Chapter 16

I was aware of an eerie silence around me and wondered if this was what it was like in the afterlife. Silent and so, so dark. Was this just an interim phase before I moved on. Would I end up in heaven or hell? Did I deserve to go to heaven?

So why did I hurt so much? How was it that I could wiggle my toes? As a test I moved my hand to my face and feeling something covering it, pulled on it to remove it. Huh, opening my eyes I was seeing and feeling my poncho in my hand. Okay, when I said seeing, there was only a very small glimmer of light close to me. Wait, what? It wasn't smoke that was clogging up my airways now it was dust and debris. What the hell had happened? I remembered that man suddenly being on top of me, was that him trying to catch me? Was he still on top of me? I needed to move but found that wasn't so easy to do. Why the hell did he feel so heavy?

There was no way for me to turn over in order to push him away, so it looked like this was going to be more than just a little difficult. My shoulders were clear so little by little I tried to ease my way forward. Not easy when there was the remains of the stairs blocking my way so once I was within reach of them, I grabbed hold in order to pull myself out. It seemed like hours later with a lot of scrapes and cuts to my skin when my backside was free of the weight. I worried that the weight on top of me would fall down onto my legs and trap me again. Maybe there was a god watching down on me because my legs easily moved. Sat with my legs pulled up to my chest and my head down on my knees I wasn't sure what I was seeing. Okay, I could see that man's head and I could make out the metal work from the staircase. Otherwise, I seemed to be enclosed inside a tomb. There were wooden joists, concrete blocks along with metal bars surrounding me. It was as though they had formed a protective cave with me inside. The light, well that looked to be coming in through small holes between all of the debris.

It was the lack of any noise that had me panicking and the pool of water that I was sat in. Was there no one here to rescue me? Didn't anyone know that I was here? Did they think that I was lying dead in here? No that couldn't be right. The girls, Charlie, Lisa, they knew that I was down here so why hadn't they insisted that I was found? Hell, I would have done that even if it was to find a dead body. Somehow, I needed to get out of here and find out what the hell was going on. I think that I'll rest first, just for a short time.

I may have wanted to rest, sleep even, but my brain wouldn't shut up. You need to get out of here while it's still light. You could die of hyperthermia if you don't move. Okay, I get that but where do I start? If I move that piece of metal, if I even could, would that cause everything else to collapse down and bury me? The idea of being buried alive scared me to death but I knew that I had to try something. After examining my cave, I decided that where the light was filtering through was probably where there was the least amount of wreckage. Using my back, I positioned myself against what looked like a part of a wooden beam. Keeping my head down I used my legs to get some leverage and then pushed.

Did that go according to plan? Not really but at least I'd made a gap wide enough to crawl through. Yeah, the beam moved, but to the side which had all sorts come spilling down. I hadn't considered if I was injured but as I lay on my back looking up to the stars in the night sky those aches and pains emerged. I took an inventory of the state that I was in. Head, hurt. Neck ached. Shoulder, yeah, the same one as before, was excruciating. My boobs and hips felt very tender so were probably badly bruised. Everywhere that had been exposed had scratches or grazes and I was covered in a layer of dust and probably smoke particles.

The sky was above me which meant that the ceiling and roof had gone. Had the building above me collapsed completely? Fortunately, most of the structure now filled the basement on the other side from where the stairs had been. I was exhausted both physically and mentally so with the silence and darkness surrounding myself found it very easy to fall asleep. Tomorrow would come soon enough.

My god, it was so bright and so hot. Had I slept my way through the day? Then I realized that I had no idea what time it was or where I was. Could I be in the middle of the desert, were there deserts in the States? Of course there were, as I tried in vain to remember my geography lessons from school. I was pretty sure that there were four and they were all down in the south east. That's if we were still in the States. For all I knew we could have been transported across the border into Mexico.

Laying here wasn't going to achieve anything other than a sun tan. It was time to move. Check out where I was and look for some clues and ideas of how to get to somewhere safe. Standing was okay but walking was a bit of an effort, what with all the mess over the floor and how I seemed to be hurting all over. Looking around I could see the remaining walls of the basement. I knew that the stairs weren't an option and scaling a wall just wasn't my forte. It would be ironical for me to have survived this long and then to die of hunger, dehydration or even boredom. Looking around my eyes landed on the old elevator. Okay, I knew that it wouldn't work but could I climb up the inside of the shaft to the next level?

