Would she need to walk home again?
After a grueling two-hour trek the previous evening, it seemed she was in for a repeat performance tonight.
Cursed bus. Once again, her feet were her only reliable transport.
Blaming herself for not checking the bus schedule, she resignedly began her walk.
This private hospital was even more isolated than the sanatorium where Nyla was treated, chosen for its peacefulness.
Now, Hadley felt the full impact of her miscalculation.
She trudged forward, the road deserted except for the rare vehicle whizzing by. The surrounding quiet was almost oppressive.
Out of nowhere, a motorcycle sped past, then abruptly circled back to pull up in front of her. The rider, a young man with bleached blonde hair, offered her a slightly unsettling smile.
“Hey, missy, it’s late for a walk, isn’t it? Come on, I’ll give you a lift.” Hadley’s nose twitched as she caught the strong scent of alcohol and cigarettes emanating from him.
“No, thank you.”
She tried to move past him, but he blocked her way. “Wait a minute!” His eyes flicked to her legs. “I offered you a lift. Come on, I’m not a bad guy.”
Before she could refuse again, he dismounted his bike, seized her arm, and yanked her toward it.
“Release me!” Taken aback, Hadley resisted, struggling fiercely. “Let go of me!”
“Don’t be shy! I’m just trying to help.”
“Who do you think you are? Back off.” Summoning all her strength, Hadley swung her bag, striking him squarely.
“Leave me alone!”
“Did you just hit me?”
Fueled by anger, he lashed out, knocking Hadley to the pavement. But he wasn’t done yet.
He immediately pinned her down, his fingers brushing against her cheek.
“Your beauty is enchanting, and your skin is so delicate.”
Hadley froze, repulsed by his touch. She felt sick, and panic surged through her. She always carried pepper spray in her bag, and for extra precaution, a half brick.
In a desperate move, she reached into her bag, grabbed the brick, and swung it instinctively.
The brick connected with a heavy thud against his head.
“Ah!” he screamed, clutching his forehead as blood began to flow. Shock filled his eyes as he looked at her.
“I’m calling the police! You’re going to pay for this!”
At the hospital, Eric’s phone buzzed once again. It was Nyla calling.
“Grandma…” Eric anticipated the topic and, wanting to avoid an argument, quickly responded, “We’re almost home.”
“Are you really?” Nyla replied with a skeptical chuckle. “Then put Hadley on the phone.”
“Uhm…”
“I thought as much!” Nyla interjected sharply. “You can’t manage it, can you? You’re not even with her, are you?”
Nyla’s voice grew tense with irritation. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of her. She’s not answering. Did you leave her to fend for herself?”
“Grandma…” Eric began, but Nyla cut him off.
“For four years, I’ve neglected her for your sake! Is it so hard for you to look after her just this once?” Her voice conveyed mounting stress. “I’m about to undergo surgery, and you’re leaving me worried?”
“Don’t worry. Everything will be alright.” Eric reassured her.
With no alternatives left, Eric conceded. “She headed out a bit ago. I’m going after her now, okay?”
“Excellent!” Nyla responded without hesitation. “Call me when you both get back.”
“Understood,” Eric replied, though his voice lacked enthusiasm.
After ending the call, he turned to Linda. “I need to leave.”
“Understandable,” Linda said, having heard the entire exchange. She nodded. “Your grandmother is just looking after your best interests. It’s best you go now. I’ll manage here.”
Linda then looked out the window and added, “This place is too remote. It’s not right for Hadley to be out there alone.”
“Both you and Grandma are so caring,” Eric remarked, standing up. “Okay, I’m off. Don’t overdo it and exhaust yourself.”
“I know. Get going.” Linda urged him.
“Alright.”
As Eric turned to leave, Linda’s demeanor shifted. Her face became solemn, and she averted her eyes, hiding her thoughts.
Eric exited the hospital room and dialed Hadley’s number.
