Page 5 of Scammed

That was yesterday.

She’d reached for the telephone a dozen times, thinking to call an attorney, any attorney. But if she did that, wasn’t she admitting guilt? Wasn’t she saying, ‘I need someone to defend me and prove my innocence, even though I know I am innocent’? Her devastation swiftly became complete, overwhelming depression.

Today, she was floating in an old fishing boat with her father’s pistol on her lap, fully loaded. She would not bring shame to her family or the foundation. She’d done nothing wrong, but the evidence was pointing directly at her. She could not shame them. She would not. She’d done nothing wrong, and yet no one would believe her.

She lifted the pistol, the end of the barrel coming straight toward her mouth.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” said the deep, rich voice. “A beautiful woman such as yourself deserves to live.”

CHAPTER THREE

Amy turned, looking for the voice of the man, but initially saw nothing. When she lifted the pistol again, he spoke once more.

“Please. Please don’t do this,” he pleaded.

Amy swallowed as the vision of a man crossing the bayou, seemingly floating across the water on no boat, came into view. He was tall, at least he appeared tall floating on the water, wide across the shoulders and chest, and a thick head of auburn hair.

“Wh-what?” She felt herself weaving back and forth in the boat, losing the grip on the pistol. As it hit the bottom of the bateau, the firearm triggered twice, boring two holes into the aluminum. She fell backwards, hitting her head on the narrow seat behind her, and was out.

“No,” said Marcel. “No, no, this cannot happen.”

He looked down at the angelic face, feeling a sense of panic. The boat was taking on water quickly, and he wasn’t going to be able to save her. This couldn’t happen. She was too young. Too beautiful.

“Matthew, my ancestor, if you can hear me, please help me,” he cried out.

Marcel heard nothing, but he couldn’t float away, letting the woman sink. Stepping into the boat, he was surprised that he felt the water against his ankles. Kneeling beside the woman, he gently slid one arm beneath her head and was shocked to feel the weight of it on his arm. He held it firmly, his arm not passing through her own flesh, instead holding it.

With his other arm, he lifted her legs, cradling her against his chest. Slowly, he floated across the bayou to the ground where he’d begun this day. Lying her on the ground, he used all the forces in his body to call for help.

“We are on our way, my friend,” said Noah in his head.

Marcel simply nodded, not at anyone in particular. The voice of Noah couldn’t see him nodding. Or maybe he could. He still had one hand behind the woman’s head and marveled at the feel of her silky curls against his skin.

“How can this be?” he whispered. Behind him, two ATVs pulled up with Wilson, Noah, Matthew, Ajei, and Irene.

“What happened?” asked Wilson.

“She was in that bateau out there, the one sinking, and was about to place a pistol in her mouth.”

“Poor child,” said Irene, touching the girl’s cheek. “Something terrible must have driven her to do this.”

“I didn’t think she would hear me, but I had to do something. I told her not to do it. I think I shocked her, and she dropped the pistol, firing two holes in the boat. Then she fainted.”

“Marcel, how did she get here? How did she get to the beach?” asked Wilson.

“I-I lifted her. I prayed for help, and then I lifted her and carried her across.” Wilson stared at his hand, still holding her head.

“Can you lift her now? Lift her onto the stretcher on the ATV,” he said, wanting to test Marcel’s new abilities.

“I’ll try,” said Marcel. He placed his arm beneath her legs, the other sliding lower on her back, and lifted her once again, settling her on the stretcher.

They all looked at one another, then at Matthew and Irene.

“Ajei? You and Noah get back to the clinic,” said Wilson. “I’ll have her there in a minute.” Ajei knew enough not to argue with Wilson. She nodded, then looked at Noah, who followed her. As they left, Wilson turned to the older couple.

“Did you do this?” he asked Matthew.

“Marcel prayed for help to save a young woman. I helped him,” he said.

---