Save Me

by Monahan, Ashley

  “No,” Marc said defensively.

  “Did you see who did this ma’am?”

  “Na…” Mercy took a deep breath. “No.”

  The trooper looked through Marc. Two medics crouched down to her. Marc took a step aside, kneeling down behind her head. She wouldn’t let go of his hand. Her breathing quickened as they began to work on her.

  “It’s alright Mercy, it’s alright,” Mark assured.

  “Stay with me,” Mercy pleaded.

  “I’m here.”

  “What’s your name?” the trooper asked her.

  “Mercy Kendrick.”

  “What’s your date of birth?”

  “May…fifteenth…nineteen eighty seven.”

  “Thank you Mercy,” the trooper looked to Marc, “we need to talk.” He pointed his finger to Marc.

  “Then talk,” Marc said bluntly.

  “Come with me.”

  “Whatever you need to say, say it. I’m not leaving her.”

  “Let me explain something, this isn’t a choice. You need to stand up and come with me son.”

  “I’m not your son.” Marc had a foul taste for law enforcement when they treated him with disrespect.

  “Come with me, now.” The trooper’s voice was commanding.

  “No, no…Marc…stay…please, no…” Mercy pleaded.

  The trooper grabbed Marc by the elbow. Marc pulled back.

  “Whatever you need, I’ll answer, I’ll be cooperative, just wait, please, let me stay with her.” Marc tried to appeal to his decent side.

  The officer grabbed him and pulled him to his feet dragging him away from Mercy.

  “Marc…Marc…” Mercy called after him. “No…Marc…”

  “I’ll be right back, Mercy,” Marc said as he was led away. “Sir, I promised her I wouldn’t leave her.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” The officer pushed him against the police cruiser. “This is your time to come clean. Did you hit her?”

  “No, I didn’t hit her. Look at my car, you won’t find any damage.”

  “Then one of your little street racer friends did.”

  Marc didn’t answer the accusation.

  “Funny thing. We had complaints of a car just like yours, with the same license plate, driving at excessive speeds. You and a BMW. About ten minutes before the accident came in as a matter of fact.”

  The trooper looked at Marc in victory, his face stone serious.

  “Care to tell me the truth?”

  “I told you the truth.”

  “So what were you doing out here. You’re from Manhattan according to your license plate.”

  “I was restless tonight so I went for a ride.”

  “Right. To Bellview. The more cooperative you are with me, the better this will go for you, Mister Foster.”

  “I’m being cooperative.”

  “Sit down on the front of my car and stay.”

  Marc did as he was told. The trooper, Trooper Fuckstick, as Marc had officially deemed him, walked with his flashlight to Marc’s car. Marc could hear Mercy saying his name and it tore him apart not being able to go to her.

  “You didn’t find any damage, did you?”

  “Just because I didn’t find any damage doesn’t mean you didn’t hit her.”

  “Jesus Christ,” Marc exhaled.

  “Why don’t you tell me how you came upon Miss Kendrick.”

  “I came around the corner and there she was. I don’t know what else you want me to tell you.”

  “Stay here.” Trooper Fuckstick pointed his flashlight and went to Mercy’s side dropping down on a knee. He spoke to her for a few minutes then returned.

  “Miss Kendrick said there was a second car.”

  “It must have been before I stopped.”

  “She heard you two conversing.”

  Marc didn’t think she’d be coherent enough to remember, she was out of it when Jose had left. Marc gritted his teeth knowing he was absolutely, 100%, fucked.

  “So, you can tell me who this second car was, this BMW, or I can charge you. It’s your choice.”

  “I don’t know anything about a BMW.”

  You don’t rat out another Tiburon. His fate wouldn’t be much different than if he’d disobeyed Ace.

  “You’re making this a lot harder on yourself than need be. But, if that’s the way you want it.” Trooper Fuckstick pulled out his handcuffs.

  “What are you arresting me for?”

  “Reckless conduct and driving with a suspended license.”

  “Suspended license? What? My license isn’t suspended and you can’t charge me with reckless conduct based on hearsay.”

