Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

The sounds of the city were deafening after the serenity of the graveyard. Once more my feet were slapping against the pavement of their own accord.
Would she even be home? What time was it? What day? My mind was spinning so fast I could barely keep up. I fingered the business card, worrying my lower lip as I made my way to Caroline’s apartment.
What if she wasn’t home? My steps faltered, stomach clenching uncomfortably. Then I would just wait, I decided.
The streets were busy, filled with people going about their day. I found it amusing how life could continue for so many when it ended for one.
My stomach was grumbling loudly when I reached her apartment complex. The building was a tall brick structure. Its many windows gleamed in the sunlight. Somewhere high above me I heard the melodic voice of Frank Sinatra, crooning about Lady Luck. The awning of the building was green with gold trim.
My stomach clenched painfully when my eyes landed on the doorman. Would he keep me from getting in? Taking a deep breath, I hitched my bag and started forward.
“Hello there, little lady.” His greeting was friendly, his eyes bright, but he made no move to open the door.
“Hello,” I returned, keeping my head down as I walked past him. I tugged on the wrought iron bar of the door and was rewarded with a dull thunk. Locked.
“Forgot your pass key?” Once more his voice was light, yet seemed mocking.
My eyes darted to the black box beside the door. The red light blinked tauntingly at me. I turned to him, tucking my hair behind my ear. He was younger than I’d originally thought. His name tag declared that he was Mo.
“Mo?” I blurted before I could stop myself.
“Short for Moses. And you are?”
“Looking for Caroline Fisher,” I hedged, looking back toward the door.
“Do you have a visitors pass?” His eyes moved over my body, causing goose bumps to riot over my flesh.
“She didn’t give me one,” I mumbled, taking a step back. Stupidly I held out her business card and tried not to tremble under his gaze.
A loud argument broke out down the street, catching my attention. It was a couple, and the man looked angry. Very angry. The woman looked none too happy either. She was right up in his face, yelling obscenities.
“Don’t mind them. They’re at it every morning.”
I kept my eyes on the woman. She was gorgeous. Her skin was dark as chocolate, her hair a fiery orange that somehow suited her perfectly. She said something to the man, pushed him aside then sauntered down the street.
“Miss?”
I yelped when Moses placed his hand on my shoulder; jerking away from him I pressed a hand to my chest, my heart thudding against my ribs my breath tore at my throat.
“Hey, easy. I didn’t mean anything by it.” His eyes, they were brown, were kind as they searched mine. His hand hovered between us, as if unsure of what to do. He was handsome, but handsome had a way of turning deadly.
“Please, I just need to talk to Caroline.” My voice hitched as I clung to my bag, knuckles white. “Please.”
Moses stared at me as tears slipped down my cheeks. I saw him relent. Watched his body sag. My heart fluttered as he moved toward the door, pulling a pass key from his pocket.
“I could lose my job for this. I’ve obviously lost my mind,” he muttered, swiping the card through the slot.
“Thank you so much. I won’t say anything.” I dashed for the door, pulling on the bar. It opened easily for me. I breathed a sigh of relief as I stepped into the lobby.
“Hey, lady,” Moses called.
I turned, trying to hide my nerves as I looked at him.
“Don’t forget to ask Caroline for a guest pass.”
My breath rushed out of me as I nodded turning and walking toward the elevator. I leaned against the silver doors slid closed. Finally, I would be able to see Caroline.
The ride up was smooth, the carriage coming to a stop with a soft chime. The doors slid open to a plush hallway. The walls were beige, the carpet a heather grey. I looked down at the rows of burgundy doors with gold lettering. This floor was quiet, everyone at work or out running errands, I supposed. I moved down the hall, glancing at the numbers. Nothing had changed, everything stayed the same. How was that possible? How could nothing change when everything had?
C5. My heart leapt, a smile lifting my lips for the first time today. I stopped with my hand raised, fear seeping into my bones. What if she wasn’t home and I had to wait? How long could I wait until someone reported me? Would it be Moses? He’d been nice to me, but my manner had been less than normal.
I shook off those thoughts and rapped on the door. I hoped she was home. Maybe if God hadn’t left me I’d have prayed. I needed to see her face, and I was starving.
The wait seemed endless, though it was mere seconds before the door opened. A sweet floral scent reached out and enveloped me. The scent screamed of home and tears blurred my vision as I threw myself into Caroline’s arms.
“Ashley!” Surprise colored her voice, but her arms wrapped around me, held tightly. She closed the door with her foot, leading me to the couch. I collapsed onto it, struggling to gain control over my emotions. I could see the questions forming in her eyes when she pulled me back, examining my face.
