Day 16: "Do you know a way out of here?"
They had gone, like they did most nights, for a walk after work. Sitting in an office all day long, the high stress of their jobs, the need to be physically capable to chase dirtbags forced them to maintain a certain healthy lifestyle. Plus Sharon loved being outside. They had stopped running since his "little dust off" and replaced their regular jog with long walks. When they had more time, like on weekends, they would go for long bike rides but for the other times, a walk would do.
They changed location depending on their mood. Often, they would go for a walk along the beach, wind in their hair and the sound of the waves quieting their agitated minds. Sometimes, especially when they had little time and were at her place, they would go to Griffith Park.
So, tonight, after spending their weekend investigating a rapist, a serial rapist even, but couldn't prove it, they decided to finish their Sunday with a walk outside. As soon as they set foot into the condo, they changed, grabbed their reusable water bottle and a snack each, stuffed their necessities in a backpack and were out of the door. That was 4 hours ago.
In their haste to enjoy the outdoors, they forgot two things: the hour changed that very Sunday, meaning that the sun set one hour earlier and that it was already a very cloudy day, letting very little daylight filter through the clouds and even less through the tree's canopy.
The first hour, they did not see it go by. They walked on what they thought to be their usual trail, discussing one thing then the another. They did not see the time pass by until they arrived at a crossroads they've never seen before. The signs were unreadable, not helping them one bit. Thinking they just took a wrong turn a few feet away, that it would bring them back to the loop they meant to take, they went on.
Quickly, the night descended upon the park, enhancing the sensation of humidity and coldness around them. The wind started to blow stronger, howling in the canyon nearby them, making the trees dance and the remaining leafs fall. A few drops of rain fell every now and then. Not a downpour but enough to make Sharon shiver. She was freezing but refused to complain. She berated herself for wearing only her lycra leggings, the one Andy loved, and her second-skin black long sleeve shirt. Yes, they were fashionable, yes they made her backside and chest look amazing but they did very little to prevent her from the cold. Andy, like always, saw her torment and offered her his sleeveless jacket.
In a few minutes, it was pitch dark. They kept on walking. What other choices did they have anyway? Andy stepped in front of her, illuminating the steep trail with his phone's light. She fell twice, once slipping in the mud then coughing her foot in a tree root. Her ankle felt unsteady and she knew she was going to pay for it as soon as they'd stopped walking but she went on anyway. They had to get back home. It felt like being in these stupid horror movies her son loved so much. Everything was fine until the heroes stumbled upon some incredible (and fatefull) fate: getting lost, then the night coming earlier than anticipated, and, of course, no cellphone reception…
Finally, they arrived at what appeared to be a building. A shiver ran down Sharon's back but for once it had nothing to do with the cold that seemed to set in her bones. They were at the old zoo. Her mind went immediately to Rusty, and then to Stoh. In the distance, they heard a metallic door creek. Maybe it was the wind, maybe they were not alone. She cursed herself for not bringing her gun with her but decided not to dwell on it.
"Do you know a way out of here?" She asked her companion, unable to stop her shivering anymore, cold and fear assaulting her. It felt too much like a really bad horror movie. Taking into account that they had spend the day with a man who raped women a certain age, her age, forcing their husband to watch before torturing them both, that Strogh was still at large, it really wasn't THE night to get lost there, it there was ever a good night to do so.
"Hum…" She heard and hated that sound the minute it fell from his mouth. "My phone just died." And she had forgotten hers…. He moved closer to her, wrapping her in his arms. She thought he wanted to warm her up, maybe reassure her a little too. "I think someone is following us." He murmured in her ear, kissing her neck to appear nonchalant. "I see a shadow being you." He moved his lips to her jaw, tilting his pelvis to her so she could grab his knife from his pocket.
She opened it behind his back, adrenaline coursing through her body. She could hear breathing that did not belong to Andy behind her. Two people, she was sure. She sent a silent prayer. One assaillant was one thing. Sure they were older but still they were two trained police officers. And she was quite good in hand to hand combat. But two… "I'm ready." She said quietly against his neck. She grazed his lips with hers. " I love you."
She turned around, ready to fight for their life when she heard. "Here you are!" She knew that voice but couldn't quite place it. Two figures marched in the dark toward them, their headlamps blinding her. She was ready to strike but stayed put, waiting for the shadows to come closer. "Sharon! Mom!" She recognised both voices. Rusty and Gus. It felt like her heart stopped beating an instant before starting to hammer wildly, the rush of the blood ringing in her ears. " We were so worried about you not coming back. Sorry but she tracked Andy's phone since you forgot yours." She lifted her head up, thanking her God before hugging first Andy then her son.