The Open Road

Chapter 18

Bob

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

Shit!

Jack and I hobbled down the never ending flights of stairs, each one of us gnawing over some sort of plan to get us out of the hospital unseen. Nothing I came up with seemed reliable. I could not help but think that this was it. The only way we were leaving this hospital was in handcuffs.

Was coming here worth it Bob?

"Stop!"

Jack shoved me into a supply room and swiftly locked the door. He had done this quickly and quietly, traits I was beginning to associate him with. I couldn't help but wonder what would cause a man to fall in this line of work. My freedom had been taken away from me, aggressively stolen by the corrupt Kenyan justice system. Jack's case was another story altogether. He was owned by a man, not the country or religion, a man. Surely a person can regain their freedom in such a situation. Wouldn't he rather be somewhere running his own business, taking care of his family and enjoying the perks of being, well, free? Why on earth would he choose to be here in a stuffy supply closet with a stranger who's life was on the line? What did Jere have on him?

My hands were shaking. I attempted to fold them into fists but I couldn't. While I knew that there was no way this minute action could produce an audible sound, I still couldn't risk it. I clenched my teeth, my head slightly raised to the ceiling. I was struggling to conjure a past memory, a prayer that was once uttered in my presence. My father had always said that prayers were for the poor.

"Son...when they have no money left, they turn to religion. It's their hope in despair. Tell me, have you ever seen a rich man pray?"

Well, right now I as no rich man and I was in despair. I slowly brought my hands together and planted my palms against each other. For the first time in my entire life, I prayed.

God keep me safe...may my enemies never set their wicked eyes on me...

My ears perked at the sound of approaching footsteps.

May they never harm me with you by my side...

The footsteps were growing louder. Jack let out a low cuss.

May you cloak me in your blood...

"Fuck...open your eyes Bob...open your goddamned eyes!"

I fluttered my eyes open and blinked rapidly to make my vision clear. At some point tears had began meandering down my cheeks. I felt...vulnerable.

"Bob!"

I angled my head towards Jack who had his finger placed on his mouth. He then beckoned me towards the door and instructed me to plant my ear against the door.

A few seconds later we heard voices. They were urgent, demanding, scared even. One voice in particular kept barking orders. I heaved a sigh of relief when I heard the sound of footsteps dying down.

"Are you sure their car is surrounded?" A voice asked.

"Y-es S-sir." A nervous voice responded.

"Cover all the exits, that fucker isn't going anywhere."

Silence. We were safe, for now.

"Damn it Bob! This is bad...this is really bad!"

For the first time since I met him, I saw Jack shaken. The little hope that had began to flicker inside of me started to whither. Sure they had not been caught now but wasn't it inevitable?

There was a vibration in my pocket. At first I hesitated to pick it, fearing it was a trap. Maybe I had been sold out by my dealer, Wafula or they had figured out that I was in touch with Sue and were threatening her...

My phone vibrated once more. I darted my eyes towards Jack who was looking at me questioningly. I fished it out of my pocket and looked at the incoming caller's name, Marie. Jack snatched the phone from my hand and answered it.

"Hello? Bob? Listen, tell me where you are I'll come get you. I'm outside the hospital, Suzie called."

"Second floor supply room hurry."

Jack cut off the conversation and I could already picture Marie's scowled face. Sue had once told me that women were the only species in the planet that were allowed to hang up during a phone conversation. I made a mental note to clarify that I was not the one who had answered the call, if we ever made it out of the hospital unscathed.

"Who the f**k is Marie?"

"Don't worry. Marie is many things but not a traitor." I assured him offering a lopsided smile.

"That doesn't exactly answer my question."

Jack was menacing when he was sombre. I preferred his usual self. I found myself actually missing his smirk.

"She is Sue's sister. They might not show it, but those two are inseparable even though their characteristics are, well, world's apart."

Jack slowly bobbed his head, his fingers tapping his chin.

"How can-"

The door knob suddenly rattled startling both of us. We frantically swept our eyes around the room looking for a place to hide or something that could be turned into a weapon. The rattling abruptly stopped. We stayed completely still. A few seconds later my phone started to vibrate. I quickly rejected the call in fear of being caught by whoever was on the other side of that door. I heard a text pop on the phone.

Open the door its me.

I mouthed to Jack that it was Marie and he broke into a razor blade grin, his confidence was back. I made calculated steps towards the door and opened it quietly. Marie barged in, she looked pissed, extremely pissed.

"A hospital! You had to come to a freaking hospital! I said hiding in public is good but this? This is way too public you moron! And what if Darren found you huh? Do you want him to kill them?"

Kill them? What did that even mean? My brother was evil, truly evil but murder?

"Marie...Darren is not a very good person but killing-"

"You don't know anything about anything Bob...so just shut the f**k up..."

I opened and closed my mouth successively. It was true, I didn't know what was going on.

"Who is Kimberly to Sue, Marie?"

I watched as Marie ran a hand through her hair. She had changed her hair due. Currently she had on a blonde weave and was clad in a tight fitting black dress with beige boots. I noticed that her hair almost matched her shoes. Typical Marie. After a long, uncomfortable silence, it finally dawned on me that she was not going to tell me anything.

Typical Marie.

"Enhem! Ummh can we move? As much as I am enjoying this little moment, now is not the time."

I glanced at Jack who was darting his eyes between Marie and I, his signature smirk playing on his lips.

"And you are?"

It was an interesting scene. Marie and Jack were pretty much carved from the same wood. Bold, charming atrong and capable, I briefly imagined them as a couple. I visibly shuddered.

"Well pretty face, I'm Jack, Bob's assigned bodyguard."

Jack reached for Marie's hand and planted a soft kiss on it. I stifled a chuckle as I watched Marie's face twist in discomfort. Again, interesting scene.

"Call the boss! I think I hear voices down this hallway...I think they are here!"