The Blind Man

FIFTEEN

There was too much to take in and so much he couldn't see. The noise rang loudly in his ears as the sheriff started yelling commands to his men. Jae had heard what the kidnapper had said and had lost it. He was doing everything he could to reach Maggie. He couldn't see where she was, but he could hear her crying which drove him to keep fighting to get to her. Three deputies wrestled with him until they started pulling him back into the woods. They kept shouting for him to calm down as he screamed Maggie's name.

Then all at once everything stilled as a gun shot rang through the air. Jae froze and listened but all he could hear was the steady sound of ambulance sirens in the distance as the sheriff started yelling commands again. Jae's heart sank as he made his way closer. No one was keeping him back now and he feared the worst.

He couldn't hear Maggie crying anymore.

~~*~~

They weren't telling him anything. They had just loaded him in a cop car and told him they were headed to the hospital. He kept asking what was going on, but they only answered him with silence.

After reaching the hospital, he was led into a waiting room where he sat alone for several minutes before the sound of Cristal's voice filled his lonely ears.

She rushed over and hugged him. "It's so good to see you." She cried.

He hugged her tightly while still holding back his own tears. "How badly are you hurt?"

She pulled away and they moved to the seats. "I was only beaten up pretty bad. They looked me over and sewed up a few cuts; other than that I'm fine."

Jae was still clinging to his anger as he spoke. "Tell me what happened. Where's Maggie?"

"It all happened so fast, it took me a moment to realize what was going on. One of the deputies fired his gun at the kidnapper when they saw that he wasn't going to release Maggie. The bullet hit him in the arm, but when he jerked the knife caught Maggie's neck." She paused sounding sick to her stomach. "Blood was everywhere. But it wasn't a deep cut so she should be fine. The kidnapper is being treated so he can go to jail. They said that they're still looking for the second man."

"There was a second man involved?"

"Yeah. I never saw his face, but he was a mean one, seemed to be the leader of the two."

Jae let a beat pass as he took it all in. "How's Luis?"

"He'll be ok. He has several deep cuts and a concussion, but they said he should make it. Mark is the one that will take a while to get better."

"What's wrong with him?" Jae was hesitant.

"He's pretty much skin and bone, and he hasn't had a bath in so long their having to scrub him with wire brushes to help clean him off. Most of the damage is mental. He hasn't been out with people in years so he's almost loco." Cristal's voice was full of pity.

"Can you take me to Maggie?"

"They're still bandaging her up. The doctor will come get us when they're done."

Jae nodded as he leaned forward on his elbows. He just wanted to hold Maggie and smell her scent of Tide; he wanted to hear her voice and tell her that he was right here with her.

Cristal cleared her throat. "I thought we were going to die." She whispered.

Jae straightened and pulled her against him. "But you didn't, and you're safe now. They'll catch the other man soon and it'll all be over."

Cristal sighed as Jae heard tears in her voice. "I'm still scared."

"I know, but I got you."

~~*~~

They told her that she needed to sleep, but there was no way she could close her eyes. Fear was keeping her awake as she thought of that man being treated just three doors down, not to mention the one that got away. She hadn't been able to see any of her friends since she came, not even Jae.

Tears fill her eyes and she pushed the red button on her bed to call the nurse in. "What do you need?" She asked.

"Can you please see if Jae Ripper is out in the waiting room? I really need to see him."

The nurse paused. "The doctor wants you to get some rest before you see anyone."

"I don't care. I won't be able to rest until I see him." Maggie stared into her eyes, begging the woman to call him in.

"Fine." She gave in. "I'll go see if I can find him."

Maggie sighed in relief as she left the room. Jae would make her feel safe and whole again. She sat up in bed and adjusted the bandage around her neck before forcing herself to move the pillows under her for support. Moments later the door opened and Jae's tall form filled in the doorway.

"Jae." She chocked out.

He removed his sunglasses and moved as fast as he could to her bed side. His hand found hers as she began to cry. His bulk rested on her bed before he pulled her into his arms. Her emotions were overwhelming her at the relief the feel of him was bringing to her soul.

This is where home is, wherever he is.

~~*~~

Jae fought back his own tears as he took in the feel of Maggie in his arms. She smelled of sweat and dirt but a faint scent of Tide still lingered around her. She continued to cry into him as he kissed the top of her head. "I thought I was going to lose you."

"I did too." She confessed.

He held her a moment longer before she invited him to lay beside her. As they lay beside each other, Jae talked as much as he could to get things off her mind and within minutes, she was snuggled against him and asleep. He savored the warm feel of her body against his, he wanted so badly to hold her close to him, and kiss her but he resisted the temptation.

She was safe now, and that's all that mattered to him.