Making my way over there I was surprised when I came across Scumbag, surprised because I would have thought that a rescue team would have removed his body. I pushed the rubble off him and then pulled it free of the wood and metal laying over it. The jagged hole in his head definitely meant that he was dead, probably from being hit by falling debris, though I had a feeling that the blood that had come from a wound high up on his thigh was the cause. Lisa must have hit him with her toe and managed to sever his artery. That was one secret that I'd keep to myself.

A search of his pockets revealed a gun, with a spare magazine. That went into the pocket that Rachel had added to my tunic. A knife, okay, I'd just have to keep a hold of that. A wad of notes that were placed inside my bra, that would definitely come in handy. No phone, only a mic and ear bud. Who didn't carry a phone on them? That there was no wallet with an id or driver's license or anything else of importance had me wondering how that was. It was as though someone had emptied his pockets before leaving him here. Who could have done that?

Shrugging I focused back on the elevator. I almost smiled at how easy it was to climb inside the caged framework. Those metal toe caps had come in very useful even if I had never envisaged using them for climbing. Once to where the next floor would have been I was looking for a way to get to either a window or a door. No floor wasn't making this easy. The explosion and fire had really done a number on the building, it was almost as if everything had been concentrated on going upward, leaving the external walls intact. There was a window to my right that I needed to get to and fortunately there were still the holes where the beams had been.

Twenty minutes later I was stood several feet from that building. In some ways I felt jubilant for having got this far. I was looking at what looked like a storage unit, though I couldn't imagine what its original use would have been. Walking around I came to what must have been a loading bay, the place where we'd been delivered to. There was no truck now though. No vehicles at all, only a road that looked well used. It was far too hot to start walking, besides looking at the scene around me I'd soon be spotted if there was anyone watching the place. Finding a wall that gave some shade I sat down and just stared at the vastness ahead of me. Sand, well grit, with cacti growing taller than me. There was miles of it with what I was sure were mountains in the distance. Could I get something to eat or drink from the cacti?

Watching, I was intrigued as a bird landed on one and began to peck away at the nodule at the top. If it was good enough for a bird, then hopefully it would be good enough for me. I knew the knife would come in handy as I ate the inside of that nodule. It tasted sweet and the seeds had a nutlike flavor. I just hoped that it didn't give me a bad stomach.

I rested up and watched as the sun set on the horizon, a beautiful hue of reds and oranges, such a stark contrast to the drabness of my surroundings. That was when I could have sworn that I saw lights flickering in the distance. Could it be possible that I was that close to where someone lived? I hadn't realized how cold it would get once the sun began to set. I'd gone from baking hot to freezing cold. How I wished that I'd brought my poncho or even thought to pull a jacket from the man's body. Too late for that, I thought, as I began to head toward the lights. Yeah, it seemed easier to just take a straight line from where I was rather than following the road.

Did I regret that? Possibly. The ground was rougher than I thought that it would be and those cacti. Let's just say they were like sentinels waiting to block my path or scaring the bejeebers out of me. At one stage I thought that I'd bitten off more than I could chew because no matter how far I seemed to have walked those lights never seemed any closer. Plus, it was so damn cold. I knew that I had to keep going just to try and maintain some body heat.

A road was my first sign that I must be close to civilization though I was feeling a bit despondent that I wasn't seeing as many lights as I had done. I suppose that it could be very late, and people had gone to bed. Crossing the road, I made a beeline for the one light that had been my beacon ever since deciding to cross the desert. I felt more enthusiastic as the silhouette of buildings came into view. The closer that I got I realized that the buildings were individual mobile homes. I was hopeful that there would be people living here who would be sympathetic to helping me out. but as I looked inside the first unit, I was so disappointed to see that it was empty. The light when I got there was advertising new mobile homes for sale. Damnit. It seemed so typical of my luck to find a place that was devoid of a living soul.

