Although Anna walked at an accelerated pace to avoid drawing attention from people coming in and out of the hotel, she looked around constantly. There were no fewer than three different janitors, two maintenance workers, five housekeepers, and eight guest service representatives around. In her horrified state, Anna did not know whom to trust, so she continued to walk briskly through the hotel’s main entrance, moving past crowds of people coming in with their luggage. There was no time to look back or apologize for bumping into someone accidentally. She glanced left and right for a cab. Several taxis were lined up in front of the hotel building, but Anna instead went to a taxi cab at the far end of the sidewalk, then knocked quickly on the window. Once the driver saw her and signaled for her to get in, Anna hurried inside the vehicle and slammed the door shut.
“Where to?” the taxi driver asked as he turned his head toward her.
“Airport. No, train! Train station it is,” Anna replied anxiously.
“Which station?”
“Train? Sorry. I don’t know where I am.”
Anna looked at the taxi driver's rearview mirror, and noticed him looking at her with a perplexed expression on his face.
“It’s a long story. Please take me to the nearest station.” She glanced at the red light and ducked her head.
“Are you all right?” the taxi driver asked.
Anna quickly gathered her composure. She sat up straight and started to put her seatbelt on. The sound of dangling keys reappeared. Anna sat still as she heard it more clearly. The sound came closer and at a fast pace outside the half-open car door window on her side. Anna ducked her head.
“The light’s green, go!” she screamed.
The high pitch sound of her voice startled the taxi driver, but he pressed the accelerator and drove off. He then turned several corners.
“The light wasn’t green,” he told her.
Anna was too shaken to answer. She laid her head back and breathed heavily.
“I’ll have to slow down now or I’ll be pulled over,” the taxi driver announced.
Anna nodded her head, but continued to remain speechless for several minutes as she gained her composure. “Thank you,” she finally said.
“Are you all right?” the concerned taxi driver repeated.
“Yes, no, I don’t know,” she replied.
The driver did not say another word. Anna put her hand inside her purse and tried to find her cell phone. Her hands were trembling as she continued to look for it, until she suddenly remembered that the FBI had taken it from her days ago. Some of her hair covered the left side of her face, and she pushed it behind her ear. “Do you have a cell phone I can use for a quick second? I really need to call my sister.”
“Yeah. Sure,” the taxi driver said and handed her his phone.
“Thank you.” Anna dialed her sister, looked up at the driver, and put the handset on her ear. “Please take me to my sister’s house instead of the train station. 9 Vose Ave, South Orange, NJ.”
“Okay,” the taxi driver responded.
“Goodness, you answered… I don’t know, I don’t know, my mind is very foggy. I can’t trust anyone right now. I can’t speak too much here… the taxi… yes. I will be there soon.”
She hung up and glanced back at the rear window, then saw herself on a highway heading to Gloria’s place.
Forty-five minutes later, Anna reached her sister’s apartment, paid the driver, and got out.
“Excuse me,” the taxi driver said.
Anna turned around. “Didn’t I give you enough money?” she asked and reached inside her handbag.
“Oh, yes you did. Just stay safe!”
Anna gave him a smile. “Thank you.”
As the taxi driver drove off, Anna turned and felt herself getting emotional and embarrassed. She went inside Gloria’s apartment building, and walked exhausted to her sister’s apartment door on the first floor. She took out her sister’s key, used it to open the door, and then locked it behind her.
“Anna?” Gloria stood by her kitchen counter.
“Gloria,” Anna said.
Gloria came around her kitchen counter and touched the wall while moving nearer to where her sister’s voice came from. Anna walked over to her, and they hugged.
“Are you all right? I’m glad you got away in time,” Gloria said and released her arms.
“They can take everything in my bank account! They can take my identity, but not my life,” Anna said in anger.
“Sit down,” Gloria suggested calmly.
Anna continued to stand. “I can’t.”
“I was debating whether to call you via the police, but did not want to frighten you after I spoke to Benjamin. He is working on this around the clock,” Gloria explained.
Anna walked towards a chair. “That does not help. Doesn’t help me at all.”
“Wasn’t there a guard by your door?” Gloria said.
“I... I think something...” Anna paused for a moment. “Something happened to him.”
“What do you mean?”
Anna moved a chair across from her own. “Please sit.”
Gloria sat down and listened.
“Let’s just say something happened. Maybe he’s tied up somewhere and still alive,” Anna continued.
The living room fell quiet, drawing attention to the radio that was on inside Gloria’s bedroom.
“Is he dead?” Gloria asked a moment later.
“I don’t want to know,” Anna said as her voice trembled again. “I heard a scuffle outside my door, and then I heard one person moving.”
“Really?” Gloria’s said as her eyebrows rose.
“A shadow blocked the hallway lights. I was ready to attack with a lamp in hand – but instead, the person passed my door and walked away. A few seconds later, I ran out.”
