The Devil's Trail

45- The first & the last

"Mom?"

"I'm so sorry Delilah." She whispered as her gloved hand shook. The gun wobbled with it and I feared if she was only threatening me with the gun, then it might just go off accidentally from her nerves.

"M-"

"I thought you were dead. I thought..." She paused to let out a cry of her own.

My hands had rose in surrender. "Please don't do this.. Money? You wanted money yeah? I can get you it. Whatever you need. Couple thousand? Tens of thousands? Enough to make a new life away from here?"

"I need the pain to stop."

"Drugs.. Its okay. I'll give you the money but I can't do that if I'm dead."

She shook her head "I don't need the money, I have the drugs but I.."

My eyes shot over her shoulder to see the car. "You have to do something to get those drugs."

She nodded.

"I can help with the pain..." I lowered my hand but she stepped forward with the gun making me freeze.

"Don't move!"

"Okay.. Okay. I'm going to twist to the right, my pocket. There's painkillers okay. Take them."

"But you need them..."

"If you're going to shoot me, what good are they?"

She wet her lips and swallowed hard "I don't want to do this."

"Then don't.. Listen to me, I'm going to turn, you can take them from my pocket. I swear I won't move. Do you trust me?"

She nodded.

Holding my hands up high, I turn to the right and keep still as she pulls them from my pocket.

"They are really strong ones. A step down from morphine itself. They are yours. Do you want money as well?"

She shook her head. "I have to.."

"You can't. I'm pregnant." I lied.

Her crying stopped slightly before it got stronger "He said you would say that! He said you would lie to me!"

"Because I'm scared mom."

"I have to do this!"

I bit my lip hard as tears flooded my eyes. "Okay.. Okay but can we not do it right here? Please? As my mom, give me one last wish. Don't let it be here, I don't want him finding me."

"You love him..."

I nod "So much it hurts. I don't know how anyone can cope with this pain.."

"It's the first time you've called me your mom."

"I guess I'm sorry about that too.."

"Delilah I need help. This has to stop, and it stops with you."

"Not here please, please call him over. I'll go without a single noise but please mom. I beg you. Don't let it happen here.." I cried.

"Give me your phone Delilah."

I slowly retrieved it from my pocket and handed it over. I half expected her to smash it against the floor or pocket it. But instead she began dialling.

Lifting my chin, I prepared myself. I had to face the devil himself again and know his face and grubby hands would be the last that touched me.

"Police."