Disclaimers: I own nothing or anyone associated or affiliated with TNA. I own only the original characters. This is just a fictional story that came from my imagination.
Chapter Content & Trigger Warnings: Flashbacks of violence
Chapter 10
Ella slowly awoke to a blinding light and voices all around her. She began to struggle, feeling hands holding her arms down. She drew in a pained breath, prepared to scream as loud as possible.
"Please, help me!"
In the haziness of her mind, she could not make sense of what frightened her. All she knew as she came to, was a feeling of utter terror. Pain stabbed her body, and she couldn't stop herself from fighting the hands which held her.
"Ella, calm down. You could injure yourself further," she heard a male voice say. "You're safe in a hospital room."
Then she heard another unfamiliar male voice say, "Is everything okay, doctor?"
"Yes, she's waking up is all. I think she had a nightmare."
"Help me," Ella cried again, still struggling to pinpoint what was frightening her.
"You're safe, darlin'," she heard Jeff then, as her eyes slowly adjusted to the light. "Me and Joe are right here, and we're not going to let anything happen to you."
Her thrashing slowed as the pain began searing her entire body. Sobbing in torment, she could finally make out her uncle's face, and then saw Joe gazing down at her on the other side of her bed, along with a man in a lab coat; obviously a doctor. He picked up a piece of IV tubing and injected it with a syringe of fluid. "This will stop the pain and calm her down."
"No," Ella lunged for the tubing, and then gasped at the pain that reverberated through her entire body. Drowsiness already began staking its claim on her. "Please, I don't want—to sle—sleep…" She fought to keep her eyes open.
"It's okay, Ella. No one is going to hurt you now. Just rest, baby girl," Joe whispered, brushing the back of his hand over her forehead. He watched her eyes glaze in exhaustion even as she recoiled from his touch. Her actions stung, but he understood she was still hurt by the things he'd said to her.
Tears brimmed in her eyes as they shifted from Joe to Jeff. "Stay with—me," she asked softly. "Please, Uncle Jeff…I'm—so scared…don't know…why…" She gripped his hand weakly.
"We'll stay. I promise," Jeff told her, and gave the doctor a puzzled look. "We love you, sugar, and we're not leaving you. Not for one second."
Relief flashed across her face, and she finally gave in, letting sleep claim her. Her eyes glanced back at Joe for an instant, then closed and her hand went limp in Jeff's.
"Thank God, she finally woke up," Jeff said softly, as he sank down in the chair beside Ella's bed.
Joe nodded, also sitting down in his chair and exhaling heavily. "Yeah, it's a relief."
They both had been on pins and needles for many days, wondering if Ella would ever regain consciousness. The girl had slipped into a coma after her surgeries, despite Doctor Sullivan's efforts to reverse it. He ran tests to make sure there was no swelling or bleeding of her brain, and treated her hypotension, low body temperature, as well as monitoring her breathing. Unsure of what had caused her to lapse into a coma, the doctor did his best to console the girl's family and friend.
"Her body has been through a tremendous lot," he had offered. "Not just the physical and mental trauma from her attack, but the surgeries and treatments themselves. This coma may simply be her body's way of getting some rest."
"But will she come out of it," Joe had asked, his eyes darkened with fear.
"I don't know," the doctor answered honestly. "But I promise you, we'll do everything we can to care for her, and bring her out of it."
Joe and Jeff had worried endlessly, day after day, with Ella remaining unconscious. They both stayed with her day and night, despite Doctor Sullivan's so-called orders, and despite the police officer who was always outside her door. The doctor simply could not get the men to leave. Only of them would leave Ella at a time, and it was simply to get a shower and a meal. Then they came right back and sat with her some more. Secretly, the doctor didn't try too hard to make them leave. He knew how he'd feel if it were his daughter or wife lying in a hospital bed. He would not leave them for one moment.
"She won't go back into the coma, will she, Doctor Sullivan," Jeff asked. "I mean—what with her falling asleep so soon after waking?"
The doctor shook his head. "No, I expect her to fully recover. Comas aren't like in the movies, where the patient wakes up and immediately returns to their life—Ella may go in and out of consciousness for a few days before she fully wakes up."
