Defenseless

by Adrianne Byrd

  “I don’t see it,” a man whispered above her.

  “Keep looking. It has to be around here somewhere.”

  Dwayne’s moan caused the men to hesitate. Sonya kept her eyes closed and prayed Dwayne wouldn’t say anything else. She feared what these men would do to them. When Dwayne quieted down, the men continued their search.

  “Hurry. We’ve got to get out of here!”

  It seemed like hours before Sonya finally heard them give up. A car’s engine started in the distance before Sonya opened her eyes. Except for every bone in her body crying out in agony, and a thunderous migraine, she felt okay. Somewhere deep within herself, she found the strength to pull out from the floorboard. She saw numerous cuts and bruises over her arm as she made it out of the pile of glass that covered her.

  Her eyes quickly focused on Dwayne’s body slumped over the steering wheel. Tears stung her eyes as she struggled to get to him. She ignored the pain throbbing in her hands as she pulled his body off the car horn.

  Blood oozed from a deep cut above his right eye. Sonya panicked. “Dwayne, Dwayne,” she called out, firmly shaking him. She continued rocking him until she heard him moan. Relief swept through her body, when his eyes fluttered open to look at her. She felt a river of tears flow down her bruised face. She buried her head against his chest, overwhelmed by emotion.

  Dwayne lifted his right hand and gently stroked her loose hair. She sobbed against his chest. “I didn’t know what to think. I thought you were—”

  “Shh, don’t say it,” Dwayne comforted, but Sonya heard the pain laced in his voice.

  Sonya allowed him to caress her hair while she sought comfort from his body. When her tears subsided, she pulled away, embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” he answered, flinching.

  “You’re hurt.” She shifted her weight from him. Dwayne just smiled, then closed his eyes. “Dwayne?”

  “I’m all right. I just need to rest a bit.”

  Sonya looked around after remembering the car phone. It was on the mat between Dwayne’s legs. “I’ll call for help.” She scrambled to reach the phone. She plugged the cord into the cigarette lighter and tried to call 911. It took several tries before she could get the call through.

  “Nine-one-one.”

  “I need help. I’ve been in a car crash off, I believe, Highway 316,” Sonya informed the operator while talking a mile a minute.

  “Okay, calm down. You’re crashed off Highway 316?”

  “Yes.” She nodded her head as she responded. Dwayne still hadn’t moved again.

  “Okay, ma’am. I need to know where off 316 you are located.”

  Sonya looked around the car to see if she could see a landmark or something that would give her an idea of her location. But she couldn’t see much through the mass of trees surrounding them.

  “I’m not sure. I can’t see anything,” she said frantically.

  “I need you to remain calm, ma’am. Which direction on Highway 316 were you traveling?”

  “I think north. Yes, north….Hello?” The line was dead.

  “Damn!” She tried to call again, but each time the call was dumped.

  Dwayne moaned, and Sonya scurried back to his side. “Dwayne?”

  “My head,” he mumbled, lifting his hand to touch the cut above his eye.

  Sonya leaned over him, examining the wound. “We’re going to have to get you to the hospital,” she observed. Their eyes met in a fervent gaze. Sonya felt his eyes gently caressing her face as she was unable to pull away. She smiled sweetly, wanting to offer some kind of encouragement.

  Dwayne gave a small chuckle. “You mean I had to have a near-death experience to get you to smile at me?”

  Sonya returned the laugh. “I deserved that.”

  Dwayne tried to lift his head but quickly laid it back down again. “I think I like this position better.”

  “I called for help, but I was cut off. The calls keep getting dumped.”

  “The wonderful world of technology,” Dwayne joked.

  Sonya wondered how he could play at a time like this. “Can you move?”

  “Not without experiencing an extreme amount of pain.”

  “Maybe I should go for help,” Sonya suggested, looking out the window, but was unable to see anything other than trees.

  “I don’t know if that’s a safe idea,” he said, closing his eyes again.

  “I don’t think just sitting here is going to help our situation any. I have to at least try to find help.”

