Author's note: Argh, I haven't updated this one in 6 months! Sorry for the long wait people. I had a pretty major writer's block. I don't know when I'll next be updating it (hopefully it won't be another 6 months), so for now I'm leaving it as Temp Hiatus. Things are going to be taking off from the end of this chapter in terms of the story line.

Save Me

Chapter 3

Several hours later, Sally was sitting in the reception of the Cozy Cone motel with her head in her hands. Doc's words had been running over and over in her mind since they had spoken on the hilltop. She thought she knew what Doc had been implying, but she couldn't imagine that happening to the family she had gotten to know so well. Maya had seemed like a brilliant mother, a little unpredictable sometimes, but not that sort of person. She sighed for the hundredth time and set about closing reception for the night. If anyone came in late looking for a room, they would be able to find her at the café, either that or Flo would come and find her. She was about to turn the lights off when a strange car pulled into the parking lot. A young woman got out and made her way towards the reception building. Sally paused with her hand on the light switch.

"Am I too late to check in tonight?" The voice was surprisingly familiar to Sally. It took her back a few years to when she had been living in the city.

"Seraphine?" She turned back to the desk and pulled the booking in book from the top drawer. "What are you doing way out here?"

"I came after Aiyana." Seraphine looked a little surprised to see Sally. "I might ask you the same question."

"You remember when I walked out of work. I ended up here. They really made me feel at home. That day I went back was so I could ask Dad if he'd arrange a transfer for me."

"So you work here now?"

"Yeah. This motel thing isn't really my main job. I'm still an attorney, I just do this while there's no other work for me to do."

"Your father should be pleased. He was asking after you the other day."

Sally realised it had been a while since she had last phoned him. For a while she had phoned at least once a week, but then it had slipped, and then the calls she made to him and her mother had stopped completely.

"How long are you planning to stay for?" Sally asked as she filled in various details.

"Probably just the night. It depends on how quickly I find my sister."

Sally kept her eyes on the form as she completed it, with exception of the checking out date. She knew she should tell Seraphine where she could find Aiyana, but something held her back. Seraphine, however, seemed to have other ideas.

"You know something." She said quietly.

"Come with me." Sally made her mind up.

"What's going on?" Seraphine followed her out of the motel and along the road to the surgery.

"There's something you need to know. Wait here." Sally knocked on the door to the office, hoping Doc was there. She hadn't seen him at the café as they'd passed. Luck was on her side. Doc seemed surprised to see her, and concerned too.

"Something wrong?"

"Aiyana's sister just turned up at the motel." Sally decided to get straight to the point.

"Where is she now?"

"I told her to wait outside. Doc…I think your theory might be right. There's definitely something going on in that family. Seraphine moved out of the family home right before I left the city. Aiyana swore she'd never move out, let alone leave the city for any reason. The only reason why Seraphine would know Aiyana had done a runner is if their mother told her, and even then she wouldn't come after unless something was wrong."

"Was it always like that?" Doc asked quietly.

"As far as I know."

"Aiyana won't be fit to leave town for a while, and I can delay fixing the car if there's anything wrong with it. I can buy us some time, but it may not be enough." Doc leaned against his desk. "What ever is going on here is no little thing."

"What are we going to do?"

"We'll figure something out, Sally. In the meantime, her family has a right to see her. I'll have to phone her mother in the morning."

Doc released Aiyana two days later. Sally found her a room at the Cozy Cone Motel and put her down for an indefinite stay. They quickly found Aiyana was very reluctant to leave her room. They took her to the café the first night she was allowed out, and had to take her back to the room after barely five minutes. It appeared she wasn't comfortable around a lot of people.

"I don't get her, Doc." Sally sighed, leaning against Doc's desk. Three days had passed since the scene in the café.

"Who?"

"Aiyana. She was never like this when she was younger. She loved meeting new people, and there wasn't any reason for her to run away."

"I'm sure something will become clear." Doc replied.

"I guess. What time did you say her mother was arriving?"

