The evening was a blur. Another dinner, another night of smiling and pretending to be something I wasn’t. Inside, I was a mass of nerves. I held myself stiffly all night beside Brian. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down or arouse suspicion. After arriving home, I shut my door behind me, sliding down the wall as my legs gave out. I prayed that was the last appearance I would make as Brian James’ wife.
The next day, I walked into the hospital with my heart racing, desperately trying to control my emotions. I had made it this far, but I didn’t know what would happen next. I hadn’t slept all night worrying and wondering. Terrified that I would do something wrong and whatever Joshua had planned, whoever he was sending wouldn’t be there. Would I know the person who would come and get me? How would they make contact with me? Bob stopped outside the lounge and I walked in to put my things away. As usual, a janitor was busy sweeping the floors. I hung up my coat and purse and picked up my smock and volunteer tag. Turning around, I ran into the janitor, dropping my tag.
“Excuse me,” I apologized.
“No problem, ma’am,” he said as he put his hand on my arm to steady me. “Oh, you dropped this,” he said as he bent over. He fumbled briefly, and then handed me my tag, winking. Quickly, he turned and walked away, pulling his broom and cart behind him.
Confused, I looked down. In the pouch with my tag was another small blank card. I looked up but he was gone. I drew in a nervous breath as I slid the card in my pocket and put on the tag. Outside Bob waited for me, escorting me to the wing where I volunteered. “I’ll be downstairs when you finish,” he informed me as the elevator doors shut and the elevator began to climb.
I nodded, my nerves stretched thin. There was one central bank of elevators. Even all the staircases led to the same central lobby. How would I get past Bob sitting there? I could feel the doubts and worries creeping up my spine. I checked my watch. It was 12:45 p.m. When the elevator arrived on my floor, I ducked into the bathroom. Wetting the card, I watched anxiously as Joshua’s instructions appeared.
Stairwell. East wing.
Go up.
~J
I took in a deep breath. I had the memory stick, my tiny rabbit, the remains of the bloodied blouse and I had even remembered to add a few of the mystery pills to show Joshua. That was all I dared take with me. Late last night, I had quietly added Joshua’s hoodie and shirt as well as the drawings I had taken to one of the boxes in my closet, praying that maybe I would somehow get them back. Brian had never even looked in the boxes and I wasn’t sure he was even aware of their existence. They certainly weren’t important enough to warrant much of his attention. Maybe I would be able to get in touch with Mrs. Smith and have her send them. She had always been kind to me. Distant due to her position in the household, but kind, none the less.
I made my way to the east wing and stopped outside the stairwell door. There was a janitor’s cart, stanchions blocking the door, and a No Entry sign hanging in the centre. There was a large puddle on the floor, seemingly leaking out from under the door. Was that real? Or a diversion? My heart was pounding and my entire body was shaking. I had no idea what I would find on the other side of the door, or who.
Then I straightened my shoulders. If it led me to Joshua, then I was going. I looked around, but the area was deserted. I opened the door and stood listening as it shut behind me. The only sound I could hear was my own breath, coming out in small frightened gasps.
Go up, the card said.
I climbed the steps slowly, listening. My body was shaking harder than ever. For the first time, the thought occurred to me this could be a trick. Perhaps Brian was onto me and was testing me. I stopped for a moment, but then kept climbing. I had nothing left to lose. If it was a trap then he already knew and I was doomed anyway; if it wasn’t, then someone would take me to Joshua. I stopped when I got to the sixth floor. The roof was the next stop and the stairway above me was dim. How far was I supposed to go?
There was nothing. No one was there. I looked at my watch and saw is was exactly 1 p.m.
I stood there, unsure what to do. Was I supposed to go on the roof? I could feel the tears gathering in my eyes as I stood trembling, feeling so lost and scared. A small object suddenly landed at my feet from above and I lurched back, startled, with a muffled gasp. I hesitated, and then bent down and picked up the fluffy object at my feet and stared. Another tiny stuffed rabbit lay in my hand. With a choked sob, I looked up. Above me in the hazy light, I could see the distinct silhouette of a man with broad shoulders. I watched anxiously as the shoulders moved and bent forward, then a hand extended over the railing above me.
Even in the dimness I knew that hand. I ran up the stairs and flung myself, sobbing wildly, into the arms that were waiting for me.
Joshua’s arms.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Joshua
I pulled Rabbit’s shaking, sobbing form closer. Her fists closed around my shirt front, holding the fabric tightly, her head buried in my chest.
I had her. She was safe.