by Pamela Ann
“Ana?” someone called my name.
Lifting my right hand that had an IV attached to it, I touched the side of my head, feeling the grids of the bandages with my fingers as my eyes searched the dark room, wondering if I was still dreaming.
When I saw the dark figure sitting in the far corner of the room, I knew I wasn’t dreaming nor hallucinating.
“Hunter.” My voice was scratchy from thirst and from not using my vocals for so long. “What happened?”
“Your head’s hurt really badly. You were out for days. Six days, to be exact.” He came up to me, looking like he was almost afraid to touch me. I couldn’t blame him; I probably looked like a hot mess.
“He ought to have killed me,” I whispered, remembering what had occurred and Doug’s evil, dark eyes. “He meant to.”
Hunter was conflicted, pained even, as he gazed upon me. “I had no idea he abused you that way. I knew he was jackass, but this—this—this is soulless. I would never hurt a woman this way. I’m cruel to men, but never women. I would never—”
He didn’t need to tell me, I knew it by how he had treated me that weekend. This wasn’t his fault. This was all Doug. There was no one else to blame.
“I know, and I thank you for being there…” I trailed off before questioning him further. “How did you get there?”
He started pacing, raking both of his hands in his hair as if the horror itself wouldn’t leave him be. “Your text.” He blew out some breath. “You texted HELL. I had to reread it a few times, wondering why you’d text me HELL, and then I remembered that you weren’t the type that would text for no reason. So I rushed to your place…”
He was in agony, as if the next words hurt to say them out loud. “When I got there, Ana… I thought you were dead.” There was something in his voice that made me shiver, as though I could see the horrific picture he was recalling, too.
“He was dragging your lifeless body along the stairs. You were soaked in blood… and it left a horrible trail. He had a knife in his hand. I thought he had killed you.” When I saw his face again, it looked frightened. “I thought you were dead, Ana.”
I had no idea the kind of battle a person would be in had they thought someone they knew was dead and being dragged across the house by a demented man. Hunter’s eyes showed me his pain, though. The poor thing was in great pain, indeed.
“It’s not your fault. I hope you know that.” I wanted to reach out and hold him, but he was too far, and I supposed it wasn’t my place to do so anyway.
He shook his head, disclaiming what I said. “I owe you so much. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me—”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Hunter.” I meant it, too.
Our conversation was interrupted when a nurse came in. When she found me awake, my room became pretty busy. The whirl of events made me dizzy, and as much as I tried to fight away the fatigue, it took over, sliding my lids shut The exhaustion had caught up to me.
It was morning the next time I awoke and the pain in my head throbbed much worse than before. Grimacing, I tried to push my upper body into a sitting position with the use of my hands. When I succeeded, I found Hunter sleeping with his head at the foot of the bed, as if he had fallen asleep watching me. I wasn’t sure why, but that thought made me smile. It was funny how I’d been smiling a lot lately.
Chapter 24
The tests and the rounds of doctors came and went for a whole week. Even though I hated to be in a hospital, let alone to be stuck there and accompanied to the bathroom to shower, I was grateful to have Hunter stay with me throughout it.
The doctor was giving me the clear tomorrow, and I was excited to be discharged. The wound on my head was healing, and the only thing I had to do was change the gauze at home and immediately go to the hospital the second I felt faint or had any dizzy spells. I was also to come back for follow-ups, and they wanted me to schedule them right then and there, however I declined, telling them that I wasn’t sure if I could make it to any of them. As a result, I had to call a number if I was ready for it or if I was out of town. The number was to a specialist they could communicate with about what I had needed.
When they mentioned if I was out of town, I didn’t think much of it until Hunter brought it up, catching me off guard.
“I can’t stay long—there’s a lot of things to be done right now.” His statement momentarily shocked me. If he was leaving me, where would I go?
“Is this goodbye?” I asked cautiously. I knew I wasn’t expecting him to guide me around. Still, I needed some sort of help. I had no one. I was on my own, which was daunting enough. Thinking about going about in the city all by myself brought the usual fright that started my fear of being around people in the first place.
Hunter looked offended before he huffed out a sigh and decided to sit on the bed, carefully entwining my fingers with his. This sweet gesture took me off guard because he hadn’t really touched me for the seven days he had hung around there. He was always careful not to make skin contact, thus this was a nice change. His warmth somehow gave me more energy, and I was hyperaware of him all of a sudden.
I couldn’t do most of what I needed because I was worried about you not waking up, but now that you have and I know you’re going to be okay, I have to get going. I can’t keep putting it off. I hope you understand…” His eyes that once sent chills down my spine were not doing so anymore. He was less intimidating and more approachable for some reason.
“I don’t know what’s really going on, but I know how crazy it must’ve been for you.” I could only imagine…
The soft smile he gave made me stare at him for a little longer than necessary. I wasn’t sure if it was the pain killers or simply him…
Changing the topic, I needed more answers from him. “Where is he? Is he dead?” God, I hoped so. He didn’t deserve to live.
Hunter stayed quiet before finally responding to me. “He’s somewhere where he needs to be. Don’t worry; he won’t come after you anymore. I made sure of that.”
