The patrol car had halted outside the motel." Ariana, wake up, let me take you inside." The officer stated as he unfurled the back door.
" Where are we?" Ariana, who had just taken a nap off at the back of the patrol car inquired with her voice hoarse and weak.
" We are at the motel and don't worry, I will settle the bills, but I want you to promise me that you will visit the hospital tomorrow morning, okay? " Ariana inquired.
" Okay," Ariana stated as she was still confused as the two made their steps slowly inside the motel reception area.
" Ariana, here take a seat. Let me settle the bills in the reception area. This will conserve some energy from your body. Okay, wait here, I will be back shortly." The patrol lady stated as she walked towards the reception area that was a few meters from where Ariana sat.
" Good evening, how may I help you?" A soft voice from a young lady at the reception table inquired as his smile was welcoming.
" I would like to book a room for one for a night?" The patrol lady inquired
" That will be five dollars for a night, and would you like to order something else for the night? " The receptionist inquired
" Could I have a meal sent to the room, please? " The patrol lady
" Yes, of course, and I would like you to fill this here and make the meal that you would like to come to your room here." The receptionist stated before she handed the tablet to the patrol lady, and she filled in some details before swiping her card from her wallet from her pocket.
" Give me a minute, will, I will call my assistant to show you your room." The receptionist stated before she dialed the telephone line the call buzzed before answered
" Maria, there is a guest that will be occupying room 214. Would you mind coming down to show the guests their room? " The receptionist stated before the other end responded before the call ended.
" Okay," Maria stated before ending the call.
" She will be down shortly, would you mind waiting there " The receptionist stated before the patrol lady resumed where Ariana was seated as she shivered from the cold,
" We are lucky that we found a vacant room." The patrol lady stated
" Thank .... Thank you so much... For ..." Ariana stammered with her trembling voice before she was cut short by a lady in uniform.
" Excuse me for interrupting you, I am Maria, and I was recommended to show you to your room," Maria stated.
" Okay, Maria, would you mind helping me outcarry her? " The patrol lady stated as she rose from the seat and helped Maria up.
" Sure, this way, ma'am," Maria stated as they branched to a separate hallway before making their way inside the elevator. The elevator dinged on the third floor, which was covered in complete silence.
" Here is your room," Maria stated as she unfurled the door to the room that was a few meters from the elevator.
" Thank you, Maria," The patrol lady stated as she made her way to the corner and helped Ariana take her seat.
"I hope that you enjoy your stay here," Maria stated before she made her way, leaving the two ladies inside.
" Here is a towel. You take a shower before the room service is back with your supper. I shall head my way and get you a few clothes from my apartment. " The patrol officer stated before she made her way out, leaving Ariana on the seat as she knodded her head.
Maria's heart pounded as she reached the door of her apartment, feeling a familiar sense of dread wash over her. She had been at the motel as she was trying to provide some stability for the stranger, Ariana. As she fumbled with her keys, her mind raced through the possible scenarios she might find inside. Jason, his spouse, had been drinking more and more lately, with his temper, which had become increasingly volatile.
The door creaked open, revealing the dimly lit interior of the small living room.I stepped inside, closing the door quietly behind her. I tiptoed toward the bedroom, hoping Jason was asleep and that she could grab a few clothes for Ariana without waking him up and as she entered the living room, the smell of alcohol hit her hard, and she saw Jason sprawled on the couch, an empty bottle of whiskey by his side with the table filled different empty bottles and cigarettes as his eyes fluttered open, and he glared at her with a mixture of confusion and anger.
"Maria! Where have you been? I call you more than 10 times and your line is busy?" he slurred, struggling to sit up.
"I was working? I just need to grab some clothes for Ariana." she replied softly, trying to keep her voice steady.
Jason's eyes narrowed as he tried to process her words.
"Who is Ariana?"
Maria's heart sank, as she said, attempting to sidestep the conversation. "I found the girl on the road and don't worry, I will be quick."
She made her way to the bedroom, her hands shaking as she grabbed a small suitcase and started packing. She could hear Jason muttering angrily in the other room, but she tried to block it out, focusing on getting what she needed for Ariana, who she took like a sister that she never had.
When Maria returned to the living room, her breath caught in her throat. Jason was no longer on the couch. Instead, he stood by the doorway, his eyes wild and bloodshot. And in his hand, he held a gun that she had placed on the table by the door.
"Jason, what are you doing?" Maria asked, her voice trembling as a cold sweat dripped down her backbone.
"You are leaving me, aren't you?" he snarled, raising the gun to point at her. "You think you can just walk out on me and leave me alone? " Jason inquired with a serious tone.
"No, Jason, I am not leaving you," she said desperately, trying to stay calm. "I'm just getting some clothes for her. Please, put the gun down."
"You are lying!" he shouted, his finger hovering over the trigger. "You have been planning this, haven't you? You've been planning to leave me!"
"Jason, please, listen to me," Maria pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears. "I love you. I'm not leaving you. Ariana needs the clothes, that's all. We can talk about this."
His hand shook, and for a moment, Maria thought he might lower the gun. But then his expression hardened again. "I don't believe you," he said through gritted teeth.
"Think about our daughter, Sophia," Maria begged, taking a small step forward. "She needs us both. She needs her father. Please, Jason, don't do this."
Jason's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but the gun remained pointed at her. "She won't need anyone if you are not here," he mumbled, almost to himself.
Maria's heart pounded in her chest. "Jason, you don't mean that. You are drunk. You are not thinking clearly. Please, put the gun down and let's talk. We can figure this out together."
For a moment, it seemed like he might listen. His grip on the gun loosened slightly, and his eyes softened. Maria took another cautious step forward, her hands outstretched in a gesture of peace.
But then, as if a switch had been flipped, Jason's face twisted with rage. "You think you can fool me?" You are not going anywhere! " Jason screamed on top of his voice. "
He pulled the trigger. The sound of the gunshot echoed through the apartment, a deafening roar that seemed to reverberate in Maria's ears. Pain exploded inside her, as she staggered backward, clutching at her abdomen. She fell to the floor, her vision blurring as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.
Jason stood over her, the gun still in his hand, his expression a mix of shock and horror. "Maria, Oh God, Maria, what have I done?" he whispered, dropping to his knees beside her.
Maria struggled to stay conscious, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "Jason, Call an ambulance. Please." Maria whispered, her voice barely audible.
He scrambled to his feet, his hands shaking so badly he could barely bring himself to dial the number. As he called for help, Maria fought to stay awake, her thoughts consumed by Sophia, her daughter. She could not leave her daughter, but destiny and fate could not let her be, and she lost her concounsiness.
"I am so sorry, Maria, I did not mean to. I did not mean to hurt you." he kept repeating before she noted that she was not waking up, and he stormed out of the apartment leaving Maria's blood.
" Mommy, mommy, where are you? " A soft voice from a small girl with a nightgown as she held a doll in her hands as she uttered as she strolled from the bedroom.