Finding the news a little disappointing, the men nonetheless felt more optimistic. The fact she had gained consciousness at all appeared promising. For the past two weeks, Ella gave them many false hopes which indicated she was waking. She gasped and whimpered in her sleep. She even moved her hands and twitched. But she never opened her eyes. Not once. So, now, the two men still found themselves afraid to believe she was truly coming out of the coma. They worried it could be yet another letdown in her progress.
"We'll keep a close eye on her, and monitor all developments," Doctor Sullivan assured them. "Don't worry. She's doing much better. She'll be fine."
"Thank you," Jeff said softly. "Thank you so much."
"Doctor," Joe cut in, "Ella said something about being scared, but not knowing why. Is that okay? I mean, you're sure she had no serious brain damage?"
Dr. Sullivan shook his head, "I'm sure. We did some extensive testing and there's nothing that greatly concerned us. It's possible she has a case of lacunar amnesia—memory loss over a particular event."
Jeff's eyebrows rose, "Really? Do the memories finally resurface?"
The doctor shrugged slightly, "Maybe. There have been cases where some patients do recover their memories, but I also know of cases where they haven't. And the diagnosis is of course not set in stone, but this early on, it would be my best guess. Time will tell. Either way, she's going to be fine." The doctor smiled warmly, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some rounds to make. I'll be by later to check on Ella."
With that, Doctor Sullivan turned and walked down the hallway.
Jeff and Joe looked at each other, sighing with relief.
Now, it was only a matter of waiting.
}i{}i{}i{}i{
Over the next week, Ella was indeed in and out of consciousness. As soon as she would wake, her face would pale and contort from the pain she was in, and then a nurse would come in to give her a dose of pain medication. She would fade out again and the process would repeat itself.
Finally, the day came when she awoke and fought for full consciousness. She groaned softly, and looked down at herself, eyeing the tubes and wires attached to her. She felt a stab of pain as she touched her chest tube. "Oh, my God—what is—all this?"
Joe and Jeff jumped awake from their nap and rose from their chairs. "Ella," they both said softly, hurrying to her side. "Are you all right," Jeff asked, touching her forehead.
Grimacing, she struggled to sit up. The two men gently nudged her back down against her pillow. "Easy Ella," Joe coaxed. "You need to rest."
Gaining more consciousness along with frustration, she snapped at him. "I want to sit up!" She pushed their hands aside and began trying to ease into a sitting position.
"Okay, honey, but let's do it an easier way," Jeff said. He pushed a button on the bed's railing and the head of the bed began rising so that Ella could sit comfortably, with support to her back. She saw a nurse enter the room with a hypodermic needle then. Awake enough to shake her head and block access to her IV, she said, "I want to stay awake, please."
"Okay, dear," the nurse said kindly. "I could go get you a different pain medicine if you would like. It might make you drowsy, but shouldn't knock you out."
Ella, struggled to maintain her composure through the pain. "No, thank you."
The nurse smiled at her, "Sure. Don't hesitate to buzz for me if you need anything. I'll go alert Doctor Sullivan that you seem to be more awake than usual. He'll want to check on you. Your chest tube should be ready to come out anytime now also." With that, she exited the room in search of the doctor.
Ella met the eyes of her uncle and Joe. "What did she mean by 'more awake than usual'? What am I doing here?" She touched her head and lay back against the pillows. "Why am I in so much pain?"
Joe exchanged a glance with Jeff. They both seemed to wonder how much information they should share with the girl.
"What's going on," Ella persisted. "I have the right to know."
Jeff swallowed hard, "Well, sweetie—do you remember…the party? At our house?"
She nodded, "Y-yeah…" she glanced over at Joe and then quickly looked away. "I remember some of it." She swallowed hard then. "Uncle Jeff, what happened to me? And where's Mom and Daddy? Why aren't they here?"
Lord, help me do this, Jeff thought as he watched his niece's eyes fill with tears. He took a deep breath and blew it out. "You don't remember what happened after the party," he asked her.
She shook her head with frustration, "No, Uncle Jeff, I don't. The last thing I remember is…" She looked down at her lap and shook her head. "I remember saying goodbye to you and AJ."
"Okay…well…" Jeff looked over at Joe to find pain in his black eyes.
"Uncle Jeff, please," Ella said softly, dread crossing her face. "Where are Mama and Daddy?"
"Honey," Jeff started. "When you left the party-"
"Please, stop talking about the party and tell me where they are!"
