“Yes. Something like that.” A raspy voice sounding nothing like my own spilled from my lips. I let Gary help me out of the car. I couldn't do this. I whimpered softly. Gary's eyes were filled with concern.
“Are you okay? Can I help? Call someone maybe?”
I took a step toward the path leading to the cabins. I shook my head. To my surprise, Gary moved with me.
“I can't leave you alone Ma'am”
“It's too dangerous.” I let out a sob. “I have to help her.” Gary nodded. He held my arm.
“Tell me where to go.”
I repeated the cabin number. Bile rose up, burning my throat. I swung my body sideways and vomited.
He handed me a tissue and gently tapped my back. I took it gratefully, wiping my mouth. I managed another few steps before vomiting again. My knees buckled and I fell to the ground. My phone rang. I fumbled for it, handing it to Gary. I continued to dry reach. Breathe. Breathe.
“Hi. Yeah she's with me.” Silence. “Yeah, 79, the cabins. Number 26? Got cha. How long ago?” Silence. “Righto. Maybe call another ambulance.” Silence. “I think the girl might be here.”
Gary hung up. I knew something wasn't right. Gary and Simon seemed to know each other. I pushed that aside for now and struggled to my feet.
“Hey, hey. Help is on the way.” He soothed, holding me back. I struggled away.
“What's going on?” I demanded. I felt like I was out of the loop. Even through the haze of the valium I knew something was off. “Tell me.” I begged.
“They had Moosly in custody, but had to release him. That was 25 minutes ago.”
My eyes widened. I had to get to the girl. I thought about what he'd put me though. Gary held my shaking body tighter.
“You're no help in this condition.” He whispered. He led me back to the car.
“Keep her in here.” He ordered the cab driver. He lifted his shirt and showed me his gun.
“I'm an officer. A friend of Simon's. Stay here, I will check the cabin. Under no circumstances do you follow. Understand?” I nodded, knowing full well if I needed to, I'd find a way there.
I watched him disappear into the darkness.
Chapter Twenty-two
The driver bobbed his head to the music pouring through his headphones, oblivious to my panic. It had been fifteen minutes and forty five seconds. Forty six. Forty seven. I quietly undid my seatbelt, my eyes on the driver the whole time. Shit. The light. It would come on when I opened the door. My arm reached forward. Even in the dark I could see it shaking. I flicked the light to off. Next step was to get out.
The door unlocked, I gently opened it, just enough for me to squeeze through. Yes. I did it. I pushed the door closed, not bothering to lock it in properly. Ducking behind the taxi, I crept toward a nearby bush. Once safely out of view, the panic really set in. I was so focused getting out of the car, my anxiety hadn't really been too much of an issue.
Now, out here, in the dead of night in the pitch black, I was overwhelmed with fear. I reached for the tablets I'd stashed in my pocket. I threw back another valium. I had no idea how many I'd taken by now, but it was the only way I had even the smallest chance of getting through this.
Bang!
My body froze.
In the distance, in the cool brisk air, a single gunshot. My body convulsed like it had torn through me. I stumbled, falling against a nearby tree. I vaguely felt the blood as it gashed out of my thigh. I couldn't do this. Where the fuck was Simon. I fumbled in my pockets.
Fuck!
Gary hadn't given back my phone after the call. My skin prickled with goose bumps. I now wished I'd had the sense to take a jacket. The thin material of my T-shirt was doing nothing to shelter the cold. I brought my legs to my chest and hugged them. Maybe I could wait here. They would be here soon. Simon would find me and take me home.
Home. How I wished I was at home now.
Then I thought of her.
The girl.