48. Celine #3
“When they carried me out of the pool, I knew I had to keep my body limp and remain silent until they left the room so I could make a run for it. Those men just tossed me in there like I was a piece of trash they were throwing away. It ended up being a lot harder than I thought it would be to stay silent because as soon as I was out of their arms and landing on the floor, I knew it wasn’t the floor.
I had landed on top of another body. I wanted to throw up and get the hell out of there.
” She cringes at the memory. “I was surrounded by all of the bodies of the women he drowned. One girl’s hair was still wet, and it stuck to my cheek.
I don’t know how I was able to keep quiet.
“That’s…”
“Disgusting? Horrifying? Traumatizing?”
“Yeah,” I agree with all three.
Esther shakes her arms out as if she is getting rid of that feeling. I’m stunned by how composed she is after everything that happened to her. Turns out Alex and I weren’t the only ones who left that room with emotional scars.
“Fortunately, when the men did leave, it was pitch black in there, so I couldn’t see the bodies I landed on.
I could only feel them. But there was an exit sign glowing bright enough for me to find the door easily.
Although I’d say it was a tad bit unfortunate that Sister Alice was guarding the door with a knife.
When she heard me approach, she lunged at me, and the knife slashed my arm. ”
She lifts her arm, showing me the bandage that is wrapped around it.
“If it weren’t for the adrenaline, I don’t think I would have been able to fight her off. Thankfully, the glow from the exit sign reflected off the knife so I could see where it was. I knocked it out of her hand and scratched the shit out of her face.”
“But you got out.” I close my eyes, inhaling a deep breath, and when I open them again, she is still standing there. “How did you get here?”
“Once I got out of that room, I found another exit at the back of the church. My adrenaline was wearing off as I kept losing blood, and by the time I made it to the parking lot, I heard sirens in the distance, and I ended up falling to the pavement. Everything went dark.”
My eyes search her face and land on a couple of markings on her temple and cheek, most likely from collapsing in the parking lot.
Her hands find mine, and she gives them a light squeeze.
“I was so worried that you didn’t make it out.
When I regained consciousness in the hospital, I was frantic and kept trying to tell them to help you guys.
A nurse finally calmed me down and told me someone had already called for help.
And once I was finally calm and relaxed in the hospital bed, I turned on the TV and saw on the news that they were talking about everything that happened and how Father Keaton was shot.
I knew you were the only person strong enough to do that.
To put an end to his madness. That’s how I knew you were okay, and I’m so proud of you. ”
Her eyes begin to water, and I look at her in amazement as the shock begins to wear off.
She is real and alive. Standing in front of me, being so strong after going through all the shit she went through.
My breath shudders as I accept the fact that my friend is not dead, and I grab her good arm and yank her into me, finally giving her the hug I should have when I first saw her.
Esther must feel me flinch because she says, “I’m sorry! I forgot that man kicked you right in the ribs.”
I pull away, my brows dipping. “How did you know that?”
“I may have been fighting for my life to get out of that man’s grasp, but I was watching you the entire time.
I wanted to make sure nothing happened to you.
Then I saw that sad excuse for a man kicking the shit out of you.
I wanted to tear his leg from his body after seeing that, but I was a little preoccupied with being dragged to my death, or else I would have come and rescued you.
” Her eyes look down at my cast. “What happened there?”
“Father Keaton,” I lift my arm. “Snapped my wrist like it was a fucking Kit-Kat.”
A smile slowly forms on her face, and she starts giggling. I can’t help but join because after what we’ve been through, we need a good laugh. And for a brief moment, it feels like old times. Like her and I are just hanging out, talking like we used to, until I hear footsteps behind me.
I turn, finding Nurse Sophie approaching us. “Alex is all settled in his recovery room. You can follow me, and I’ll take you to see him.”
“What happened to Alex?” Esther questions, fear laced in her tone.
I look back at her as sadness fills my chest. “Father Keaton shot him.”
She gasps, and her eyes widen in surprise.
“Go see him. I’ll find you later.” I nod and start to follow the nurse, but Esther grabs my arm. “I’m sorry… for not being able to tell you what I had planned. But I’m glad I didn’t because he had to believe I died if there was any chance of me surviving.”
“I forgive you, Esther.” I hug her one more time. “Just don’t do something like that again. I can’t lose you.”
“I won’t,” she reassures me.
I let go of her and turn around to follow the nurse, my heart beating faster with every step I take that leads me to Alex.