Book One: The Viper's Bite

Fourteen

I opened my eyes, feeling nauseated. At first I was confused, sitting in the front seat of a car with a seatbelt over my chest. But I suppressed my rising panic as I recognized the scent of the car, the seat I was in. I looked at Cody, hunched over the steering wheel, his lips moving quickly and eyes focused on the road. A choked sob of relief left me and he glanced over. There was shock in his eyes, relief in his features.

He slowed the car, pulling over to the shoulder and looking at me intensely. "Thank God you're awake. Are you okay?" He reached over and lifted my chin, and I let him. His fingers traced over the rapid movements of my pulse and he cupped my cheek, his hand shaking.

"Did you see the guy?" I whispered, my hands cold as Iifted them to his. "Did he get away?" Hot tears rolled down my face as the full impact of what had happened hit me. I bit my lip to try and stop it from trembling, but again a sob came from my throat, and I reached down and unsnapped my seatbelt  to lean forward and into his embrace.

We sat there for a few minutes, him holding me as I cried, again. When the shaking stopped and I felt I could look at him without bursting into tears, I pulled away and wiped my nose.

"He did get away," Cody murmured, his tone suddenly hard. "I pulled up and saw what he was doing to you. But when I got out, he let you go and sprinted in the other direction. I would've chased him if you weren't lying in the middle of the road. We need to go to a hospital," he said suddenly, flicking his eyes at me. 

I shook my head. "I don't need to go to the hospital. All he did was choke me. I don't think I need a checkup for that. And besides that," I said when he looked about ready to argue, "I don't want to go to the hospital. Three times in less than two weeks is pretty pathetic, don't you think? I mean, first I knock out my wrist, and then get myself attacked. I'd rather not advertise my shame, if you don't mind," I added with a chuckle.

Cody was shaking his head, but he didn't say anything. He put the car in gear and pulled back onto the road, turning around and heading towards the hotel. I sighed, burrowing to the coat draped over me, and let myself drift.

*********************

"Cory? Cory, wake up. We're here."

I cracked my eyes open to see the familiar lights of the hotel. Cody was on my side, having gotten out to help me. I took his hand and let him hold my satchel as we walked into the lobby. Covering my eyes with one hand, I turned to him and nodded. "Thanks for taking me in, I guess I can manage from here."

"Oh, no," he said sternly, "I'm going up with you. Making sure you get to your floor alright." I shrugged and let him walk me to the bank of elevators, where we waited until the little red dial started moving down, indicating the floors. 5... 4... 3... 

As the dials moved down, I felt around in my satchel for my key card. When I couldn't find it, I muttered a curse and asked Cody to wait there, as I went over to the woman seated at the front desk.

"Um, excuse me?" Her head lifted, and she smiled up at me, her wine coloured lipstick accentuating the smile she gave me. "Yes, how can I help?"

I gestured awkwardly. "I seem to have left my room key upstairs, can I get another one?" She nodded, and I leaned against the desk as she clicked through her computer, taking my room information, name, and my ID. When she handed me the slim green card I nodded my thanks and went back over to stand by Cody, who'd braced himself against the wall as he waited for the elevator to come back down.

The silence wasn't unsettling, but soothing, and we rode the elevator to the fourth floor. When the doors opened and I turned to give him a hug, he held on and looked at me seriously. "Are you sure you're gonna be okay?"