BLACK VELVET ROSES

by Marianne Spitzer

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  Kellie and Rufus moved down the pipe. Rufus barked and stopped. He turned, looked at Kellie, and barked again. “What’s up boy?” She stopped for a minute and said, “I think I smell fresh air. Is that why you’re barking?”

  A new found strength pushed Kellie forward. She stopped for a moment trying to take in what she saw. Light! There was light ahead and it wasn’t that far.

  A slight bend in the pipe took them around a curve and then when the pipe straightened out again, Kellie couldn’t believe her eyes. Not only was the pipe large enough for her to stand, but she saw a storm drain and sunlight. Rufus was barking and barking at the sound of cars passing.

  Kellie pulled off her red glove and began to wave it out the drain opening.

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  An officer ran into Detective Stellion’s office. “Sir, I think we may have found her. An elderly lady walking her dog on Main Street called 911 thinking a dog fell into the storm drain. She heard barking. When the cruiser got there, he saw someone waving a red glove out of the opening in the storm sewer grating. He said she was Kellie. The city crews are coming to remove the cover. It was too heavy for the officer.”

  The detective was on his feet heading for the door. He grabbed his coat. “Where on Main?”

  “4th and Main, sir.” The officer watched the detective run down the hall and out to the parking lot.

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  The officer was on his hands and knees talking to Kellie. “Don’t worry, miss. The city crews are coming. They’ll get you out. Are you hurt? They’re also sending an ambulance and your Uncle Mike is on his way. Are you cold?”

  Kellie was hugging Rufus and speaking to the officer. “I’m not hurt, but it is damp and cold down here.”

  “Wait one minute.” He returned with an emergency blanket that fit through the grate opening.

  “Thank you,” Kellie said as she wrapped the blanket around her.

  They both heard the sirens as the ambulance and Mike arrived. The yellow truck with a city crew arrived shortly after and parked across the street.

  Mike ran up to the drain. “Kellie, is that you?”

  “Yes, Uncle Mike. I was lost in the tunnels and was able to get into this storm drain which brought me here. I’m so glad to see you.”

  He dropped to his knees to look into the drain and see her face. “Are you hurt? You look as if you have been rolling in dirt.”

  “I’m not hurt, just cold, hungry, and thirsty.” She reached her hand out of the grate and he held it.

  “Back away from the grate now, they are going to pull it off. I don’t want you to get injured.”

  Kellie pulled on Rufus’ collar and the both moved back several feet.

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  While Detective Stellion watched the city crew pull off the sewer grate, he called his wife. “Yes, Rita, I’m sure it’s her. I spoke to her. She says she’s fine, but we’ll make sure as soon as they get her out of the sewer pipe. They’re working on it now. I’ll call as soon as she’s out and you can meet us at the hospital.”

  Rita called Taylor to give her the good news. Taylor was jumping up and down as she told Hunter the good news. Then she called Andrea.

  Andrea squealed when she heard. “I have to call Cole.”

  Cole’s cell rang. “Hi Andrea, is everything okay? What? Where? We’re on the way.”

  “What’s going on?” Randy asked.

  Cole explained as he began to run back toward the parking area. “Claudia was right. She was in water and she was found at a hole. I wished she had seen it was a sewer grate and not a cave opening earlier. It would have helped all of us.”

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  The crew member called out to Kellie. She walked up to the open grate. “I’m not sure we can get you out safely through this small opening. We’re going to remove some of this cement to enlarge the opening. Move back as far as you are able and still hear us. You’ll be out in no time.” His warm smile assured Kellie that he would do his best in record time.

  Kellie crawled back to the bend in the pipe and once she and Rufus were around the corner and out of sight, the crew began to use jackhammers to break through the concrete.

  After what seemed like an eternity, she heard a male voice call her name. She crawled around the corner and saw a city worker in the large end of the pipe. “Hi, I’m Phil. I’m going to help you and your dog out of here.”

  Kellie crawled to where she could stand and stood up. She threw her arms around the stranger and said, “You don’t know how happy I am to see you.”

  “We’re all happy to find you. If we had known you were lost in the pipes we might have found you sooner.”

  “I wasn’t. I was in the caves, but found an opening in the pipe and got in here. I’m glad I did.” She smiled.

  “Ready to go?” He took the blanket from her and helped her up the ladder the crew had lowered into the pipe. Once out and away from the opening she saw her Uncle Mike. The tears she fought during her ordeal broke free. She hugged him and cried.

  “Uncle Mike, what about Rufus?”

  “Look,” her Uncle Mike replied.

  Kellie turned to see the crew pulling Rufus up in a sling. He didn’t seem happy, but he was safe.

  Detective Stellion insisted the paramedics take her to the hospital. They were placing the stretcher into the van when Randy and Cole arrived. Mike talked to the paramedics. He told Randy that he would drive him to the hospital.

