched for him, would they hear him?

Jake's still alive. He's still worth money to them. Focus on that. Jake will find a way.

A splash nearby made him freeze. Something moving in the water.

Please just be a fish. Please just be a fish.

---

Back at the cabin, Jake felt the rope give slightly more. His right hand was almost free, but he needed a distraction. He needed them to look away long enough for him to work completely loose.

Wait for the right moment. They think I'm beaten. They think I've given up.

Through his blindfold, he could hear them moving around, talking in low voices about the ransom call they were planning.

When they make that call. When they're focused on the phone. That's when I move.

Hold on, Celab. I'm coming.Chapter 6: The Hunt

"Wait," Billy Jr. said suddenly, his eyes lighting up. "The cameras! Pops and I set up security cameras around the property last month."

Wade was already moving. "Where's the footage?"

"On Pops' computer in the office," Billy Jr. said, leading the way.

Within minutes, they were crowded around the screen watching grainy footage of a dark pickup truck speeding away from the ranch.

"There!" Horse Nelson pointed. "I can make out part of the plate."

Wade squinted at the screen. "Texas plates... looks like a rental company sticker."

"I'll run it," Horse said, pulling out his radio.

Twenty minutes later, Horse had his answer. "Truck was rented yesterday from Hartley's Auto Rental in town. Paid cash, but they required ID."

Ray Benson stepped forward. "I know Jim Hartley. Let me call him."

Ray dialed the number. "Jim? It's Ray Benson... Listen, I need a favor. There was a truck rented from you yesterday - Texas plates ending in 47B... Yeah, I'll hold."

Everyone waited in tense silence.

"Got it," Ray said, hanging up. "Rented by a Marcus Webb from Dallas. Jim said the guy was nervous, kept looking over his shoulder."

Wade was already coordinating with his deputies. "Horse, Ryan - get me everything on Marcus Webb. I want known associates, criminal history, everything."

"Dad," Billy Jr. interrupted, "shouldn't we—"

Billy Jr.'s phone rang.

Everyone froze as he answered. "Hello?"

"Billy Jr.!" Jake's voice was barely a whisper, but unmistakable. "It's Jake! I got free, I have my phone—"

"JAKE!" Billy Jr. shouted. "Where are you? Where's Celab?"

"I don't know exactly where I am, but my GPS shows—" The line crackled with static. "—Miller Road, about fifteen miles southeast of the ranch. There's an old cabin. But they took Celab to Miller's Swamp to—" The call cut out.

"He said Miller's Swamp!" Billy Jr. shouted.

The room exploded into action.

"Miller's Swamp is twenty miles from here!" Wade barked. "Horse, Ryan, with me. Tom, Billy, Robert - you're coming too. Everyone else stays here in case they call back."

Billy Jr. was already grabbing his .38 from his room. "I know that swamp better than anyone except Pops. You need me."

Pops grabbed his rifle from the gun cabinet. "The boy's right. And I'm going too."

"We need to split up," Wade decided quickly. "Half of us go after the kidnappers at the cabin, half go straight to the swamp for Celab."

As they rushed toward their trucks, Wade grabbed his radio. "All units, we have a kidnapping rescue in progress. Need backup at Miller Road cabin and Miller's Swamp. Move fast - we may have a drowning victim."

The race against time had begun.

Chapter 7: Brothers

Jake stumbled out of the darkness as Wade's truck roared up Miller Road, waving his arms frantically. Wade slammed on the brakes.

"Jake!" Wade shouted, jumping out. "Where are they?"

"Quarter mile back," Jake gasped, half-naked with rope marks across his chest and wrists. "Three of them. Armed. I got away when they were planning the next ransom call."

"Horse, Ryan, with me," Wade ordered. "We're taking the kidnappers. The rest of you get to Miller's Swamp and find Celab."

Billy Jr. grabbed his radio. "Jake, we're only a few hundred feet from you. Head toward the swamp - follow the truck lights."

Minutes later, Jake stumbled into the circle of truck headlights. Billy Jr. was first to reach him, wrapping his arms around his uncle.

