by Denise Daisy
Felicitas closed her eyes trying to block out the mental picture of what David must have gone through for her. Her heart grew sick.
Rosie pulled into the emergency entrance of a small one story hospital and gave a couple of loud blasts from her horn. Grant scooped David up and ran towards the door as an attendant came running out with a gurney.
Rosie left the truck and joined Felicitas running alongside the bed.
“Whad’ ya bring me Rosie?” A burly bearded man asked while placing his stethoscope on David’s chest.
“Gunshot wound. He‘s lost a lot of blood.”
“Looks like a kid. What’s the age?”
“He’s seventeen” Felicitas answered.
“A friend of yours?”
“Yes.”
“Did you see what happened?”
“No.”
“By the looks of him he got a pretty good beatin’ before he was shot.” The burly doctor removed the stethoscope from his ears and began directing orders to his nurse. “I’m going to need to take him in surgery right away to save him. Assemble the team, take the girl to admitting and get his information, we’re gonna have to notify the parents. Tell them to notify the sheriff too.”
Felicitas heart faded as she was hustled to the small admitting office. How could life take such a horrible turn? Only a month ago she celebrated the start of her final year of high school with her friends, taking senior pictures, deciding on colleges, planning their futures. This was the year she had anticipated since elementary school yet, the past two weeks her life had gone from bliss to chaos. Now she was a run away and at a small country hospital looking at David lying on a gurney bleeding to death from a gunshot wound. How could all of this have happened?
An attendant escorted her to a small empty room and offered her a seat on a cold metal chair. Shivering nervously and trying to warm up against the icy cold temperatures of the sterile hospital, she drew her arms toward her chest and for the first time noticed the sticky red blood covering the silk robe. She shivered again and nearly vomited. Grant noticed and yelled out into the hallway for some assistance just as a woman entered walking slowly, trying not to spill the hot coffee over the rim of her mug. One glimpse of Grant and a delighted smile formed on her lips. She placed her coffee on the desk and with her free hand fluffed her hair.
“You the one who brought in the gunshot victim?”
“Before we start answering your questions can you get the girl a warm blanket or something? She’s freezing cold not to mention traumatized by everything.”
The woman glanced at Felicitas and cocked her head.
“Aren’t you that missing girl? I saw your picture in the paper last week.”
“That’s none of your business.” Grant was blunt. “Just get the damn blanket will you. This is supposed to be a hospital for Christ’s sake, do your job and help the girl.”
The woman blushed a thousand shades of red before she picked up the phone and ordered a blanket and hot tea to the admitting office. She sat at her computer and began a series of questions her acrylic nails clicking on the keyboard as she typed.
When the blanket arrived Grant took it and wrapped it around Felicitas and for a second time another fleeting memory flashed through her mind. Grant was with her, standing beside her in some sort of corridor, his arms were wrapped around her and he was holding her close. No doubt these images were memories of her missing week. The thought was frightening and brought with it extreme anxiety causing her body to tremble even more. She smiled at him through her clenched teeth hoping he hadn’t noticed.
The woman finished typing in all the information then looked at Grant over the top of her monitor.
“That’s all I need from her but she’s gonna need to stay and talk with the sheriff when he arrives.”
Grant was quick to question the reasoning of her statement.
“And why does she need to talk to the sheriff? Rosie’s the one who received the phone call.”
The woman blushed again.
“Well the girl’s a runaway and it’s her friend bleeding to death in ER. I assume he’s gonna want to talk to her.”
“So it’s just your assumption then?” Grant was irritated. “In that case I’m taking the little lady home so she can clean up and get some rest. If he needs to talk to her, then he knows where we are.”
Rosie agreed to be the one to stay behind and talk with the Sheriff. She walked them to the truck and promised her anxious granddaughter that she would call as soon as there was any news on David. She patted Felicitas on the knee before closing the door.
“This is not a good turn of events but we did what was best for David. The Sheriff’s a good friend of mine and I’ll ask him to keep us out of this but I’m afraid it’s gonna lead the police and your folks right to our door. Your hidin’ place has been breached; no doubt the careful scheming of the Drakes. They got themselves a plan and their workin' it.”
Rosie’s words made Felicitas uncomfortable. At this point nothing mattered to her but David’s survival.
Rosie turned her words to Grant.
“You two may need to run if it looks like it’s gonna get out of our control.”
Rosie’s statement made Felicitas heart falter even more. Although she felt somewhat comfortable around Grant she still had only known him for a few hours and wasn’t sure she was ready to run off with him besides there was still a shroud of mystery surrounding the man not to mention the hazy memories that kept flashing through her mind. Running away from home was to escape being committed to the crazy farm. Now she felt she may be trading one insane experience for another.