  “You should have paid your speeding ticket.”

  “I did pay my ticket.”

  “And with five witnesses to your driving, I have plenty to charge you with reckless conduct. I have a crash reconstructionist on the way here. If he finds you’re responsible for this accident, you’re going to hang.”

  Mercy was loaded onto backboard and lifted onto a stretcher.

  “I promised her I’d go to the hospital with her, let me go, you can do whatever you want to me from there, just let me go with her.”

  “That isn’t happening.”

  “Let me say goodbye.”

  “You’ve done enough son.”

  “I’m not your fucking son!” Marc turned and walked toward Mercy. Before he got three steps away, Trooper Fuckstick had him face planted on the pavement.

  “I just want to say goodbye!” Marc yelled protesting.

  “Marc!” Mercy cried as they loaded her into the ambulance.

  “Mercy, it’s okay!” Marc yelled to her. “It’s going to be okay!”

  “Shut up.” Trooper Fuckstick secured the handcuffs around his rugged wrists. “You can kiss your little Porsche goodbye too.”

  Marc struggled beneath him. Trooper Fuckstick delivered a swift knee into his ribs.

  “Get up.”

  Marc complied in pain. Trooper Fuckstick pushed Marc into the back seat of his cruiser.

  “You can add disorderly conduct to your list of charges.” Fuckstick slammed the back door. Marc watched as the ambulance pulled away.

  *****

  Mercy

  Mercy had never felt such pain. It was encompassing, all consuming. Her leg, she couldn’t feel it below her knee. The medic was focused on her leg. Being strapped down to the backboard, she couldn’t look at her leg and she badly wanted to.

  Why did the trooper take Marc away? Why wouldn’t he let him stay? He promised to stay! His touch grounded her and now she felt like she was spinning out of control.

  “What’s your name?” the young woman who worked on her asked.

  “Mercy.”

  “My name is Kendra. I’m going to take good care of you. We’ll be at the hospital in no time, alright.”

  Mercy heard her, but didn’t respond. Her strength was gone, the pain was starting to subside. And then everything went black.

  *****

  Marc

  Marc sat in lockup waiting for the opportunity to make bail. It’d been hours and they’d yet to process him. He had few people he could call. Ace and that was about it. Ace likely had a hit on him after losing $50,000 on his defeat.

  “Foster,” a guard opened the door calling his name. Marc rose to his feet and was led out to the intake room.

  “Bail’s been set at four thousand two hundred dollars,” the guard said. “You get one call.”

  “Four thousand dollars?” Marc said in shock. That was a ridiculous amount for the offenses he’d supposedly committed.

  “You going to make your call or not?” The guard asked impatiently.

  The only person Marc knew that had that kind of money on hand was the very man who was going to kill him. Marc dialed the phone.

  “Hello,” Ace answered.

  “Ace, it’s Marc.”

  “What the fuck happened? You just fucking disappear, I lost fifty G’s b
ecause of you!”

  “I’m in county lockup.”

  “Jose told me about—”

  “Recorded line,” Marc reminded him. “I’ll explain it all, but I need forty two hundred to get out of here.”

  “Why should I bail your ass out, you fucking lost the shirt of my back tonight.”

  “I’m here because of you. I could get disbarred over this shit.”

  “Tiburons look out for one another, you only remember that when it’s convenient.”

  “I’m saving his ass,” Marc said behind gritted teeth.

  Ace took a deep breath.

  “I’ll send someone.”

  “Thank you.” Marc hung up the phone and was led back to a cold dark holding room.

  Four hours later a young kid, Niles, showed up to bail him out. Niles was nineteen and newly inducted. He was a bright kid who deserved better. A kid who had a future if he’d take the high road.

  Marc was buzzed out from the locked doors to the lobby area. Marc walked past Niles to the front door pissed beyond belief.

  “Where’s your car?”

  “Over here.” Niles jogged ahead of him and pointed to an old Grand Am.

  Marc climbed in and prepared himself for the upcoming conversation with Ace.

  It was daylight by the time they pulled into the drive of Ace’s large house.