"I think she said four." Doc muttered indistinctly.

Sally checked her watch. It was already half past three. "I should get her room ready. Might as well check on Aiyana while I'm there."

Seraphine had returned home a few days before. Apparently Carrera Attorneys of Law was a busy place. One of the attorneys had left, leaving Sally's father and a second attorney with a lot of work. Seraphine and her mother, Maya, were still receptionists for the company, which meant they couldn't both be away. Sally knew Seraphine was returning home so Maya could drive out to Aiyana.

Four came and went, and there was no sign of Maya, then five, then six. At seven Sally gave up waiting and went to get dinner at the café. In fact it wasn't until eleven by the time Maya arrived. Sally was just closing the motel for the night when a dark car pulled up in the parking lot. At first she thought it was Aiyana's Lotus, until she realised it was too long and too wide, and the wrong colour. The Lotus was yellow; this car appeared to be some sort of orangey-red in colour.

A figure got out of the car and strode across to the reception of the motel. Sally pulled out the booking in book from its usual place and opened it to the next clear space as the figure entered the room.

"Sorry I'm late." Maya swept her hat off revealing short, light brown hair.

"You used to be blonde." Sally commented.

"Blonde was never my colour." Maya replied vaguely. "Where can I find Aiyana?"

"I'll show you after I've booked you into the motel."

"Why would you do that?"

Sally hesitated. "Didn't Doc tell you? Aiyana isn't well enough to leave yet. She was in a car crash."

"I told her to be careful. That car cost more than her uncle could afford."

"I don't think she could help it. It's not easy to steer on dirt."

Maya rolled her eyes and grabbed the pen off the desk. "Just tell me where I have to sign."

Sally slid the form over to her and waited patiently while she filled it in. The moment Maya was done she thrust the form in Sally's face.

"So where can I find my daughter?"

Sally ignored her rudeness and led the woman towards the bedrooms. She wasn't really any different from when Sally had known her in the city. She often wondered how Maya managed to get the job at reception. Sally led her to Aiyana's room and peered around the door. It was late, and the girl was sleeping. She closed the door and turned around.

"She's sleeping. You can see her in the morning. This way." Sally took Maya two doors along the corridor. "This is your room. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask." She quickly took her leave, not wanting to spend more time than necessary with the woman.

"She's a nightmare, Doc." Sally muttered when she went to collect breakfast the following morning. "Not only does she arrive after I should have closed, but she's really rude as well. She was practically demanding to see her daughter, and I got the impression she wanted to take Aiyana home last night too."

"She was pleasant on the phone." Doc looked puzzled.

"Her phone manner is completely different to her actual character. The sooner we're rid of her the better." Sally handed Flo a few coins for the food. "I should take this to Aiyana."

Sally crossed the road and paused by the fancy car Maya drove. In the sunlight she could see it was dark orange, and a Lamborghini. She hadn't seen one of those since arriving in Radiator Springs. It was as clean as it could be too, but Sally knew it wouldn't stay like that for long.

She knocked on Aiyana's door before opening it to give the girl a little warning. The room was still dark, though a little natural light filtered through the curtains.

"Aiyana, honey. I've got your breakfast."

Aiyana was normally awake and waiting for Sally, but she didn't move from the bed when Sally called to her. Sally frowned, dumped the bag on the bedside table and perched on the edge of the bed.

"Aiyana?" She put a hand on the girl's shoulder.

Aiyana flinched and pulled away from her, scooting right up against the wall.

"Aiyana, it's okay, it's only me."

Aiyana looked at her with fearful eyes. "Sally?"

"It's okay." Sally gently tucked a few strands of Aiyana's hair behind her ear. She gasped softly when she saw the bruise on the girl's cheek. It definitely hadn't been there the day before. "Aiyana, what happened?"

Aiyana shook her head and closed her eyes.

Author's Note: I'm not particularly inclined to finish my stories unless I get more reviews. Basically what I'm saying is if I take the time to write these stories, you should really take the time to tell me what you think about it. It's your choice.