Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“Of course we had a car! It ran out of gas and we couldn’t get it to start.
I’m not stupid. Obviously I would have rather used a car than walk for days.
” As my frustration turns to anger, I stand up and start slowly pacing around.
“I couldn’t go out the front door because…
like I told you… someone was stalking us.
I didn’t feel like I could leave that way.
None of this matters! Luke is sick… dying maybe.
We don’t have time for this. I can’t just sit around, answering these questions while he is out there alone.
If you think there is even the slightest chance that’s where he is, then please…
can we please go?” I try to sound tough but my voice breaks at the end.
It takes every ounce of willpower not to burst into tears in front of all these people.
I can’t show weakness here. I need to show that I’m not someone to fuck with.
They look at each other before Officer Carter asks, “What do we have to lose? How far is it from here?”
The other officer answers, “An hour... maybe two depending on how the roads are getting out there.” He sighs before looking at me.
“Okay, we’ll go, but if you’re gonna come you gotta stay calm.
It goes against my better judgment to bring you back out there, but I can tell you aren’t someone who is going to stay put. ” I nod, already running to the door.
_____
After nearly two hours of driving, the police cruiser pulls onto a bumpy dirt road. The trees are leaning menacingly over the car, creating a tunnel. I don’t remember the road looking like this, which worries me that this isn’t going to be the right spot.
I want a closer look so I unbuckle my seat belt and lean forward, trying to look out the front windshield.
If this is the driveway, it’s barely one.
The path is so overgrown with plants, you can barely see the gravel underneath, but the trees are parted in a way that makes it clear we’re headed somewhere.
I remember the driveway being long but the anticipation and anxiety make it feel endless this time. As it starts to feel like we will never make it there, a large, dark, shape emerges out of fog. I didn’t realize how obstructed the view had gotten around us.
The cruiser slows down as the cabin reveals itself.
I swallow hard as I look out the windows and toward the tree line.
The forest is swallowed up in the white fog so I can’t see much.
I remind myself that I’m safe as the car comes to a stop.
When I try to open the door, it’s locked and I’m scared they aren’t going to let me out.
“I need to get out! Unlock my door!” I don’t mean to, but I’m yelling as a weird mix of adrenaline and relief fuel my need to get to Luke.
Officer Lynch gets out and opens the door for me.
As I step into the cold, unearthly, atmosphere, I glance up toward the bedroom window.
A shadow is standing in the window before stepping away and my heart is in my throat.
I should feel comforted that Luke is up and moving but instead all I can feel is a pull to turn around and leave.
This place somehow feels worse than when I was last here, but I push my apprehension to the side and run to the front door.
The officers yell for me to wait, but I can’t.
Instead, I swing the door open and sprint up the stairs as I call Luke’s name.
I head straight for the bedroom. The door is cracked open just enough that I can’t see in, but I can hear his voice.
He’s speaking but I can’t make out the words.
I shove the door open as I try to prepare myself, but all I see is Luke sitting on the edge of the bed. His back is to me and he seems to be looking toward the window. I glance around the room and to my relief, he’s alone.
“Luke.” I say softly but he doesn’t seem to hear me or move, so I take a step into the room and say his name a little louder, “Luke.” I hear the police walk in behind me, their uniforms clinking and jingling as they move.
Luke still doesn’t turn toward me, so I slowly walk the last few steps until I’m next to him.
I lightly lay my hand on his shoulder, saying his name again, this time a question.
He twitches like I startled him before looking up at my face.
The first thing I see is how pale he is and his eyes are more sunken than the last time I saw him.
He has bundled himself up in a lot of clothing that I don’t recognize.
He must’ve gone looking for more trying to keep warm.
It’s freezing in here so it makes sense, but I can’t help but feel weird that he is wearing strangers' clothing. It’s like I woke him from a dream as it takes a moment for his eyes to clear before he smiles at me.
“I’m back. I came back for you and I brought help. Everything is going to be okay.” I smile at him as I inch closer. He blinks a few times before standing.
“Hanna? You’re here?” He steps closer to me as concern seems to etch into his face. He reaches up and gently brushes his thumb across the cut on my face. “What happened?”