Turning, I knew that I couldn't walk any further. I needed to find somewhere where I could curl up and sleep. One unit caught my attention by the drapes that were closed across the windows. That was where I headed to, crawling underneath to try and keep warm. I shivered, I fidgeted but eventually I did fall asleep actually feeling warm. It was as the sun began to rise that I became aware of my predicament. Snuggled up next to my stomach felt like a hot water bottle, which my idling brain told me was impossible. As I moved, so did my personal heater, and it was making a very loud noise. Purring. Opening my eyes, I looked into the most amazing amber colored globes. It seemed that I had accidently taken refuge in a cat's favorite sleeping place.

"Garfield, come on sweetheart"

My heart stopped at the sound of a woman's voice coming from above me. Garfield was obviously comfortable with where he was, even when I tried to push him away from me.

"There you are. I told you, when the light goes out then it's bedtime. Oh my!"

I was suddenly looking into the face of a woman as she crouched down intent on finding Garfield. I felt so embarrassed for being underneath her home.

"I'm so sorry. I'll be on my way. Sorry"

As I crawled toward the edge of the unit I was surprised when a hand was held toward me, so tentatively, I took it as I pushed myself up and onto my feet. The way the woman looked me over didn't go unnoticed by me. I must have looked an absolute sight. The woman was probably as tall as me, skinnier, but older, maybe my mother's age with dark skin from the harsh sun. Her hair was long and grey, tied in a plait down her back. It was her eyes and her smile that had me smiling back.

"Thank you"

"No problem. What you doing all the way out here?"

I suppose I knew that question would be asked so I went with the usual excuse.

"My boyfriend. We argued. He wanted to go see what was going on with all that smoke. Me, I told him no, to stay away. He just left me in the middle of nowhere"

I hoped that I'd sounded believable and seeing her raise an eyebrow at me was sure that she knew what I was talking about.

"You did right. Nout but trouble over there. All the comings and goings. Rumor an gossip are rife about what goes on there, but no one ever goes near"

Which meant that the people who used the place weren't very discreet, then again access was very limited for getting there so of course the locals were curious. Why hadn't someone done something about it?

"Don't happen a lot and when it does, they're here and gone, coming in their fancy cars from the airport. The local police took a look once and found an empty building so ignore us when we complain"

"What was the place originally?"

Wondering why a building like that would be built here in the middle of the desert.

"Used be a storage place for the folks on the reservation. Not been used for years for that. Anyhow, you look like you need to clean up and eat up"

I followed the woman up the step and inside the mobile unit. It was larger than it seemed but what fascinated me was the easel set up at one end with an incomplete piece of artwork. Lining the wall behind it were paintings stacked up.

"You paint"

Geez, what a stupid thing to say. It did suit the woman though, with long hair, long skirt and a blouse unbuttoned over a T-shirt.

"I'm Gaynor, What do I call you?"

"Annie"

Just came out, but I didn't regret telling her that name. No one would know who I was or be asking around for me. I wasn't just missing, I was invisible.

"Okay, go use the shower. I'll leave some clothes outside that should fit you. Believe it or not I used to carry more weight, so have clothes that should fit you. I'll get Garfield fed and then start on breakfast"

The bathroom was so small I struggled to undress. My tunic landed on the floor with a resounding thud reminding me of the gun inside. I'd need to hide that again so hoped that the borrowed clothes were loose on me. The water was pleasantly hot as it cascaded down onto my head. Even inside a tiny cubicle I was beginning to feel more optimistic. With wet hair and a towel around me I stepped back into what was the bedroom. A bed that was neatly made and a set of clothes laid out. Looking around I was seeing walls covered in artwork, yet the rest of the place was so neat and tidy.

Stepping back into what was a living area I was wondering what I looked like. There were no mirrors to be found but at least the long flowing trousers and the long sleeved cotton shirt covered up the bruises that were blooming, oh and the gun that was pushed into the waistband. Hearing a noise, I ventured further and watched from the opening as Gaynor stood over the stove frying something. Garfield was sat washing himself in front of an empty bowl so at least he was happy.

"Go sit outside at the table. Food's nearly ready"

I did as she asked finding a round table outside that already had plates and cutlery laid out. Gaynor brought out the skillet and divided the contents between our plates. I was so hungry, hungry for anything other than canned potatoes and veg. The smell had me sighing in anticipation.

