I shriek as my SUV veers off the road and into a ditch.Tali’s crying from the back seat and I don’t know what to do.If I get out of the car, the man could corner us and get a clear image of Tali.
Lifting my phone from the center console, I attempt to unlock the screen with shaky fingers.It takes me several tries before I can get in and dial 9-1-1.
“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”
“Someone just ran me off the road.I need help.I have a baby in the back seat and she’s crying, but I'm afraid to get out of the car.I don’t want the man to come near us.”
I choke on a sob and am barely able to give the woman my location.She helps me calm down and once she has all the information, she tells me there’s a police officer and ambulance on their way.
As soon as I know help is coming, I climb into the back seat and carefully take Tali out of her car seat.She seems to be fine, but she’s terrified.She curls up on my lap and buries her face in my neck.I don’t even bother to do anything other than cradle her to my chest.
I lift my phone to my ear one more time.I need someone to meet us at the hospital.My abdomen hurts and my heart is beating a mile a minute.I know it could be my adrenaline, but I think it’s more.I'm dizzy and nauseous.Something is wrong.
“Hello?”
“Can you meet me at the hospital?”
“Absolutely,” she mumbles as I hear her move around things on the other end of the line.“I'm on my way.Text me where to go.”
Chapter 25
Schmidt
Assoonastheplane lands and we’re dropped off at the stadium, I climb inside my car and plug in my phone.It died on the flight and I was exhausted.I didn’t care enough to charge it because I knew I’d sleep the entire time.
I wait for it to power on and I'm about to back out of my parking spot when my screen lights up with dozens of missed calls and texts.
Liliana: Call me ASAP.
Liliana: Where are you, Schmidt?
Liliana: Smithy and Wheeler aren’t answering their phones either.
Liliana: You need to get to the hospital.
The blood drains from my face as I read the last text message.I press the icon to call Liliana and speed out of the parking lot.
“What took you so long?”Liliana hisses as the call connects.
“Rosewood University Hospital?”I ask, ignoring her attitude.
“Yes.”
“What happened?”My voice comes out so much calmer than I feel.My heart is hammering against my ribs as multiple scenarios play out through my head.
Did something happen to Tali?Or did something happen to Winnie?What if they were both hurt?
“I… I don’t really know.Winnie called me and told me to get to the hospital.You can-” Her words cut off and I hear someone talking in the background.She responds in a muffled voice before her voice comes through clear again.“I need to go, Schmidt.Come to room 453 when you get here.”
She hangs up before I can say anything else.I punch the steering wheel with frustration as I race towards the hospital.
I need to see Tali.To know she’s ok.I can't lose her.If anything happened to my little girl… I can't even think about it.The idea of something happening to her makes my stomach roll and my anxiety spike.I need her to be safe.
When I pull up in front of the hospital, I don’t even bother parking my car.I leave it right in the circle of the emergency room.I sprint into the emergency room and skid to a stop at the desk.
“How do I get to room 453?”
“Sir, you can't park your car there.”She points out the door.