She sounded angry, but Jeff could see fear in her eyes instead.
"Baby, they were killed. And you almost died too."
For a moment, he didn't think she'd heard him. She sat as still as a statue for several seconds. Then a single tear flowed down her cheek and splashed onto her lap.
"No," she finally whispered. She shook her head in denial. "No."
"Baby girl…" Joe started. He reached over the railing and took her hand in his. "I'm sorry-"
"Please, don't touch me," she said in a low voice. "You don't care, so don't act like you do." She pulled her hand free then. "Please, leave." The Samoan hesitated, and glanced over at Jeff. Ella looked into his eyes. "Really, Joe. Please, leave." Another tear spilled down her cheek, followed by another. And another. A sob tore at her throat. "Please, please, leave," she begged, curling up on her side. Even when pain surged up her side, she curled even further, in hopes the physical pain would overpower the mental pain. She sobbed uncontrollably, letting the endless tears soak into her pillow. She was vaguely aware of her uncle's voice gently telling Joe to leave the room followed by receding footsteps.
"Honey, I'm so sorry."
Jeff's voice was accompanied by a hand gently squeezing her arm.
"Why," her voice broke again as she lifted her gaze to her uncle's face. "Why did this happen?"
"The cops will find out soon," Jeff answered.
"Cops," Ella questioned, as she eased herself back up to sit. "You mean…it wasn't like a car accident? Uncle Jeff…what really happened to us?"
Jeff sighed and ran a hand over his hair, unable to meet her eyes. "Ella, your parents were murdered—right in front of you."
He heard her gasp and looked at her.
Her face had gone paler and she grabbed her chest.
"Murdered," she asked, a tremor in her voice. "I-I don't un-understand."
"They trapped you on our road and some men shot them. I'd called your dad just by chance at the time this all happened. He alerted me about the man who tried to kidnap you."
"Oh, my God," Ella gasped. "Me? Why? Who was he?"
"His name was Fournier. Jacques Fournier."
Ella jolted.
"Jeff, we're near the end of your road—Ella's being kidnapped—don't let him take my baby—Jacques Fournier."
Her father's voice shot into her head as if he was standing right next to her.
"Ella?"
She glanced up at her uncle's face and saw concern etched across his forehead.
"Baby, are you okay?"
She shook her head, "I heard Daddy," she whispered. "I just heard Daddy's voice. Warning you over the phone."
"Oh, sugar, I'm so sorry," Jeff said softly, reaching over the bed's railing and hugging her close. "I didn't want to have to tell you all this. I'm so sorry."
"I'm scared, Uncle Jeff," she wept, burying her face against his shoulder. "I'm so scared."
Jeff felt her frame shuddering with her sobs, and fought the urge to cry, himself. God help me not let her down, he prayed. Help me to be strong for her and to keep her safe. And please, help her to forgive Joe. He loves her and I know he'd die before he let anything happen to her.
"Uncle Jeff," she whispered, drained from the heart-wrenching sobs she'd given into moments before. "You said I almost died. How? And how long have I been here?"
Jeff hesitated again, "Are you sure you want to hear all this at once?"
She nodded slowly, "Nothing can hurt me more than I am already."
He nodded in return. "Okay. You were shot twice, and severely beaten."
Ella's heart raced at the mere thought of being treated so brutally, but she fought to stay calm so as not to upset Jeff anymore than he already was.
"The doctor thinks you endured so many traumas that you slipped into a coma. He also thinks you've developed a case of amnesia over the whole ordeal."
"Oh, my God," Ella gasped, her eyes widening, and then grimaced against the pain at her ribs. "A coma? How long? It's not been years, has it?"
He shook his head, "No. You were fully in the coma about two weeks. And you spent another week coming out of it, bit by bit."
"Three weeks," she cried. "I've been here three weeks?"
He nodded. "I'm so glad you're back, darlin," Jeff said softly. "You had us all scared to death."
Ella could not speak. She could not fathom the fact she'd been unconscious for the better part of three weeks. She never knew her family and friends waited for her to wake up, yet worried she wouldn't. "I'm sorry—I—don't—Oh, God…" She finally managed, covering her face with her hands. "Funerals…"
"I'm sorry, baby," Jeff said. "Those were—a while back. They couldn't wait very long."
