Page 38 of Sweet Deal
As they disappeared into the hallway, Rachel took a deep breath, focusing entirely on the troubled young man.
Michael’s expression shifted again—the momentary clarity disappearing as quickly as it had come. “No!” he shouted suddenly. “You tricked me!”
He lunged forward, but Rachel stood her ground. “Michael, no one is tricking you. I promised to help, and I will.”
“The voices said you’d lie,” he accused, half in and half out of the window. “They said everyone lies.”
“Remember what Dr. Feldman told you? About how your brain sometimes plays tricks?”
Michael hesitated, and Rachel seized the opening. “You’ve been off your medication, haven’t you?”
He nodded reluctantly. “They make everything fuzzy.”
“I know.” Rachel nodded. “But they also make the voices quiet.”
For a moment, it seemed to be working. Michael’s posture relaxed slightly, his eyes focusing more clearly on her face. Then the distant wail of sirens shattered the fragile calm. Michael’s head snapped toward the sound, panic washing over his features. “They’re coming for me! You called them!”
“No, Michael, I—”
But it was too late. Terror propelled him out the window, leaving him perched precariously on the narrow ledge outside.
“I have to get away,” he babbled, his entire body trembling. “They’ll lock me up again. They’ll hurt me.”
“Michael, please.” Rachel slowly, carefully, leaned into the windowsill. “Come back inside. We can talk to them together. I won’t let them hurt you.”
The sirens grew louder, approaching the building. Michael pressed himself against the outer wall, edging further along the ledge.
“Rachel,” Jim’s voice, low and tense, came from behind her. He was supposed to be downstairs with Kathy and Lily. Safe from here. “The police are coming up the stairs.”
Blast. None of this should have happened. “If the police burst in here, it’ll push him over the edge. Literally. Explain the situation. Buy me some time.”
The conflict in his eyes was palpable—the need to protect her warring with the understanding that she knew what she was doing. “Two minutes,” he said finally. “Then I’m coming back, police or no police.”
Rachel nodded once, already turning back to Michael.
“Michael,” she called softly. “It’s just you and me now.”
“They’re still coming,” his voice was tight with panic.
“I know. But I’m not going anywhere,” Rachel promised. “And I know how scared you are right now.”
“You don’t understand.” Tears streamed down his face. “No one understands.”
“Then help me understand. Tell me what the voices are saying.”
Michael shook his head frantically. “You’ll think I’m crazy.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy, Michael. I think you need help. There’s a difference.”
The sirens stopped, the sudden silence almost more ominous than the wailing. Footsteps thundered up the stairwell.
Michael’s panic visibly increased. “They’re here!”
Without hesitation, Rachel climbed onto the windowsill. “I’m coming out there with you.”
“What are you doing?” Michael’s eyes widened in shock.
“I promised I wouldn’t leave you,” Rachel carefully maneuvered onto the narrow ledge beside him. “And I keep my promises.”
