Free Chasing Luck by Brinda Berry

trying to hide, because you’re doing a helluva job."
    "No, I'm playing tag for my health," she rasps and tries to get up. "I stepped in a hole and twisted my ankle. It happened when you got here."
    "Here, put your arm on my shoulders," I say, pulling her up and grabbing hold of her waist. "I've lost my walkie, flashlight, map, everything except my phone."
    "I know these woods. I can get us back to the house." She holds on with one arm and lets me support her weight. "Let's go."
    We move stealthily, making sure to stay hidden in the brush and avoid the wide-open fields. Once while walking, I put my fingers at my collarbone and the sticky substance. Malerie sees the movement and grimaces. Having the advantage of a slight height difference, I can see her guilt, and I smile.
    "Maybe when we get back to the house, you can nurse me back to health," I whisper.
    Malerie's nose wrinkles as she says with saccharin sweetness, "My nurse will be happy to give you a sponge bath."
    Billy had mentioned that the nurse was an able-bodied elderly woman who was retired from full-time nursing, but had agreed to work for them since she'd known Malerie for many years. I pretend I don't know this. "It will probably take both of you. I'm feeling a little woozy from blood loss and I'll be exhausted by the time I lug your butt to the house." I lend a pitiful note to my voice.
    Malerie narrows her eyes.
    We enter the area that stops being woods and transforms into lawn. There's a body lying sprawled on the driveway near the fountain. The man wears slacks and a light colored sweater.
    Billy.
    Malerie releases herself from me and runs toward the body. Frantically rolling him over, she begins pulling his body up to her chest and chants. I can't make out at her words at first.
    "Don't leave me. Don't leave me. Don't leave me. Don't…"
    "Malerie, move back." I nudge her to the side and place two finger on Billy's throat. His pulse butterflies against my fingertips.
    "Call 911." I hand my cell phone to her. "I think he's had a heart attack."
    Malerie gives directions to the 911 operator on the phone. I begin CPR. My gaze is drawn to a porch light shining on the front door. Bullet holes splinter the wood around the lion’s head doorknocker.
    She had a right to be afraid.

10

Malerie
    “ T emptation is a fool waiting for permission.” ~Jelly Bean Queen

    A ce drives us to the hospital. The emergency room is packed with people and I resist clawing at the collar of my shirt.
    His eyes are on me the entire time. He thinks I’m a freak. Of course, what else can he think? I’m sweaty and as jumpy as a hip-hop dancer resisting an Usher tune.
    My mind wanders back to the two bullet holes through the front door of the house and the wrecked foyer. The entry table lies upended.
    I wouldn’t know if anything is missing. But I know it’s not a burglary. Someone wants to kill me. If it’s not the terrorist-of-the-week, it’s a hitman. Get in line, buddy.
    “Miss Toombs?” The police officer wears his game face. No smiling. No shaking hands. No sympathy.
    “Yes.”
    “I’m Officer Smithy. Let’s step outside where I can ask you a few questions,” he says.
    We obediently follow the officer to the outside of the hospital where he folds his arms and doesn’t say a word.
    “Do we need to file a report?” Ace asks.
    The officer nods and stares at Ace. He coughs with a stalling engine sound. Finally, he answers. “Since Miss Toombs is the resident at the scene of the break-in, she does need to file a report.”
    “Sure.” I’m shaky and tired and worried about Billy, but I guess that doesn’t matter. I answer a series of questions that make me feel oddly like I’ve done something wrong.
    “That’s all I need for now,” Officer Smithy says to me. “Mr. Sloan. Let’s go through this one more time. The blood on your shirt. How did that happen?”
    “Tree branch clipped me on the neck,” Ace answers with what I assume is his poker face.
    I resist