Ella nodded, "Yes, I understand." She swallowed hard, and met his eyes. "What did those men—What did they want from my parents—from me?"
"We don't really know yet, there are a couple of detectives working the case. Until something's found out, there's a policeman guarding your door, and Joe and I have not left you alone either." He paused, giving her time to absorb his words. "It's taking time for them to officially link Jacques Fournier to the crime. Until they talk to you, all they've had is our word about hearing Nathan say his name over the phone," Jeff informed her.
Ella shuddered at the mention of Fournier. "But I can't tell them anything, Uncle Jeff. Other than the slight memory I just had. I didn't know anything at all till you told me about it. They'll still be able to get him, right?"
"Yes," Jeff said immediately. "They'll get him. Right now, they've told me they're running through the databases in case he has any prior arrests. They're also analyzing some blood found at the scene. However, that can take up to weeks or months depending on if the sample was tampered with or contaminated out in the elements."
"So, he's running free till they get official confirmation he's the one they need to be arresting?"
Hating that it sounded so horrible when actually said out loud, Jeff shook his head. "Not exactly. Right now, they want him for questioning. Once they talk to him and gather all the evidence, they will then determine if he needs to be arrested."
Ella sighed wearily, "What a nightmare."
Jeff nodded, "I know. It really is. But they have got to follow rules and laws, and abide by Fournier's rights, or he could end up walking free due to carelessness."
Ella started to express exactly how she felt about Fournier's 'rights', when Jeff changed the subject.
"Ella, baby…I think you and Joe should talk. He really-"
"He hates me, Uncle Jeff. He made it very clear at the party."
"Honey, you're wrong. He saved your life."
Her gaze shot up to meet his. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about how he went storming out of my house with a gun and knife when he heard you screaming over the phone. He killed two of the three men who put their hands on you."
"He…what?"
Jeff started to speak again when Doctor Sullivan entered the room and approached Ella's bedside. "Ella, nice to see you're fully awake, dear. How do you feel," he asked, touching her forehead.
"Sore," she answered, adjusting herself against the pillow and grimacing slightly.
"I'm sorry," the doctor apologized. "I'll give you something for pain in a moment. "Do you—remember what happened to you," he asked, testing her to make sure she wasn't suffering from any type of amnesia since she seemed to fully be out of her coma.
Ella shook her head. "No. I just remember a name my uncle just mentioned—that's all I remember."
"Well, we're very glad you're awake now," Doctor Sullivan said softly. "At least you're on the road to healing." He pulled out a syringe then, and went to inject her IV with it. "This will dull any pain when I take out your chest-"
"No, please wait," Ella interrupted. "I want to stay awake—"
"There's plenty of time for that," Doctor Sullivan told her. "I need to take this chest tube out, providing your lungs are ready for it to be removed, and you're going to probably need something to ease the discomfort."
Ella flinched at the thought of more pain. "Will it hurt a lot?"
Doctor Sullivan went ahead and injected her IV. "It will hurt some, I won't lie to you. But the medicine I just gave you will help quite a bit. Removing a chest tube, usually hurts much less than putting one in, and the removal is only a few short seconds. Most of my patients have said it's such a relief to get it taken out, that the pain is worth it."
Ella nodded and yawned, the medicine obviously already taking affect.
"I told the nurse to call radiology and have a couple of techs come with a portable x-ray machine," Doctor Sullivan said, directing his gaze at Jeff and Joe. "I want to x-ray her lungs before I remove the tube to make sure the timing is right." He looked back down at Ella again. "From there, we'll get you into the operating room and get the tube out. The medicine should be kicked in fully by then."
The two x-ray techs entered the room then, wheeling the machine. Ella closed her eyes and breathed deeply as she was situated for the x-rays. Already in pain, she just hoped for the ordeal to be over soon.
}i{}i{}i{}i{
A few days later, Ella was released from the hospital.
Jeff's original plan was for her to go home with him, and Joe would tag along with them as they had discussed weeks before. But now, as Jeff walked to her hospital room, he knew the plan would have to be altered. He hadn't realized how much work would be ahead of him till he walked into the Roberts' home to gather some of Ella's belongings. He would need at least a couple days to get all of Ella's furniture moved to the Jarrett's home as well as set up in her room. He needed her to stay with Joe while the big project was completed.