  “Ace’s pissed,” Niles warned.

  “So am I.” And Marc was. Depending on the outcome of the charges, his career could be on the line.

  “Marc,” Ace said coldly as he entered the living room area of the large home. Ace, the head of the gang, lived the high life like a mob boss.

  “Ace.”

  “Come take a seat.” Marc walked past Ace and took a seat on the plush couch.

  “What…the…fuck…were…you…thinking?” Ace stretched the words out and enounced each long and clear.

  “Jose hit a girl and left her for dead.”

  “Which is the same thing you should have done.” Ace’s voice was unforgiving.

  Marc shook his head.

  “It wasn’t her fault Jose couldn’t control his piece of shit. The reason Jose isn’t in jail is because I wouldn’t rat him out!”

  “What do you know, it’s the first thing you’ve done for this gang in years.”

  “Jesus Christ Ace, I fight every case you’re little assholes fall into.”

  “Assholes, huh.” Ace took a few steps closer to Marc.

  “Yes, ASSHOLES.”

  Ace hit Marc with his right fist, a punch with force behind it. Marc slumped over on the couch, blood dripped from his nose.

  “Now you owe me.” Ace pointed to him. “You’ll be racing for me again next week and if you lose again, I won’t be so kind.”

  Marc composed himself, wiping blood on the back of his hand.

  “Fuck you, I don’t have a fucking car Ace. The police impounded it for their investigation.”

  “I’ll make arrangements.”

  “Christ, let it go.”

  “Are these charges going to stand?”

  Marc wiped the steady stream of blood from his nose. He shook his head.

  “No, they’re bullshit charges.”

  “Then don’t sweat it.”

  “And now how the fuck do I explain my face to my boss?”

  “That’s not my problem.” Ace sat down. “Maybe you’ll remember your place in this establishment the next time you’re feeling righteous.”

  Marc wanted to flatten Ace. He wanted to beat him to a fucking pulp and leave, but the scenario wouldn’t play out that way in reality. In reality he’d wind up dead with a bullet to the temple.

  “Niles give him a ride. Get the fuck out of here.”

  Marc followed Niles back out to the Grand Am.

  “You don’t want to cross him man,” Niles warned as they sunk into the beater car.

  “Get out while you can,” Marc told him sternly.

  “Once a Tiburon, always a Tiburon. There’s only one way out.”

  Marc’s stomach sank. Wasn’t it the truth. Likely this kid was a drug mule, that’s what all the young members were, the ones to take the fall.

  Niles dropped him off at his building.

  “Sir, are you alright?” the doorman asked.

  “I’m fine. Just a misunderstanding.”

  “Do you need me to call the police?”

  “I took care of it, it’s alright John.”

  John pushed the button for the elevator and Marc rode to his apartment. Once inside he withdrew his cell phone and called the firm. He was “under the weather”, that’s all they needed to know. Stripping his clothes from his taut body, Marc turned the shower on scalding hot and stepped inside. He leaned against the tile of the shower and hit his fist off the side. If he could turn back the clock to when he was a kid, the changes he would make. But, he couldn’t do that. His life was what it was. He was a Tiburon. Once a Tiburon, always a Tiburon. Marc let the water stream down his back, trying to relax his tensed muscles. His mind raced with thoughts of Mercy. Haunted him would be a more accurate description. Her scared face, her contorted leg. Was she alive? If she lived, she’d lose her leg, he had no doubt. Jose and he had forever changed her life.

  Mark stayed in the shower for more than a half an hour before pulling himself out. Sleep. If he could get his mind to stop racing, that was what was in store.

  THE AFTERMATH

  Mercy

  Mercy woke up feeling as though the world was in suspended animation. Her head hurt like hell, her chest ached, and her leg seared as though a hot poker had been driven through it.

  “Mercy!” Cora Kendrick leaned over her. “Baby, oh my God, thank you God, she’s awake!”

  “Mom?” Mercy said in a haze.

  “Kent, she’s awake!” Cora looked over her shoulder. Kent, Mercy’s father, came to her bedside with a grim look.

