“Now where is that card?” Hannah whispered. “Here it is.”
Her fingers trembled when she dialed the number.
The third ring of Lance’s phone woke him. He didn’t recognize the number, but he answered regardless.
“Lance Cain.”
“Lance,” a quiet voice answered. “It’s me, Hannah.”
“Hannah? What’s wrong? It’s after four in the morning. You don’t sound well.”
“I was attacked the night before last. I’m in the hospital. I’m going to need your help. Whoever attacked me didn’t have a face.”
“What? Are you sure? Was it dark?” Lance asked concern filling his heart.
“Yes, but I know what I saw and heard. You’re the only one who can help me. You asked me to watch for anything unusual. Is this unusual enough? The voice left me with a warning. I don’t dare tell the doctor. When I said he didn’t have a face, they drugged me again. You have to get me out of here. Please come. I’ll tell the nurse I called you, and you’re on the way. Please, Lance.”
“I’m on my way. Where are you?”
“Gibson Memorial, second floor. Turn left out of the motel parking lot and follow the highway about five miles. You’ll see a turnoff for the Interstate and a hospital sign. Turn and you’ll see it in less than a mile. I’ll be waiting.”
The line went dead. Lance jumped up and dressed. An attacker without a face? Was this something sinister or Hannah’s panic and fear? He had to be sure, and he needed to know she was safe.
Hannah’s directions led Lance straight to Gibson Memorial. The main entrance was dark except for the dim glow of security lighting. He knew he’d have to use the emergency entrance. He drove to the side of the hospital where the lighted emergency sign beckoned. He parked and strode toward the entrance mulling over his conversation with Hannah.
The nurse sitting behind the desk looked up and asked him, “May I help you?”
“Yes, I hope so. My friend, Hannah Alexander, is here on the second floor. I was told I could see her.”
“It’s after visiting hours and well before they start. As a matter of fact, it’s the middle of the night,” she scowled at him. “I’m sure she’s asleep.”
“Umm, I just spoke to her. They sedated her earlier. She’s awake and wants to see me. She told me to ask if you’d check to see if I could go up and see her.”
“Just a minute,” the nurse with tired eyes answered as she pushed a button on her phone. A short conversation later, she looked back at Lance and said, “You have permission. Use the elevator around the corner to your left.” She pointed the direction.
“Thank you very much.” He smiled, but the nurse just watched him without moving. Lance hurried before she changed her mind and a few minutes later, the elevator stopped on the second floor. He walked off and headed for the nurses’ station. A young nurse smiled at him and said, “I bet you’re Lance.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Hannah’s in room 216. Please be quiet. Everyone else on the floor is asleep.”
Lance nodded and walked toward Hannah’s room happy his shoes didn’t squeak on the clean tile floor. Lance raised his hand to knock quietly on the closed door when it abruptly opened, and he stood face to face with an older nurse with her hair pulled tightly back to the point it stretched the skin near her eyes. She studied him from head to toe and asked, “Who are you?”
“I’m Lance Cain, ma’am. Hannah asked to see me.”
“Well, come in and be quiet.” She turned to allow him entrance and stood in the doorway.
Hannah sat up and held out her arms. Lance understood and walked over to her bed and bent over to hug her.
“Hannah whispered, “Make it look good. I told them we were lovers.”
Lance bit back a smile and pulled her closer. He kissed the top of her head and said, “I’ve been so worried, honey.”
The nurse walked away after watching them but left the door open.
Lance pulled up a chair and sat next to her bed. He stared directly into her eyes and said, “Are you sure you’re okay? Your face is bruised.”
“Yes, I’m sore and achy, but I’ll be okay. They wanted to keep me an extra night in case there might be some underlying problem. I don’t think my nightmare helped. They sedated me. I remember what happened, but they don’t believe me.”
“You weren’t?” Lance paused.
Hannah shook her head. “No, just a bit battered.”