  “Some protector. I was supposed to look after you.” The sincerity in his voice touched her.

  “It’s not your fault,” she consoled, taking his hand in hers. She was aware of the warmth spreading through her hand that held his.

  “What happened?”

  “I’m not sure, but we’re going to be all right. They’ll send someone to search even with the call getting dumped, so help is on the way.”

  “You’re good at taking care of people,” Dwayne complimented. “Your sister is very lucky to have someone like you looking after her.”

  Sonya forced herself to keep smiling, although she was afraid for her sister. Where was she? Was she safe?

  Dwayne squeezed her hand as if he could read her mind. “We’re going to find her.”

  “I hope so.”

  Dwayne closed his eyes, leaving Sonya to stare at his stilled form. The blood oozing down his face unsettled her. She reached down and struggled to tear a strip from her dress. When she successfully tore a long strip, she tenderly cleaned his wound. She also took this time to study his strong features. His skin felt warm but was soft against her hand. His eyelashes curled neatly against his face, making him appear younger.

  She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know how long she should wait for help to come. It could be minutes or it could be hours—there was no way for her to know. Yet staring into his peaceful face, she couldn’t bring herself to leave him. She tried the phone again but without success. She could only pray that someone would find them.

  “Ma’am, are you hurt?” a voice broke through her dream.

  Sonya flinched from the bright light the voice’s owner was flashing directly into her face. She shook her head as the man moved the flashlight from her face. Blue and orange lights swarmed around the car. We’re being rescued, she thought happily. But when she looked in the driver’s seat, Dwayne was gone.

  “He’s in the ambulance, ma’am,” the voice said to her frantic look.

  “Is he all right?” she said, trying to get out of the car.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he answered, helping her from the car. “Donny, we need someone to look this lady over,” he called out.

  Sonya pushed past the paramedics and ignored him as he called for her to wait for someone to examine her. She watched the men busily attending to Dwayne, who lay on a stretcher. The ambulance started its engine and Sonya quickly stopped one of the paramedics from closing the back door.

  “I want to ride with him.”

  “Are you a family member?” he asked.

  Sonya nodded to the man, and he helped her into the ambulance. She found a small spot and sat next to Dwayne. When he opened his eyes, she summoned a smile.

  “I need you to call Bridget,” he whispered.

  “What?” she asked, not able to hear his request.

  “Call my house and tell Bridget to come to the hospital.”

  Sonya blinked as she realized what he was saying. He was asking her to call his girlfriend. Somehow she found the courage to nod her head at his request. Sonya felt her heart numbing at the intense pain she felt through the rest of the ride to the hospital.

  Of course he would ask for his girlfriend. Who was she to him?

  Gwinnett Hospital came into view, and Sonya gave Dwayne an encouraging smile. In a flash, the men moved urgently to get Dwayne through the emergency room. She followed as if in a daze. She was instructed to wait in the emergency room while doctors and nurses s
warmed around Dwayne.

  An hour later, someone finally saw to her small bruises and twisted ankle. Yet at every moment, her thoughts were consumed by visions of Dwayne’s condition. It was only after she told one of the nurses that she was Mrs. Hamilton did anyone inform her of Dwayne’s condition. He had slipped into a coma.

  Sonya dreaded the phone call she had to make. She called Sharon’s house and informed her of what happened.

  James took the phone from a near hysterical Sharon and informed Sonya they would be there as soon as possible. Sonya relayed the message to have someone call Bridget. James promised that he would. After hanging up, Sonya felt first helpless, then guilty. She sat in the waiting room with her face cupped in her hands as depression crept into her heart.

  Another hour passed before Sonya caught a glimpse of a doctor she had seen hovering over Dwayne. She rushed from her chair and approached the doctor.

  “Do you know anything about my husband? Do you know whether or not he’s okay?”

  “I’m sorry. Dr. Hillion is examining your husband. I’ll let the doctor know you’re waiting to hear about his condition.”

  Sonya blinked at the small lie she had to tell the staff in order to keep informed of Dwayne’s prognosis.

