I'm almost done with the water bottle when the door opens. Claire rushes in and scoops Phoebe up.
"Honey, you've been here all along? I've been so worried,"
Seth visibly cringes when her arm brushes his. Phoebe stares at the ground. "I'm sorry. I was worried you would think I was annoying them."
Claire runs a hand through Phoebe's hair, Phoebe flinching when her hand nears her face. "It's okay. I'm just glad you're safe."
Phoebe smiles. "I'm glad you're not mad." then she turns to me. "Bathroom?"
I point her to the nearest one, and she leaves. Claire follows her.
Crystal waits, tense, then swats my leg. "Her mom is abusive, she's getting her alone. Don't just stand there!"
I start to the door, but she grabs the cuff of my pants. "Don't go in right away, but if something starts happening, call the police and wait outside."
I nod.
The hall is empty. They moved fast. I hope Phoebe knows her mom is coming in.
By the time I get to the bathroom door, I'm tense again. I can hear some kind of snapping, angry whispers, and small sounds of pain. When what is definitely a muffled scream echoes through the door and to me, I decide it's time to call the police.
I have to take a few steps away from the door so they don't hear me. When I'm on the phone, Phoebe screams again and I barely manage to keep my voice even.
Three minutes. They'll be here in three minutes.
I wait, pacing the hall, raking my hands through my hair every time I hear anything from Phoebe.
Trying to keep my hands busy, I send a text to Crystal telling her to meet the police out front. Ashton comes toward the bathroom, dragging his shoulder against the wall. Seth is a few feet behind him.
My phone buzzes.
Crystal: couldn't leave him alone, sorry
I shake my head and reply.
Michael: it's fine
I grab Ashton's shoulders to steady him. Seth sits against the wall, hunching into himself.
Several gut-wrenching cries from Phoebe later, Crystal appears and hustles three officers toward me.
One of them pulls out a pad of paper. "Your name, sir?"
I let go of Ashton and reach for a handshake. "Dr. Michael Clifford, Officer . . . "
He accepts. "Cruz, Doctor. Ms. Leigh informed us of the threat on the way in."
Another scream echoes inside the bathroom. I gesture to the door. "Please help her."
Quietly, he tests the handle. "Locked. Got keys?"
I pat through my pockets and realize this isn't my floor. Pulling Ashton over to me, I search through his and find a spare key in his breast pocket.
I pass the key to Officer Cruz, who motions the two others forward and unlocks the door with a barely audible click. The noise inside goes silent.
I press my back to the wall next to Seth, Ashton breathing hard next to me.
In one quick motion, they open the door and surround Claire, effectively blocking Phoebe from harm. Claire starts to play casual, but breaks through them and makes it out the door. One of the officers grabs her by the arm and swings her against the wall, pinning her.