Lance closed his eyes for a moment after hearing that good news and asked, “What do you remember besides not seeing a face? You said it was unusual. Weird or not normal? There’s a difference.”
“Absolutely weird. My attacker didn’t have a face or head. The hood on his sweatshirt was empty.”
“Empty? How can you be sure? Perhaps his entire face was covered. If it was dark enough, it might appear as if there wasn’t anything inside the hood.”
“Maybe,” Hannah agreed, “I guess I didn’t look that closely. I don’t remember much after being yanked to the ground. The doctor said I fought hard. I had some of his skin under my nails. My hands are bruised from fighting.”
Lance laid his hand on her arm careful not to touch her bandaged hand. “Okay. Let’s say for a minute that he wore a full face mask of some sort. You probably scratched his hands. That means he wasn’t wearing gloves, and I’ll watch for anyone with severe cuts or scratches on their hands. I’m sure the police will, too.”
Hannah leaned back on her pillow. “I’m scared, Lance for both of us.”
“Why?”
“He spoke to me. He said next time I won’t survive, and if you know what’s good for both of us, you’ll leave town.”
“Did you recognize the voice?”
“No, it sounded odd as if he used something to make it sound a bit electronic. Either that or I imagined it because they say my head hit the cement pretty hard. The next thing I remember was waking up with medical people taking care of me.”
“Okay, that means whoever attacked you is human. Your attack is most likely related to the investigation we’re doing, but I don’t believe it was any sort of paranormal attack. Someone is hiding something and tried to scare me off. Where did you get attacked?”
“The parking lot right after my shift. No one was around. I’m scared. Which do you think is worse, a human attacker or a ghost?”
Lance stroked her cheek, “You’ll be safe. I promise. I won’t let anything happen to you again if I have to stay with you twenty-four-seven.”
Hannah blushed.
“I mean I’ll make sure you’re safe, and you would most likely be dead if your attacker were paranormal. He didn’t hesitate to kill the young man at the lake. Your attacker is human. We’ll find him.” Lance leaned back in the chair and watched Hannah relax.
“Oh,” she popped into a seated position. “One of the nurses told me another young woman was attacked recently. That’s not a usual occurrence around here either even during tourist season. We do have problems once in a while, but not two attacks.”
Lance studied her face. He needed to reassure her, but he also needed to be sure she remained safe. “Hannah, your attack might have been made to look similar to the first attack. Your attacker left you with a message. The police will assume some wacko is after women while he’s here vacationing. I can’t tell them it’s related to the killing or the spirit at the lake. They’ll lock me up.”
She reached out and took his hand. “Then what do we do?”
“Stay close together and look for whoever did this. I think if we either solve the mystery of the spirit at the lake or find who attacked you, we’ll solve both mysteries.”
Hannah reached for Lance again, and he held her close. She whispered, “I feel safe with you.”
He ran his fingers down the back of her head and said, “I’m so sorry you were hurt and were involved in all of this. Someone watched us and decided the best way to me was through you. It isn’t fair.”
The s
hrill voice echoed in the room, and Hannah squealed. Lance released his arms from around Hannah and stood.
“Mom,” Hannah gasped. “You scared me.”
Hannah’s mom shrieked, “The nurse called me. Who the hell are you?”
“Lance Cain, ma’am,” he stepped forward and offered his hand.
“He’s my boyfriend, Mom. We met at school. I called him, and he came here to see me. He’s staying in town, and after I’m released, I’m going to stay with him.”
Lance swallowed, but his mind was blank.
“Is that right? Where is he staying?” Hannah’s mom asked.
“At the motel next to the diner so I can be close to work and he can be close to me. It’s how we planned it.”
Lance stared at Hannah.
Her mom just smiled a slow smile and turned to leave. She stopped and looked over her shoulder. “Your dad is going to kill him.”
When she left, Lance dropped into the chair again. “Why in the world did you say that? I remember you telling me about your dad. I don’t think I want to meet him if he’s angry and I doubt having his daughter staying with a stranger will make him happy.”
