by Joy Wild
The voice sounded calm and sexy, but she was afraid to answer. Maybe Blake changed his voice to get her to come out. Autumn was scared. She needed Abby.
“Red, wake up, now,” the voice called again. Someone was shaking her.
Finally, she opened her eyes, and it took a moment to focus, but she was face to face with those sexy eyes. Mark.
“What happened?” Autumn said slowly.
“You were having a nightmare, and you were screaming for Abby,” Mark said.
“Everything okay back there?” Chris asked.
“Yes. Autumn had a bad dream.”
“Okay, we will be there in about thirty minutes,” Chris called out.
“Got it,” Mark replied.
Autumn realized that Mark was lying on the stretcher with her. She started to panic.
“Easy, Red. No one can see us. Relax. I promise you I am just holding you.”
“You cannot get involved with me. Blake will kill you.”
“I ain’t worried about that piece of shit,” Mark said.
“Mark, he has connections you wouldn’t believe. He knows every move I make.”
“That’s okay because now I will know every move he makes.”
“You can’t stop this. If I do anything, Mark, anything at all, he will take Abby from me. I am a single mom. I have a crazy job with weird hours. My family doesn’t have anything to do with me, and I have no one to help. No judge would give me custody of Abby. Besides, Blake would kill me to save himself the trouble.”
“I can stop this, and I will. I will find a way. I have connections too, Red.”
“Why do you call me that?”
“Your hair is a beautiful red, and it reminds me of fire. So Red seems to fit.”
“I am fire, Mark. You will get burned.”
“Good thing you’re a paramedic then; you can treat me.” He laughed as he snuggled her up to him. “Rest. We have thirty minutes till we get to hell.”
Autumn snuggled up with Mark. It felt so right to be in his arms, but she knew the danger that lay ahead. He didn’t. She must have drifted off to sleep because suddenly Mark was waking her up. They were at the incident command, a.k.a. IC. She sat up slowly; her whole body hurt, but what she noticed the most is that she missed the warmth of Mark’s body next to her.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?” Mark asked.
“For holding me, for what you said,” she said. She kept her eyes downcast, afraid to stare into his eyes. Fearful of what she might see.
He put his fingers under her chin and gently turned her face up until she had to peer at him.
“You never have to thank me, Autumn. This is what I do,” Mark told her.
That’s when reality hit her. Mark doesn’t care about her; she is just a job. She pulled away from him.
“We have work to do,” she said as she climbed out of the ambulance. The air that hit her in the face was hot. The wind was blowing, and the heat was stifling. You could feel the hurricane coming in with a vengeance. The sky was dark and foreboding, which told her the outer bands were beginning to hit.
The four of them walked into the IC center to get orders.
After a twenty-minute briefing, John walked up and told the group what they would be doing.
“Okay, since you are the first truck here, you will be moving the most critical first. The Director of Nursing at the nursing home will have staging areas in place already. Since we have hanging stretchers, you can take four of the most urgent first, along with one ambulatory patient. You will have to stand or kneel on the floor every trip for now. We have two hundred and thirty-three patients to move,” John told them and handed them papers. “Here is the location you are going to. When you get there, people will be ready to help you unload. Give them the patient's file with the patient. Once unloaded, return for more.”
“Got it,” Chris said as he, Autumn, and Mark headed for the ambulance. Mark was in full uniform with his gun visible. He normally didn’t wear a uniform, but Autumn knew it was to scare people away from doing anything stupid, but she couldn’t help but admire how sexy he was in that uniform. She wondered if he had handcuffs with him. Autumn blushed, catching herself and turning away.
Mark enjoyed lying next to Autumn and holding her. She was so sweet and loving, and he hated the way she was living. He vowed to himself he would fix it for her. Those amazing green eyes made his dick twitch. He smiled at the thought of what making love to her would be like. Yea, she is fire. When they arrived at IC, he began waking her up. He didn’t want to because she was sleeping so soundly. They talked for a minute, but something suddenly changed in her eyes though. She jumped out of the ambulance so quickly, he didn’t have time to ask her what was wrong. Well, at least he would be with her for the rest of this hurricane.
As they loaded up patient after patient and drove them to new locations, Mark had a new appreciation for how hard Autumn and all the paramedics worked. He never knew how much went into what they did.
“Damn, how do you do this all day long? I work out, and my body hurts from all the moving of patients and equipment,” Mark asked Autumn as he rubbed his shoulders.
“Nothing worse than what you do. Besides, we don’t do this every day,” Autumn said.
“Hey, Autumn,” Chris called from the front of the ambulance.
“Yea?” Autumn answered.
“This is our last transport. We are being sent to a shelter after this. The wind is too bad to keep going.”
“Copy that.”
They quickly dropped their last patients at the shelter and then headed over to their designated shelter.
They checked in and then went to grab a corner for their group. Mark viewed the room around him and saw people starting to call their families and let them know they were okay. He listened to the wind roaring around the shelter. The thunder was getting louder, and the lightning was almost constant. It was the beginning of a very long night. He watched Autumn and saw her pick up her phone. He knew she would call Abby. He suddenly wanted to meet her little girl. If she looks anything like her mother, she will be adorable. Mark walked over to join Steve and Sam as they were making up beds on the floor next to the women they were protecting.