  “There you are!”

  Sonya looked up to see Sharon and James running toward her. “You made it,” Sonya said, relieved to see a familiar face.

  “Of course we made it. How are you doing?” Sharon asked, concerned.

  “I’ve definitely seen better days.”

  James stepped beside Sonya and his wife. “I think you should have accepted Sergeant Freeman’s police protection.”

  Sharon nodded her head in agreement. “Sonya, this is serious. Someone wants to hurt you.”

  “Well, I think that they succeeded in that.”

  “Do you have any idea who it could be?” Sharon probed.

  “None. Perhaps it’s the same man that’s holding Laura,” Sonya suggested.

  “I’ll tell you later.” Sharon took Sonya’s hand.

  “Mrs. Hamilton?” a dark-skinned doctor asked, peering around the door.

  “Yes,” Sonya answered, then blushed at the startled expressions on both James’s and Sharon’s faces.

  “I wanted to inform you of your husband’s condition.”

  “Please come in, Dr. Hillion.”

  “Yes. Well, your husband has a concussion and is being monitored. We don’t know how long he will remain unconscious. It could be hours, days or weeks.”

  “Or years,” a voice full of pain echoed through the room.

  The small group turned to see a young woman entering the waiting room.

  “Bridget,” Sharon said, opening her arms for the smaller woman to embrace her.

  Sonya felt herself curiously studying the girl that clung to Sharon. She was young, too young. James pulled the doctor aside and continued talking to him while Sharon talked to the young girl in soft, loving tones. Suddenly Sonya felt like an outsider. This was Dwayne’s family, and she didn’t belong here.

  Sonya turned and walked toward a vending machine pretending to be interested in buying something while the family talked. She returned much later and sat in an empty chair. Her guilt escalated as she continued to blame herself for the incident. She leaned her head back against the wall. Soon her exhaustion ravaged her weary body, and within minutes, she was asleep.

  Sonya opened her eyes to a throbbing headache pounding against her temples. Is it morning? If it was, she didn’t feel like she had slept long at all. She looked around the emergency room, taking a moment to remember what happened. A vision of Dwayne lying in the ambulance flashed through her mind.

  Sonya stood up from the uncomfortable chair, feeling sore and stiff. She walked past Sharon and James, who had also fallen asleep in the waiting room chairs. Steadily, she looked through each room, trying to locate Dwayne. When she found his room, she was unprepared to see the younger woman, Bridget, draped across his body. She was crying. Sonya watched the girl’s body shake from her deep sobs.

  Sonya looked toward the ceiling, praying for strength. She didn’t understand the urge to comfort this woman. When she stepped farther into the room, the younger girl looked up at her with red-stained eyes. She was shocked by her familiar gray eyes. She has his eyes, she thought, confused.

  Bridget wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and tried to stop sniffling. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “I can’t lose my father, too.”

  Sonya’s heart broke as she opened her arms. Bridget raced to embrace her in a powerful hug. “He’s going to be all right,” Sonya said, stroking her hair.

  “How do you know?” Bridget pulled away to look into Sonya’s eyes.

  There was so much trust and hope in the young girl’s eyes when she held Sonya’s gaze. “I just know,” she whispered.

  Bridget embraced Sonya again and cried. Moments later, Sonya gave in and cried, too.

  Chapter 15

  Dwayne felt as if a freight train had run over him. His temples throbbed, his face ached and his tongue felt like dried leather. When he strained to open his eyes, it caused his head to pound. He attempted to ask for water, but no words would come, just a deep burning sensation that scorched his throat. Someone’s crying. He tried again to open his eyes, this time succeeding. He saw a blurred vision of two women crying at the foot of his bed. Why are they crying? He tried to open his mouth to say something, but pain throbbed in his jaw.

  “Look!” one of the ladies cried before she ran over to take his hand.

  He recognized the woman who gazed lovingly at him. “Theresa,” he whispered.

  “No, Daddy. It’s me, Bridget.” She leaned in and kissed his forehead.

