Taking It Well: Chapter 7
I calmed myself, now was not a time for tears as Lorelai Gilmore I would say.
I slowly lurched up, off balance, but I managed not to fall. I didn't want Dean to be alerted to the fact I was moving. My only hope was a small window in the back of the room, which mercifully unlocked easily.
The window itself was harder, it squealed and creaked and whine at each tug. I did it as slowly as possible and paused often to make sure I could still hear the game Dean was watching.
When it finally opened I sent a quick and silent prayer up to Allah, God, Jesus and Budda, whoever it happened to be.
Then I remembered the screen.
I have never removed a screen off a window in my life. There were no clips, hinges, snaps. Nothing that could help me.
I pushed on the edges, hoping to just pop it out, nothing. I pushed harder, frustrated that some stupid wire mesh was keeping me from freedom. I punched it. It tore slightly.
I stuffed my fist into my mouth to keep from screaming.
Tearing slowly, I managed to remove most of the screen from the frame. I boosted my bare foot up on the sill, not even flinching at the cold and I shoved myself out the window. Rather ungracefully, but who cares? I was out! Out, free, liberated, saved!
But not quite. I was still much to close to the godforsaken cabin, and Dean, and was all alone. I had to get away and find help, fast, before Dean realized I was gone.
I went into the trees, staying parallel to the house so I could find the road. I stayed hidden in the foliage, so Dean wouldn't be able to see me if he happened to look out a window.
As soon as the road was in sight I ran to it, trying to decide if I should go further up the hill or down the hill. Resolving that downhill would be faster and give me a better shot of running across someone who could help me, I set off. I'm scared, but mainly happy, and proud, I made it out on my own and that I am now free. I could care less that my feet are bleeding, my arms and face are scratched, and my knees are skinned. I was out.
After walking no more than a few hundred yards, a police cruiser came speeding up the hill. I wave frantically, wishing with all my heart they notice me and how ragged I must look and will stop. It does.
As it approaches, I notice Jess in the front passenger seat..
"Rory!" He calls, shooting out of the car even though it is still in motion.
"Rory! Sweetie, my god, are you alright? Jesus, of course you're not, what am I thinking, oh Christ." He says frantically, picking me up into a hug.
"J…Jess?" I stutter. What were the chances of him actually being here? I finally felt safe, secure. I wrapped my arms tight around him and buried my face into his neck, sobs racking my worn body.
"Honey, I've got you…shhhhh…I've got you," He whispers repeatedly in my ear, so gently, so tenderly I cry harder.
"Hello? Yes this is Officer O'Toole, I've got the girl. Yes…yes…send back up for the guy and an ambulance for her, pronto." I heard a female voice speak sharply. I peeked out from behind Jess, a young police officer was there, speaking into a walkie talkie.
"Who's that?" I whisper.
"Officer Janie. She brought me up here. One of the nicer cops I've met." He trails off, before he slams back into reality. "Where were you? Was it Dean?"
"Yea…he…he got me…ah…I don't really remember when. Yesterday? It seems like forever."
"Hun, do you know where he was keeping you?" Janie asks soothingly.
"Just, a ways up there…the first cabin you see."
"Alright. Thank you. How did you get out?
"He…he was watching TV. I snuck out a window."
"That was very brave. Good for you." She says, she looked proud almost.
"Watching TV?" Jess growls.
"Um…a basketball game." I whisper.
"That son of a—" Jess starts
"Hush." Janie states firmly. Jess actually does. "Now, once the back up gets here, we'll take care of him. But until then, let's get you cleaned up."
"Huh?"
"Where are you hurt Rory?"
"Oh, I'm…I'm fine. I'm just tired. Can I go home?"
"Yes of course, but you can't leave until the ambulance gets here."
"I don't need the hospital!"
"You're bleeding. And he's obviously hurt you. You'll need a few x-rays and maybe a few stitches in your foot."
"Ok."
"Where's it hurt the most, we'll start there."
"My feet."
"Jess, can you lift her, bring her to the hood of the car, I'll see what I can do." Janie says, always gently but very firmly.
Jess picks me up, bridal style, and places me tenderly on the car. Janie inspects my feet and instructs Jess to retrieve the first aid kit from the glove compartment.
Janie said I would need a few stitches in my right foot, but she cleaned and bandaged the shallower cuts on my left foot and my legs.
"I…I think he bruised a couple ribs…and…and my head, it was bleeding right after he…" I trailed off quietly. Jess was clenching and unclenching his fists, pacing a path in front of the car.
She had finished cleaning the cut on my temple and the scratches on my arms when the ambulance showed up, five police cruisers behind it.
After that, it was a blur. Jess was holding my hand and I was lying down, people kept shouting questions and Jess shouted back. The next the I remember was seeing my mom.
Dean was sent to jail for five to eight years, without parole. Lorelai was so happy to have me back safe she remained speechless for almost an hour. Sookie cooked a large feast that included all of my favorites that the Gilmore Girls and the Dane Boys shared. Lorelai finally accepted Jess, who couldn't after he just saved her daughter?
Everything was almost normal.
A/N: I would like to thank everyone who has continually read and/or reviewed this. Also, I'd like to thank Vannie for suggesting the lama rescuing Rory. Even though I didn't use it, it surprisingly kicked-started my brain into functioning properly. Keep a look out for a new story coming out in May-June!