Trish shivered from a chill and placed her hands on each side of the bowl.
“I can see why you needed the towel,” she said, “It’s hot.”
David went to the counter and pulled open the top drawer and removed a soup spoon which he handed to Trish.
“Bon appetite,” he said.
“Merci, Monsieur,” she said as he tasted the soup and smiled. She finished the contents of the bowl and looked at him.
“That was delicious and filling. I’ve hardly eaten anything since yesterday,” she said.
“Well, glad I could help with that. You need your strength, if you’re gonna fight this bug,” he said.
He went back to the basket and removed a small bottle putting it on the table in front of her. It was vitamin C.
“Two of these, twice a day. Dr. David’s orders ma’am,” he said with a sheepish grin.
“Yes sir. Wouldn’t want to go against medical advice,” she said.
“There are a few other things in the basket for when you’re feeling better.” Trish started to rise from her seat with her bowl.
“Oh no you don’t!” he scolded taking the bowl.
“I’ll take care of this. You just go back to bed right now young lady.”
“Thank you so much,” she said as she headed toward her bedroom. David took the bowl to the sink.
“That’s what friends are for. I’ll call later to check on you,” he called after her.
******
Travis pulled into a spot in front of the cabin and shut off the engine. He went inside and immediately started a fire in the fireplace. The cabin had no central heat and it was rather cold inside.
He soon had a roaring fire warming the tiny space. Satisfied with his fire, he went to the kitchen to take inventory of his supplies.
He had enough non-perishables to last a few days. He got a can of stew and put it into a pot on the stove.
It’s not a steak, he thought, but it will have to do. While he stirred the pot he thought of the angel he had been watching all week.
He felt a familiar stirring in his loin. He placed his hand on it and rubbed. Soon, he thought, very soon. He finished his meal and placed his dishes in the sink.
Right now, he just wanted sleep and lots of it. He grabbed a blanket from the bedroom and lay down on the couch. The bedroom was still too cold at the moment.
He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, but it was troubled with memories from his past.
He woke when he heard the doorknob turn. He opened his eyes and saw Ginger entering his room. Her silhouette was illuminated by the light from the hallway. It was dark, but he knew it was her.
She climbed into his bed and started rubbing his crotch. His member started to swell and she placed it in her mouth. He groaned with pleasure in spite of himself. She took him out of her mouth just long enough to say, “That’s my boy,” and went down on him again.
She pulled off her panties and straddled him. She writhed and gyrated against him. He felt something happening. His body was suddenly racked with uncontrollable muscle spasms. He came as Ginger moaned with pleasure and collapsed onto him.
“You’re learning, son,” was all she said as she sat up and collected herself. She placed her finger to her lips briefly and said, “Remember not one word of this. You know how your father gets.”
She got up and left the room. He turned over on the bed and pulled the covers up over his head. He sobbed quietly into his pillow. The tears rolling down his face.
No one would believe me anyway, he thought, especially my father.
Travis awoke with a start and tears streaming down his cheeks. Damn that woman, he thought as he wiped his face. The dreams were getting worse and more frequent.
He needed to do something to make them go away. He got up and went over to the window. His mind drifted to the angel he would be bringing home soon.
He was still standing there when the morning sun appeared over the lake.
“Today is the day,” he said aloud. He put on a pot of coffee and went to take his morning shower. Have to be presentable for my angel, he thought. Looking forward to seeing her this afternoon he stepped into the shower and started humming.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Trish awoke the next morning feeling a little better. She went to the bathroom and got the thermometer and checking her temperature. It was normal. She put the thermometer back in the medicine cabinet and went to put on a pot of coffee.
She saw the basket that David had left on the counter. Inside the basket something was hidden in the folds of a towel. It was a canister of pepper spray tied with a bow. She picked up the phone and called David.
David answered on the second ring. “Moore,” he said.
“Hi David, it’s Trish,” she said.
“You feeling better gorgeous?” he asked.
“At least a little better than yesterday,” she said. “I found your little gift. What’s that all about?” she asked.
“I’ve been concerned about your safety lately. Those women that have disappeared, they all have blonde hair and green eyes. Ring any bells?” he asked.
“I’ve been thinking about that myself. I’ve signed up for a self-defense class, but it doesn’t start until the end next week,” she said.
“Well, just keep that spray with you at all times. You never know what might happen,” he said.
“I’m putting it in my purse as we speak and thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome. Take care of yourself until I can see you again. Speaking of which, how about Friday night? We’ll cross our fingers that the weather cooperates,” he said.
“Agreed,” she said, “Sounds fine. Well, I’ll let you get back to work now. I have to get ready to go myself. I’ll see you Friday, but what time?” she asked.
“6:30 p.m. okay?” he asked.
“Fine, see ya then. Bye,” she said.
“Bye,” came his reply.
