Fear Thy Neighbor (71)
She ran her good hand around the edges of the window, searching for the lock. Finding it, she pulled back on the lever, freeing the window. Thankfully, there was no screen. Every second counted, so she placed both legs outside the window, then dropped to the ground below. Catching her breath, doing her best not to focus on her shoulder or the wounds on her ankles and wrists, she spied a dumpster and a rusted boat trailer. It took a few seconds for her to recognize the area. Once she did, she knew all the rumors she had once questioned were true. She was behind the Courtesy Court motel. She recognized the orange building and the green roof. She’d been inside one of the rooms that no one in their right mind would stay in.
Before she had a chance to overthink her situation, Ali ran toward the wooded area behind the hotel. She had to get to a phone to call Kit. Or Val, but she didn’t have her cell phone or the slip of paper she’d had with her cell number on it. The only place she knew of that might have a friendly face and offer to help her was the dollar store. Unsure if they were even open, she’d head there and wait. With somewhat of a plan, she weaved in and out of the tall pine trees, glimpsing the backs of dilapidated, rusty mobile homes where people actually lived. Cars without tires were in some of the yards, along with swing sets that’d seen better days and garbage scattered on lawns. This was a bad part of town, just as Val said.
The sun was now up, which gave her a rough estimate of the time. When she reached the intersection of Highway 41 and Pondella Boulevard, she ran across the road, not caring that car horns were blaring at her as she weaved around them at a traffic light. Once she’d made it across, she went to the plaza where, if she were lucky, she’d find Tammy. Hiding behind the strip mall, she leaned against a concrete block, then eased down onto the ground. Safe, at least for the moment, Ali allowed herself to feel every emotion and thought she’d held back since she’d been dragged from the parking lot at the beach.
The fire. The people wearing red and gold robes. The chanting. If she had to guess Betty’s part in this sick game, she guessed that she found and drugged victims, then later housed them in the hotel. From there, Ali suspected some sick ritual took place, and its ending couldn’t be a happy one. She was unsure of Tank’s involvement but positive he wasn’t the one who’d dragged her down the beach. That person was strong and definitely a male. Who had it been? And why did they take her? Did she have an invisible target on her head? She’d been struggling most of her life just to stay alive. She’d kept up hope, despite all the horror she’d experienced growing up, in and out of foster care. She’d worked hard, as she truly believed one day her life would be just as she’d imagined, as long as she refused to give up. Not giving in to the cruel intentions of so many people who’d been in her life, Ali was a fighter. But right now, she wasn’t sure how much fight she had left in her.
She drifted in and out of a half-conscious state, her entire body pounding with pain. Her surroundings were blurry, though she knew where she was and why. If only she could stand up, she would find help. She leaned against the cement block building, digging her heels in the dirt. Ali managed to stand, using the building for support. Inch by inch, she made her way to the front of the plaza. There were cars in the parking lot, though not many, but enough to let her know someone had to be in one of the shops. As she rounded the building, she saw the dollar store’s lights were on, the bright yellow shopping carts already outside for the day.
It took every single ounce of strength she could muster to put one foot in front of the other to reach the store. When she leaned against the glass automatic doors, they opened, sending her crashing to the floor.
Fluorescent lights flickered above her as someone pulled her inside and placed a blanket over her. There was a hand on her forehead, smoothing the salty strands of hair away from her face. A cool cloth blotted the wounds on her wrists.
“I called an ambulance. They’re on their way,” Tammy said, her voice gruff but soothing.
Ali opened her eyes, making sure she wasn’t hallucinating. “You’re Tammy, right?”
“I am. I’m gonna take care of you, okay? I don’t know who hurt you, but we’ll find out. Just relax, kid. I’m not leaving your side.”
*
Unsure how much time had passed when she awakened, Ali knew she was in the hospital. Memories of what had sent her there flashed before her eyes. Ali was mad, enraged by the insane people she’d been exposed to on the island.
“Hey,” said Tammy. “You’re finally awake.”
“Hi,” Ali said. Her throat was dry.
Tammy poured water into a cup, adjusting the straw for her. Ali drank as much as she could, then leaned back on the pillow. “Thanks. I can’t begin to explain the circumstances that led me to your place, but I’ll try.”
She spent the next hour telling Tammy what she’d been through the night before, what she’d seen on the beach, and where she’d been when she came to.
Tammy appeared stunned. “My gosh, all the gossip about that place is true!”
“I believe so,” Ali replied. There was no other explanation.
“The doctor did a toxicology screen, but didn’t say when the results would be in. If you were drugged again, it’ll show up. Your shoulder is dislocated. The orthopedic doc took care of it, but says you’ll need to ice it, and he’s given you a prescription. As soon as they have your paperwork completed, we can go.”