Evie clicked off the television and gasped. “Poisonous! Oh my gracious God, please protect her—”
Before she could say another word, her cell phone rang. “Her Caller ID displayed GW Hospital.
“Hello?”
“Evie. It’s VD.”
“VD! Did you hear what happened to Poisonous?”
“I’m at the hospital with her now. Please hurry and come here. I need your help.”
* * *
Dan sat at his desk, and played back the newscast streaming on his cell phone. “My God,” he said, aghast at how brutally she was raped. “Even for someone as evil as she is, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.” For a brief moment, he felt remorse for victims of rape, even her, the perp they had been chasing all along.
Dialing her number on the office phone, he waited for Barb Haywood to answer.
“Haywood.”
“Barb. Did you see the news about our perp being raped? It was grisly. That monster must have been almost two feet taller than her, and seemed to possess superhuman strength.”
“Knowing what we do about her, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were done by people—or spirits—like her. I had just gotten a message from Herb Chambers—one of my best Sergeants—that she wanted to have a meeting with you, Dwight Ordman and I. I have a feeling that meeting won’t be able to happen soon.”
“Well, I’d let her recover, but after that, we’d better follow up, and make sure we have that meeting.”
Nineteen
Evie’s heart pounded and her whole body shook, traumatized by the recent news account of Poisonous’ rape. “Is Poisonous all right?”
VD trembled as she held the phone in her hand. She stood next to the bed where Poisonous laid, eyes sadly tearing over with pain and compassion. She answered, “Yes. She was raped. I called 9-1-1 from a pay phone as soon as I could. I’m right here at her side at the hospital. I saw the whole thing…” Silence followed for a few moments. “Evie, it was awful,” she choked out.
“I can only imagine. Are you all right?”
“I’m shaking. Seeing her lying there, beaten…bleeding...” Sobs followed on the other end of the line.
“Be strong for her, VD. She needs you right now. We are the only friends she has in this world, and she’s in trouble. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
She took down the room number, ran out her door, drove as fast as she could through DC traffic arrived at GW Hospital fifteen minutes later.
“I’m here to visit Perri Loliyekar. I’m her roommate.”
The receptionist looked up at her apologetically. “I’m sorry ma’am. She can only be seen by family members.”
“But ma’am, she has no family. She’s an orphan. I’m her only family. Isn’t there any way you could make an exception in this case?”
The receptionist said nothing for a few moments, then, “All right. I’ll let you go up; but you can only stay for thirty minutes. You understand?”
“I understand. That’s perfectly fine.”
She ran down the hall until she found the elevator. She took it to the seventh floor, and followed the signs to room 703. She peered in the door. VD sat next to Poisonous, who was under covers, and by the looks of it, strong sedation as well.
“Evie!” VD ran up to her and hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re here. I need a friend to help me. I don’t know what to say to her, and I’d pray for her, but I’m no good at that either.”
“It’s okay, honey. I’ll pray for her and you.”
“Thank you. You’re such a wonderful person.”
For a brief moment, she stood there in awe of what a big heart VD had. Trying to understand how the Father did things always proved futile. She just marveled and took her by the hand. She walked to Poisonous’ bed with VD in tow, and prayed for them both. Her heart ached as she looked at her misguided roommate. “She was so intent on being evil, and now it’s caught up to her. I just hope she gets a chance to be indwelled by the Light before something awful happens to her, like being killed by a spirit of murder.”
“Me too,” agreed VD. “We both know all too well what awaits us, and I dread it.”
“I don’t know about that. I have a feeling big changes are in store for both of you.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Let’s just say I have a very strong feeling about it.”
* * *
The pain in her midsection had subsided. She still winced whenever she changed position, but the painkillers numbed most of the pain. Although thoughts of that fateful day still haunted her, she found comfort in knowing that VD had called the EMT crew when she did, or she might have died from bleeding. If the body you inhabit dies, the spirit inside it faces its final judgment. For her that was Hell. She grudgingly admitted that VD was truly a friend.
The numbers on the clock read 8:28 pm. Poisonous tapped her fingers on the nightstand beside her. The familiar scent of the spirit filled the room again; for the fourth time this week.
‘Hi, VD. How are you?” She found herself smiling warmly.
“Poisonous? Do you care about me?”
She sighed. “Yes, VD. Of course I do.”
VD brightened a little. “You and I know each other for a long time, haven’t we?”
She didn’t say anything for a while. She just stared at VD with a blank stare, and finally said, “Yes, we have.”
“After all this, don’t you consider us friends, Poisonous?”
“You know what,
