Jade

Chapter 14

We found the bathrooms easily enough.  I thought Aris was going to follow me into the ladies room but he must have changed his mind because, at the last second, he diverted into the men's room.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  It was nice to have a few seconds alone.  I used the toilet, then washed my hands.  I looked at my reflection in the mirror.  I look horrible.  The least I could do is fix my hair and splash some water on my face.  I willed the skin to put my hair up into a bun.  The water felt refreshing on my face.  My jaw still hurt a little, but felt so much better that I barely noticed it.  I quickly dried off and threw the paper towels away.

I walked out of the bathroom and entered into chaos.  What is going on?  Go back in the bathroom.  Are you okay?  How about Ripley and the dogs?  We are all fine.  I just need  you  to go back into the bathroom until I come for you.  Okay.  I went back in the bathroom, locked the door and leaned my back against it.

Someone is coming your way.  Do not let them in.  I waited.  There was a knock on the door.  “Is anyone in there?” asked an unfamiliar male voice.  I didn't answer.  “I need to come in there,” he persisted.  I still didn't answer.  The door shook when he shoved it.  How am I supposed to keep him out?  I am on the way.  The door shook again.  It started to shudder.  Soon it will splinter.  That's if the lock even holds.  I looked in the cabinet under the sink and found a large, heavy pipe wrench that I could try to use as a weapon.  One more time and that lock will give.  He shoved the door and it flew open. 

A large, perfectly tanned, beautiful man stumbled in as if he hadn't expected the door to open.  I hit him in the head, as hard as I could muster, with the pipe wrench.  He collapsed in the doorway into a giant heap.  Now I'm stuck with the door open.  Aris appeared, “Are you okay?”  “I'm fine,” I answered, “I'm not sure about him though.”  Aris held out his hand to help me around and over the heap of a man.  “He will be fine.  Let's get out of here.” I could feel him stirring as I quickly navigated my way out.  “Do you want anything?  It will be a while before we stop again.”  “Tea, Doritos and chocolate.”  We rushed around the trashed store and got what we wanted.  There was no cashier.  Aris slapped two twenties on the counter and left them.  Where is everyone.  They got scared and ran.

We went outside and got in the running Tahoe where Ripley was ready and waiting.  He shifted into drive and took off, “I would like to know how they keep finding us.”  “Jade, I need to look you over,” Aris requested, “I think they planted a tracker on you.”  “Where?”  “How does your face feel?”  “My jaw still hurts a little, but it's barely noticeable.”  Lay down, left side up and put your head in my lap.  “Jax get in the back.”  Jax climbed over our seat and got in the third row.  I did as he asked.  Aris put his hand on my face.  I found it.  Do you have to cut me open to get it out?  Maybe a small cut.  We will see.  “Ripley we need to find a hotel.  It's too bumpy to do this in the car.”

We drove for about a half an hour before coming to a hotel.  We passed it and went to the next one.  It was set far back away from the road with a long driveway.  Ripley went in and got the room keys, then drove us around to the back of the hotel.  The back of the hotel looked even more run down than the front.  Do not worry.  The rooms are clean.  We will stay here for the night.  We got out and went to one of the rooms.  Ripley unlocked the door.  It does look a lot better on the inside.  There is a king bed with a nightstand and lamp on each side.  A TV set atop a dresser.  A full length mirror.  A loveseat against the far wall and a table with two chairs.  The bathroom had a shower/tub and a vanity with one sink.  He was right.  It looked immaculate.

Rex bounded in and hopped up on the bed.  He plopped down at the foot of it as if he hadn't slept for days.  Reese sat beside Ripley on the loveseat.

“Lay down Jade.”  I did so, left side up.  He placed his hand, palm down, finders spread out, on the whole exposed side of my face.  “You will not feel a thing.” He must have numbed my cheek somehow because, true to his words, I felt nothing.  Do you just snap your fingers and it appears?  He smiled.  How do you know where it is?  I know where you are not healing properly.  Ripley went into the bathroom, came back with a towel and handed it to Aris.  “Okay, done,” Aris announced.  He handed something to Ripley.  I want to see it.  “You can sit up Jade.  The numbness will wear off in a few minutes.  Show it to her Rip.”  Ripley held his hand in front of me.  It looked like an electronic chip smaller than the size of a pencil eraser.  It was made of silver and I could barely make out what looked like circuit boards.  How did he get that in my face?  “When he hit you there was an open cut.  He just pushed it inside,” Aris answered.  “Was it just to track my movements?”  “Yes.  That is all it can do.”