Chapter 5

In the dark, slowly Abigail becomes aware. Her head is spinning and as

she moves the headache hits her hard. She sees white flashes of light as the

headache oscillates through her throbbing eyes. The nausea from the mix of

smells, sounds and this demon of a headache causes her stomach retch. As the

reflex causes her to forcefully vomit, the contents of her stomach is projected

past the gag in her mouth. She feels as the vomit shoots into her sinus cavity

and burns through her nostrils, spilling into her buttoned shirt and into her

bra. She is suddenly aware that she is gagged, tied up and blindfolded. Abigail

sobs in resignation as the darkness, mechanical sounds and her body's

withdrawal engulfs her.

Audrey's eyes move back and forth from the door to the hands of the

clock, in time with their ticking. Suddenly the door swings open and Officer

Evans and Officer McKenna enter. "Miss Lee, the charges have been dropped."

Josef said "We explained to the old man that it had been a misunderstanding."

Audrey stands impatiently, "So I'm free to go?" she asks. Josef walks over and

unlocks the handcuffs that were restraining Audrey. She massages her wrists and

follows him out of the room into the heart of the police station to the desk of

an obese no-nonsense looking police woman. "Other than the year you spent in

juvenile detention, you have a clean record Miss Lee. Keep it that way." says

the stern police woman. "Officer Hobs" Audrey reads on the officer's badge, "I

can't promise you that. I'll do whatever it takes to find my twin sister."

"Actually, I need to ask you some questions Miss Lee. We found evidence

of a struggle in the parking lot." Noah replies. "All information is critical

in situations like these if you are hoping to find your sister." Audrey opens

her mouth to protest, and she suddenly comprehends the officer's words. He's

going to help she thinks as she follows the officer back to the interrogation

room. There is hope. Her internal anxiety begins to uncoil ever so slightly,

like a python that has been basking in the sun.