Somewhere in Between

By: Vela Cruze

Chapter 10:

"Detective Taylor, my daughter, please tell me you found her." Miriam said standing as the police walked into her living room.

"I'm sorry. All of his friends claim they haven't seen him. All of our leads have turned up zilch. Arnold, has Helga ever mentioned any place that Frankie would take her?"

"No. Not that I can remember…" Arnold said shaking his head, "But when I use to hang out with him, there was an old warehouse downtown, he would hang out there a lot with his other friends. He took me there a few times. But I don't think he goes there anymore…"

"I'll send a few officers out there just to be sure."

Meanwhile, in the same spot on the floor, Helga opened her eyes and all of the pain from last night's assault came rushing back to her. Her body ached, but what hurt most of all was her head. She tried sitting up but her arms felt like jelly and gave out from beneath her. Her chin collided with the concrete floor. Frankie walked in, sneering at her. She felt so nauseated. "You're such a stupid bitch." He said.

"Frankie, something is wrong…" she said, "My head hurts really bad."

Frankie didn't say anything. He raised a gun and pointed it at her back.

"Please don't do that…" she begged. Still he didn't respond. Suddenly Helga heard a sound; something that sounded like firecrackers or a car backfiring. Then her shoulder ached…the noise came again and more pain. Then one more… A car started outside, and she was put in the passenger seat. He pushed her out and left her in the alley. She watched the car pull away. Gathering what strength she had left. She got up and began walking toward a house. "Help… me… please." She whispered weakly. She collapsed on the steps as the door flew open, "Oh my gracious. You're that missing girl…John call 9-1-1. Child, can you hear me?" the woman said wrapping her arms around Helga.

"Ambulance is on their way Beth."

"I want my mother…" Helga said and all was black.

-Stop-

"I'm sorry Mrs. Pataki; there was nothing at that warehouse."

Miriam's face grew red and tears began streaming down her cheeks. Bob took her into his arms and allowed her to cry on his chest. "This is all my fault." He thought, cursing himself, "If only I had listened to her…"

A cell phone interrupted the intense silence, "Taylor…When? All right. Mrs. Pataki I've got great news: Someone has found your daughter. She's on her way to St. Mercy's Hospital. Come on I'll take you in my car."

They followed him outside. At the hospital, Helga's parents were greeted by Helga's doctor, "I'm Dr. Reese." She said shaking Miriam's hand.

"My daughter, where is she?"

"She was moved from the ER to Intensive Care. She was in surgery to remove three bullets: one from her shoulder blade, and two from her back. I think she'll be all right."

"Then why is she in ICU?"

"So we can keep an eye on her. She has a severe concussion."

"Can we see her?"

"Well she's sedated right now. But I don't see the harm. But only one person for right now."

"I'll go." Miriam said.

"No, Miriam, I want to go." Bob said standing, "I need to apologize."

He walked into Helga's room and looked at his youngest daughter. Her left eye was swollen shut. Several of her cuts had stitches holding them closed. And bruises all over her arms. Bob sighed, "You know, Helga, I can't help but feel that I am partly responsible for this, as if I took the gun and shot you myself. I know I was never really much of a father to you, and I know I don't deserve it but I would like you to give me another chance. And I swear if I find the bastard that did this to you, I will kill him."