He made sure of it? How?
“You killed him?”
Hunter’s face darkened. “I wished I could do that—I wanted to—well, I almost did…” His face showed me he was back at the scene, recalling what had happened.
“I wished you did, too.” So if Doug wasn’t dead, where was he? “He’s in jail? You called the cops or something?”
My questions made him crack a smile. “Something like that.” He didn’t elaborate, so I let it go. I figured, if he wanted to share it with me, he would. Furthermore, since he was so cryptic about everything, I supposed there was no point in pushing him because he wouldn’t tell me either way. He was that kind of guy.
This was bittersweet. I was finally free, yet I had never thought I’d be saddened in seeing Hunter go. He kind of had grown on me. Even though he didn’t say much, having him around was comforting. His presence brought this odd sense of security, as if his being next to me would keep me protected. I supposed all good things must come to an end.
It was terrifying to be so alone in such a big world, however I knew I had to go out there and live—or try living. I was scared shitless, but I didn’t have a choice. It was either go out there or be forever scared while I hid out someplace no one could reach me. Besides, I was done being alone… it was lonesome. I hadn’t realized that until my mom died. I had to move on if I wanted a future for myself, though. It was the only way I could achieve peace and happiness.
“What do I do now, Hunter?” I voiced out a little bit of my fears.
“You start over… Somewhere far away until all of this dies down.”
Seattle wasn’t an option; I knew that. But where would I go? To Logan in San Diego? Well, why the heck not? My mind butted in, resolving the problem. He did say that I could call him anytime for help…
“I guess you’re right…”
“Thank you for sticking to your bargain, Ana, even though it almost cost you your life. And I’m sorry I t
ook advantage of that.”
He was thanking me, yet he had no clue what he had done for me.
“I knew that, even if I ran away, he’d find me. You were my only choice.” Doug was bent in the head. He was crazed and irrational. Above all, he’d kill me in a heartbeat.
Hunter then handed me a black duffel bag, catching my attention. “I took the liberty in choosing some photos and some other stuff that might be important to you. I hope you don’t mind me doing that.”
Oh, God, he even went out of his way to make me feel better.
That’s thoughtful of you—you didn’t have to.” I was overwhelmed with gratitude that, though we barely knew each other, he had done something that might be nothing to him, but it meant exceedingly more to me.
He shrugged then blushed slightly, amazing me that I could cause such a thing to occur.
“I’ll make sure to put everything you have in storage until you’re ready to come back and take them with you.”
“Again, Hunter, thank you…”
“The money is tucked neatly inside, incase you were wondering,” he gently added in a voice that was toned down a notch.
I gave him a reassuring smile. “I wasn’t; I knew you’d never forget it.”
The side of his cheek lifted, we eyed each other silently, knowing we might never get to see each other again.
Although we hadn’t spent much time together, I knew I’d never forget him and the kindness he had bestowed upon me. He might be doing something bad with his lifestyle, but deep down, he was one of the good ones.
In a world full of selfishness and ugliness, having a good heart was better than playing the part of a good person yet hiding a blackened core. People were good at that—hiding behind their smiles. However, I’d rather be in a room full of drug dealers like Hunter than have a churchgoer who carried around a dark, twisted secret.
Cynical my views might be, but who could really blame me after the hurricane of events that spiraled out of control the moment Doug placed a hand on me?
With his ice cold eyes, he gazed at me tenderly, trailing down my face and stopping on my lips He then snapped his attention back to my eyes with those electrifying eyes that seared into my heart—into my very soul—reeling me in, deeper. “I’ll be seeing you again, Ana.”
I nodded, smiling, knowing this was goodbye for us. I wasn’t going to hold out hope I would see him again. Whatever happened here, though, I wished him all the luck in the world.
“Take care, Hunter.”
He didn’t make a move in wanting to give me a hug or anything that pertained to touching; he merely gave me one of those unforgettable smiles before leaving the hospital room, going out of my life forever.
Sighing, I leaned back against the bed, slowly sliding down the pillow as I closed my eyes, wanting to squash down the immediate feeling of emptiness that washed over me.
Tomorrow was a brand new day, the beginning of a new life. My positive outlook included the inkling in the back of my mind that this new chance hopefully wouldn’t resemble the last one I’d had. Because, if it did, I wasn’t certain I’d have the capacity to keep fighting the demons that had hounded me. After all, it had only been a week since I’d had the powerful hankering for drugs. If given the chance tomorrow, would I decline it if it was freely given to me?
I wasn’t sure.
I wouldn’t have an answer until I was faced with that dilemma. I could lie to myself and say I was fully cured from my addictions of sex and drugs, but I truly wasn’t. The thought of it still brought intense feelings—passion so fierce it scared me for my future.
Praying that God would deter me from temptation, I had to learn abstinence on both cravings. Was I strong enough to fight those though?
I would find out.
Chapter 25
I was discharged the following morning after I signed the paper work. Afterward they gave me a quick checklist of what I had to do with my medicine and what to do in case there was some instance where I felt my wound was causing me any pain at all. Then I was given the green light to leave.
