by Sandy Kline
Suddenly our whirling, careening vehicle changes direction as it slams into a heavy steel pole of a light fixture. The impact nearly severs the passenger compartment from the drivers section. We whip around once before coming to rest against the cement side of a building. At once Diego and I fly into each other’s arms and hold on tight for dear lives. I cover my son’s face in kisses checking for injuries but amazingly he seems shaken but fine.
The crunch of glass underneath boots catches my attention. I look behind by back and for the first time I realize we’re upside down and sitting on the roof portion of the vehicle. I see a pair of black jeans and boots walk past what was my window and to the front of the limousine. The person kneels down like he’s trying to see into the front compartment. His back is to me so I can’t tell who he is. He’s wearing a black leather jacket with no markings on it. I’m pretty sure or driver did not survive the collision. The car that struck us hit right at his door and given the force it had to have just destroyed the man.
I keep looking at the back of the man hoping to get a glimpse of who it is. At this point I don’t know it he’s here to help or not. I look back as Diego starts to stir and I put my finger to my lips to silence him. I motion for him to pretend he’s asleep. I have a really bad feeling about this accident and I don’t think it was an accident at all. A pair of explosions confirms my suspicions. I look back to the front but I really can’t see a thing. The front compartment of the limo has been destroyed and I can’t tell the steering wheel from any of the rest of the wreckage.
I look down at the top of Diego’s head as we hold each other tight. I can’t understand why this person would have killed our driver. We’re the target. I take a couple deep breaths and will myself to relax. If I’m panting it’s going to be impossible to make the man think that we’re either dead or unconscious. I’m sure the text I received and the accident are connected. I just can’t figure out why Boomer of King could have done this to us the night of the big fight. Finally my heart starts to slow to a normal rate. I keep my eyes closed as I stroke my son’s face with my thumb. We’re going to make it through this I promise him silently. Another pair of footsteps alerts me to more trouble. This one has a lighter step and cautious like it’s picking its way through the rubble…maybe even looking for something.
One more time I dare to open my eyes and look up. I’m surprised to find I’m looking right at a pair of women’s UGG Boots.
“Are they alive?” Says a familiar voice.
Oh my god! I know that voice. With all the surrounding noise of the night, and the fact that they’re talking softly I can’t be certain who it is.
“I think so.” A gravelly voice replies. “They’re just pretending to be dead or unconscious.”
I can’t make the man’s voice. He could literally be anyone. If they’ll just keep talking I might be able to figure out who she is.
“Do your people have everything under control?” She asks.
“Yeah, the cops are ours and the ambulance has been instructed to get delayed. There’s the transport vehicle now.”
“Alright, let me know when they’re situated.”
My heart sinks down into my boots. There are only two people that woman could be. It has to be either Taylor or Dr. Frazer. Oh fuck no…we are in some serious trouble now. I have to wonder…was that whole thing with Dr. Frazer a scam? Was she trying to hypnotize me to find out how much I knew? Now that King and Boomer are on top of their game and their star is rising are they suddenly worried about their actions a decade in the past? Or is the woman Taylor, my new friend who I cannot place? Maybe they’re both together in this.
A metallic click and a hiss prompt me to open my eyes again. Lying near us is a round canister spewing white smoke. I open my mouth to take a quick breath to hold but the second I inhale the white smoke literally smothers me. As the darkness descends over my mind I have one final thought. If not for Jake, I would never have met Dr. Frazer and I would have never used her hypnotherapy. That’s the last terrifying thought I have before succumbing to the smoke for good.
THE END