She leaned her head against the window; her thoughts racing through her mind as fast as the truck passing the trees lining the side of the road. It was Sunday morning and she could picture all the people gathering for church, and her father stepping on the large platform to deliver his sermon. Her heart ached at the thought. She knew all her friends would be there, sitting in the same spot where they always sat; everyone but her and David. She wondered when her friends would hear the news. She figured David’s mother was already on her way to the hospital and more than likely overwhelmed by the gruesome discovery. It would only be a matter of time before everyone would link David to her. There would be so many accusations, so many questions to answer after all she was the last person to see David….and then a terrifying thought. She glanced over at Grant driving the truck and the gun lying across his lap. He had walked David to his truck last night and she had gone to bed before he returned home. What if? She shook the thought from her head. If that were true why would David call the house instead of calling the police?
Her eyes grew heavy. She was exhausted. The heater had done its job well filling the cab with warmth. She relaxed and soon began to doze. She felt the truck spinning. Her eyes fluttered open but there was no spinning or swerving of any kind. Grant was in complete control his eyes focused straight ahead. She closed her eyes again and leaned her head against the cold glass of her window. The dizziness resumed, and then there it was, a strange circle of trees, all spinning like the horses on a carousel. Their speed increased until their gnarled trunks became a blur and then disappeared. A door appeared where the trees once grew. It opened slowly, an unshaven man stood in the doorway his hand beckoning her inside.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“We might as well not even go if we’re going to be this late.” Esther’s mom fumed while checking her lipstick in the visor mirror. “Esther honey I think I liked you better when you were the little plain Jane. At least you were prompt. How many times did you change clothes this morning? You know God cares more about you showing up than what you’re wearing.”
Esther wasn’t paying attention. She could not stop thinking about the text she got from David when she woke this morning. She had tried to call him back but he didn’t answer. Due to the time he sent his text, he was probably still sleeping. She tried calling Felicitas but it went straight to her voice mail.
She stared out of the window. It was overcast and gloomy kind of like she was feeling at the moment. Felicitas had just shown back up and now she was gone again. If what David said was true and she was at her grandmothers, then Esther new exactly where she was. She had half a mind to drive there. She knew Felicitas would want to see her, but she also knew she was being watched and had no intention of leading anyone there and blowing her friends cover.
By the time they reached church, the services had already started. Esther hung behind wanting to be alone while her parent’s power walked toward the sanctuary their bibles tucked securely under their arms.
She wasted time going into the women’s restroom and taking a cool drink from the water fountain. The last thing she wanted to do was go into the service and hear Felicitas dad piously give everyone advice on how to live their lives. To her he was a poor example. She had spent too many times consoling her friend while she cried over her dad’s lack of affection or interest in her life. Felicitas often told her that she felt her dad was more her pastor than her father.
She pushed open the wooden door and slipped into the back pew. All her friends were up front in their regular section. Ian was sitting with Lisette and Hayley. She smiled smugly seeing Catlin directly behind him instead of right beside him. Neither David nor Danny was there. Probably sleeping in because of their late night carousing.
After enduring ten minutes of Reverend Rebold’s very opinionated sermon Esther slipped back out into the foyer. She decided to walk over to the welcoming Kiosk to see if coffee was still being served but before she could make her way there a voice stopped her from behind.
“It’s not fair you know.”
She turned around delighted to see Reed standing there.
“Where did you come from?”
“The back row, same as you.”
“So what’s not fair?”
“That you’re leaving the rest of us to suffer through his message.”
Esther laughed.
“So why are you leaving?”
“Got a text from Danny telling me to call him. Said it was an emergency. He’s probably hung over somewhere and needs a ride home. Why are you leaving?”
“Just don’t want to be here today.”
“I get ya. Let me call Danny and then we’ll talk.”
Esther was thrilled. Finally there was a bright spot in the overcast gloomy day.
They walked outside. The wind had picked up considerably scattering the fallen leaves across the parking lot. The smell of rain hung heavy in the air. Reed placed the call as they walked toward the Kiosk.
“Hey Danny what’s up?”
Esther watched Reed’s face grow somber. Her heart dropped. By his expression she could tell that something was dreadfully wrong plus his voice was no longer playful.
“Are you serious man? Do they know who? Is he dead?”
His words chilled her more than the brisk wind whirling about. Who could he be talking about? She continued to listen.
“Are you there now? Text me the address and I’ll GPS it. I’m on my way.”
He ended his call and turned to Esther.
“David’s been shot.”
Her legs buckled beneath her.
“What? Is he okay?”
“He’s in surgery, they’re not even sure if he’s going to make it. Danny and his mother are at the hospital. I’m going there now, you wanna come?”
“She nodded but could find no words.”
They broke into a run as Reed led the way to his truck.
“He’s not here. Danny said he’s an hour and a half away, some little out of the way town. Still wanna come?”
She didn’t need to answer, climbing into the cab made a clear statement.
She waited until Reed pulled on to the interstate before disclosing to him that David had sent a text to her sometime after three in the morning. Reed looked intrigued. It had to have happened pretty close after that, 'cause Danny said David’s mother called him around five.”
Her stomach turned inside. David’s text admitted he had been with Felicitas, her insane grandmother and another man he was suspicious of. If David had dropped Felicitas there and then been shot by the man, then Felicitas could be in severe danger herself. Suddenly she was angry that she allowed herself to believe Felicitas dream theory instead of investigating the fact that the unshaven man in the cabin possibly had more to do with her disappearance than they realized. Besides, who really gets pregnant in a dream?