"Jake! Thank God!" Billy Jr. said, holding tight.

Billy grabbed Jake next, pulling him into a fierce hug. "We thought we lost you both."

Tom clapped Jake on the shoulder. "You did good, son. You did real good."

Pops stepped forward and embraced Jake roughly. "Proud of you, boy. Now let's go get Celab."

Robert grabbed Jake's hands. "Where is he? Where's my son?"

"Miller's Swamp," Jake said urgently. "They dumped him there hours ago. We have to hurry."

Night had fallen completely, and they moved with night vision goggles through the murky terrain.

"There!" Billy Jr. whispered, pointing through his scope. "Movement in the water!"

Through the green glow of night vision, they could see Celab thrashing against his bonds, fighting desperately to keep his head above water.

Robert didn't wait. He ran toward his son, crashed through the shallow water, and face-planted into the swamp. Tom immediately grabbed him, hauling him upright.

Meanwhile, Jake, Billy Jr., and Billy reached Celab first. Billy Jr. pulled out his knife and started cutting the hogtie rope.

"Easy, easy," Jake said, supporting Celab's head above water. "We got you, brother."

As the ropes fell away, Billy couldn't resist. "Damn, Celab, couldn't get yourself out of a little swamp water? What kind of wuss are you?"

Celab managed a weak laugh through his exhaustion, looking at Jake. "You look like hell."

"You don't look much better," Jake grinned back.

Robert, dripping and muddy, reached them and broke down crying as he embraced his son. Tom put his arm around Robert's shoulders.

"He's okay," Tom said quietly. "He's okay."

Billy pulled out his phone. "Here, call your mom and Anna. They're scared to death."

Celab's shaking hands took the phone. "Mom? It's me. I'm okay. I'm okay."

Through the phone, they could hear Caroline sobbing with relief.

"Tell Anna I'm coming home," Celab whispered.

As they loaded into the trucks to head back to the ranch house, Wade's voice crackled over the radio.

"All units, suspects are down. Repeat, all three suspects are down. Scene is secure."

Billy Jr. grabbed his radio and switched to the ranch frequency. "Mom? It's Billy Jr. Heat up the leftovers and get the root beer cold. We're all coming home."

Chapter 8: Homecoming

Back at the ranch house, the kitchen was alive with warmth and relief. Sarah and Caroline had spread out a feast of leftovers - both hot and cold - while Rebecca, still in her hospital scrubs, had turned into full nurse mode.

"Sit still, Jake," Rebecca ordered, dabbing antiseptic on the raw rope burns across his chest and wrists. "These need to be cleaned properly."

"Ow! Damn, Rebecca, that stings worse than the ropes did," Jake winced.

"Good," she said firmly, moving to Celab next. "Maybe you'll think twice before getting kidnapped again."

Celab laughed despite the sting of the antiseptic. "I'll try to remember that next time."

Pops was making his rounds with the whiskey bottle, pouring generous shots for the adults. "After what we been through tonight, everyone needs a little something."

The boys had cold beers in their hands - except Billy Jr., who was stuck with root beer despite his longing looks at the real thing.

"This calls for a celebration," Tom said, raising his glass. "We got our boys back."

Around 3 AM, the Nelsons and Beaumonts finally headed home, exhausted but relieved. The Benson house grew quiet as the adults went to bed.

In the "frat house" bedroom, Jake, Billy, Celab, and Billy Jr. sat on the bunks, still too wired to sleep. Billy quietly slipped Billy Jr. a cold beer.

"Don't tell Mom," Billy whispered with a grin.

Billy Jr. took it gratefully, and Jake raised his bottle.

"I got something to say," Jake said, looking at Celab. "After what we went through today... after what you went through for this family..."

Billy stood up, raising his beer. "To our brother."

Billy Jr. joined them, holding his beer high.

Together, they shouted: "TO CELAB BENSON BEAUMONT!"

Celab's eyes filled with tears as he raised his own bottle. For the first time since moving to Texas, he truly felt like he was home.