And while he was sure Joe would have no problem with it—he had no idea how the idea would go over with Ella.
Jeff then entered her hospital room to find his niece being treated by a nurse, and Joe sitting silently in an armchair across the room. He held the change of clothes for Ella in his arms and looked from one to the other.
"Sorry I took so long. Traffic was crazy in Memphis," he said. "Everything okay?"
"Everything's okay, Uncle Jeff," Ella said, as the nurse placed a small gauze pad and tape over her IV site. "I'm just now getting my IV out. And they need me to sign my discharge papers before I can leave."
Jeff nodded, and laid her clothes beside her on the bed, noting the lack of emotion in her voice. He could see she was healing well physically, but wondered how she was truly doing mentally. She fought sleep, and he knew she must be having nightmares. She would jolt or cry out each time she accidentally nodded off. Since she would not talk about it, he could only imagine how terrified she was. And because she didn't wish to sleep, she refused any pain medication, or anything else which could make her drowsy. He also noticed her lack of appetite. She would pick at her food, but he was yet to see her eat anything.
"Okay, hon," Jeff said. "I'll go to the nurses' station and see if they have the papers ready yet. But first," he glanced at Joe for a second. "I need you to do something for me," he said shifting his gaze back to Ella.
Ella nodded. "Okay. What is it?"
"I need you to stay with Joe at his hotel for a couple days while I get your room in order. There's also a lot of work to do between your home and ours."
Joe nervously watched Ella's face for her reaction. Initially, the girl paled and looked as though she wanted to argue the point. But she quickly composed herself, and nodded slightly. "O-okay. That's fine."
Jeff nodded. "Thank you, sugar." He glanced at Joe then. "Let's talk with her guard for a minute, okay?"
Joe nodded and stood to his feet as Jeff's gaze moved to the nurse. "Do you think you could help Ella dress while Joe and I talk?"
"Of course," the older nurse smiled warmly. Then Jeff and Joe stepped outside, closing the door behind them. They both glanced at the policeman guarding Ella's door and gave him a nod.
"How will you get Ella out of here," Jeff asked Officer Jones. "The media is all over the parking lot. How did they find out she was being released today?"
"They have their ways, believe me," Jones answered quietly, so Ella wouldn't overhear him. "We'll take her out from the parking garage. I drove my family's van up here this morning. The media probably knows she'll have police protection, so I thought it better to not drive her around in a patrol car." His gaze shifted to Joe then. "I'll take you to your car—you did park a few blocks away, right," he clarified with him. At Joe's nod he continued. "I'll drop you off at your car, and then I'll follow you and Ella to your hotel and make sure you both get to your room okay."
"Sounds like a solid plan," Joe commented. "Let's just hope it stays that way." He turned his attention to Jeff then. "You okay," he asked, sensing a new stress in his boss. He worried that Jeff had heard something about Fournier during his drive into Memphis. "Has something happened?"
"I guess I'm just a little worried about how Ella will handle staying with you at your room. Plus, I know how much work is ahead of me. AJ and Sabin offered to help load up Ella's furniture, which will be a huge help. I'm just not sure of what to do about the furnishings in the rest of the house. I know I'm going to have to wait to see what her parents' will says first, anyhow, but…" he trailed off and groaned. "I don't know—it's just all very overwhelming when you add in being sure Ella's safe and taken care of and comfortable."
"Take it a day at a time, Jeff," Joe coached. "A day at a time. Right now, just worry about Ella. Then when the will is read, deal with the house. And I'll do anything I can to help. You know that."
Jeff nodded. "I know. And you are helping. I think staying with you will be good for Ella. She may adjust to our house better gradually rather than immediately bringing her to our home. That's the last place she was before all this happened. I feel like getting her room situated and letting her spend some time with you alone while I do it will help her to feel more secure in the long run."
"Yeah, probably so," Joe agreed, popping his knuckles.
Jeff rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes…well, I won't lie, Joe. Part of my thinking is that you two need a couple days alone together. Just…be patient with her, okay? Try to not lose your temper. I just want whatever will help Ella feel a little more at ease, and if you two can make up, she will be more at ease." He was really worried about how Ella would adjust to her new life. He could not imagine what it was like for her, to have all she knew taken away in a single night.
