Chapter 19

Tracy searched for Lora and Denise. She was at her wit's end. Neither would answer the phone. She was now at a police station putting in a report that she couldn't find her friends. She felt foolish.

"Tracy, are you sure you want to do this? Carlos asked. Let's just see if they can ping the girls' phones. We will know where they are then."

"Yes, we will do it your way. I don't want to be labeled a crazy person."

The officer took their report and then pinged their phones. Lora's phone showed that she was in Queen Elizabeth's Hospital in Bridgetown. Denise's phone was in airplane mode. They thanked the officer and headed to the hospital.

"Okay, We know where Lora is and will be with her soon. Denise is maybe flying back to Georgia? We will give it another few hours and if she doesn't call us, we will call her folks." Carlos suggested.

They made it to the hospital and asked for Lora. "She has been released."

"Really? We just found out that she was here." Tracy stated.

"Right, she was here last this morning but she left once she was seen."

"Thanks," Carlos said. "Let's get to Ralph's house. She must be there now."

When they got to Ralph's house, Lora was there. The door was open and she was sitting in the middle of the foyer. "Oh. Hi."

"Oh. Hi?" Tracy repeated. "I have been trying to reach you for days! I have been so scared. Are you okay?"

"I am sorry I didn't call you. I was detained. I couldn't get to my phone and I am sorry." A tear escaped Lora's eye.

"What happened?" Carlos asked as he pulled Tracy down to the floor to sit next to him. He knew he could keep her calm and talk to Lora at the same time. "Lora, we are here for you."

"I don't know who is here for me. I just spent days being tortured, raped, and abused by so many people, I don't know who has touched me." Lora began to cry hard.

Tracy wanted to hug her but was afraid to touch her because of what she said. Tears were flowing down her face. Lora looked Tracy in the eyes, sat up, and fell into her best friend's arms. They cried and cried until they had no more tears. Finally, They calmed down.

"So what are you going to do?" Tracy asked.

"Well, I can't leave to go home yet. I pressed charges and I want to see them through. At least Denise doesn't have to come back to deal with this. She went home yesterday. That's why you couldn't reach her, yesterday and today. I don't know where she was before that. I just know that we should be able to reach her in a little while. At least, she will reach out to you. She hates me now."

"She doesn't hate you. She is hurting just like you. Give her time." Tracy said.

"I know. I need to be alone now, please. I am not prepared for...this. I will be alright." Lora got up and pulled Tracy up as well. She gave her a hug and gave Carlos a hug.

"Are you sure?" Carlos asked.

"Yes. I am sure. I need to rest. I will stay in touch with you."

"Okay. I love you, my friend." Tracy and Carlos left. Lora went into the chateau and made sure everything was ready since Ralph was on his way back.