Hannah giggled. “My dad’s a big teddy bear. He’ll love you. I’m old enough to do what I want and live where I want.”
“Maybe that’s true, but I’m not sure your dad will agree.”
“Leave it to me,” Hannah winked.
The nurse that allowed Lance into Hannah’s room earlier returned. “You’re still here I see. I need to check Miss Alexander. You should leave and come back in a little while. The cafeteria opens in five minutes. Get some breakfast.”
Lance nodded and kissed Hannah lightly on the lips. “I’ll be back soon, honey. If you need me sooner, just text.”
Hannah smiled, “Okay, baby, see you soon.” She turned and looked at the nurse. “He’s the nicest guy I’ve ever dated.”
Lance heard Hannah’s comment as he left the room and wondered how they would pull off the charade. He also worried about Hannah’s dad. Maybe breakfast would help. He definitely needed coffee to think straight.
Hannah sighed as she watched Lance leave. He was handsome and strong. He said he’d defend her. She had to get out of the hospital no matter what it took. Her mom would drive her crazy now that Hannah told her she was going to stay with Lance.
Looking at the nurse she asked, “I’m going home today, right? I can’t wait to leave here even though you’ve all been so kind.”
The nurse nodded. “I think that’s what the doctor plans. You didn’t have any nightmares last night. That’s a good sign.”
“Yeah,” Hannah agreed. “That nightmare of the faceless attacker freaked me out. I wish I could remember what he looks like.”
The nurse smiled and jotted a few notes on her chart. “Your breakfast and the doctor will be here soon. I hope you get to go home, too.”
Chapter Fifteen
Lance stared at the offerings in the cafeteria’s glass case and wondered if it would all taste the same as hospital food. He decided to take a chance on an apple filled Danish and coffee. He found a seat in the empty cafeteria. The only sounds he heard were metal clanking against metal as the young lady working behind the counter filled the cases with dishes of fruit and other breakfast items. The sweet roll was warm and delicious or was he hungry? It didn’t matter; he enjoyed it. After a second cup of coffee, he decided to stroll back to Hannah’s room.
The few things he learned during Hannah’s hospitalization had his mind in a spin. He believed there was an ancient, evil spirit somewhere near, but also felt equally as strong that there was a human element at play. A spirit that would cut the throat of an innocent teenager wouldn’t attack Hannah and leave her unharmed with only a message to deliver. Spirits preferred to be more direct. Lance would have been less surprised to find a burning message outside his motel room than an attack on Hannah. Very strange, but he was determined to get to the bottom of both mysteries.
Lance turned down the hall toward Hannah’s room and then did a U-turn and headed back to the waiting room when he saw a man in a rumpled suit and a police officer enter Hannah’s room. He surmised she was being questioned by a detective again. His best choice of action was to wait. The last thing Hannah needed was to answer questions about him. If the detective dug into his background and found out he fought spirits, he would no doubt be escorted out of town. Lance needed to stay and protect Hannah. For some reason, she was targeted because of him. He’d be damned if he’d let her face anything alone.
Less than thirty minutes later the officer strode toward the elevator with the detective on his heels. Lance stood and hurried to Hannah’s room.
He found her sitting up and pulling a t-shirt over her head.
“Sorry,” he said and turned to leave.
“Stay; I’m nearly dressed. I’m going home. Well to your place actually as soon as the nurse brings the release forms. The doc sprung me, and I think the detective is satisfied that I was terrified and don’t remember who attacked me.” She smiled at him.
Lance dropped in a chair and averted his eyes when Hannah stood to pull up her jeans. Just then the nurse arrived with the form and instructions. Hannah listened, signed the form, slid her copy in her purse, looked at Lance and said, “Let’s get out of here.”
He nodded and held the door open for her. Hannah hurried down the hall and waved to the staff when they entered the elevator, then sighed and leaned against the steel interior. “I’m so glad to be out of there. I don’t know who or what came after me. What if it showed up in the hospital?”
“Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure we’re dealing with a who and not a what in your case. That doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot to figure out.” He guided her out of the hospital to his car.
Hannah stared out the window on the ride to Lance’s motel. Her mind wandered to whoever it was that would want to attack her. Why did they give her a message for Lance? If it had anything to do with the murder at the lake, then it must be someone local. She couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that anyone in town would try to hurt her for any reason. Did they mean to hurt her? She hit her head when she fell. Did he mean to do that? Her bruises came from fighting with him and him trying to hold her down. Once he spoke, he left. What about the other girl who was attacked? What about the evil spirit? Could they be the same person? Was a spirit a person? Hannah shuddered. The entire situation was more than she could comprehend.
“Hannah?” Lance said her name quietly.
“What?” She turned to look at him.
“You’re silent. Are you worried or scared? We’ll figure this out. I promise.”
“I have so many questions,” Hannah admitted. “And, yes, I’m scared.” She reached out to grab his hand,
He squeezed it and pulled into the motel parking lot. When he parked the car, he turned to look at her. “To be honest with you, I’m a bit more worried about your dad killing me than an evil spirit. I know how to deal with them. Angry fathers are another story.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He swallowed and added, “Okay, let’s go in. I’ll deal with him when and if he knocks down the door.”
Hannah rushed ahead and waited by the door. When Lance opened the door, she hurried past him and plopped onto the bed. “I’ve always liked these beds. They’re comfy. Don’t worry; I don’t snore. Do you?”
She glanced up at Lance and laughed at the stricken look on his face.
“Umm, Hannah, we’re not going to sleep together.”
“Of course, we are. There’s only one bed, but don’t worry. I can sleep under the sheet, and you can sleep on top. We’ll share the blanket.” She stared at him. “Oh,” she gasped her cheeks turning red. “You didn’t mean sleeping like asleep you meant sleep like having sex. Of course, we’re not at least not until we both want to. Don’t worry; I’m not that kind of girl. You’re safe.” She rolled onto her back and began to laugh.
Her laughter was contagious, and Lance jo
ined her. “Okay, I know my honor is safe now so I guess we can share the bed.”
Hannah rolled onto her side and held her head up with her right hand, “Seriously, I feel better here with you. I’m worried about all of this. I was thinking that if you’re right about the person who attacked me being human, then it must be someone I know. Tourist season isn’t in full swing yet, and there are not that many strangers in town. Besides, a stranger wouldn’t ask me to give you a message would they?”
“No, and I don’t think a spirit would have either. My best guess is Lavinia called up that spirit to avenge the death of her baby’s father. When Olivia conjured it up again, it may have thought the young skinny dipper was another dangerous fur trapper taking a bath in the lake. After all the boy was naked. It makes sense.”
“How would the spirit know? Why would it kill him?”
“Spirits exist on a different plane than we do. Some float along the plane as it moves through time. They know everything we do and can communicate with us about things happening around them. My friend, Claudia the psychic, communicates with spirits all the time. They keep her abreast of what is going on in the spirit world and of dangers to her or others. Some spirits are caught in a time bubble. You’ve heard of ghosts haunting castles in Europe for centuries. They wear the clothes of their time and seem to think they are still in the year of their death.” Lance leaned back in the chair kicking his shoes off.
Hannah nodded. “You think that’s what happened at the lake?”
“Yes, the spirit was dormant or whatever it is they do until they’re summoned. When the spell awoke the spirit, it did what it was expected to do. It killed a man it believed was a danger. A seventeen-year-old naked in a lake would fit the image the spirit would expect to find. Trappers were young and strong. Bathing was done outdoors, and the campfire would add to the scene. It would be there to dry clothes, cook food, and keep the trappers safe and warm. To a spirit, it would appear as if no time had passed.”
“Wow,” Hannah muttered. “That’s so weird but makes a lot of sense. What do we do? Why has the spirit been quiet? Don’t ghosts love to run rampant?”
Sinister Awakenings Page 14