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Alma believed wholeheartedly that she was in some movie plot or possibly a game show. Too much has happened in the last twenty-four hours for it to be real life. Normally, she was a 'go with the flow' kind of girl but that obviously needed to change.
A light tap on her shoulder brought her back to reality. Turning around, she met eyes with a well kept man who looked like he had seen enough crazy in his lifetime. "You were the one who brought in our noisy patient, yes?" Alma simply nodded as the man continued. "I am Dr. Miles. We were able to sedate him, but I was hoping you could fill in some gaps for me."
She did her best to repeat the charade of the night to the man before her. The look he gave her was one she wore well with her own clients, pity. "I really do not know anything about him. He never shared anything and barely even spoke. The outburst here was the most I had heard from him." She paused, looking around her before she continued. "Do you think he is on drugs?"
Dr. Miles made a face before giving a soft shrug, "It is very possible but he doesn't look like the typical user."
She wondered if he really was on drugs. Maybe she was the one who was. "What is going to happen now?"
"Well, we will take care of him and try to see if the police can get an ID on him. If he keeps acting like he was, he will probably be admitted to the psych ward." That was to be expected. "You did a good job closing up his wounds. Not perfect but it made our job a lot easier."
Alma smiled, "I'm glad. It was the first time I ever stitched up something that wasn't covered in hair and ran on four legs."
Dr Miles returned her smile and gave a soft pat on her shoulder. "Take care of yourself. It looks like you need it right now."
She probably just looked as psychoic as her luggage. Covered in dried mud and dragging in a man who was less than stable...she was surprised they were letting her go.
The drive back home felt much longer than before. Many times she found herself drifting off the road, how she made it back safely was beyond her knowledge. A constant nagging tugged at her chest telling her to go back. Was it the words that the nun had said? There was no reason she should go back and her hands were finally washed from that lunatic.
That feeling continued to pester her the following day.
John, after learning of the chaos that had ensued the previous night, lectured her endlessly. If he had been so worried, he would have stayed up regardless of his thoughts on the situation. She believed he was more upset about her taking his truck versus her own. His baby, as he calls it.
After a quick shower, where she almost passed out, Alma found the comfort of her sheets and immediately sunk into them.
Her sleep was restless. The constant twisting and turning made her body scream for rest as did the plaguing worry tormented her mind.
What did they end up doing with him? Did they find out who he was? Who inflicted those injuries? Why was she thrown in this situation?
Another moment that stuck out in her mind was their encounter in the truck. The ring. Why was he interested in it? There was another feeling that made her uneasy. It felt as if she was being watched. Any time she would finally drift into a deeper sleep, eyes felt as if they were piercing through her body.
The feeling was ominous.
A few hours passed and Alma finally felt rested enough to function normally. She was curious by nature and that had become the death of her. Not only did she find herself outside, she stood beside the spot where she had found the man the previous night. Maybe there would be a clue that would satisfy her hunger for answers.
The rain had washed away almost all the drag lines she had created, but the imprints of where she constantly fell were still there.
Alma spent an hour combing over the area in hope to find anything, but all she found were small bits of ripped clothing, sticks, and a single feather.
The feather was gray in color, but much larger than the typical animal around that area. Upon touching it, her fingers tingled and the previous feeling of being watched only intensified.
Walking away defeated, her fingers tugged at her fiery locks in frustration. As much as she tried to convince herself, this was not something she could let go.
The could of a car approaching as she walked along the dirt road caught her attention. Upon seeing the lights that decorated the top of the car made her heart skip a beat. However, with quick realization, she relaxed as she smiled.
"I didn't think you were going to stop by today." She quickly embraced the man who she has grown to love as he stepped out of the cop car.
"Well I hope you are not trying to keep me away." Blake planted a soft kiss on her cheek as her smile only grew wider. Although the two were only recently engaged, she had known him for years. "Why were you walking out here?" He questioned.
She debated on telling him of her night, knowing that he would only worry. However, he could probably inform her if anything had happened to the man if he contacted the larger department. Alma began her long story as she jumped in the front seat of his car as they continued down the rest of the road to her home. Blake remained silent the whole time she told the story, which was unusual.
"That is why I was out there. I tried to find any answers I could but I didn't find anything except for this." She held the large feather up, the same uneasy feeling radiating through her.
The two sat in silence until he parked at the front of her home. "I know what you are thinking but you cannot go back there just to satisfy your curiosity." Alma rolled her eyes, she knew that but this was not something she could easily let go as much as she wanted to. "I mean it. That man is no good. Okay?" Blake reached his hand out toward her cheek, but she moved away from his touch. Why did she do that? That feeling intensified.
"Thank you for driving me back. I know you have to get back to work. I'll see you later, okay?" Alma gave him a weary smile as she exited the vehicle. She could see the wheels turning in his head before he accepted his fate and drove off.
"That was cold." John's words echoed from behind her. His large frame leaning against the door frame, an apple in his hands.
She shared a look with her brother before looking down, her gaze drifting towards the closed garage. A large sigh erupted from John's chest as he knew what she was thinking. The two always got in trouble together when they were younger. Their minds were one.
"I'll drive."
"What? John-"
He held up his finger towards her as he bounded down the steps of the porch. "I know you and I can't say that I don't share the same curiosity as you. Besides, knowing that your snot nose fiancé doesn't want you doing it, I'm a little more willing." John was never subtle with his dislike towards Blake, but this time it did not bother her as much as it normally did.
The corner of her lips pulled upwards as she shared a mischievous look with her brother. "There's the Johnny I know."
"Don't call me that. Get ready to go."
The same feeling plagued her as she sat in the passenger side of John's truck. However, the more she thought of what they were doing, the feeling became easier to deal with.
Life would be boring without a little chaos, right? Oh how her tune had changed.
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