“Ashley, what happened? Why are you here?”
I had no more than opened my mouth when it all came pouring out; Jessica, Kirk, Dr. Johnson, the rape, everything.
“Oh, baby.” Caroline pulled me to her, holding me tight. Her hands never stilled; she stroked my face, my hair, my back, all the while murmuring softly. My sobs shook us both, but she never let me go.
“I’m so sorry Ashley, I’m so sorry.” Tears streaked her cheeks. Tucking my hair behind my ears, she pressed her lips to my forehead. “Would you like to pray?”
I jerked back as if I’d been slapped. “I don’t believe anymore.”
Caroline gaped at me, at a loss for words. Could it really be so hard for her to believe? What reason did I have to believe? Everything had been taken from me. Unable to look at her any longer I pulled my knees to my chest and buried my face in my arms.
“Ashley,” She started, but seemed to think better of it. She rose from the couch and walked into the kitchen. Her steps were soft as she padded back into the living room. She pressed a glass of water to my hand. I accepted it, drinking greedily. My stomach rumbled loudly when the water hit it. Caroline smiled down at me.
“When was the last time you ate?”
“Breakfast.”
She moved back into the kitchen. Dishes clinked against tile, the refrigerator whispered open and closed, and the crinkling of a bag teased my ears. I lifted my head when she came back in. She held out a plate with a hearty meat sandwich and sour cream and onion chips. My favorite.
I dug in, tearing at the sandwich in my haste to fill my empty stomach. Caroline looked away, a smile on her lips, as she allowed me my moment of savagery. The food didn’t stand a chance against a hungry teen. In moments nothing was left but crumbs.
“Thank you,” I whispered, sipping water. Once more she said nothing, just stood and took my plate to the kitchen where it clinked into the sink.
“Ashley,” my eyes locked on hers as she knelt before me. “Does Margret know you’re here?”
Pressing my lips together I shook my head slowly. I closed my eyes against the look in hers. I couldn’t lie to her. “I ran away.”
“Ashley,” Caroline shook her head, pulling her hands through her hair. I noticed then that she’d cut it. It fell in loose waves to her shoulders. I wondered when she’d done that. “You shouldn’t have done that. You should have called me and asked me to come get you. I might have been able to help you.”
I looked at her in horror. “Might? What do you mean? How could I have called you without Margret finding out? She doesn’t believe anything happened!”
My chest heaved; I couldn’t seem to get my breath.
“Calm down. There are certain avenues that must be traversed in situations like this. You didn’t call the police; you didn’t go to a doctor.”
I hadn’t called her. That was what she wasn’t saying. I could feel the hurt, as if it were my own. All the months I’d lived in a stupor, it had never once crossed my mind to call her.
“I didn’t know what to do.” I whispered, looking at my feet. Tears were clawing at my throat once more, but I fought them back. “I just wanted to come home.”
“Ashley, I have to report this.” Her voice was soft, yet firm.
My head jerked up in shock. Report this? What the hell did that mean? Once more she ran her hands through her hair and I saw it. A slight glint. I jumped up, grabbing her hand and yanking it to me. The ring was beautiful, simple and glorious at the same time. Just like Caroline. Betrayal sliced through my gut.
“Who is he?” I demanded, glaring at her.
“Thomas Howard. He’s a lawyer who works closely with my firm.” She waved her hand as if it didn’t matter. “Ashley, you can’t stay here. I’ll have to place you in a temporary home until we can conduct an investigation. Since you never reported anything, it will only make things more difficult. I’ll have to see about homes for the other children,” Her words trailed off as she searched for a notebook, oblivious to me.
I stared at her, this woman who was now a stranger. Temporary care? Couldn’t stay here? Blood rushed through my head, pounding in my ears downing out all sound. Who was this woman? Where had my Caroline gone? With a grunt of rage I slapped the phone out of her hand, shaking in anger.
“Ashley! What they hell are you doing?” Shock and annoyance ran across her face. And suddenly I didn’t know her at all.
I grabbed my bag and ran from the room. I could hear her calling my name as I pounded down the hall, my steps muffled by the carpet. I bypassed the elevator and took the stairs two at a time, my mind spinning. All I could think of, all I could feel was her betrayal. Not even she wanted me.
I slammed into the lobby and rushed the main doors. I slammed in Moses in my haste, but didn’t stop. I could hear him calling for me, soon joined by Caroline, but I kept running. I just kept running.
Alone. I was alone.
Always alone.