Nowhere to Hide

Almost Free

Abby continues to wait in the drab hospital room for her lab results. If I'd known it'd take this long, I wouldn't have agreed to come. She sighs. She figured they'd stitch her up and send her on her way. Noticing how unsteady she is, the doctor decides to order a few tests to make sure there isn't anything else going on.

She gazes down at her watch and sees it's only been ten minutes since she last checked. Time sure goes by slow when you're all alone. John stepped out to make a few calls.

She and John learned a lot about each other during the extensive wait. Both were pleasantly surprised to discover they have a lot in common despite the difference in age and upbringing. Ten years her senior, he's a Catholic raised farm boy. Abby is a city girl at heart, with no religious background to speak of. She explained what took place in Illinois. She then told him about the flash-drive she'd found. John said he'd look into it.

Abby glances around the cold, sterile room for the umpteenth time. Other than the hospital equipment scattered about, there wasn't much to see. She hears her heart monitor beeping steadily beside her. The soft, melodic rhythm lulls her into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Abby first dreams about all the fun times she and her friends shared. She then imagines her and John walking hand in hand under a starry sky. It's a warm summer's night. Night creatures sing softly around them. A crisp, gentle breeze drifts off the ocean while the warm sand cradles their bare feet in its cushiony comfort.

He turns towards her and says, "I love you more than I've loved anyone in my life."

"And I love you," she whispers.

John wraps his arms around her and pulls her in close.

She can smell his cologne drift through the air as they continue to gaze into the other's eyes.

Scooping her into his arms, John brushes his soft, manly lips against hers.

Excitement surges through her when he presses his mouth against hers. I'm in heaven, Abby thinks, melting in his muscular arms.

A cold hard object clamping against her wrist startles her out of her beautiful dream. She glances at the cuffs and then the man standing over her. "What the...?" The reality hits her. She'd finally been caught.

"Elizabeth Muller AKA Abby Miller, you are under arrest for criminal contempt and possession of a controlled substance. You have the right to remain silent..."

"Please don't do this to me, please." She bawls. Hearing footsteps, she looks over to find John at the door. "Help me, John, please help me," she cries.

Dropping her gift on the floor, he races to her side. Noticing the handcuffs, he turns towards the cop and says, "What's the meaning of this?"

"Who are you?" the officer questions.

He straightens up and says, "John Graham, Elizabeth's attorney."

"Your client is under arrest for criminal contempt and drug possession with intent to sell. She'll be transported to our infirmary as soon as our ambulance arrives."

"You're not taking her anywhere."

"I have my orders, so please step aside." He pushes John out of the way.

The attorney steps between the intruder and the bed. "Those charges have been dropped. So, I advise you to take these cuffs off her before we sue for false arrest."

"Not according to this." He hands John an arrest warrant. A smug smile crosses his lips when he points to the top of the page. "It was issued less than an hour ago."