Forty five minutes into their drive Esther’s mother called her asking where she was and said she and her dad were ready to leave and were tired of waiting. Then she asked Esther if she had heard about David. Esther figured the news had leaked out already. She told her mother she was hanging out with friends all afternoon so they could all pray for David. She felt bad about lying, especially since David was so critical. She consoled herself saying she wasn’t actually lying because she was hanging out with friends and she had been praying silently for David the entire ride. Once Reed exited the highway the dread returned. She had taken this road before with Felicitas. She knew it all too well. It was the same place they sat one Saturday evening contemplating whether or not to go in so Felicitas could reconnect with her long forgotten grandmother. They never did.
Reed’s GPS led them past the empty parking lot of the diner. The establishment along with most businesses in this small town was closed on Sunday. They continued on down the road past a post office, a small grocery market, a fire station and several mom and pop shops. They made only a few turns before arriving at the front of the small hospital.
The glass doors glided open allowing them entrance. Esther asked the lady at the front desk with the long finger nails where they would find David’s mother. She pointed the way to the surgical waiting area. Danny jumped from this chair when he saw Reed and Esther. The room was empty except for David’s mother Meredith, a local Sheriff and another woman Esther had never met. Meredith cried as she updated them on David’s condition and then asked if either of them had a clue as to who could have done such a treacherous thing to her son. Esther gave her a hug and sat down with her wondering if she should tell her about the accusing text from David. She glanced at the Sherriff and decided not to say anything just yet.
Meredith pulled at her fingers keeping a tissue clutched tightly in her fist.
“He’s still in surgery. I don’t know why it’s taking so long. They say he’s lost a ton of blood. I just don’t know who would do this to him. He’s a good kid.”
“Yes he is.” Esther consoled her and then asked out of curiosity who reported David being shot. It was then Meredith nodded her head toward Rosie who was sitting directly across from them.
“She’s the one who found David. She’s Felicitas grandmother.”
Esther had already expected her to be who she was. One look at her and it was if she was looking at Sharon twenty years from now. David’s text had accused Rosie of being loony and considering the foreboding warning of his text Esther was wary.
“You’re Felicitas grandmother?” Her question sounded more like an accusation.
Rosie eyed her.
“That I am. And who might you be young lady?”
Esther sat poised on the edge of her chair and lifted her chin in a haughty pose.
“I am Esther, Taz’s best friend. I heard she came to see you last night so where is she?”
Rosie raised an eyebrow and exchanged glances with the Sheriff who took over the conversation.
“That’s some pretty personal information you have there Miss Esther. How did you come about having it?”
Esther continued the standoff, “I have my sources, and my information is privileged so if you’d like to know I suggest we speak in private.”
The Sheriff nodded his head and stood slowly.
“Well alrighty then.”
He led her out into the hallway, Rosie came too and to Esther’s surprise Reed followed close on her heels.
The Sheriff leaned against the wall crossing his arms in front of him.
“Alrighty Miss, let’s hear this privileged information you got.”
She took a deep breath, “I got a text from David early this morning. He said he drove Felicitas to her grandmothers.”
Rosie eyed Esther suspiciously.
“He did? Well that’s a bit of a shock. He promised Felicitas he wouldn’t tell anyone where she was and by the way he was acting around her I’d say he’d do just about anything for her, even take a bullet.”
Esther was offended but didn’t want to make a scene; instead, she opened her phone and scrolled for the message.
“Care to read it. He mentioned you and a friend of yours. Said he didn’t trust the man, said he thought he might be the one Taz had been seeing.” Esther offered her phone.
The Sheriff took her phone and read the message out loud while Rosie continued her assessment of Esther who stared back unyielding.
The Sheriff made note of the time and then handed the phone back to Esther.
“Did you text him back?”
“No I was asleep. I didn’t see the text until I woke up this morning. I didn’t call him because I figured I’d see him at church ….only I didn’t.”
No one spoke for a moment and the silence annoyed Esther.
“So? Where is Taz?”
Rosie chewed her bottom lip keeping up the stare down.
“She’s at my place resting. I’ll take you to her as soon as we hear some news on David. Fair enough?”
Esther was a bit taken aback by Rosie’s sudden invitation, but agreed quickly anxious to see Felicitas. She waltzed back into the waiting room satisfied for now and settled back into her chair to wait.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
By the time morning services let out the news about David had spread throughout the congregation. Detective Russell contacted Melvin saying the situation involved Felicitas and that he was heading to the location right away. He suggested both Melvin and Sharon accompany him.
Sharon sat in the back seat of the SUV sick at heart of the turn of events. No one had heard from her daughter since she ran from the police station yesterday but according to Detective Russell David had been in her company before he was shot and there was at least two incriminating text sent from his phone early this morning. Her head was throbbing again; this was turning into an everyday thing for her. She chalked it up to stress but decided to make an appointment with her doctor first thing in the morning. If anything to get a prescription pain killer, the over the counter medicines weren’t alleviating her pain.