As she walked quickly, in the long shadows made by the trees, she suddenly heard a rustling noise behind her. Fear flooded her and she picked up her pace. It was probably just a small animal that had leapt out from the trees. There was no reason to be afraid, she told herself.
The next thing she knew strong arms gripped her from behind and a hand slapped over her mouth. Cindy wanted to scream, but couldn’t. She felt the arms pressing around her, squeezing her ribs, forcing the air out. Then, a punch landed on the side of her face, and an excruciating kick on her lower back. Flooded with pain, her head began reeling, as she gasped desperately for breath. Help me, help me, she wanted to call out as darkness enclosed her, dimming what was left of the light of the day. The last thing Cindy heard as she swooned into unconsciousness was a deep voice saying, “Throw her away.”
CHAPTER 20
Cindy woke up the next day in a white room, hooked up to a machine. Her head spun as she looked around, not knowing where she was. It was as if she’d fallen into a deep sleep and had terrible dreams she couldn’t escape from. She looked around the well lit room slowly and took a deep breath. A sharp pain in her mid back flooded her entire body. She lifted her hand to her back, but couldn’t get it to move far. It seemed as if she lay like that forever, when a nurse walked into the room.
“Where am I?” asked Cindy.
The nurse, a lovely young woman, in her mid-thirties, with a slight French accent leaned over her.
“You’re safe, you’ll be well. You’re in a hospital in St. Maarten. You were flown over here by helicopter late last night. There are people worried about you, waiting outside.”
Cindy tried to move her head back and forth, but that was also difficult.
“You’re bruised badly, but nothing much is broken,” said the nurse. “One rib is strained or fractured and will heal by itself. In a couple of days you’ll be able to leave.”
Memories of being grabbed and beaten slowly came back to Cindy as the nurse spoke.
“You had an angel around you,” said the nurse. “The taxi driver who was waiting for you came looking when you did not return.”
Cindy started to cry.
“He found you laying under a tree nearby, called the police, and they flew you here.”
“Is Mattheus here?” Cindy asked softly.
“Your partner?” the nurse asked.
Cindy found it hard answering.
“Don’t worry,” the nurse put her hand on Cindy’s arm. “Your partner is outside and another man is also with him. They’ve been waiting here all night long.”
Cindy felt terrible. How had she let something like this happen?
“Would you like to see your partner?” the nurse asked.
Cindy managed to nod her head.
“I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear you’re awake. He’s been pacing back and forth in the hallway all night long.”
Cindy closed her eyes. She’d put Mattheus through hell, for no reason.
The nurse left the room and Cindy lay there quietly, taking it all in. Memory upon memory flooded back to her. The rustling behind her, the hard arms around her waist. She also thought of the call she’d made to her sister earlier in the day. What would have happened if the taxi hadn’t been waiting for her? Ann was right. Cindy might not have ever seen her family again.
Mattheus looked distraught as he rushed through the door and ran over to her. He took her hand and looked in her eyes. Cindy wondered if her face was black and blue.
Cindy tried to smile.
“The doctors and nurses say you’re going to be okay.”
Cindy nodded slowly.
Mattheus closed his eyes. Cindy saw how tremendously upset he’d been.
“It’s my fault,” said Mattheus, “I’m so sorry.”
Cindy was confused. “Not at all,” she whispered. “My fault entirely.”
He looked chagrined. “I should never have left you alone on Christmas,” Mattheus spoke heatedly.
Cindy closed her eyes. It was hard talking and listening, but she was glad he was with her, very glad, indeed.
“I had my priorities all mixed up,” said Mattheus.
Cindy shook her head. “We were doing our jobs,” she murmured.
“My main job is to take care of you,” he said.
Despite her throbbing headache and pain in her back, Cindy realized that Mattheus was not thinking clearly at the moment. All of this must have been a terrible shock.
“We’ll talk about it more later,” said Cindy.
“Of course, we will. You rest,” he said.
The nurse came in with some light food for Cindy.
“It’s important that you start to eat by yourself,” she said. “Right now we’re giving you liquids.”
The last thing Cindy wanted was something to eat.
“Later,” she said.
“I’ll feed it to her,” said Mattheus, picking up the dish of applesauce they’d brought.
“That’s fine,” then nurse said and smiled. “She’ll have to rest for most of the day then. I believe she will be able to start having visitors tomorrow.”
“Makes sense,” said Mattheus, trying to put a spoonful of applesauce into Cindy’s mouth.