Gloria breathed a sigh of relief. “Did you actually see the person?”
“No,” Anna responded. “I wanted to see who it was, but was too frightened. I took a cab to come here. I can’t believe it. I am so angry at myself. I should have looked. Everything would have changed if I had.”
“Don’t beat yourself up,” Gloria advised.
“I would have gone straight to the police and given the description,” Anna went on. “I don’t know if police are investigating the crime scene at this moment. I don’t know if they arrested anyone or if the security guard is dead, or still alive and held somewhere for ransom. Oh, I don’t know!”
The room fell quiet again, and Gloria heard an exterior door nearby being opened and closed. Anna quickly turned her head in that direction.
“It’s just a neighbor,” Gloria informed her.
Anna again looked at her sister. “I’m worried about you because I’m here. I’m going to put you in harm’s way.”
“Anna, you may not agree with what I am about to say, but I’m going to say it anyway. You need my help, and I’ll help you the best way that I can. There’s nothing you can say to change my mind.”
Anna could not fathom what her sister meant by that statement.
“Are you joking right now?” she said and chuckled a little. “Is this to cheer me up and forget for a moment?”
“No,” Gloria said softly. “I am going to help you. I know you will disagree with my methods, but…”
“I need water.” Anna got up from her chair and walked to the fridge.
Gloria turned sideways from where she sat, leaning in Anna’s direction. “I don’t see you having much of a choice.”
Anna was in disbelief. “How is this a choice?” she asked, and quickly restrained herself from saying anything else. “I apologize.”
“You talk too much,” Gloria responded in a steady tone.
“Oh?”
“What I meant is that you tend to ignore what I have to say, and to continue until you get the last word. I allowed it when we were younger.”
Anna moved away from the kitchen and towards Gloria, but did not sit back down. “Didn’t mean to
frustrate you, I was just looking out for you,” she said.
“I know. But you need help now, and I’m here to help you,” Gloria responded.
Anna came closer and put her hand on her sister’s hands. The feeling of a warm hand on top of her own made Gloria lower her head.
“That is sweet of you,” Anna said.
Gloria touched Anna’s shoulder and pinched her.
“Ouch! That hurts!” Anna squealed.
“Don’t insult me. You need to take me seriously,” Gloria said in a stern voice.
Anna rubbed her shoulder. “I can’t. You are offering to help me, and I’m thankful for your courage. Yet... I don’t mean to sound rude and insult your disability, but you have a helper around every week. Don’t be naïve, Gloria.”
Gloria sought to look directly at her sister. “Remember a year ago, when we were walking and having a conversation? I forgot what we were discussing, but I can clearly recall hearing a sound from a power line and knowing it was going to tear. I told you that we needed to turn another corner instead of going straight, because a power line was going to break into two. You heard nothing, you said, we should continue until you saw the lights flicker. I told you it wasn’t a smart idea, and then I stopped you and pulled you back. We fell down.”
“Yes, and I saw the power line break into two pieces before my eyes. The orange lights flickered like fireworks,” Anna confirmed, shaking her head. “Gloria, I know there’ve been a few times where you protected me as best you could; but this time, it’s a matter of life and death!”
Undeterred, Gloria gave another example. “Remember when we were children? We brought you home from summer camp, and a new refrigerator was delivered to our house that same day. Later that night, I smelled an odor of garlic oil coming from the back of it. I heard everyone in the room cough, and Mom came down to get a glass of hot tea. She was coming down with the flu, she told me, but I replied: 'Mom, I think there’s methane in the refrigerator.' The next day, the fridge was inspected by a specialist, and we were informed that the refrigerator was defective and indeed there was methane, and we could have all died if it hadn’t been detected in time.”
“It is still scary to remember even today,” Anna said.
“I happen to be blind, but I use my other senses to take over. Again, you do not have much of a choice, now do you?” Gloria persisted.
Anna stopped moving and stood still, her back now against Gloria. “I cannot do this. What you’re telling me does not even make sense. We all use our senses, and we have to in order to live and adapt in this world...”
“I know that! Think deeper, Anna. What about focusing consciously on each sense to help you with certain scenarios. Just think.”
Anna began to do that, but then shook her head several times. She had started walking back and forth, pondering on Gloria’s last statement.
“Be ready tomorrow at seven in the morning,” Gloria said.
“And what is your remarkable plan for tomorrow morning?” Anna asked sarcastically.
“Be ready in the morning. It is better that I show you what we’ll be doing. You are already hyperventilating,” Gloria replied.
Anna began to shake her head again. Gloria got up and walked past her, then moved towards the kitchen. She opened a cabinet and touched a square-shaped box. “I hope these are the cookies I asked Brenda to get,” Gloria said to herself, then touched the shape of a cookie and smelled it. “Wrong one again.”
Anna came over.
