"What the hell is going on over there?" Nicole stuck her head out of the window and looked at the sea of cars in front of them.
"I don't know. It seems there's been some kind of accident on the way. This road isn't supposed to be that chocked up. It's usually free off traffic." Abby replied as she hit on the horn.
"Oh shit! I can't believe this is happening. How long do you think this will take?"
"Half an hour tops; maybe" Abby sighed.
"I don't have that time; I got to be at Maggie's in about ten"
"Well how? I really would love it if this car could transform to a year 3000 mini flying machine."
"What are we going to do then? I got to get to the house first, before..." she stopped.
Abby looked curiously at her but said nothing. Though Abby expected to hear more of what Nicole wanted to say. Nicole sighed and looked back at Abby.
Shit!
Nicole felt a tinge of shame. Screw it! "Alright listen;" She shifted in her seat and faced Abby. "The man that attacked me this morning was looking for something in that house which could be hidden in the cellar. I don't know what the hell it is but I think it's something valuable Maggie had been keeping. I have the feeling, that guy might get to the house again and steal it. That's why I need to get to the house as fast as possible before he does." Nicole said the words as if she was running a Code Unit in the hospital
Abby just starred at her. It's not that she didn't get what Nicole had said, but she's shocked by the fact that she's been used.
"You lied to me! You told me you were sick of people looking pitifully at you and must getaway before you go crazy. You used me."
"Abby; I..."
"Save it. Gosh! How can I be so stupid" Abby ran her fingers through her short hair.
"Look; I'm sorry you know this just now but I needed help and I don't know what to do. I called you because I think you are the only one that can help me out on this."
"No! You called me because you think I'm the most stupid person in the whole hospital that could be fooled easily. Oh! I can't believe this!" Abby blurted angrily; and to Nicole's surprise, she pushed the car door open and stepped out.
"What are you doing? Abby; where are you going? Get back into the car; Abby!" Nicole yelled but Abby paid no attention. She just walked away.
"ABBY!" she screamed
It was all hopeless. Nicole watched Abby disappeared into the sea of pedestrians. And the tears came again. She leaned back in her seat and thought how hopeless life could be. She would never going to get to Maggie's and the thought of the thief getting into the house before her was tormenting.
The traffic was getting worse than before and Abby's disappearance did little harm as the vehicles were still not moving. The worst part of it was, Nicole doesn't have a plan B because she doesn’t expect things to get that complicated.
Five minutes gone, Abby didn't show up. Nicole was stuck in the car and couldn't get out because of her knee. She couldn't use a cab as dozens were also stuck in the traffic as well. If not for her knee, she thought, she could’ve gotten out of the car and jogged the remaining distance to Maggie's. But now, her incapability is eating the shit out of her.
I should call the cops. Yes, I should call the cops.
She had wanted to get her cell phone out but remembered she had left the whole bag at Maggie's when she ran out of the house for her life. She buried her face in her palms and sobbed.
Suddenly, a black bike zoomed to a halt on the curb abreast Abby's car. Nicole hardly noticed it. The biker wore familiar clothing except for the helmet and the boots. The biker pressed the horn several times; Nicole looked up angrily to see who the hell was about blowing up her eardrums. Then the biker took off the helmet; Nicole froze at who she saw: Abby.
"How long can you hold on with your knee on a bike?"
Nicole looked amazed; comforting waves of relief and guilt filled her soul.
"Not too long but I can manage."
"So what are you waiting for? Hop up before I change my mind."
Nicole almost forgot she had a bad knee; she opened the door and limped between cars to reach the bike. It was painful though, but she did manage.
"Hold on tight" Abby said.
Nicole squeezed Abby tighter when they took off. The speed at which Abby was going was frightening and she gritted her teeth to hold on to Abby and the pain that struck in her knee.
"Where did you get the bike?" Nicole asked
"Borrowed it; gave the guy fifty bucks" Abbey replied.
"And your car?"
"It'll be towed; but I'll go get it later. And will you please stop talking? I need to concentrate on this bitch."
"Ok."
Nicole held on, braced herself and said a little prayer. A horrible thought flashed in her mind over an outcome of a possible bike accident. if that happens, she's sure of been ripped off apart from head to the toe nail. God forbid!