Chapter 9: Fears Collide
Michael woke from the pain in his lower back that seemed to run down his legs and settle in behind his knees. Night was approaching fast as he fought to keep his eyes open. The pain was excruciating and worse while they half-dragged him and half-carried him through the forest floor.
Fi made her way through the hotel lobby as elegantly as possible covered in mud and dirt. She fixed her ripped shirt so she was at least decent. Several people stopped to look at her in the grand lobby as she politely smiled and moved on toward her room. She hoped Michael was feeling better and this had all been worthwhile.
"What happened to you?" Sam said as she opened the door.
"That bloody jungle nearly took me down." She said glad to see a friendly face. "Where is Michael, in the bathroom?"
"No, I thought he was with you?" Sam said confused.
"No, he came back hours ago because he wasn't well." She said dripping as she headed to the bathroom.
"Well I have been here for several hours and he isn't here."
Fi popped her head out of the bath door. Sam could hear the water running behind her.
"How long have you been here?" she said as the water filled in the space between words.
"Three hours." Sam said loudly.
Fi looked into the mirror as steam began to build. She needed to get clean, then she needed to find Michael
He woke again when the smell from a sweat stained mattress filled his nostrils making him vomit. A hand pushed at the back of his head as he tried to raise it, and he could feel something cold and wet on his back as words in Spanish were yelled at him.
He couldn't think straight and his head pounded as his body shook from the chills. The pain in his lower body seemed to worsen again and he wished for sleep. Deep sleep to make it all go away.
"You haven't seen him at all." She yelled running the towel through her hair after putting on the fresh dress.
"No, and he isn't answering his phone."
Fi walked toward the muddy back pack she left on the floor and reached inside pulling out the Sat phone. "He wouldn't because I have it."
"You said he was sick, how sick was he?" Sam said concerned.
"He was shivering in the car. I thought he would come right back here."
"I didn't see the car in the parking lot, did you?"
"No, but I wasn't looking." Fi said, caught in her thoughts.
"Maybe he is following a new lead or he went downstairs for something to eat or drink."
Fi looked at Sam. "No Sam. I have known Michael for a long time and I haven't seen him this sick before, except for Jesse's bullet. If he had something, I think he would have waited for us."
"That sick? Huh!"
"So where is he?" she said to herself, but out loud.
"Maybe he went to find a doctor?" Sam said thinking of other alternatives.
Fi looked at Sam, she knew as well as him that Mike would not search out a doctor.
"You are right. That wouldn't happen. If anything, he would be here in bed, and he isn't."
"Sam, this is terrible, but I am starving. I can't think like this. Take me to a late dinner and fill me in on your date."
"I didn't eat yet."
"I thought you were having dinner with . . . a friend."
"Me too, but she cancelled. That is why I am here."
Fi put her finger over her mouth. Being away from home always made her think her room might be bugged.
She grabbed Sam by the arm and led him to the door. "Tell me all about it on the way to dinner."
Michael choked down the liquid as it was poured into his mouth and coughed frequently. The woman that sat above him holding the cup was old, but probably looked older than she was.
"Bebe" she said. "Bebe."
Michael could not understand her, nor did he want to. His Spanish was poor too nonexistent and the pain in his back and legs made it impossible to think of anything else.
The liquid in the cup tasted like water from a sewer and he turned his head to avoid more of it being forced on him. Though she was persistent and turned the cup as he moved.
Finally with a little difficulty the woman stood from her wooden chair and seemed to curse in his direction as she limped off. He knew he needed to drink, he could feel the thirst on his lips, but his stomach could not take what she had. He closed his eyes and sleep found him once again.
Fi put the fork down and wiped her mouth with the napkin. She was hungrier than she originally thought as she listened to Sam's day and he listened to hers. They both agreed on one thing, Michael had not returned. The beds were made, he hadn't changed or showered and being out in that heat, they knew he would have wanted to do both.
After dinner they agreed to drive out the road to the compound, but not too close. She was sure she kicked the bee hive today and it would be swarming. They need to check the last place he was seen, that is of course if he wasn't already back in the room.
Fi charmed her way into another hotel jeep. Her low-cut dress and provocative stance was all the evening manager needed. That and a small wad of cash from Sam. Together they fought the terrible roads full of holes, turns and overgrowths until they saw what they were looking for. There on the side of the road was the Jeep.
Sam let the lights fall on the engine as Fi slid into the front seat where she found the keys still in the ignition. Turning them, there was nothing. The vehicle was dead.
"It's dead Sam."
Sam looked up and down the road and into the darkness before yelling his name.
"MIKE, MIKE CAN YOU HEAR . . . "
Fi cut him off. "Ssshhh Sam. We are pretty close to the compound. Just a little more than a mile." Worry filled her face.
"What if they came looking for me Sam? His car broke down, he was walking and sick . . . " She had a hard time finishing the sentence when the tears started.
Sam hugged her. "We are not going to find him tonight." He took her face in his hands. "We don't know what happened Fi. He could have gotten a lift and be back by now. If not, none of this is your fault, none of it. Tomorrow we will find him. Tonight, I think we should call Jesse."