Run Like Hell (15 page)

The bell ending first period rings as I leave the office. The hallways flood with students hurrying to their lockers and second period. I haven’t talked to either Traci or Jack about last night. I wished I’d been the one to tell them first rather than them hearing about it through the school grapevine. Traci stood beside me despite her objections to the decisions I made. I hope Traci didn’t get into trouble on account of what I had gotten her involved with. Her parents are lenient but I don’t want her dealing with the aftermath of my mistakes.

I hold myself accountable for getting in the car with Brian. What would’ve happened had I stayed on the side of the road and declined his offer? Would he have driven off, or would he have forcibly taken me?

Gossip circulates fast in high school and stories of my ordeal spread quickly. The girls give me pitied looks whereas the guys eye me with respect and admiration. They’re impressed I escaped my three captives? Who knows? At lunch I’m besieged with offers to “sit-down and join us” when I walk through the cafeteria with my tray of yogurt and Jell-O. My throat is sore and I only want to eat soft foods. I spy Traci, Jack, and Carlos sitting at our usual table and I excuse myself to join them. They’re the three people I’ve missed the most today. Dropping into my seat, I breathe a huge sigh of relief to be around them.

“How you hanging in there?” Traci asks.

“It’s been a crazy morning, including a visit to Ms. Trudell’s office.” I eat a spoonful of yogurt, suddenly ravenous. I swallow slowly and my friends are sitting quietly, watching me. “I’m sorry,” I breathe. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. Last night was one of the longest nights of my life. When I finally had a moment to myself, I fell asleep. And then today happened—”

“Morgan, what happened?” Traci cuts me off.

The question of the day. I begin telling the three of them what happened and soon other students from nearby tables are listening too. Before I know it, a crowd of people surround our table but I continue, knowing they want to know the truth too. The sad thing is, Caroline is still missing and Ricky is in the hospital. I plead to everyone to visit Ricky at the hospital, to be a good friend to him when he returns to school, and to report any information they may have about Caroline to the police. Someone has to know something. How can someone just disappear? It happens all the time, though. I could’ve been the next missing persons.

My friends are quiet when I finish talking. I get a lot of hugs from the girls and the crowd disperses. I finish eating my lunch and am aware of my friends staring at me, as if I’m suddenly a different person.

“What?” I ask. Have I disappointed them? Did I lose their respect? Oh no, I need them in my life. I don’t know what I’ll do without Traci or Jack. I lied to Jack about what happened Saturday night. Will he hate me now?

Jack speaks but Traci talks over him. “Morgan, I can’t believe what you went through.”

She hugs me and I thank her for always being there for me. Jack is now quiet and I wonder what he was about to say. My cell phone vibrates as I get a text from Mom. Luckily, the police retrieved my iPhone from AJ’s house last night and didn’t hold it as evidence. It’s my lifeline and I think Officer Whitman had something to do with me getting it back.

Mom explains that they’re flying home tonight as scheduled. She talked to Rory this morning and Rory assured her we’ll be fine today and it’s not necessary for her to return home early. I exhale loudly. As soon as they land I’ll be grounded.

“Why don’t we all visit Ricky after school?” I suggest. My friends avoid looking at me and I wonder what I said to offend them.

“Morgan,” Traci begins, “I’m so sorry but I’m not allowed.”

Not allowed? Or won’t? I want to ask but I can tell from the way her eyes are cast downward that something is wrong. Jack has the same miserable expression. Carlos, new to the group, remains quiet.

“Ok, you two. Spill it.” The truth has been pouring out of me since last night and I don’t want to deal with anyone’s deceit at this time.

Traci takes a deep breath. “I’m not allowed to hang out with you for a while,” she confesses.

“What?!” My voice shakes with desperation. We’re best friends. Why wouldn’t she be allowed to hang out with me? But the answer is suddenly clear to me.

