Free Remember Me by Priscilla Poole Rainwater Page B

about, some things we need to tell you. If you would just allow us to talk to you somewhere else, somewhere where you’re more comfortable, it would make things easier on all of us. It can be anywhere you like, any place you feel safe. We just want to help you, I promise.”

Feeling a sudden, sharp pain wash from the bridge of her nose to the back of her head, her mind screamed, Don’t trust them! Brett is the only one I can trust! Shaking her head violently and refusing to listen, she slowly backed away, stammering, “I….I don’t know what you’re talking about, my…name isn‘t Cassandra, it‘s Karen. Just leave me alone.”

Seeing the look of terror and confusion on her face, Granger’s heart nearly broke. Forgive me for ever believing you just walked away… he thought. Looking around quickly, he noticed several neighbors watching them with obvious interest. “Cassandra come with me.” he said in a calm, soothing voice. “ We can’t talk like this, not for everyone to see and hear.”

Stepping closer towards his wife, he felt Joy’s hand grip his arm, but he pulled free and held his arms out in a pleading gesture.

Suddenly she turned and bolted, screaming at the top of her lungs.

The scream alerted several teenage boys on a basketball court across the street, and they immediately stopped playing. Turning around to look, their faces became grim. Theirs was a close-knit neighborhood where most people looked out for one another. Dropping the ball, they charged towards Granger’s group to protect their frightened neighbor.

As Granger took off after his terrified wife, several of the young men blocked his way.

“Hey man, leave her alone!” a tall white teenager shouted, while a young black male tried to shove him back.

Fueled by fear and adrenaline, Cassandra’s legs propelled her tirelessly, knowing there was a police station not far from her present location. Darting out into the street, she whimpered Brett’s name, and silently prayed she could get away.

Trying to force his way past the group of at least twelve young men blocking his way, Granger heard the shouts of Raidon and Malcolm, who were rushing to his aid.

When they arrived, Malcolm’s voice boomed amidst the confusion, testosterone, and adrenalin. “Let him past, it’s not what you think! We’re trying to help her, not hurt her !” he said as the three of them finally managed to plow their way through the young men like three angry bulls.

“Somebody call the police!” the tall young black male screamed.

Seeing his wife running helter skelter into the street, Granger‘s eyes grew wide. Sprinting for all he was worth, he screamed, “Cassandra stop! Look out!”

Glancing over her shoulder fearfully, she screamed as she saw the stranger bearing down on her, and never saw the car coming. In the blink of an eye she felt her body flying through the air, then felt the hard impact of the pavement as she landed, the wind knocked out of her. Then darkness.
    ********************************************************
    Horrified, Granger felt as if his heart had been ripped from his breast. “Oh no, no, please God, this can’t be happening!” he wailed as he stumbled towards his wife’s crumpled body.
    “Call 911!” a panicked voice rang out nearby.

“He caused that poor child to get hurt!” shouted an older woman who had been watching the entire fiasco from her porch stoop.

“Why were they chasing that girl like that?” an older black man demanded angrily, waving his cane at Granger, Malcolm, and Raidon in turn.

“I couldn’t stop in time! She ran out in front of me!” the elderly driver of the vehicle cried as she stepped out of her car, visibly shaken and beginning to cry.

Fearing the old woman would have a heart attack, Raidon stepped forward quickly and supported her, assuring her it wasn’t her fault.

“Please, don’t let her die!” the woman wailed as sobs wracked her thin, frail body.