Chapter 36- It Never Ends

Maya was released from the hospital the next morning, after much poking and prodding from the doctor. Despite the doctor just keeping her overnight for 'observation', he wanted to do some blood draws just to be safe. Once she was given the all clear, she called her mom. Maya was surprised when Katy arrived as quickly as she did. Maya did not realize that Katy stayed in the waiting room, overnight. It became evident, however, when she walked into Maya's room. After the initial shock of how fast Katy arrived, Maya noticed the dark circles and haggard appearance of her mother.

"Mom? What's wrong?" Maya asked, concerned, as she finished getting dressed. "You look horrible." Katy shot her a look, similar to the one she received if she asked questions before morning coffee. Maya shrank back when she saw that look.

"I'm sorry. I didn't get very good sleep." Katy looked at Josh. "In the waiting room." Josh understood and offered to drive, which Katy gladly accepted, handing him the keys. She slept in the car, stretched across the backseat, all the way back home.

When Josh pulled in the driveway, he helped Maya out of the car and then gently woke Katy up.

"Ms. Hart," he gently shook her awake. "We're home." Her eyes fluttered open and she stretched, scooting herself out of the car. She headed straight for bed, while Josh and Katy started setting the baby's room up with the gifts from the baby shower.

"I think we should put the crib next to the window, Josh." Maya suggested. "That way he gets to see the morning sun every day."

"While I would usually agree with anything you say, especially at this stage," Josh gestured toward Maya's swollen abdomen, "think about this for a second. The crib by the window is easier access for someone to just walk by, open that window, and snatch our baby right out of his room."

"I didn't think about that. How about over there then?" She pointed to a corner in between two windows."

"There is a better idea." Josh replied. "Not that the first one was bad."

"Okay. What about the changing table that your mother gave us?" Maya asked, eyeing the ancient, multi-generational changing table that Amy and Alan had brought down over Thanksgiving with mild disdain. Josh noticed her look and sighed.

"If you don't want the changing table, we don't have to use this one." Josh explained, adding, "but you will be the one to tell my parents why." Maya put her hands on her hips.

"Maybe I will. Maybe I will tell them that a 50 year old changing table with 6 million germs from other babies does not make me comfortable. Maybe I should tell them that the color of this changing table, reminds me of avocado baby poop." Maya replied haughtily. Josh had to laugh at her last comment and the way she put her nose in the air when she thought she was right.

"Okay, Maya. You do that. Break their hearts. Just remember, my mom is super sensitive. So be careful." Josh advised. Maya relented and decided to keep the changing table, as long as they painted it to match the crib and thoroughly sanitized it first. They set up the remaining furniture, leaving the space by the window empty. Josh would not tell her why, no matter how many times she begged him. He just smiled and kissed her forehead.

"You'll see, Maya. Just wait, that space will be perfect for something." He winked at her and went to shower for work. Maya had been given permission to stay home until the baby was born. It was getting increasingly more difficult for her to get around, which was leading to a decrease in her tips. So, she talked to the manager and he told her to come back after the 'munchkin' was born. Because she was lonely during the day, she kept herself busy by decorating the baby's walls and cleaning the rest of the house, as much as she could. Whenever she would clean the kitchen, she would stop and look at the calendar. January 31st was circled and the words BABY DAY! were written in red marker by Josh. There were red 'X's' from the first until today, the 25th, meaning she only had 7 days until the baby's moving day. Every day seemed to move slower than the previous day. Her feet were swollen and her back was constantly aching. The only bright spot was when the baby would move around and she could see it from the outside. It looked like an alien trying to get out. It may have been her imagination or maybe lack of sleep, but she could have sworn that she could see his little face pressed up against her stomach, trying to escape. She blinked and it was gone. The kicking in the ribs and tap dancing on her bladder were not going to be missed after he was born. As if on cue, the baby kicked Maya in the ribs causing her to slightly wince.