Traci takes another deep breath and tears brighten her eyes. “Your mom called late last night and talked to my parents. She wanted to know if they knew what you’d gone through. My parents hadn’t known but they came to my room and asked me about it and I had to tell them, Morgan.” She hesitates and the pained expression in her eyes is more than I can take. “I’m so sorry, but I couldn’t lie to them.”

Like I lied to my own parents.

Had Mom called Jack’s house too? Judging by the guilty look on his face I knew she had.

“My parents didn’t know your folks were out of town. They were upset I’d been at your house several times while your parents were away,” Jack confesses.

Ashamed for what I put them through, I apologize. They don’t deserve to be punished. It’s my fault. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I’m going to be grounded for life once my parents get home but I want you to know that I’m not upset with either of you. I only hope you can forgive me.”

A horrible feeling hits me like a tidal wave. Standing up quickly, my chairs falls over and I hurry to the ladies room. My body breaks out in a cold sweat and I lunge for the toilet and lose what little I had to eat. Heaving and vomiting over the toilet, I’m faintly aware of Traci calling my name.

“Morgan, are you feeling all right?” Traci asks, her hands gently holding my hair away from my face.

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and exit the stall. After thoroughly washing my hands, I cup them under the cool running water and thirstily lap at it, rinsing and spitting the vomit-taste from my mouth. I blot the sweat from my brow with a paper towel. The suddenness of the nausea has me nervous to return to the lunchroom. My stomach still feels queasy.

“You should see the nurse. Come on, I’ll take you there,” she coaxes.

Jack is waiting outside the bathroom holding my book bag.

“I’m taking her to the nurse,” Traci tells him. “She threw up.”

Traci tells Carlos she’ll see him after school and he waves as she leads me toward the nurse’s office. Jack walks beside us on his crutches. I feel I have so much explaining and apologizing to do but don’t have the strength for it.

When we arrive at the nurse’s office, Traci hugs me again and I know our friendship will weather this recent storm.

“Call me later,” she says and then leaves Jack and me alone.

“I’m sorry, Jack. I didn’t plan for these past few days to have turned out the way they did.” My fingers brush his as he grips his crutches. He reaches out and squeezes my hand.

“We have time,” he whispers.

His gaze locks with mine and I’m lost in the familiar depths of his dark brown eyes. Eyes I’ve loved for years but was always too bashful to stare into, until we started dating.

Jack looks down at his bandaged ankle and laughs. “I’ve got a lot of time on my hands now.”

Supporting himself on crutches, he maneuvers us into a hug and I rest my head on his shoulder, enjoying scent of his cologne on his skin. He’s my rock, even on crutches. Tilting my head toward him, I kiss him softly and wish this moment could last longer. My nausea has subsided somewhat but I need to sit down. I kiss him again, and then say good-bye. I watch as he hobbles away. Even on crutches he’s cuter than ever.

The nurse expected me. The principal advised her to release me if I came to her office. After a quick check-up, she suspects stress and shock are affecting my nerves and making me nauseous. Whatever it is, I’m thankful when Rory arrives at school to take me home.

I sink into the passenger seat beside her and doze on the short ride home. She appears tense and nervous but I’m too exhausted to talk. I want my bed. The bump on my head has subsided but it still hurts.

When we arrive at my house I go directly to my room and lay down. It’s only twelve-fifteen in the afternoon but I’m in dire need of sleep. I strip off my clothes and toss them on the floor. Snuggling underneath my covers in my underwear and a t-shirt, I fall asleep immediately.

I dream of Brian hunting me in the woods while I’m walking Tiger. Soundlessly, he sneaks up behind me and clamps his hand over my mouth, stifling my screams. I kick and fight back but can’t escape his rage and violent grip. He drags me through the forest to somewhere dark and musty. Before he leaves me alone in this cold, forgotten place he stares down at me and says, “I thought I killed you, Caroline.”

Chapter Eleven

I wake up panicked and confused and covered in a cold sweat. Sunlight streams through my curtains and I sink back into my pillows. It was a nightmare but the dream was so real.

Caroline, what did Brian do to you?

Are you still alive?