“I’m taking a two-weeks vacation,” Gloria said.
“What? You have to save it for when you really need such a vacation,” Anna protested.
“There isn’t much we can do now. Since the killer doesn’t know where you are, it is best for you to stay here. Tomorrow, we’ll start moving again to keep the killer off track.” Gloria put the cookie box back inside the cabinet. “Where do you want to sleep?”
“The couch,” Anna said slowly, although she still felt very uncomfortable with Gloria’s decision to help. There were a few moments when she tried to speak, but the thought of having no alternate plan suppressed her voice. Instead of saying another word, she closed all the blinds, checked the door after Gloria had done so, and brought extra bed sheets and a pillow Gloria gave her. Anna then went over to the couch and got ready for the next day, which she dreaded.
Gloria stood near, leaning up against the wall, until there was no tossing and turning to be heard from Anna. With her sister officially asleep, Gloria continued to stand still for half an hour while contemplating her plan for the days ahead.
CHAPTER 6—UNDERSTAND
Gloria stood in front of stainless steel appliances in her mid-sized, pale yellow kitchen, drinking a cup of orange juice. Meanwhile, Anna opened the bathroom door and went to the living room to get some of her belongings from the couch. Gloria put the cup down on her marble countertop as she heard her sister rummaging through a bag.
“I wish I could get some things at my place. It’s only three doors down,” Anna said.
“As you know, you can borrow anything. We’re near the same size in clothing,” Gloria replied.
Anna went through kitchen cabinets searching for breakfast, which made Gloria wonder why her sister took so long opening and closing cabinets.
“You won’t miss the cereal boxes.”
“The volunteer didn’t buy Cheerios?” Anna questioned.
“I finished that one yesterday,” Gloria replied.
“My apartment is only three doors down, and I cannot go for Cheerios,” Anna said sourly as she closed the cabinets and went back to the bathroom.
“Don’t take an hour looking in the mirror,” Gloria said, then turned her head when she heard her front door being unlocked.
“It’s Brenda Cheng,” said a young woman in her late twenties.
Gloria was surprised to see Brenda. “Good morning. Did you get my message? I left it on your phone late last night.”
“I did.” The volunteer closed the door behind her, and placed a plastic bag on Gloria’s countertop.
“That’s what I was hoping, that you heard it early this morning,” Gloria said.
“So, you’re telling me not to come by for two weeks?” Brenda said.
“I’m going out of state for that period of time. My sister is here. You can come by to drop medicine or anything else that’s important,” Gloria replied.
Anna left the bathroom, then stopped and looked at the volunteer.
“Remember Brenda Cheng, the volunteer? She wants to become an occupational therapist,” Gloria said.
“Yes, I remember. Good morning. Nice to meet you again,” Anna said.
“Nice meeting you again, too,” Brenda replied.
“My sister didn’t inform me you’d be here today, please do not let me distract you. I can easily wait,” Anna said.
“If you don’t mind me asking: Are you both going on vacation?” Brenda asked.
“Oh. Oh, yes,” Anna said quickly. “You know, our busy schedules prevent us from, um, um…”
“Bonding,” Gloria said.
“Yes, that sisterly bond,” Anna added quickly.
“What kind of trip, if you don’t mind me asking?” Brenda asked.
Gloria stopped drinking her orange juice.
“Oh, well,” Anna stuttered, but quickly regained her poise. “We are going to L.A..”
“Oh, lots to do,” Brenda said enthusiastically.
The volunteer pointed at the travel bag near the entrance door. “That’s a small bag for two weeks.”
“We want to shop for the latest styles. Nice meeting you again,” Anna said abruptly with a big smile. “Thank you for taking time each week to volunteer. Please excuse me. I have to hurry so we can catch the flight.” She walked quickly towards the couch.
“I see you’re both in a rush. Don’t let me keep you here any longer, and have a great time. Please let me know how the trip went,” Brenda said as she moved towards the door.
&n
bsp; “See you soon, and good luck on your test!” Gloria said.
“Thanks.”
Gloria heard the door shut. Anna came back out, and Gloria turned in the direction of Anna’s movement path.
“Los Angeles?”
“I like traveling to L.A.,” Anna replied.
“Why don’t you tell your boss the truth? You’re a great employee,” Gloria said.
“Oh, I will when I need to. Right now, I feel ashamed of what’s happened.”
“Don’t be. Your boss may have gone through similar scenarios sometime in his life.”
“Maybe,” Anna said while moving towards the couch to put her sneakers on.
“Can you pass me my favorite sweater,” Gloria said.
“I’m wearing it,” Anna replied.
Gloria was quiet and tilted her head. “The red or pink one?”
“I will not say.”
“Anna, I hate you sometimes,” Gloria said with a laugh, trying to hide her annoyance.
“Where are we heading to first?” Anna asked as she put on a red sweater.
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