“Y’all ready for this?” Mark laughed.
“I’d rather be home with my wife and daughter,” Steve said. “I’m worried about them. Spring said it is a little windy there, but so far, that’s it.”
“She’s going to be okay, Steve. Stephanie is close by, and she would make Caleb go get them if need be,” Summer reassured him.
“I know,” Steve said. Mark saw his eyes follow Autumn. “Who’s she talking to?”
Mark shrugged his shoulders. He knew, but he couldn’t tell. It wasn’t his secret. He sat watching Autumn until his phone rang.
“Owens,” he answered.
“Get the guys and go to an area where we can talk. Call me back.” The phone went dead.
“Come on guys, we got to take this call,” Mark said as he got up. “Ladies, please do not leave this area until we get back. That goes for Autumn too.”
“I’m too tired to move. I’m just going to die right here,” Summer said.
“You’re not dying at all,” Sam said and leaned down to kiss her.
“I second what Summer said,” Winter reiterated. She curled up in a ball, and Mark paused for a moment; he realized that Winter never called anybody. He looked up to see Autumn watching him. He motioned to her that he was going to make a phone call. When she nodded her acknowledgment, the guys walked to another corner. He chose an area where he could still see Autumn.
Holding out his cellphone, he hit Gene’s number.
“About time,” Gene said.
“We had to secure an area. It’s loud as fuck in here,” Mark said.
“I have some interesting news. What I am about to tell you stays between us until it can’t. Got it?”
“Got it. Steve and Sam are here too.”
“Yes,” Mark said. He felt the stares of the other two guys.
“Well, Blake Daze is into some serious shit. He has gambled away most of his money. He’s struggling not to lose everything.”
“Well, that would serve him right,” Steve said.
“Yea, I agree. What you don’t know is that there is a five million dollar life insurance policy on Autumn and a two and a half million dollar policy on Abby.”
“Fuck,” Mark said.
“Yea, my gut is telling me that Blake wants them dead. That is more than enough money to get him out of his debt and save everything. The problem is that he is in debt to a very deadly man. All we know is his name is Diego. No one ever sees him, but anyone who crosses him dies.”
“Fuck. They will go after Autumn and Abby to get the money.”
“I’m afraid so, but our hands are still tied unless Autumn asks for help or an attempt is made on her life, and we can step in. She knows what you do, Mark. It’s not a secret you are hiding. Talk to her. Get her to listen. Their lives depend on it. Gotta go.” The phone went dead.
“Well, fuck,” Mark said.
“She has a daughter? You knew about her?” Steve asked.
“Yes, she does. I only found out earlier, just before we left to come here.”
“Well, hell. That just made this a hundred times harder. We have to get Abby to safety,” Sam said.
“Yea, but how the fuck do we do that when Autumn doesn’t want help.”
“I don’t know yet,” Steve said. “We’ll find a way.”
They headed back to the girls. Mark was determined to get to Autumn.
16
Autumn grabbed her phone and dialed.
“Hello, Autumn,” Lela greeted.
“Hey Ms. Lela, how is everything there?” Autumn asked.
“Windy,” she laughed. “How about there?”
“Same. Lots of rain too. How’s my baby?”
“She’s good. Wanna talk to her?”
“Yes, please,” Autumn said.
“Hey, Mommy,” Abby squealed.
“Hey, love bug,” Autumn said. “Are you having fun?”
“Yes, Momma.”
“Okay, it may be a couple of days before I can get home to you, baby. The weather is getting dreadful.”
“Are you okay, Mommy?”
“I am good, baby. Just working hard. We have to stay here in a shelter until the storm passes by.”
“Who are you with, Mommy? Is Daddy there?”
“I’m with co-workers, baby. No, your daddy isn’t here. I’m sure the team is being sheltered.”
“Okay, Mommy. I love you.”
“I love you too, love bug. I will be home as soon as I can. Make sure you listen to Ms. Lela, okay. You remember where to go if anything happens, right?’
“Yes, ma’am. I will listen, I promise.”
“Okay, love bug, I will call you again as soon as I can. I love you. Forever family.”
“I love you too, Mommy. Bye.”
“Bye, baby,” Autumn said. She hung up her cellphone with tears in her eyes. She wanted nothing more than to hold her daughter.
She turned and saw Mark right behind her.
“Eavesdropping?” Autumn said haughtily.
“No, Red. I just walked up. Are you okay?” Mark asked.
“Peachy,” Autumn said. She began making her bed on the floor.
“Nope, you are sleeping with me,” Mark said.
“Like hell I am. I am perfectly fine on my own, Mark. I have been taking care of myself and others for a long time,” she said, eyeing the others staring at her.
“I mean, you are sleeping next to me. Autumn, you are in danger. I need to be able to protect you.”
“I can protect myself. Leave me alone, Mark. Blake will kill you if he even knows we are talking, and somehow, he always finds out.”
About that time, there was a bright flash of lightning and a massive boom of thunder. The entire building went dark as several people screamed.
