Torn

Chapter 19

I wasn't exactly sure how long it took me to get to Tampa Bay, Florida since I was fed and then put to bed. I woke up feeling refreshed but without a plan of what to do next. It was about 8pm in Tampa Bay. The sun had set and stars now twinkled in the sky above. I slipped on the shoes that one of the ferry guest lent to me, and slowly headed off of the boat. I couldn't help but look around for any sign of someone in Taker's gang. Lord knows the man was smart and because of that…I wasn't even sure if I should try to contact John. He'd be expecting that for sure!

I hurried down the boardwalk and onto the beach, unsure of where I should go. I had only been to Tampa once, and that was for a cheer competition….that's when it hit me. My high school cheerleading squad was supposed to be in Tampa that week for a competition. I wondered if they still came down there even though I was believed to be dead. All I had to do was find the right hotel. I headed for the city, looking over my shoulder every now and then to make sure I wasn't being followed. I ended up having to ask several people for directions, some of them being weird as hell. I got lost a few times but eventually I found my way to the Marriot Hotel.

"Can I help you dear?" the woman at the check-in station asked.

"Um…yeah…I lost my way in the city and I think my cheerleading squad may be here." I said.

She nodded and began typing something in the computer. "Which squad are you with dear?"

"The Bulldogs, of Wes Newbury, Massachusetts." I said.

"Ok. They're on the fifth floor in suite 102." She said. "Go on up in that elevator ok?"

I nodded and thanked her before heading over to the elevator. I couldn't help but feel excitement in my chest as the doors opened and I stepped inside. I pressed the #5 button and waited to be taken upstairs. I eagerly wondered how they would react to seeing me after thinking I was dead for so long. I certainly hoped they wouldn't be angry with me for now reaching out to them but they didn't know the circumstances.

I took a deep breath before the elevator doors opened. I was shocked to come face to face with the entire cheerleading squad…Their faces were almost pale upon seeing me standing there. Almost as if they had seen a ghost.

"K-K-Katrina?" Jaylynn asked as she stepped forward.

I smiled and stepped off of the elevator. "Jaylynn…."

"Oh my Gosh it's really you!" Alyssa said as she jumped forward and threw her arms around me for a moment before stepping away, "Wait a second! You're supposed to be dead!"

"My goodness Alyssa we all knew that couldn't be true!" Jaylynn said as she took my hand. "Come on we have to hide her!"

"Wait…how did you know I was on the elevator?" I asked.

"The woman at the checkout desk called and told us there was a girl from our squad coming up. Since we knew we were all here, we went to the elevator to see who you were." A girl named Brittany answered.

"Gosh we were not expecting to see you at all!" another girl said as we stopped in front of the suite.

I smiled loving the love I was feeling from them. I then remembered I was running from Taker and needed to be hidden somewhere fast.

"Girls I'm happy to see you all too but I can't go back home." I said.

Jaylynn opened the door to the suite. "Why not? John deserves to know you're alive Kat."