“I want to take you to a hospital, but that’s not a good idea right now. Those men are angry. I just killed a few of them. If they didn’t view us as a threat before, they certainly do now. They’ll be on the lookout for us at every hospital and checkpoint…. you understand right? They’re powerful, and we have to be careful.”
Despite the gravity of my words, all Audra can do is nod in reply.
“Come on, I’ll help you out.”
I open the door and walk out of the car before heading to her side. She’s pale from the blood loss and grief. I really wish she was her strong, bubbly self right now.
“Audra, why did you come to Mexico? Why Mexico?” I ask as we walk, looking for a motel or a shelter that doesn’t seem conspicuous. I’m trying to distract her.
She starts replying slowly and quietly.
“Because I’ve always wanted to come to Mexico. I haven’t had a break from work in 10 years. I’m using all my accumulated vacation days right now. Mexico just seemed like the best option. Great food, beaches; I thought I could have enough fun alone.”
“Why alone, though? No boyfriend or husband that could come with you?”
“Nope,” she says, shaking her head. “I haven’t dated anyone in a few years. You?” she questions.
“Same,” I reply. “Too busy with work.”
She nods like she understands, which she probably does.
“How old are you?” I ask her.
She smiles sadly.
“I know you’re just trying to distract me…but I’m not telling you my age.”
“Fine. I’ll tell you mine.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“I’m 40,” I say regardless.
She looks me up and down with a smile.
“You don’t look 40,” she states.
“I get that a lot.”
“Jerk,” she says almost fondly before looking away. Her smile immediately returns to a frown.
So much for distracting her.
At least I can see a motel up ahead. It looks low-key and quaint, which is exactly what we need.
We walk in, and fortunately for us, the man at the front desk speaks English. He also doesn’t even blink at the blood leaking from the cloth wrapped around Audra’s arm. I try and explain the situation to him without really giving anything away. I’m also trying to gauge if he can be trusted.
I tell him we’re tourists who were kidnapped. Audra’s my wife. She got sliced by a knife while we escaped, but it’s not a big cut, and she’ll be okay. We just need a place to lie low for a few days.
He appears sympathetic, but when it comes to our lack of money, the man protests. I tell him that I’ll make sure to pay him double as soon as we can get in contact with our friends. Only when I mention paying double are we given a room key. I thank him before helping Audra up the stairs to our room. The motel isn’t great, but the man seems trustworthy, and it’s the perfect place for us to regroup and recover.
“I’ll go get you some medicine, and we’ll get you cleaned up,” I say softly to Audra.
I’m not sure if going out right now is a good idea, but she really needs medicine. I’ll probably ask the man at the counter for a cap and some glasses, so I’m not easily recognizable. Considering the fact that the terrorists had the means to run facial recognition on us, I’m guessing finding us will be that much easier.
Audra’s already burrowed into the blankets, ready to drift off to sleep. She grabs my hand to stop me in place before I leave.
“I know someone who can help us,” she mumbles.