In my gut, I know Brian had something to do with her disappearance.

Footsteps running up the stairs and down the hall rumble throughout the quiet house. My bedroom door bangs open and a breathless Rory runs to my side.

“What happened? I heard you scream.”

“I had a nightmare,” I groggily reply.

She walks into my bathroom. I hear the sound of running water and then she returns with a wet facecloth. Gingerly, she sits on the bed beside me and wipes my forehead with the cool cloth. I close my eyes, enjoying the attention and her soothing presence.

After a few moments I open my eyes and notice she’s dressed in a business suit and her hair and makeup is done. She looks beautiful and professional. “You have to go to work?”

She nods. “The office called and I’m needed this afternoon. Will you be fine if I leave for a while?”

Rory’s hazel eyes are yellow-gold today, a stunning contrast to her jet-black hair pulled back into an elegant ponytail. Her tattoos are discreetly hidden beneath the fine fabric of her suit. Her concern is touching. Regardless of the nightmare and my gut feeling about Caroline, I feel better after my nap. More rested and less nauseous.

“I’ll hang out here. Besides, what could happen?” I crack a sarcastic smile, knowing a lot could happen based on recent events.

“That’s what I’m worried about.” Rory ruffles my hair like I’m six-years old and stands.

“Rory, go to work. I’ll be fine.” Famous last words. But she’d done enough for me and it’s only two o’clock in the afternoon. Most of the events occurred at night, not during broad daylight. I’ll hang around the house and she’ll be back in a few hours. She gives me a lingering look, then hugs me.

“Take a shower while I’m gone. And eat something so your mother doesn’t think I starved you.” A soft smile spreads across her face.

It occurs to me how similar her smile is to Mom’s. Mom has a nice smile but I wish she’d smile more often.

Tiger pads into the room and lies in a sunny patch on my carpet. I shed my sweaty t-shirt and head to the bathroom and run the shower. The warm water and my favorite shower gel leave me feeling refreshed and energized.

Even though I told Rory I’d hang out at home, I want to take Tiger on a short walk and visit Ricky at the hospital. After the hospital I’ll come home and fix dinner for myself and Rory. She’s been cooking for me so it’s time I return the favor. Mom and Dad will be back tonight as well and I want to clean the house before they come home. The rest of my day will be busy. Good thing I took a nap and feel better.

Having showered and nibbled on a granola bar, I hook Tiger’s leash to his collar and exit the house. An officer sits in a police car across the street. He nods at me and I wave back. I hadn’t noticed him earlier when Rory drove me home from school. I must’ve overlooked his squad car due to my tiredness. Or, perhaps it was a favor called in by Officer Whitman and he arrived recently. Regardless, his vigilance provides peace of mind. With Brian still out there, it’s nice to know someone is watching over me.

Tiger bounds toward the long route but I steer him along the shorter route. My time is limited this afternoon. He resists but I manage to lead him down the street. The neighborhood is relatively quiet at this hour. Most residents are either at work or school. My bus will be dropping off students within the half hour.

Tiger suddenly halts and I stumble but regain my balance before I pitch forward on the sidewalk.

“Come on, Tiger. Let’s go home,” I command but he doesn’t budge. He’s snarling at a fence. A cat must be on the other side. I tug the leash again but he doesn’t budge. He continues to stand his ground, snarling and barking erratically.

“Fine, sniff out the cat and then we’ll leave,” I sigh, knowing his resistance is a battle I won’t win.

I loosen the leash and he approaches the fence and jumps up, barking loudly. Looking around, I hope the owners aren’t home. Luckily, nobody comes outside to see what all the noise is about.

“Tiger, down!” But then I hear a cough. The distinct sound came from the other side of the fence. A chill travels down my spine. I’d forgotten my iPhone at home and I’m several streets from my house. Who’s on the other side of this fence? An unnerving silence settles around Tiger and I. Tiger has stopped barking and is looking at me expectantly. Are we being watched? I can’t discern anyone through the slats of the fence.