“Everyone stay still; the generators will kick in,” a voice yelled.
It was pitch black when Autumn felt a hand go over her mouth and someone pulling her away. She couldn’t scream for help and couldn’t fight his strength.
“Shut up and walk with me. I have no plans to hurt you, but I don’t need your boyfriend interrupting.”
He pushed her into a small closet, stepped in behind her then closed the door as the lights came on. He was a black man about six feet tall and super muscular. Autumn was terrified. Her whole body was trembling, and all she could think was that she was going to die and not see Abby again.
“Listen to me, Autumn,” he said. Her eyes widened. He knew her, but she didn’t know him.
“If you won’t scream, I will let go. I need to tell you something. I promise you I mean you no harm.”
She nodded at him. He slowly released his hold on her mouth.
“What do you want?”
“I work for a man named Diego. You don’t need to know who that is. What you need to know is you are in danger. Because of your ex-husband, Diego wants you and your daughter dead. I’m warning you to get the hell out of here. I don’t believe in killing women and children. You are innocent, but you need to go. I’m not in charge.”
Autumn was pale and shaking. Her whole world was crashing down around her, and she couldn’t get to her daughter.
“Why are you telling me?” Autumn finally asked.
“You were married to a piece of shit. He started out as a great football player with his whole life and career ahead of him but has gambled away his entire fortune and his life. He wasn’t a bad guy until he got lost in the fame and fortune. You don’t deserve that. Please, Autumn, please run. If we meet again, I will have no choice but to kill you. Don’t make me do it.”
He quickly left the room and disappeared into the crowd. Autumn slowly walked out the back door, not letting anyone know she was leaving. Her only thought was to get to Abby before this Diego did. Why did you do this Blake? We did love each other once. Abby deserves better than a life on the run.
When the generators kicked on, everyone was accounted for, everyone but Autumn.
“Where’s Autumn?” Mark asked in a panic.
“She was right here when the lights went out,” Sam said.
“Fuck. Sam, stay here with these two. Steve, go south and circle the room; she has to be here. I will go north.”
“Roger that,” Steve took off.
Mark headed north in the room, using a flashlight for better visibility. The emergency lights weren’t near as bright.
Mark saw a group of officers talking, so he approached them.
“Hey guys, have you seen an auburn-haired paramedic come through here?”
Several guys shook their heads and laughed.
“Girlfriend run away?” one asked.
“No, asshole, she’s in trouble, and she disappeared when the lights went out,” Mark said.
“I saw a girl who may match that description go into the bathroom a few minutes ago,” one officer said and pointed toward the bathrooms.
“Thanks,” Mark said and headed that way.
When he got to the door, he asked one of the women standing outside the entrance to check and see if Autumn was in the bathroom.
The woman went inside and came back out. “There is no one in there.”
“Thank you for checking,” Mark told her. He had searched the entire north side of the building and decided to head back. Maybe Steve had found her.
He made it back to their area, and there was no sign of Autumn. He glanced at Steve, who shook his head.
“Damn it, where could she be?” Mark asked.
“How did she disappear so quietly? It was pitch black in here.”
“I don’t know, but we have got to go find her. You guys stay here.”
“No way you dumbass. Do you seriously think she went out in this weather?” Sam asked.
“Yes, I do,” Mark said. “She’s going to Abby.”
“Well, let’s go then,” Steve said.
“Sam, stay with the girls here, please. They don’t need to go out in this storm.”
“Roger that,” Sam said.
Mark and Steve headed for the door but were met by FEMA officials.
“You cannot go out in the storm,” one of the FEMA people said.
“I have to find a missing person,” Mark said and showed them his badge.
“Not going out. We have a category five hurricane beating on us. No one leaves.”
“I am going to find my girlfriend. She was here, and now she’s gone.”
“No one has gone out for the last two hours. The door is guarded. She could not have left.”
“Well, I guess that means she is still here somewhere. Thanks for your help,” Steve said as he pulled Mark away. “We need to see if there is another door out of here.” They began searching the building.
“There are doors out; the question is are they unlocked or not,” Mark said.
Mark’s phone rang.
“Owens,” he said without even looking at the caller ID.
“What the hell is Autumn doing heading to Baton Rouge in a fucking hurricane?” Gene boomed.
“She took off. We are trying to find a way out of here. FEMA won’t let us out voluntarily. She left when the power went out.”
“Take the next hallway to your left. Go to the end and turn left. There is a door leading outside. It’s electronic, so I will open it for you. I’ll have an officer waiting for you. Be careful out there. I can’t lose half my fucking team in a hurricane.” Gene hung up.
“Well, thank you, nice talking to you too, bye,” Mark said to no one.
“What?” Steve asked.
“Gene has a way out for us. Follow me.”
They turned left and went quickly and quietly down the hall. They did not want to run into any more FEMA people.
“Here we go,” Mark said. He pushed the door open, and the wind yanked it so hard it about ripped off. Both Steve and Mark grabbed it and pushed it shut. Sure enough, the car was waiting for them. Steve jumped in the back, and Mark hopped in front.