  “You’re going to be alright baby girl.” Cora sat on the side of the bed and took Mercy’s hand.

  “Everything hurts.”

  Cora reached over her and pressed a button releasing pain killer.

  “That should help.”

  “Am I okay?” Mercy asked apprehensively. She didn’t feel okay.

  “You’re going to be fine.”

  “We need to tell her before she finds out for herself,” Kent said solemnly.

  “Find out what?”

  “Baby girl,” Cora squeezed her hand. “You broke a few ribs and you’re wrist and had some internal bleeding, but you’re going to be okay.”

  “Cora,” Kent said with pain.

  “I can’t tell her.” Cora stood up. Kent went to her bedside and leaned over.

  “We’re going to be here with you every step of the way through your recovery. And you’re going to be fine, you’re a strong girl. A strong woman. You’re going to make it through this.”

  “What are you talking about Daddy?”

  Kent took a deep breath.

  “They couldn’t save your leg.”

  “What do you mean?” Mercy tried to sit up, but the pain overtook her. “Help me sit up.” Mercy’s voice was a few octaves higher. “Please Daddy, help me up.”

  Kent helped her into a sitting position. She pulled back the sheet and looked down at her stump of a leg. From just above her kneecap to her foot was gone. G O N E.

  “Wha…what?” Mercy looked down in horror. “No…no, this isn’t happening…”

  “Honey, you’re lucky to be alive. Focus on that, okay. We’re so thankful to still have you with us.”

  “I don’t…no, I mean…no…” Mercy stared down, her eyes bugged out, the oxygen sucked from her lungs. Kent took the blanket and gently laid it back over her midsection.

  “This is a dream…it has to be…” Mercy looked at her parents hoping it was a mirage.

  “I’m sorry baby.” Cora had tears streaming down her face. “But it’s going to be okay.”

  “It’s not going to be okay!” Mercy dropped ba
ck against the bed. “It’s not going to be okay…”

  She’d gone from normal to disabled in the blink of an eye.

  “You’re alive, that’s what matters honey. Try to be thankful for that gift.” Cora fought tears.

  Mercy covered her eyes and wept out of control. Crying hurt, her ribs stung with pain, but she couldn’t stop.

  “Honey, please, please don’t cry.” Kent fought to keep his composure. “They make great prosthesis, you’ll never be able to tell you lost a leg. You’ll live a normal life.” Kent rubbed her shoulder.

  “Why Daddy, why?”

  “The man who did this to you will pay, rest assured.”

  “Did…did they find him?”

  “Marc Foster, they arrested him night before last.”

  “Marc…Marc didn’t hurt me…Marc helped me.”

  “Honey, I don’t know what this Marc convinced you of, but he’s the one who did this to you.”

  “No.” Mercy shook her head. “There was a second car…the guy…he just…he left me. Marc stayed.”

  “The police have charged him. They wouldn’t charge an innocent man.”

  “No,” Mercy wiped her eyes, “it wasn’t him, I know it.”

  “Apparently there was a group of cars street racing and this Marc lost control of his car at the intersection.”

  “It wasn’t Marc!” Mercy said defending him. “He was supposed to come to the hospital…but the trooper wouldn’t let him.”

  “That’s because he did this to you honey. If he comes here, so God help me, I will tear him from limb to limb.”

  “Daddy, he didn’t do it.” Mercy wiped her eyes.

  Kent sat in a chair at her bedside.

  “What matters right now is you.” He rubbed her hand. “Don’t worry about anything else.”

  “I can’t believe this.” Mercy closed her eyes and tried to be thankful for the fact that she was alive, but the loss of her leg still prevailed over her gratitude.

  “I’ll get a nurse to let them know she woke up.” Cora looked to Kent and wiped her eyes. Kent nodded back.

  “I love you, honey.” Kent leaned over her and kissed her forehead.

  “I love you too, Daddy.” Mercy wrapped her arms around her father’s back.

  “We’ll get through this, alright.”

  Mercy calmed slightly accepting her fate.

  *****