Page 3 of Demon's Savior
“Akira, you need to calm down and breathe sweetie. You are going to hurt yourself. He won't find you here at the hospital, honey, I promise.”
Dani tries to soothe my nerves by rubbing my hair soothingly and whispering everything is going to be fine. Finally, the panic starts to subside as my breathing and heart rate revert to normal. But the fear of the unknown remains.
"No, they didn't get the bastard. That sorry ass sent me a message threatening me as well."
"What was the message?" I’m not quite sure I really want the answer, but I can tell that it is terrible just by how uncomfortable Dani is.
She shifts in her seat. "It doesn't matter. Avery never liked me anyway. His daddy's money goes a long way in this town, but he will pay for this shit even if the cops sit on their hands. I’ll make sure of it."
She is adamant there will be consequences for his actions, but I’m not so sure anything will happen to him. He’s young, his family owns damn near everything in this town, and if they haven’t arrested him by now, I doubt anything will change.
"What are we going to do, Dani? What if he gets to me, or to you?"
She waves off my concerns, and she continues to dismiss the seriousness of the threat posed to her. But fear continues to consume me. We’re not safe. "We've talked enough for today. Time to rest. I got a few calls to make, and I need everything squared away for you once you’re discharged. You're coming to stay with me until they catch that asshole."
“Why didn't I listen to you? I didn't think it would ever get this bad,” I confess through my tears. I reach for her hand as she gets ready to leave.
"Sweetie, this isn't your fault. Now, it’s time to rest, and I’ll be back tomorrow."
She shuts the door behind her, and once again I'm left with the ceaseless sounds of monitors beeping and the thought racing through my mind:He tried to kill me.
3
Akira
The cops aren'tany closer to finding Avery. But what should I expect when everyone is on the Hansen payroll? Since they came to interview me at the hospital last week, there's been absolutely zero from the lead investigator on my case. Of course, all he says is that “it will take some time, Ms. Masters,” but I know what that means. The Hansen name runs this town, and there is no way in hell Avery Hansen will pay for what he did to me, a young black woman.
I'm stuck hiding out at Danielle's condo because the security is better here than at my apartment. I can't go back to school, and I had to change my damn phone number because of the numerous texts and phone calls from him. Some were apologizing and the others threatening to finish the job. I also took those to Detective Abbott, and his response was, “if he hasn't tried anything, there is nothing that we can do.” That means unless he kills me, their hands are tied. This is some bullshit!
Danielle comes into my room—technically her guest room—and breaks me from my thoughts.
"Pack your shit because we’re heading out," Danielle snaps, pacing in front of me and ranting about Avery. "That motherfucker left another message on my car saying that I'm next and the cops said they can’t do a damn thing about it, so we’re going to head out of town for a little while."
"Dani, where are we going to go?"
"Home," is her response as she halts in front of the door, releasing a sigh.
"Danielle, I'm so sorry for dragging you into my mess. I should've listened to you the first time he did this." I hang my head and scream.
"Kira, this is not your fault. He is a woman-beater who is protected by his daddy's money. We're going to make it through this together. Hurry up, we leave in an hour."
As I pack for "home," my thoughts once again take over.What have I done? What if she gets hurt trying to help me? He's not going to give up.
We arrive at a dive bar with groups of men dressed in leather, some in jeans with scantily clad women draped on their arms and a lot of motorcycles parked in lines out front. I wonder why we would be here as we exit the car and head in.
Dani looks to me. "Stay beside me and do not talk to anyone."
Upon entering, I'm hit with the stench of cigarettes, alcohol, and cheap perfume. It didn't go unnoticed to either one of us that all eyes focus on us when we walk in. I gaze at my friend in hopes of finding out why the hell are we in a place like this as everyone is looking at us like they are the predator and we’re their prey.
"Dani, where the hell are we?"
"Someplace safe. Make sure you keep close and say nothing."
Safe? This place looks like we have made it to our final destination before we meet the Reaper.
I decide not to question her further regardless of the shady surroundings, hoping she is right that this is someplace safe. I give her a nod.
The bartender walks up to us, and his eyes move up and down Dani's petite frame, lingering on her breasts. "What can I get you ladies?"