After a dozen or so nods, and yes I understand statements, and with my duffel bag in hand, I was well on my way through the stale, white hallways and out of the hospital doors.
Overwhelmed by the bright sun and the noise of the outside world after a week of seclusion in the hospital room, I stood outside the hospital before I looked back at the sliding doors, wondering if I was ready, or if I should go back inside and tell them I needed another day… or another week.
Get a grip, Ana. My mind pushed on as I contemplated my decisions. Finally getting some good sense, I started to walk before I nervously crossed the street that had a convenience store with a payphone. Logan’s phone number was still at home, but I remembered the name of his cousin’s bar, and I was almost confident the operator could help me with it.
Much to my bad luck, or maybe the world was already conspiring to ruin my first day of being discharged, the bar had no one to pick up the call and only had an answering machine.
“I can give you the address if like.” The operator offered after hearing my defeated sigh.
The address… it was still something. In fact, I could just hop on a train or on a bus and be on my way to San Diego and find Logan myself.
Perking up, I kindly asked the operator to give me the address. I also took a chance in asking if there was a bus station or a train stop that led from state to state. When she asked for my destination, she immediately gave me the address that was only a few blocks away.
Okay, life is turning its positivity on me again, I thought with a grin.
After a quick goodbye, I went inside the convenience store and purchased some water and snacks, preparing for my long trip to California. After paying, I immediately left the store before I stopped to check the traffic lights. When it signaled for me to walk, I was half-running to get across the street when, out of nowhere, a white car accelerated towards me. Panic seized me, rooting me to the spot, before the oncoming car broke into a halted screech with the bumper pushing my knees, making me lose my balance, and I hit the asphalt.
Fuck. What bad luck. I grumbled as I tried to get up when I heard a car door open then slam shut. I could hear frantic footsteps moving towards me and a person breathing unevenly.
“Oh, God! I’m so sorry. I was distracted with my phone—I got a text—then you came out of nowhere. I should’ve paid attention. Are you hurt? Where did I hit you?” a young woman’s frenzied voice stated as she started to check my scraped knee.
Opening my eyes, I was surprised to see a woman about my age. She wore glasses and looked like the smart kind.
“Are you hurt? I can take you to the emergency room to get you looked over just to make sure. My parents are both doctors. I don’t want you to risk any internal wounds, just in case.”
I just got out of the hospital, and frankly, it was the last thing I wanted after getting all hyped up to leave and imagining what it would be like to be around the beach and enjoy the sun without having a care in the world. I just wanted to escape, not face the demons that had messed up my life for the last few months, which would happen again once I was confined in the hospital.
Finally finding the courage to speak, I attempted to sit up using my right palm, pushing myself up to get on my feet ever so slowly. “There’s no need. The bumper barely touched my knee, that’s all.”
I looked down at my jeans that had stains on them. Sure my head hurt and the side of my hips felt sore, probably because she hit me there, too, but there was no way I was stopping this journey. I needed to keep going. Every second I stayed in this city, the worse it became for me. No, I had to get out, STAT.
Tapping the dirt away, I tried to muster an it’s-okay-we-all-had-our-bad-days smile. “I really should get going.”
“Hold on, wait.” The woman touched my arm, not letting me off that easily. “Let me help. Let me pay for the damages or something. You can’t just walk away as if nothing’s happen
ed. It wouldn’t be right. I owe you that at least, after almost killing you with my reckless driving. I’ll take you home, then we can talk.”
She looked like she was about to cry. I almost reached out and gave her a hug, wanting to tell her this was nothing compared to what had happened to me, so she shouldn’t worry. I didn’t want money or pity. None of that. I wanted out of Washington State.
“I don’t have one,” I stated as calmly as possible.
It was the truth. Bill, from what Hunter had informed me, still hadn’t showed up. He was actually telling me that maybe Doug had killed his father, too, but I doubted that. Doug wasn’t that ruthless, was he? After all, Bill was his father. He loved him, didn’t he?
She looked more confused than a second ago. “What do you mean? Are you homeless, or is there a friend that we can call to help out?”
“No. There is no friend,” I said again in the same tone. “I’m on my own.”
“Shit. Okay. It wouldn’t have been a problem to take you with me back to my dorm, but it’s summer time and I was on my way to drive back home to San Diego. I can get you a hotel room for a few days, will that help until you’ve figured things out?”
Whoa. What the ever loving fuck? Wait. Did she just say San Diego?
“Excuse me, did you say you were heading home to San Diego?” I didn’t want to look excited or too happy to hear it, therefore I acted neutral.
California, you’re almost in my reach.
“Yes, I live in Southern California and study at WSU. I need to drive my car back home because I’m going to El Salvador with my parents the day after tomorrow. We do this every year—they’re doctors.”
Well, they sounded like a lovely family.
“That’s great—” Strained and awkward, I stared at her shoes before asking the question I’d been dying to voice. “I know you don’t know me, and I promise I’m a good person, but… Would it be too much if I asked to ride back with you to San Diego? I’m on way to see a friend of mine out there, and since you’re heading to the same city, I thought we could keep each other company.”