This time, the call didn’t go to voicemail, but still, there was no response.
Despite his repeated attempts, she did not pick up.
“What is happening?” Eric muttered under his breath.
As he drove out of the hospital’s parking lot, he kept an eye out for her, suspecting that she hadn’t gotten very far. In this neighborhood, catching a taxi was notoriously difficult.
After some time, there was still no sign of her. Perhaps she had managed to find a ride back to Silver Villas. That seemed likely.
Increasing his speed, Eric made his way directly to Silver Villas.
“Hadley!” he called out as he entered the foyer.
The living room was shrouded in darkness, reminding him of the previous night. With those events in mind, he quickly moved toward the back of the house.
Tonight, however, the light in the bathroom was off. Could Hadley have already gone to bed? He might need to wake her. If not for Nyla’s insistence on a joint call, he might have refrained from disturbing her.
“Which room is she using?” he wondered aloud.
Uncertain, Eric proceeded to check each room, finding them all unoccupied. The guest rooms were untouched, the beds bare of fresh linens, showing no signs of recent use.
How could this be? Where exactly had Hadley been staying these past nights?
At the police station.
“Name?” the officer asked.
“Hadley Pearson.”
“Age?”
“24.”
“Home address?”
Hadley paused for a moment, then shook her head. “I don’t have one.”
The officer looked up, his eyebrow arched in surprise. “Are you implying you’re homeless?”
“Whatever fits,” Hadley replied with a slight nod.
“Ridiculous!” the officer exclaimed. “Give me a proper answer!” He studied her appearance, noticing she didn’t look like someone who had been living on the streets.
Exhaling deeply, Hadley remained firm. “Officer, I’m not lying. I don’t have a place to stay. That’s the truth.” The officer was momentarily speechless. He could sense the complexity of the situation.
Just then, another officer entered, escorting the biker. His injury had been attended to, and a bandage now wrapped around his head. He was directed to sit in a chair.
The biker shot a furious look at Hadley, then yelled, “Officer, this woman tried to murder me! I demand to press charges! I want her prosecuted!”
“Settle down!” the officer snapped. “Why are you shouting? Do you think this is your house?”
The officer then turned to Hadley. “Explain to us why you attacked him.”
Remaining calm, Hadley answered clearly, “He attempted to assault me. I was just defending myself.”
“Seriously?” The biker stood up abruptly, visibly angry. “Officer, look at her! She’s unharmed! Meanwhile, I have a serious head wound, and she’s acting like nothing’s wrong! How can that be? Who just carries a brick in their bag?”
“Sit down and be quiet!” the officer commanded, gesturing firmly at him. “We’ll sort this out.”
The officers considered the possibility of retrieving surveillance footage, but the area’s remoteness made it difficult. This wasn’t a main thoroughfare, and no cameras were present.
However, they discovered that the biker had a record of criminal activity and had been arrested previously.
One officer whispered, “Her story could very well be true.”
“We have no concrete proof, and he’s denying everything. What are our options?”
“Maybe they should consider settling this privately.”
“Settle this privately?” The biker vehemently disagreed. “No way! She split my head open! We can’t just let this slide!”
“Enough!” the officer interrupted, raising his voice.
With a forceful slam on the table, the officer replied, “Then pursue legal action. Remember, it will just be word against word in court. You have a criminal record, and you’ve been drinking. Think about whose story the judge will believe.”
Hesitation crept into the biker’s voice as he processed the officer’s words. Eventually, he relented and responded, “Alright, alright, let’s settle this privately then.”
He turned to Hadley, demanding, “She has to compensate!”
He held up five fingers, saying, “I want at least this much!”
“Five thousand?” The officer looked towards Hadley for her response.
“No,” Hadley replied firmly, shaking her head. “Not five thousand, not even five cents. I won’t pay anything.”
“Stubborn bitch!” The biker seethed with anger. “Not a cent? Well, prepare yourself for jail!”
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