Hanging up the phone she walked over to her purse. She put the pepper spray in it, bow and all. She went to her room to get ready for work.
Trish had been so busy that afternoon restocking the shelves in Beautique that she actually lost track of time. She glanced at the clock she realized that her shift was almost over. She finished arranging the last of the items on the shelves. Satisfied with the results she clocked out and headed to her car.
******
Travis drove through the parking lot looking for her car. He found it in the center of the lot. He chose an open spot up close with a good view her car.
Pulling into the spot, he killed the engine. He had only been waiting for twenty minutes when she walked out of the mall.
As she neared her car she rummaged through her purse trying to find the keys. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she found them.
She stopped in her tracks, looking round. She had a very bad feeling that something was terribly wrong.
******
He poured the last of his Chloroform on the rag in his hand and hoped it was enough. As she reached her car he came up behind her. He placed the cloth over her nose and mouth.
She held her breath as long as she could struggling against him, but she couldn’t break free. She reached into her purse searching for the pepper spray. Everything went dark as her hand closed over the canister.
He placed her limp form on the back seat of his car and closed the door.
This is going to be a very special night. He had just captured an angel.
Trish regained consciousness only to realize she was moving. She was scared, but knew she had to keep still and quiet. She tried to control her breathing.
It’s important that he thinks I’m still out, she thought. She took a risk and opened her eyes, but only slightly. Looking at the floorboard she saw her purse lying on its side.
It must have landed there when he put her in the car. She looked at the driver. He was more concerned with his driving than with her. Good, she thought. All she could see
from her vantage point was his head.
Wiry, medium brown hair, cropped short. His eyebrows were thick, almost to the point of being bushy. He had a small narrow nose and sharp chin. There was a deep scar on his face near his right ear. He was wearing rimless glasses.
Oh my God, she thought. I’ve seen him somewhere before, but where? She heard him shift in his seat, turning around. She closed her eyes. Her blood ran cold.
He glanced into the back seat. Still unconscious, or so he thought. He turned back to face the road. Trish listened to the sound of the street. Smooth like asphalt.
She tried to estimate the time as it passed. She thought it was, maybe, twenty minutes before she felt them making a right turn. The sound of the road changed. It became a crunching sound, kinda like gravel or dirt.
There weren’t that many unpaved roads in Charlottesburg. The crunching continued for about five minutes until they stopped.
Okay Trish, she thought, it’s time to show him what you’re made of. Slowly and carefully she reached her hand into her purse. She wrapped her fingers around the canister of pepper spray.
She remained very still until he opened the rear door. She was lying on her right side when it opened. He leaned into the car to lift her out.
When he did, she kicked out as hard as she could connecting with his crotch. As he doubled over she kicked hard with her other foot. Her heel hit solidly on the bridge of his nose. There was a loud crack and he went down in a cursing heap.
She had the pepper spray clutched tightly in her fist and she used it on him. The burning and stinging pain was excruciating.
“You bitch!” he shouted. One hand went to his aching crotch, the other his bleeding nose and burning eyes. As she jumped from the car she pushed the door open wide.
The edge of the door caught him hard on his right temple. His cursing abruptly stopped as he collapsed onto the ground.
She didn’t waste any time. She ran as if her life depended on it.
And as of right now it did.
She had no idea where she was going. She was running blindly through the woods in the dark. All she knew was that she had to get away from him.
Low hanging branches were snagging her hair, striking and scratching her face. Briars were grabbing at her legs.
She paused for just a moment, hiding behind a large tree. To rest and listen. No sound issued from behind her, but she couldn’t take any chances. She started running again.
******
He awoke with a jolt realizing he was face down in a bunch of leaves. The door must have knocked him out. He listened to the sounds of the woods. His eyes were still stinging from the spray. He wiped them with the sleeve of his shirt. Barely able to open his eyes, he looked in the back seat and cursed.
His angel had flown and he needed to find her quickly.
******
She thought she heard a noise behind her and turned toward the sound. As she did she tripped over a fallen tree limb and went down, hard. She looked down at her leg and saw a large bleeding gash.
A limb had gouged her leg. Even though it hurt very badly she didn’t make a sound. She was afraid he might be close enough to hear. She couldn’t take any chances. As she brushed the dirt from her leg she looked down at the ground in front of her and gasped.
Something was sticking out of the ground no more than three feet ahead of her. It was a bone and it looked human.
She got to her feet and ran as fast as she could. Her face and legs were bleeding from the scratches and the gash, but she ignored it.
She charged through the brush and the foliage, running headlong onto the asphalt of the main road.
She had also ran right into the path of an oncoming vehicle. She barely heard the screeching of the tires as she lost consciousness and collapsed onto the street.
******
Jared Marshall was returning from Burkeshire where he had picked up some parts for the garage. Suddenly and out of nowhere a woman ran out in front of his truck.
