More Than One: A Novel (28 page)

              What she was saying was making me feel better. This has been a tough time for me, but I know Ash and Elizabeth had it worse. I should be grateful that things were going to go back to normal for me soon.

              “It's been tough for everyone. You and the other doctors have been working day and night to ensure their survival. When will you get any sleep?” I asked.

              “Since the test results look promising, we will be able to sleep tonight. The only thing we can do now is wait and see. I know we're exhausted, but it was worth it.”

              “Do you think they will be okay?”

              “I can't be sure, but I think they will be alright for now,” she said rubbing her eyes.

              I knew she was tired, but I really wanted to keep talking and asking questions.

              “Dr. Dean told us that Elizabeth was talking about some guy named Isaac. Do you think she was really communicating with this person and they were involved in the murders?”

              “Well, in previous sessions, she expressed a lot of anger and did talk about killing and sometimes suicide, but like I said before, they never actually go through with it. I don't know the extent of her involvement in the murders, but I do know she was involved in some way. I think eventually she will tell me about it so I can help her work through her feelings.”

              “Do you think the police will put things together and come here to investigate?”

              “It is a possibility, one we haven't had time to properly discuss. Our main concern is to get them healthy. It would be bad for all of us if Elizabeth was implicated in the murders. No one needs to find out,” she said.

              “But those people and their families. Am I the only one who feels bad about this?”

              “No, Jamie, we all feel terrible about what happened. But turning Elizabeth in would be like turning ourselves in, as well. I couldn't bear to think what they would do to her if they found out what she is.”

              “How is it you and Elizabeth are so close?” I asked.

              “I was her surrogate. When I first started working with the doctors, I wanted to be a part of the process. I volunteered to do it since Christina was still skeptical about it. As far as how close we are, I think it’s the same scenario as your situation. You connect to her through your dreams because of the DNA you both share, but I connected to her through us being one for nine months. I have this motherly instinct when it comes to her. I really want to help her.”

              “That's good. She is very lucky to have someone like you in her life.”

              “Thank you,” she said rubbing her eyes again. I decided I had talked her ear off enough today. “Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?”

              “No, that was it. Thanks for listening and answering my questions. This really did help me to put things in perspective.”

              “You're welcome. And you have my number, so even when you are back at home and you need to talk, I will be here for you.”

              “I appreciate that,” I said hugging her.

              She got up and went back to the laboratory and I sat there and waited for Ash to return. I couldn't stop thinking about those innocent people whose lives were taken. Everyone was so casual about it, but I couldn't stomach the thought of knowing about it and not being able to go to the police. If I did, everyone I loved would be in trouble. 

              And Abigail, she cared about Elizabeth and didn't want to see anything bad happen to her. There was no way she would betray her. Even if she thought about it, there was no way she could have went to the police without implicating herself and the others.

              I wanted to pull my hair out. I couldn't catch a break. I got up and went to the room I was staying in. Ash was taking too long and I needed to do something with myself. My thoughts were consuming me.

              The room was nice, but my room back at the dorm was better. I couldn't wait to get back to it.  I was anxious to go to class and work, that's if I still had a job. I was going to take a trip around the campus and just enjoy being home.

              I started packing, ready to go. I put my bags in the corner then left the room to go find Ash. He was in his room, lying on the bed watching television. All of his things were packed and ready to go by his closet. I walked in and laid down on his bed next to him.             

              I put my head on the pillow and closed my eyes. He was so engrossed in this show, that he wouldn't even notice me taking a nap. I was worn out and needed some sleep if I was going to sneak out tonight.

              I went to sleep with ease because of the silence in the room and the comfort in knowing Ash was with me. I prayed there would be no dream. I welcomed the darkness. My prayer was answered as my blue ocean turned into an endless black abyss.

Chapter Twenty Four

I woke hours later and Ash was gone. I got up and looked at the time. It was six thirty and I knew he had to be downstairs getting something to eat. I went to the door and before I left out of the room, I looked around. This was probably the last time I would see this room. I had no plans in the foreseeable future of coming back here.

              I went downstairs to the dining room and sure enough, everyone was sitting down to a nice dinner together. All eyes were on me when I pulled out a chair to sit at the table.

              I wasn't all that hungry, to be honest. Michael was going to be here at ten to take me out on the town. I was excited about seeing Rome and getting out of this house. Everyone had been going like energizer bunnies for the last week, so this was the night they were going to take off. Dr. Thompson and Dr. Lewis were going home and everyone else was just going to relax and go to bed. I picked a good night to sneak out.

              Ash went back to his room to play his arcade. My parents settled down in the family room to watch a movie with Ash's parents. I just needed to figure out what I was going to do with myself for the next couple of hours.

              Nine o'clock finally came and I went up the room and started changing clothes. I checked my phone and there were no messages. I hoped Michael didn't forget or change his mind. I was counting on this night out. I was startled when I heard a knock on the door. Everyone was supposed to be in bed by now.

              I jumped in the bed, pulled the cover over me, and tried to look like I was half sleep.

              “Come in,” I said weakly.