"Yeah, I know. I want you out as bad as you want to be out. Soon, baby. Soon." Maya sang him to sleep while she mopped the kitchen. He seemed to enjoy it, calming down fairly quickly, until he got the hiccups. Maya could feel them from the outside and thought maybe some lunch would help him out. She made a grilled cheese and tomato soup and sat down to take a break and watch some t.v. She flipped the station to the news and used it as background noise while she ate her sandwich. Suddenly, something on the news caught her attention and she almost choked on her soup.

"Breaking news out of Metropolitan Correction Center in Manhattan. We now go live to our correspondent, Maria Salvos. Maria?"

"Yes, thank you Rob. We are here at the MCC in Manhattan. We have just been informed that a prisoner has escaped with the help of a security guard. From what we know, the prisoner, Lauren Tomkins, was having an affair with the security guard, who has since been fired. According to the guard, she had threatened to go to the warden with details of their affair if he did not assist her. Ultimately, though, the guard revealed the details himself and was subsequently let go. But not before he assisted Ms. Tomkins, in her escape. Investigation is ongoing and we will update as we receive them. Authorities are asking the public to treat this prisoner as a dangerous criminal. Do not engage, but rather call the authorities if you see her. This photo is the most recent." A mugshot of Lauren flashed on the screen with a phone number to call for about 30 seconds. "I'm Maria Salvos. Back to you, Rob." The screen went back to the newscaster behind the desk, but Maya had blocked out all sounds. Shaking, she called Josh. His phone was turned off, because he was working. She dialed Riley, who picked up on the second ring.

"Maya? What's up?" Riley answered, cheerily. Maya tried to control her breath before speaking.

"Riley, where are you?" Maya asked, nervously.

"In my room, finishing my homework before school on Monday. Why?" Riley caught the fear in Maya's voice. "What's wrong? Labor, again?" Maya stifled a sob.

"Can you come over, please? I'm really scared." Maya got up to check all the locks on the doors and windows.

"Can you tell me what's wrong?" Riley asked, worried.

"Just come over, please. I'll explain when you get here." Maya begged.

"All right. I will be there in 10 minutes. Just calm down." Riley hung up the phone and rushed over to Maya's house. When she got there, all the curtains were drawn tight, and the door was locked. From the outside, Riley could hear Maya unlocked all 7 locks on the door. Maya was never that insecure and the door was rarely locked. Something must really be wrong. Maya opened the door and grabbed Riley by the arm, practically dragging her into the kitchen, before locking all 7 locks on the door again.

"Okay, Maya. You are really starting to scare me now. Please tell me what is going on." Riley was starting to get nervous now.

"I need you to watch this." Maya led Riley into the living room, turning on the tv. She rewound the DVR and pointed to the screen. Riley watched in shocked silence as the story about Lauren played on the tv and her picture flashed on the screen.

"Is this for real?!" Riley exclaimed. "Why can't we get rid of her? Just when we think she is gone, she finds a way back to terrorize us again. Who do we call?" Riley pulled out her phone, but Maya covered up the dialpad.

"Don't. If you tell our parents, they will never let us out of the house. Ever again. We don't even know where she is. She could be in New Jersey or Maine, or something. Why would she be stupid enough to stay in Manhattan. The whole world is looking for her now." Maya explained. Riley thought about it for a moment, but still dialed on her phone.

"Evan? Where are you, right now?" Riley demanded.

"Um, I am at the store grabbing milk. What's up?"

"I need you to come to Maya's right away. Please."

"I'll be right there." Evan hung up and ran to Maya's house. Luckily, her house was only 3 blocks away from the corner store. Riley was waiting at the kitchen door, and unlocked all the locks on the door, letting Evan in and then relocking the door locks. Maya and Riley explained the situation to Evan, leaving him speechless. Unbeknownst to Maya, Katy had woken up and heard the news story when Riley came over. She called Shawn and told him to gather the parents at the Matthews' apartment on Monday, while the kids were at school. They were going to find and get rid of this bitch, once and for all.