Survival by Rhonda Hopkins Read Free Book Online

her over. "Okay. We'll
get you some food soon. Just relax."
    "Where can I . . . ." Sarah indicated the
child in her arms.
    "Over here." He showed her into another
cell.
    Sarah laid Maggie down. "I really need to
clean her up a little bit. I don't suppose you'd have anything I
could put on her?" She brushed the hair away from the child's
face.
    "We raided the sheriff's office a little
earlier. We have tees and sweats. Even the women's small will
swallow her."
    "It'll do for now." She looked around. "I've
only been down here once before, but I seem to recall it has a
shower area. I can get some water to clean her up."
    He pulled her against him, just holding her
for a minute. "She can wait a while. She's sleeping and I have a
feeling when she wakes up, she's going to need to see a familiar
face." He pressed against her, leaned back and looked her up and
down. Pulling her back against him, he laughed. "Is that a
flashlight in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"
    Sarah snorted and pressed her hand against
his chest, pushing away from him. "You're a nut. But I am very happy to see you." She brushed her hand down his
sweatshirt. "I got your shirt all dirty though."
    Eric took her by the hand and led her to a
supply cabinet where he pulled out sweats for her and Dana as well
as a couple of towels. "You two look like you've been through hell.
So go get showered and changed. If you're up to it, rinse your
clothes while you're in the shower, so you'll have your own stuff
tomorrow. Or I'll do it a little later. We've had time to rest
some. When you're out, we'll see to your injuries and I'll get
Robert to make some sandwiches. "
    "Great! I'm starved." Sarah whirled around
to see Dex behind her.
    "Hey, Dex. This is Lieutenant Alvarez. Why
don't you hang with him a minute while we go grab showers, then you
can take one and we'll all eat then. Okay?"
    "Okay, but hurry. Don't be taking one of
those hour-long girl showers." He rolled his eyes.
    Laughing, she hurried back to her sister.
Her laughter ceased when she found Dana curled on the floor against
one of the corners of a cell. She rushed to her, taking her in her
arms. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
    Dana continued to sob, her words barely
understandable. "I k-killed him."
    Not understanding at first Sarah asked,
"Who? Who did you kill?" Then she knew. "You mean Ron? Back at that
building?"
    Dana nodded.
    "Oh, honey, you didn't kill him. I checked.
He was still alive when we left. I tried to finish him off, but
just couldn't." She pushed her sister back and looked into her
eyes. "You did not kill him."
    Dana gulped back sobs and rubbed her face.
"I'm sorry. After everything you've gone through—"
    "Hush. We've all been through terrible
things today. We've all had to do things we wish we hadn't and this
is just the beginning. I'm afraid there's a lot more we're going to
face than we ever thought possible." She hugged her and then pulled
her up, handing her a towel and sweats. "I've already had a couple
of meltdowns today. We're definitely entitled, but a hot shower is
going to make us both feel better."
    A short time later, clean and in comfy
sweats, Sarah did feel better. Sore, but better. She sat on a chair
facing Eric as he disinfected the cuts to her forehead and
cheek.
    "Ouch!" She jerked her head back.
    "Don't be a baby." Eric put some antibiotic
ointment on the cuts and then covered both with bandages. A few
other scrapes and scratches were taken care of before he ran his
finger along her cheekbone. "I'm afraid this one's gonna leave a
scar, but it won't be bad."
    She smiled, turning so her lips brushed his
palm. "Thanks for taking care of me."
    He drew her into his lap and against his
chest. "I'm so glad you thought to come here. We're planning to go
look for a few family members as soon as it's light out and you
were at the top of my list to find."
    She hugged him, grateful to have someone
care that much about her and to know her feelings were returned.
Only two dates,