“You’re in a private room, dear, atCobleskill Regional Hospital. When the doctor tells us you’re yourstrong enough to travel, we’ll fly you home.”
Her voice was weak, but audible as shereplied, “I’m strong enough.”
Soft laughter filled the air, and her Aunt’sbroad smile, made her smile again too.
“Want to sit up, dear?”
Jessica nodded and Bryan assisted her.
She gazed at him lovingly and a gush ofemotion escaped her.
“You saved me.”
He sat upon the edge of her bed, and drew herinto his arms. She couldn’t stop the tears that slipped from hereyes, or the sobs shaking her shoulders. She was overwhelmed withrelief, and sadness that Morris had died, trying to save her too.She clung to Bryan desperately, wanting to make sure this trulywasn’t a dream, that she was free of the cave, free of hertormentor, and free from Hal.
It felt splendorous to feel the strength ofhis arms about her, to smell the scent of his cologne fill hernostrils, the warmth of his cheek against her, and his lips, thosebeautiful, exquisite lips, grazing her skin. It was over. It wasover. The nightmare and horror was over.
The whizz of a motor and wheels crossing thetile floor of her hospital room caught her attention, and Jessicaopened her eyes.
“Morris!” She bellowed happily. “Morris,you’re alive!”
“I sure is, mam. Happy to be too.”
She released Bryan, and outstretched herarms, her fingers waving invitingly for him to move closer.
Morris obliged, and Bryan moved off the bed,so he could get closer. He lifted his hands, and Jessica claspedonto them, as if for dear life.
Her voice still cracked with emotion.
“I can’t tell you, how happy … I am to see …that you survived.”
Her eyes darted to Bryan’s and pleaded.
“He’s not to blame. He can’t be arrested.Morris was bullied, and beaten, and threatened by Corbat, Bryan. He–“
“Breathe, Jessica, breathe. We know, honey.Morris told us everything. We just were waiting for you to confirm,and you just did. We believe you, and we’ll make sure he’s notprosecuted.”
He directed his attention to a man in theroom and she recognized him.
“You’re … you’re Bryan’s friend, thedetective.”
The man nodded and stepped forward.
“Yes, mam, Det. Ayden Tyler. Mr. Levitt,won’t be arrested. I promise you that.”
“You helped Bryan, didn’t you … to findme.”
Bryan interjected. “I couldn’t have done itwithout him either.”
She reached out her hand, and the Detectivemoved swiftly to accept it.
“Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.”
And then, it was like a movie began to playout in her mind.
Her hands flew to her mouth, and she moanedpainfully, as her eyes glazed with horror.
“No! No!,” she screamed, as tears streamedfrom her eyes and she shook her head wildly. “My, god. Dear, god,Bryan,” she gasped loudly. “I … I … killed him. I killed, Hal.”