He literally, had to stand up on the brake pedal. The tires squealed as the truck came to a stop not five feet from her. As the truck stopped the woman collapsed. He got out of the truck and ran to her.
She was alive, but bleeding badly. He scooped her up, carried her to his truck and put her on the passenger seat. He had just put the truck in gear as a man covered in blood came running out of the woods.
Jared gunned the engine and raced away. He saw the man swing his arms in anger and then he ran back into the woods. Why was he chasing her? At this point, that didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was the woman in the passenger seat. He had to get her to safety.
He turned his truck around and headed to the hospital. She needed medical attention and she needed it, now.
******
He watched from the woods as the man put Trish into the cab of his truck. He swore under his breath. Had she seen his face? Could she identify him?
This was not part of his plan. He felt a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. He knew he had to get back to the cabin and think.
******
Trish regained consciousness only to realize she was moving yet again. She gasped and looked at the person beside her. The look of terror turned to one of relief as she recognized the driver.
“Wait, I know you,” she said.
“Yeah,” Jared replied, “I’m the one who almost ran you over. I’m also the one that fixed your car. I work at Smitty’s.“
“So does he or at least I think he did,” said Trish.
“What are you talking about?” asked Jared.
“The man that was chasing me. I’ve seen him at Smitty’s. I think he might have worked there too , but I’m not sure,” replied Trish, “I need to get as far away from this place as possible, back into town and to a hospital.”
“Well, you’re in luck because that’s exactly where I’m taking you,” said Jared as he gunned the engine racing back toward town.
Jared pulled his truck into the Charlottesburg General Emergency Room lot. Trish got out of the truck and he helped her into the building.
After helping her to a chair in the waiting room he went to the reception desk.
“She needs to see a doctor,” he said as he pointed to Trish.
The attendant behind the counter said, “Fill out these forms and I’ll put her into a triage room.” He took the forms over to Trish and handed them to her.
“You just need to fill these out. They’ll see you in a few minutes. I have to go. Are you going to be okay?”
“I think I’ll be fine now. Thank you,” replied Trish. Jared left her in the care of the emergency room staff.
The attending physician came into the room to assess her injuries.
“Hello, I’m Doctor Mark Ryan,” he said looking at her leg. “That’s a nasty cut you have there. When was your last Tetanus shot?” he asked.
“I don’t remember,” she said.
“In that case,” he said, “You’ll get a booster today. That wound on your ankle will require stitches. I’ll be back in a moment with a nurse.” He left the room.
The doctor returned a few minutes later with a suture tray and a nurse. He picked up a syringe from the tray and injected an anesthetic into Trish’s wound.
Trish winced at the needle stick, but after a few seconds the medicine took effect.
“We’ll give you a few minutes for the full effect and then we’ll begin,” he said as he and the nurse left the room.
When the two returned they went to work stitching her wound. The nurse wrapped the wound in bandages and completed the release paperwork. The doctor wrote her a prescription for an antibiotic and pain pill.
“You’ll need to take these twice a day, every day, until gone,” he said.
“These are your release instructions,” said the nurse, handing her the papers.
“You’ll need to either come back here or see your personal doctor to have those stitches removed,” said Doctor Ryan.
; “Thank you,” said Trish as she got up from the bed.
“You’re welcome,” he said. “Try to keep those bandages dry.”
When Trish got to the lobby she realized that she didn’t have a way home. She went to a courtesy phone in the corner.
Her purse complete with cellphone was still in that guys car. She pulled a business card from her pocket.
She called the only number she had, David Moore’s. David answered on the first ring.
“Hello?” he said.
“Hi David, it’s Trish,” she said.
“You feeling better?” he asked.
“Well to tell you the truth, not really. I’m at the Charlottesburg emergency room. There’s been an incident and I need a ride home. I’ll explain when you get here, but please hurry,” she said.
“I’m on my way,” he said. She hung up the phone as she sat to wait by the window
******
David ran into the lobby of the hospital. He saw Trish sitting in a chair in the corner. He grabbed her in a bear hug before he’d even realized what he was doing.
When he finally released her he asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine just a little scratched up,” she said.
“That looks like more than a scratch,” he said, pointing to her leg. “Before you even begin to tell me what happened, we’ve got to get you outta here and to someplace safe.”
David took Trish home and she explained a little about what happened. She needed to get a change of clothes because the clothes she’d been wearing needed to be put into paper bags and placed into evidence.
“Anything that may have come in contact with him could contain crucial evidence.”
“I kicked him in the face so I guess you’ll need these too,” she said, kicking off her sneakers. She placed them in another bag.
“Do you think you could remember enough to get a sketch?” asked David.
“I’ll do what I can,” said Trish. He took her straight from the apartment to the precinct.
Hidden Angels: Wildfire Lake Book One Page 8