              The door opened and my dad came in.

              “Hey, I know you were almost asleep, but I wanted to check on you and tell you good night,” he said.

              “Okay, good night.”

              He came and kissed me on my forehead.

              “I love you, sweetie,” he said.

              “I love you, too. And thank you for coming to my rescue and fixing everything for me.”

              “You're welcome baby.”

              “See you in the morning,” I said and turned over.

              He closed the door and I blew out a relieved breath. I threw the cover back and got up. I checked my phone again and he finally texted. It was almost time for Michael to be here. I grabbed my purse and jacket and headed downstairs. I made it to the bottom of the steps and my phone vibrated. It was Michael telling me he was waiting at the end of the driveway.

              I opened the front door silently and crept outside. I saw the car and he flashed his lights twice. I shut the door and took off running. It was so exhilarating knowing I was going to be apart of Rome's nightlife. As I ran, my heart was pumping and my pulse was racing. I laughed as I jumped over a bush that was on the edge of the lawn. I felt like someone else in that moment and it felt great.

              Michael got out of the car and came around as I slowed down. I ran into his arms and he picked me up and spun me around. He put me down, kissed me on the cheek, and opened the car door.

              “Are you ready?” he asked.

              “Yes, definitely.”

              “Let's do this then,” he said and winked.

              I got in the car and waited for him to come around. When he got in, I turned to him with a big grin on my face.

              “This is so exciting. I don't care what we do, I'm just so glad to finally be out of that house,” I said.

              “It sucks, doesn't it, being held hostage there day in and day out. Makes you wonder what kind of people would do that to another human being,” he said.

              The way he was talking freaked me out a little. There was something sinister in his voice. He was staring out the window when he spoke and all I could see his profile. He finally turned to me and smiled.

              “So, I want to show you as much as I can before you have to leave. We'll go sightseeing and everything,” he said changing his tone into a lighter one.

              I was uneasy, but then again, I always am. My mind is forever playing tricks on me and being overactive. I let it go and went back to my good mood. This was going to be a great night and I wasn't going to let anything ruin it.

              “That sounds great. I can't wait,” I said fastening my seat belt.

              He cranked up the car and we drove off. This was the best scenery I had ever seen in my life. I looked out of the window in amazement as I took in the lights and different colored buildings.

“I want to show you the Trevi Fountain and also Piazza Navona. They are amazing to look at, especially at night. Then after that, I’m going to take you to The Eagle,” Michael said with excitement in his voice.

              “The Eagle?” I said confused.

              “Well, that’s what the name of the city means in Italian, but it is called L’Aquila. There are a couple of places there I want you to see. It’s not that far from here.”

              “Okay, you’re the guide. I’m all yours tonight.”

              “Yes you are,” he said with a smirk on his face.

              We drove for another ten or fifteen minutes. Michael impressed me with knowing his way around this place. We twist and turned down roads, dodging pedestrians who were walking in the streets, singing songs, and holding hands. The town really came alive at night. There were street performers and people dancing, all having a great time.

              “If you look to your left, you will see the fountain in one minute,” he said.

              I strained my neck to see what he was talking about, and just like he said, a minute later, this majestic piece of work came into view. I saw this on the computer briefly, when I was doing research, but that didn’t do it any justice. Seeing this up close took my breath away. This place was amazing.

              My eyes lit up again when he showed me the Piazza Navona on the way to L’Aquila. It was another, slightly smaller fountain, but it was just as immaculate. In just that instant, my interest changed and I wanted to know more about this fascinating place called Rome.

“The place I’m taking you to now is the main historical and artistic center of Abruzzo. It has the Basilica of St. Bernadine, which is the largest Renaissance church in Abruzzo. Also, the 16
th
Century Spanish Castle, it crown’s the city’s highest point. Then there is the Church of Saint Mary in Collemaggio and the Fountain of the Ninety-Nine spouts. It is said to almost be the symbol of the city,” Michael explained. “The Fountain of the Ninety-Nine spouts is what I really want you to see.”

              “It is amazing that you know all of this. Were you born here?” I asked.

              “No, but I’ve pretty much lived here most of my life. Rome has so much history; you can’t help but to get caught up in learning about it. I have traveled to some awesome places, but this is by far the best.”

              “I can definitely see why you love it so much. I really appreciate you breaking me out and taking me on the town tonight. So far, this has been a wonderful adventure.”

              “Oh, don’t thank me just yet,” he said and flashed a smile.

              I leaned back in my seat and watched the road that spread out ahead of us. There were a lot of trees and houses that were stationed closed to each other along the way. We didn’t talk much for the rest of the trip to L’Aquila. I just took this time of silence to think about everything that I saw tonight. This was a perfect ending to a bad story. Now we were finally about to go home and being able to get out tonight and see the sights just added to my bliss.

              “We’re here,” Michael said interrupting my thoughts. “This time we’re getting out. You have to see this up close and personally.”

              “Yes sir,” I said and we both shared a laugh.

              We pulled around in an old looking parking lot and he parked. I got out and he grabbed my hand to lead me to our destination.