  Dwayne’s eyes closed. Theresa was gone. When he heard the other woman step behind Bridget, he slowly opened his eyes. A beautiful mixed shade of green and brown stared down at him through eyes brimmed with tears. He gave a lazy smile. He wanted to comfort the beautiful woman. It wasn’t until she reached for his hand that he realized her grief was for him. He looked over at Bridget to see love shining in her face. When he looked back at the other woman, there was a similar look in her expression.

  “Water,” he managed to say, but the effort sent him into a coughing frenzy.

  Bridget ran to the bathroom and returned with a small Dixie cup filled with water.

  “It’s good to have you back,” the woman—who he swore was an angel—said.

  Bridget helped him tilt his head to drink the water. It felt wonderful as it slid down his parched throat. Images of two cars racing down a lone highway filled his head. Then a horrible vision of a car crash brought his memory back to the present.

  “Sonya?” he asked, testing his memory.

  “Yes, I’m here.” She smiled.

  The door to his room opened, and a doctor strolled in. The doctor looked at him, at first startled, then with a proud grin that covered his entire face. “Welcome back, Mr. Hamilton.”

  Bridget and Sonya stepped back and allowed the doctor to examine him. Satisfied with the results, he turned to Sonya and Bridget.

  “Mrs. Hamilton, if you and your daughter would step into the waiting room, I’ll call you when it’s okay to visit.”

  Mrs. Hamilton? Maybe he didn’t remember everything.

  Sonya and Bridget walked into the waiting room where Sharon and James were just waking up. Bridget ran to the comfort of her aunt’s arms.

  “How is he?” Sharon asked, smoothing the child’s hair.

  “He’s awake,” Bridget answered, still shaken.

  When Dr. Hillion walked into the waiting room, he was bombarded with questions. He held up his hand to quiet them. “He’s fine. He’s resting.”

  Relief swept through Sonya’s body. She was visibly shaken. What if it had been fatal? It would have been her fault. She was the one who had put everyone’s life in jeopardy. She listened intently as the doctor continued to talk with the family.

  “Mr. Hamil
ton will probably be able to leave Friday. That will give us enough time to monitor him. It appears he’s suffering from a severe concussion. We’ll keep him for observation.”

  Sharon hugged James as tears glistened in her eyes. Bridget did the same. Sonya needed comforting, too, but didn’t want to intrude on the family. She stood there not knowing whether she should cry from relief of guilt. Instead she returned to Dwayne’s room.

  He was resting again, so Sonya pulled a chair closer to his bed and sat beside him. She wasn’t sure how long she just stared at his stilted figure. All she could do was think of what to do next. Should she keep a low profile? Where should she go? She didn’t know who she was hiding from. She also thought about her sister. Was there a chance that she was still alive? Was she in any danger? Sonya allowed her tears to flow because she had no answers.

  Everything was out of control. She no longer knew what to do or how to do it. Dwayne had offered to protect her but look what happened. She was on her own now. Laura was her responsibility, not Dwayne’s. Tomorrow she would think of something, she promised, before drifting to sleep.

  “You finally decided to wake up?” Sharon teased.

  “Where am I?” Sonya asked, sitting up.

  “Gwinnett Hospital,” Sharon said, squeezing her hand.

  “I feel awful,” Sonya commented, rubbing her head.

  “You should, girl. You had quite a night.”

  Sonya glanced to the empty bed beside her. “Where’s Dwayne?”

  “They moved him into another room a moment ago,” Sharon said.

  “How is he?”

  “Better. He can probably leave tomorrow. You need to wake up. Bridget and I are going to treat you to lunch.”

  “Is that a safe idea?”

  “Maybe we should sneak you into the back of McDonald’s,” Sharon joked.

  “I’m serious, Sharon. Maybe I should go to Sergeant Freeman. Someone means business.”

  “What do you want to do?” Sharon asked seriously.

  “I don’t know, but I can’t put anyone else’s life in danger. First, it was you, and now your brother.”