Chapter 3 #2
Indecision warred across Samuel’s features, his brown eyes as hard as onyx. His hands by his side were curled into fists, but slowly he relaxed them. Samuel stepped away from Alfredo, but still close enough to spring into action should she need it.
Alfredo gave her arm another blistering squeeze before he released his hold. No way was she going to show any weakness in front of him, even though all she wanted to do was rub her arm to ease the pain. “This isn’t over,” he declared, before he scooped up Tito from the table and stormed out.
All the adrenaline from the last few minutes seeped out of Marie, and she would’ve collapsed to the ground if Samuel hadn’t moved to her side.
His strong arms caught her around her waist and pulled her against his hard body.
For a few seconds Marie closed her eyes and relaxed, savoring the human contact.
How he’d known she was about to collapse, she didn’t know, but she was grateful for his quick reflexes.
“Thanks,” she said as she went to pull away from him. He wasn’t manhandling her like Alfredo had been, and he released her immediately.
“You need to sleep. I don’t think you’ll see anyone else tonight,” he said quietly.
Marie looked around and saw that things had indeed settled down. Most of the volunteers had all disappeared after Alfredo had shown up, and the brave ones that remained, were sitting together ready to leap into action should someone need help.
Ophelia was napping on the ground, along with the other couple of hospital staff who had worked tirelessly alongside her.
The events of the day closed in on Marie, and her breath caught in her throat. Even though they were out in the open, it was as though she was back in that small supply closet, the walls closing in on her. Stifling her. She had to get out of there.
She stumbled past Samuel, hearing him call her name, but unable to acknowledge it.
Images pummeled her brain. The walls swaying violently.
Glass shattering. Books falling. Mr. Ricco was smiling and joking with her less than twenty-four hours ago.
Then finding him covered in dust, eyes open, unseeing. Tito bleeding out.
Tears streamed down her face and harsh sobs wracked her body. She fell to her knees, her hands covering her face, struggling to breathe.
Normally she was able to control her emotions, keep them under lock and key. Today was different. Today was more than she was used to bearing all at one time. Today everything had accumulated until she couldn’t stand it any longer.
“Shh, I’ve got you.” Warm, strong arms closed around her.
Samuel.
A man she’d just met, yet felt connected to in a way that she hadn’t felt in a very long time. It had to be due to the circumstances with how they’d met. The way he’d silently supported her and helped her when she’d needed it. Like now.
The tears continued to fall, and he turned her so that her cheek rested against him. His hug was firm and comforting. Everything she needed.
He didn’t say anything, just let her cry. He understood she needed this. Needed to be free to let her emotions out. Knew that words wouldn’t help.
Marie wrapped her arms around him, feeling his strength and warmth soothe her as she cried for the lives lost. The families whose loved ones weren’t coming home.
The people still fighting for their lives, and her not having the necessary equipment to ensure the fight was easier for them.
The people who were still trapped, wondering if they’d ever be found.
Eventually her sobs subsided, and the sounds of the night surrounded them. The comforting chirp of crickets calling to their friends, the night birds twittering to each other, the trees swaying in the gentle breeze.
Everything was calm. So calm.
It was hard to believe that a few hours ago, Mother Nature had unleashed her fury on the small town. Marie didn’t believe for one second that they wouldn’t experience more aftershocks. They’d had a few already.
She became more aware of where she was and who was with her. Moving out of Samuel’s embrace should be at the forefront of her mind, but she didn’t think she could move, even if she wanted to.
“Thank you,” she murmured after more time passed.
“No thanks necessary.”
Samuel’s focus may have been on her and her needs, but he was also scanning the area; for what, she didn’t know. More patients that needed help? Alfredo returning with a band of men and weapons?
He was always on alert.
Why?
Where had he come from?
She’d been in the small town for almost six months and hadn’t seen him once. She was a doctor, she’d seen and treated a lot of people. She may not know everyone, but she was familiar with many.
Marie sighed and snuggled a bit further into his hold. If Samuel minded, he didn’t show it. For now, she was going to take this feeling of safety being near him gave her, and worry about where he came from later.
Now that her pent-up emotions had been released, fatigue knocked on her door. Her eyes drifted shut. Two minutes, she’d rest her eyes for two minutes.