  Cole used Randy’s truck to take Rufus to the vet.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  The paramedic smiled at Kellie. “You’re temp isn’t very low. You’re not hypothermic. That’s a good thing.” He smiled again as he slid the IV needle in her arm.

  “If I’m fine, why do I need the IV?” She grimaced as she felt it pierce her skin.

  “You’ve been missing for a while. Did you find much to drink underground?” When she shook her head he told her, “Then I’m sure you’re somewhat dehydrated. The IV fluid is also warm, it’ll help raise your temp to normal, and you’ll feel much better.”

  “I feel better just being above ground. I’m worried about my dog.” She bit her bottom lip.

  “He’s on his way to the vet with one of your friends. He’s probably doing better than you. I’ll bet he found puddles to drink out of, his fur kept him warmer, and he wasn’t stressed or afraid. All that helped him, but took its toll on you. However, I think you’re going to be just fine.” He patted her hand.

  She tried to smile. Feeling the van turn and stop, she knew they were at the hospital. She would soon see her loved ones. Kellie knew the worst was behind her.

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  While the doctor examined Kellie, her friends waited in the emergency waiting room. Detective Stellion arrived and saw his wife with everyone else.

  Cole came in a few minutes later. “The vet said Rufus will be fine, but he’s keeping him overnight. I decided he’d be okay and I came here.”

  The emergency department doors opened and a nearly out of breath Peter hurried in and walked up to the group of Kellie’s friends. “I understand you were all worried, but next time there’s a problem would someone please call me. I almost passed out when Hunter called to give me the good news that Kellie had been found when I didn’t know she was missing. Did you forget she’s my daughter?” He dropped into a chair to catch his breath.

  “Oh, Mr. Langer, I’m so sorry,” said Andrea. “I was the only one home doing nothing but worrying. I should have called you.” She interlaced her fingers and dropped her head.

  “Andrea, I’ve asked you to call me Peter. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh. Hunter’s call unnerved me. The longer it took me to get to Malone Springs the more worried I became.” He smiled at Andrea and she did her best to smile back.

  Peter stood and walked to the nurse’s desk, “My daughter, Kellie Conley, was brought in by ambulance. Will you tell the doctor I’m here? I’d like to know how she’s doing as soon as possible.”<
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  “There’s the doctor now, sir”

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  The doctor explained, “Kellie’s in remarkably good condition after her ordeal. She doesn’t have hyperthermia, she’s a bit dehydrated, but we’re taking care of that now. Her appetite is excellent and she’s eating a meal. She may have two visitors at a time. Don’t stay long. She’s very tired and I want her to sleep as long as she needs.”

  Peter visited first followed by Mike and Rita. Taylor was nearly bouncing off the walls and she and Hunter visited next. She needed to see that Kellie was all right with her own eyes. When Cole and Andrea stopped in, Cole explained about Rufus and how he was in good hands. Kellie could rest without worrying.

  Randy walked in last and Kellie’s eyes brightened and her smile broadened. “I’m sorry I didn’t find you. Claudia said you were underground and near water. Cole and I assumed you were in the caves by the river.”

  He held her while she explained that Claudia was right, but she knew no one would ever find her in the caves. If she hadn’t found the drainage pipe she would have died underground. Randy was shocked by her battle with the shadow and how correct Claudia’s visions were each time she called.

  “At least the shadow is gone. I’ll let the others know. We can live normal lives, but that doesn’t mean we’re never spending the night together again.” He winked.

  “You can count on it.” She pulled him down for a kiss just as the nurse came in to tell Randy it was time for him to leave. “I’d sleep better if he were here,” Kellie grinned at the nurse.

  “I’ve heard that before. You can call him as soon as you wake. He looks as if he could use a shower, meal, and a long nap, too.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I do.” He kissed Kellie again and left.

  Kellie grew tired thinking the ordeal wore her out more than she thought. She closed her eyes letting sleep take over never knowing the nurse had injected a mild sedative into the IV.

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  Peter, Mike and Rita left for home. The nurse promised to call if they were needed. The four friends needed to eat and headed for Kay’s Diner. Hunter was picturing the all you could eat pancakes.

  After they found a booth, gave Kay their order, and assured her that Kellie was in the hospital safe and sound, Randy explained what Kellie told him about her battle with the shadow.

  Taylor said, “Claudia told her many times she had her own power and would find it when she needed it. She didn’t need our help this time.” She wrapped her hands around a cup of hot orange herbal tea.

  Andrea did the same with her cup of hot chocolate. “I feel terrible that I didn’t call Peter. Your call must have freaked him out, Hunter.”

  “I knew we messed up almost as soon as I spoke to him. When I said ‘Kellie’s fine, they found her’ I could hear him catch his breath. At that moment, I knew he hadn’t been informed. My explanation didn’t help much because before I was through, he was in his truck on his way to the hospital. He made good time from Timmus Woods to Malone Springs.” Hunter moved his silverware to make room for the huge plate of pancakes Kay sat in front of him.

