"So, there were two men dressed alike? Different masks but the one you say got away was much younger? Asked Officer Hill
"Yes", said Azell tiredly.
"We will have to look at the video surveillance from the fuel store to match the suspects you described. I know you've been sitting in this abulance for a couple of hours now. Are you sure we can't give you a ride or take you to the hopsital Ms. Harris?" asked Officer Hill
"No. Carine offered me a ride earlier. No hospitals and IT WAS them! We both saw them. Ask the clerk!" Azell said agitated.
"We plan to. You'll have to come to the station to write a police report. Along with Mrs. Norris. But we'll call in a few days to check in and see how thing's are going. For now I'm taking off. Ya'll take care." Officer Hill said getting to his feet.
Azell watched him look over his notes and walk to his vehicle. Carine walked up cautiously to Azell.
"So, you're okay?" asked Carine timidly.
"Yeah. I'm hungry and my face hurts but that's all temporary. I'm just glad one of those idiots had a conscience or I could be worse off." replied Azell
"Look, I know I left you! I'm sorry but you also told me to go! I had to find help and I did!" blurted out Carine.
Azell looked up at Carine's worried face. Carine looked even older when she was stressed. Azell began to feel sorry for her. She must of been through so much more than she had believed.
"Carine. This. Is. Not. Your. Fault. It's not anyone's. I'm not mad at you. If anything I'm upset I couldn't fight back! expressed Azell
Carine looked at Azell's leg and up to her face before responding, "You are more brave than I. I was scared and I'm ashamed to admit I could not of done the same for you as you did for me today."
Azell felt she wanted to run far away from everyone and lock the door and bolt and never come out again.
"Carine, where's your husband? I haven't seen him?" asked Azell
Looking down Carine replied, "I, uh told him I wanted to see a movie so he wouldn't find out about today."
Dumbfounded Azell stared at Carine.
"Why in the hell shouldn't your husband come here and know what happened? Are you serious right now?" yelled Azell
Carine took a deep breath and smiled taking Azell aback.
"Let us forget about why I told him a lie. I'll get you an Uber and money for take out as a thank you for today. I'll even take you shopping." said Carine excitedly
Azell stood up and looked at Carine hard before saying, "I don't know what you've been through all these years. I don't know your husband either. But if you cannot even call him after what happened today then you need to leave him or you really are the most stupid woman I've met! For you to smile and offer me a gift right now is not needed. I'll find my own ride home. Please do the same."
Carine's face changed as if in pain. Tears welled up in her eyes as she angrily replied back, "You don't know me so stop acting like you do! I thought we could reconnect and be friends after today but I see thats not going to happen. Im going!" She turned on heel and walked briskly away from Azell. Azell felt the need to call Carine back but she couldn't make herself do it. They'll both be okay Azell told herself. She just needed to get home.
Azell took out her phone and pressed the Uber app icon. She did need a ride since Carine's husband was a no-go. Azell then walked to Liz's Carnation Boutique to wait since they had a small outside picnic table to rest on. Every step she took there were two pains radiating off her body. Pain wise both were equal at the moment. Both were swollen. She did need to ice her leg and ankle the most. Her face would heal on its own in time. Azell squinted at her phone to check what car would be driving up again. Driver's name was Nathaniel Pois. As soon as she sat down a black Chevy Equinox drove up.
"That was faster than the app said." murmured Azell to herself.
Sighing Azell lifted her heavy body back up and opened the back door. 'Not riding passenger today. I need to avoid questions and stretch out'. Azell said in her mind.
As soon as her butt hit the seat the driver demanded, "Hurry up and tell me where it is you're going." Azell's anger boiled as she replied, "I just sat down! I've had a bad day! A very bad day! What gives you the right to talk to the people who pay you this way? You know what? I'm not putting up with this shit!"
Grabbing her few items Azell opened the car door again. But as she did the driver called out to her.
"Hey! Stop! I'm sorry. Please close the door. I've had a bad day, too. Please understand nothing bad was meant in what I said."
Too frustrated she slammed the car door closed and leaned back into the seat. Azell felt raw with emotions and she put her hand over her eyes and wept.
Nathaniel put the car in drive and looked at Azell through the rearview mirror. Not saying anything he drove up to McDonald's three blocks up. Azell didnt even notice where they were until she heard the intercom at the drive-thru.
"What are you doing? I have to pay you! You're supposed to take me home." said Azell hiccuping through tears.
Nathaniel sighed and said into the intercom his order while Azell looked at him angrily from the back seat.
"Did you not hear me? Asshole! I'm not paying you for this time!" cried Azell
Nathaniel looked into his mirror at her once more before sarcastically replying, "Well if looks could kill I would be dead! For sure! Look, it seems you had a worse off day than I did apparently. You look like shit honestly. I'm not sugar coating it. Coming here is my treat and so is this ride. Oh and by the way, you never told me your address anyhow."
Azell had fresh new tears brewing. She was dead tired. Sighing she closed her eyes for a moment. Nathaniel was staring at her. Something about his eyes seemed familiar.
The line moved forward to the payment window to getting the food. Nathaniel handed her the warm bag of food and a coke. He never looked at her directly while doing so.
Azell peeked into the bag. A Big Mac and a medium fry. Hunger took over and Azell ate in silence and thought about Nate and the day's events.
"You know I still need an address right? And perhaps a thank you would be nice." Nathaniel said
Startled Azell looked back into the rearview mirror at his eyes. She immediately realized who he was.
"It's 804 Marjorie st and uh thank you so much." said Azell.
Azell kept her eyes on the mirror while reaching for her phone. She went back into the Uber app and smiled.
"You know Nate, you don't have to hide who you are. I didn't tell the police a very good description of you or give your name out." said Azell
The car braked hard causing Azell to hit the head piece of the passenger seat. Turning fully around Nate stared at Azell.
Confusion and fear struck Azell as she held her head.
"Get out!" yelled Nate
"But why? Because it's you? Nate, I'm sorry!" cried Azell.
Nate took in her appearance and Azell could see he honestly felt sorry for her. She felt sorry for her stupid self, too. He turned sighing loudly and slapped the wheel twice.
The dead silence afterward became awkward as neither one said a word. Finally, Nate took off again. This time never looking into the rearview mirror. Just straight ahead. Azell sat feeling like a child who just got reprimanded by her parents.
Was he even taking her home? she worried.
'I don't even have the guts to ask him", thought Azell helplessly.
No music. No talking. Just the sound of the a.c hum and other cars passing.
Finally fifteen minutes later Nate stopped the car in front of Azell's two bedroom apartment.
Nate turned around to face Azell. Her breath caught and she stared at him. He was so gorgeous.
"The ride has ended." Nate said emotionless