"Omelet with fresh veg that I grow myself"

It obviously also had herbs and spices mixed in as well making it taste delicious.

"Do you live here by yourself?"

Now curious how Gaynor was living on her own in such a remote area amongst a lot of brand new empty mobile units.

"Yes. I keep an eye on the site for the owner and he lets me stay here rent free. Not that I've ever come across any trouble"

And obviously Gaynor was self sufficient as far as she could be.

"I sell my artwork to pay for some of the necessities and to buy provisions for my work. I think that I have a very fulfilling life. I know, you see the vastness of the desert around, which is my canvas, but I go into town and meet up with friends"

My ears perked up when she mentioned going into town. I couldn't ask where we were or that would alert her to the fact that I wasn't local. That would blow my story to smithereens.

"When are you due to go into town?"

Hoping that Gaynor could at least take me there. Maybe I'd then discover where the hell I was, though from what was here in her unit I was betting that we were still somewhere in the States. The shampoo and soap in the bathroom were all American brands as were some of the cans that I'd seen in her kitchen. No, none of them looked familiar from what was inside that truck.

"I'm going onto the city after we finish breakfast. I have paints and canvasses to pick up. I'll drop you off. I bet your folks or friends are worried about you"

I wasn't so sure about that, but I wasn't going to start thinking along those lines just yet and spoil my breakfast and time with Gaynor.

"Yeah, they will"

Were the only words that I said as I finished every morsal of the omelet on my plate. I was surprised when instead of clearing the table Gaynor walked around the table and stood behind me.

"Let me sort out this hair. It'll be an absolute rats nest driving into the city unless its tied up"

Twenty minutes later I was sat next to Gaynor as she drove her POS truck out of the mobile home park. The windows were down allowing the warm breeze to ventilate the cabin. Gaynor had plaited my hair and pinned it up, then given me a cap to wear. It felt liberating to watch through the window as we travelled taking in the change of scenery. The roads were straight as we passed new single story buildings. Mainly businesses with homes further from the road at the end of single tracks. A sign told me that we were in Arizona, but our final destination was still a mystery. As the road widened to two lanes there was more green vegetation, but the vista was still very flat with the mountains in the distance.

Phoenix. We were entering into Phoenix. I knew nothing about the city, but my first impression was that it was green and modern. Okay, anywhere was green and modern compared to Trenton.

Gaynor had given me her address, if I was ever in the area again, but I wasn't promising anything. She'd dropped me off when she'd stopped at the The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, somewhere that she'd arranged to meet a friend at. I declined the invite to join them citing that I really had to get home before a search party was sent out looking for me. I did spend some time sat on a bench outside working out where I wanted to go.

I could go to Boston, but I was worried that if I turned up there then I would probably be running right back into danger. I knew things, places which I was sure would make the people running things very nervous. Plus, I had to find out what had happened here at that building and where the other women were. Yeah, that was eating me up, the not knowing if they were safe or not. Did they think that I was missing or dead? I had no idea which, but I didn't want to suddenly pop up where I'd be recognized. So, Boston was out.

Trenton came to mind. What would be the point of going there? I really wasn't wanting to have to face my mother and have her tell me "I told you to settle down and start a family" Nope, not happening. Besides there was no one there who could help me. Rangeman was definitely out. No way was I going to put myself into the situation of having to face Ranger or even Les or Tank. Well, any of the Merry Men when I knew that Ranger had dropped me for another woman. Nope not happening. I knew that Joe would help me, as far as he could, but I wasn't about to turn up and ruin any relationship that he might be nurturing. Neither did I really want him involved as a police officer. That left one person that I knew that I could rely on.

$280 later I was stood at the station ready to board the Greyhound bus. I'd bought a burn phone and lots of snacks along with several books and note pads for the arduous journey. I would have loved to have flown, I had enough cash on me, courtesy of Scumbag, and it would have been a hell of lot faster. My problem was that I didn't have any id on me. The train journey was as long as the coach journey but with longer stop overs waiting to change train. So, the bus it was. 60 hours would give me plenty of time to plan what I wanted to do next.