  The friends stopped talking and began eating. All had realized they hadn’t had much to eat since Kellie disappeared.

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  Kellie saw the shadow in the corner of the room. It had grown and smiled at her. It now had long, sharp teeth, and fire at the tips of its fingers. The shadow began to walk toward her.

  Kellie’s eyes flew open. The room was dark. She sat up and couldn’t find the call button. She yelled for help.

  A nurse ran in, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling ill?”

  “I had a nightmare and when I woke it was dark. I couldn’t find the call button.”

  The nurse turned on a small light and Kellie breathed a sigh of relief. The room was empty of anything evil. It was a nightmare.

  “Here’s your call button. You pushed it off the edge of the bed.” She clipped it to Kellie’s gown. “I think it’ll stay put now.”

  “It’s still dark, what time is it?”

  “Nearly five in the morning, hon. You slept for over twelve hours. As long as you’re awake, I’m going to take your vitals and then you can order breakfast. The doctor said you have no dietary restrictions. Call food service and they’ll bring whatever is on the menu.” She handed Kellie the menu after finishing her check.

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  The alarm woke Randy at five. He had to go to the job site and check on his crew’s progress. Kellie would call if and when she could come home.

  Alarms were going off at Hunter and Taylors and Cole and Andrea’s. They wanted to go back to sleep, but needed to go into work.

  The doctor walked into Kellie’s room just as she was finishing breakfast. “Good morning. You look much better today. I see your appetite is good. You’re no longer dehydrated and your temp is back to normal. I think you can get ready and go home.” He was making notes in Kellie’s chart.

  “Yes, I’d love that. I can’t wait to get back to my house.” She smiled at the doctor.

  “I’ll send the nurse in with the paperwork. Stay out of the sewers, okay.” He turned and left before he could see Kellie nod her head in agreement.

  Everyone would be going to work. She decided to call her Aunt Rita.

  “Of course, I’ll come. I just finished my coffee.”

  “I would like to pick up Rufus on the way home.” Kellie saw the nurse enter the room.

  “No problem, dear. I’ll be there soon.”

  Kellie signed the papers and dressed in the clean clothes Taylor dropped off. Friends forever is right. Taylor always remembers exactly what I need.

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  The vet told Kellie that Rufus was well and he was in the kennel room. When Rufus saw Kellie, he nearly broke through the kennel door. She knelt down and opened the kennel door. Rufus, panting from his excitement, walked out and licked Kellie. He pushed against her until she almost fell over. “Okay, enough. We’re going home.” She stood and clicked his leash in place. They walked out to Rita’s car and rode home.

  Kellie felt she had wasted enough time in the dark fighting shadows and fear. She turned on the Christmas tree lights, popped in a CD of her favorite holiday tunes, and started baking cookies. Three batches later, she sat on the kitchen chair and looked at the three huge containers full of cookies and the plates holding those that didn’t fit. “Hunter will be happy to have an extra plate of cookies,” she said.

  Between Kellie’s ordeal and working, Taylor hadn’t found much time to bake. She purchased several dozen cookies at the church’s bake sale. She did make two large batches of fudge. One was chocolate and one peanut butter. She shared with Kellie and she would share her cookies. She put the containers away before Randy arrived home. He would make a good size dent in all her hard work.

  A short time later Randy arrived with pizza in hand. It was just what Kellie needed. She was too tired to cook. Pizza and an early bedtime were on their agenda.

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  Kellie rolled over and stretched. Glancing at the clock, she realized she had slept for almost nine hours. Randy had left for work. Rufus stood and walked up to the bed. He laid his head next to her face and whined. She ruffled his head and said, “You were a good boy letting me sleep so long. I bet you need to go out.” Rufus barked and jumped in circles.

  “Okay, I’m coming.” She got out of bed, slipped on her robe, and followed Rufus out of the bedroom down to the kitchen.

  She pulled the blinds open on the patio doors and blinked at the bright sunlight. Opening the door, Rufus tore out of the house to his favorite spot in the yard. She watched him for a moment when something caught her eye.

  She opened the door again and stepped out onto the deck. Staring at the patio table, she wasn’t able to move. Her breathing increased along with her heartbeat. This is impossible; no one I know would do this. A stranger certainly wouldn’t. Who else would understand the meaning? I can’t go through this again.

&n
bsp; She shouted loud enough to bring Taylor and Hunter from their house. “What’s wrong,” Taylor asked.

  Kellie pointed to her patio table. Despite the cold, windy weather a perfect fresh yellow rose lay on top of the table.

  ~The End~

  Thank you for reading my novel. I hope you enjoyed it. For more information on all my books and future Kellie Conley Mysteries and short story mysteries, please visit my Amazon site Marianne Spitzer on Amazon my blog Musings Under the Willow Tree my web site Marianne Spitzer, Author or my Facebook page Marianne Spitzer, Writer