They needed to walk over half an hour before they reached one of the poorer districts of Hermosillo. She needed to support Sean while walking. Sean barely knew that part of town. When they arrived at a big apartment building the woman pushed Sean against the entrance wall. "Listen boy! This is my district and I'm way too nice to bring you here but if you try to fuck me up or hurting me let me tell you: I have friends who will find you and kill you!" She pointed a finger on his chest. "Got it?" Sean nodded.
They went upstairs and she opened the door to a small apartment. It was about the same size like Sean's room in Seattle with a kitchen in one corner. There is also another even smaller room with a bed inside and one closed door that must probably lead to the bathroom. She placed Sean onto one of the kitchen chairs and picked up a small basket with medical stuff to care about Sean's eyebrow.
"Are you a nurse?" Sean asked.
She laughed. "No, I'm sorry, I'm not. But it seems like your wound doesn't need plastic surgery." When she was done she sat down on the other chair. "I know you, right? You're that American boy. What's your name again?" she asked in English.
"My name is Sean." Sean wondered where he has seen that woman before. Her hair was black and she must be at least 10 years older than him. She looked annoyed but in her brown eyes there was something warm that calmed Sean down.
"I'm Maria." She looked at him. "You don't look good. Everything okay?"
"I'm sorry. I don't want to make any trouble." He felt like throwing up again and needed to gulp.
"Ok, bathroom!" she said and pulled him and his backpack into the bath.
"You're covered in blood and dirt. It's probably better to clean yourself. There is soap in the shower. You can put your stuff in the washing machine. I will take care of it later." She took a towel out of a small cupboard. "I will leave the door ajar if you need help and get you some clean clothes."
She left and Sean was alone in the bathroom. He started to take off his dirty clothes. They were full of puke and blood. He groaned. His body still hurt but he looked forward to take a hot shower after all this time. His skin felt like there's already crust on it and his hair was full of dust. The water was soft and fresh. He closed his eyes and wanted to stay in the shower forever. Sean already felt better.
"Hey, do not waste so much water!" The voice from behind the door put him back to reality. He left the shower and saw a shirt, socks and some shorts stuck in the door gap. He took it and smelled the fabric softener while putting it on. It was a little tight but it felt good to wear clean clothes.
Sean went out of the bathroom. Maria sat at the kitchen table again and was tipping something into her phone. When she notices Sean she put her phone down and asked him to sit down. "So, how you feel?"
"Way better! That shower felt so good" Sean responded. "My head is still foggy. I guess I just need to sleep. I don't want to bother you and maybe I should go." He tried to stand up but his knees were weak again.
"Well, Sean. Looks like you're going nowhere tonight. And your stuff is still in the bathroom." Maria sighed and chewed on her lips. "Ok, I still think it's a bad idea but if you promise me to be a nice little gentleman the couch will be yours!"
Sean got nervous but he was looking forward to spend a night away from the streets. "Really? I mean, I swear I will do you no harm. Thank you so much - for everything."
When Sean lay down on the couch he instantly blackened out.
Maria put a blanket over him. "Please don't die here man. I don't know what to do with a corpse!"