Frantically, Gabriel touched the screen of his cellular phone as he commanded the Explorer, stomping on the accelerator and testing both the engine and traction of the sturdy vehicle against the road conditions. The small display monitor brightened at once as a menu appeared. He depressed an option that produced a photograph of Melissa. With fingers unsteadied by anxiety, he stroked her image. A ringing sound immediately began.
“Come on! Come on! Please pick up!” he pleaded impatiently as the car swerved briefly, veering toward the shoulder before he resumed control of the steering wheel.
After nearly a dozen rings, Melissa finally answered, her voice hushed, but still sweet and melodious.
“Hello?”
Relieved at the sound of her voice, Gabriel sighed. She was still alive. Eugene had not gotten to her, yet.
“Melissa! It’s me, Gabriel. You need to get out of the house, right now!” Gabriel ordered.
She was immediately alarmed by his urgency. She panicked.
“What’s going on Gabriel? You’re scaring me.”
“Listen to me, Melissa. Where are you? Are you home?”
“No, I’m with Daniella. She called and offered to take me out for brunch. We’re at the diner. Why?”
“I need you to meet me,” Gabriel said. “Can you do that?”
“Yeah, sure. I was going to call you when I got home anyway,” Melissa fumbled.
Gabriel struggled to focus on navigating his SUV along the winding roads of Harbingers Falls as the rain-doused streets and his mist-veiled eyes conspired to undermine him. When he managed to speak, his voice was thickened with emotion as his mind quickly recalled the events of the evening past.
“Look, I know you don’t want to see me right now, maybe never again. But,” he began.
His voice faltered. He took a deep breath to steady himself before continuing.
“There is something I need to tell you. It’s an emergency and I can only do it in person.”
“Gabriel, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about-”
Gabriel interrupted, expecting her to chastise him.
“I know, Melissa. An apology isn’t good enough given the circumstances. But listen you are in dang-”
The cellular reception began to break up. He could not be certain Melissa heard his warning; that she was in danger. He began panicking that the call had been lost, that Eugene would get to her before he did.
“Melissa, are you still there?” he asked, desperate and raising his voice.
The interruption in their call felt endless. Finally, the silence crackled and Melissa’s voice resounded out of the void.
“I’m here,” she assured him before continuing. “Look, my feelings for you have not changed. And last night was, well, intense, you know? But none of that matters. I know you. I know what kind of person you are. That’s all that matters.”
Momentarily relieved by her words, Gabriel breathed deeply and braced himself for what he had to tell her.
“Melissa, you are in danger,” Gabriel blurted out, his meager composure faltering.
“What?” Melissa asked incredulously.
“I was just on my way to your house. I need to turn around. Meet me in the back parking lot of the school, at the entryway to the trail. You remember the place, right?”
“Yes, of course. But Gabriel, what’s going on? You’re scaring me.”
“I’ll explain everything to you when I see you. Whatever you do, do not go home, Melissa. Promise me you won’t go home!” Gabriel pleaded as he turned the wheel sharply, directing the Explorer in to the shoulder.
His tires skidded along wet pavement as he took the turn too abruptly, narrowly avoiding a collision with oncoming traffic.
“Okay! Okay! I won’t go home!” Melissa agreed urgently.
“And tell Daniella not to go home. She isn’t safe either,” Gabriel revealed, his car now pointing in the direction that would take him to Harbingers High School. “Get to the entrance of the trail as soon as possible. Don’t stop off anywhere! Do you understand me?”
“Yes! Yes!” Melissa said her voice shrill with terror.
“I love you,” Gabriel whispered before ending the call with Melissa.