"Don't worry," Joe said, "Everything will be fine. We may butt heads a little, but I will in no way do anything to frighten her."
The nurse exited Ella's room then. "All right, Mr. Jarrett, Ella's IV is out and she's all dressed. Once she's signed her release forms, we'll get an aid to wheel her to the parking garage."
"Thank you so much," Jeff smiled and shook the nurse's hand. "I'm very grateful to the hospital staff. You've all taken such wonderful care of Ella."
"Well, she's been a pleasure to care for," the nurse smiled warmly. "She never complained of her pain or anything, and I know she had to be hurting terribly. And she never once grumbled about having to take her walks down the hall either. You'd be surprised how hard it is to get some of my patients to cooperate."
"Yeah, I imagine so," Jeff said. "Again, thank you for taking such good care of her."
"No problem," the nurse smiled. "I'll go get her papers." Then she turned and hurried down the hall.
"Well, I'll get going now," Jeff said, turning back to Joe. "I'll remind them to send an aid back here to wheel Ella down."
Joe nodded, heading for Ella's door, "Okay. And I'll let her know the plan."
"I'll come by later to check on her, and bring her prescriptions and a bag of clothes," Jeff told him. "Oh, and uh—I'll also bring a gun for you—Just in case…"
"All right. I'll take good care of her, Jeff. I promise. Don't worry. No one will get to her on my watch."
"I know that." Jeff smiled at him and then added, "Tell her I'll see her in a few hours though, okay?"
Joe nodded, "Sure. See ya later, Jeff."
With that, Jeff headed down the hall, and Joe went back into Ella's room to inform her of the plan.
}i{}i{}i{}i{
Ella settled herself in the seat of the cop's van as Joe slid the door shut and scooted closer to her. "Doing okay," he asked softly as the cop drove down a ramp to hit the main level of the parking garage.
She nodded. "I'm fine." She started to say more, but her eyes widened when she caught a glimpse of the garage's exit. Joe shifted his gaze to the exit as well, and saw a huge mob of media crowded around it, just as the cop spoke up.
"They figured it out," Officer Jones muttered under his breath. "Here, cover up with this. Both of you," he said, passing his jacket back from the front passenger seat. "If they get a look at you," he explained to Joe, "it won't take any time for them to find out who you are and where you're staying. You'd have no peace at your hotel."
Joe hurriedly pulled the large jacket over his and Ella's heads. "These people need to get a life," he groaned in frustration, pulling Ella closer to him. He heard her gasp slightly and she tensed in his arms. He ignored the negative response, and held her anyway. Unfortunately he did not feel any tension leaving her body.
The van slowed down then, and the officer began honking his horn. Flashes of light went off as he rolled the window down and shouted, "Get out of the way, there's nothing to see here!"
"Is Ella Roberts in there?"
"Can we ask her some questions?"
"Who else is in there with her?"
"Ella! Let us get a photo!"
Joe felt Ella's breathing quicken, and instantly grew angry.
"I don't want to do any interviews," she whispered. "God, why don't they leave me alone?" She had watched countless news reports about her and her parents on the television in her hospital room. She knew the media would be hounding her, but somehow that knowledge was not enough to prepare her for the three-ring circus surrounding the van.
"Jones," Joe started calmly, "Run these people over, and get us out of here, now. Or so help me I'm going to start slamming their heads together."
Officer Jones immediately slammed down on the horn and yelled out, "Get out of the way or I'm going to start arresting people!" It was an empty threat, of course, but it seemed to do the trick. The media immediately began backing away and allowed the van out onto the street.
"It's over now," Joe whispered to Ella, gently pulling the jacket down when they were well on their way to his rental. He stroked some of her hair back that had become unruly when he removed the jacket. "We're not very far from my car, and then we'll get you to the hotel."
Ella nodded and managed to pull free of his embrace. "I'm fine now. Thanks."
She looks dead on her feet, Joe thought, taking in the pallor of her skin, and the dark circles underneath her blue eyes. He knew it was going to be like pulling teeth to urge her to get some sleep, but he desperately hoped he could get through to her.
A moment later, they reached Joe's rental and Officer Jones stopped the van, allowing Joe to help Ella out and into his car. Once he had her settled in with her seat-belt on, Joe was driving down the street with the cop following closely behind.
Ella stared wordlessly out the passenger window as they headed for the hotel.
