Lilly shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself. “Where can I hide? There are dangerous men chasing me.”
“What?” The receptionist asked, “Who is chasing you?”
Lilly shook her head and spoke to the confused woman, “There are dangerous men following me, where can I hide? Is there a phone I can use?”
The young woman nodded and flipped the lock on the office door. Guiding Lilly by the elbow, she led her through a heavy door, down a long hallway, and into an office. “Admiral Schleinker is out of town, you can hide in here and use his phone. Dial nine for an outside line.” As she stepped out of the office, she locked the door and went back to her desk, hoping she had not let a crazy girl into the Admirals office. She picked up the phone and alerted the security team to be on the lookout for suspicious characters running around the building.
In the Admiral’s office Lilly picked up the receiver, dialed nine and heard the dial tone. Holding the phone, she knew exactly who to call. The morning she ran into Tulane Hospital flashed in front of her eyes. It was the lowest point in her life. She had no one to call, not a friend or a relative she could ask for help. Nurse Trudy saw her crying and invited her to coffee. Lilly felt a pang of guilt. She hadn’t gone back to see Nurse Trudy to thank her for her three steps to freedom.
~
Jolene picked up the phone, “Panthea’s Pantry.” Tears welled in Lilly’s eyes. She couldn’t find her voice.
“Hello, is anyone there?” Jolene repeated several times.
Lilly fell to her knees. Her hands shook and she was having trouble catching her breath. Cradling the phone, she found her voice, “Jolene, it’s Lilly.”
“Thank the Goddess you’ve called. We have been worried. Where are you, ma chere? Are you okay?”
“I’m in Admiral Schlienker’s office in the big gray building on the corner of Canal and North Peters Street.”
“Stay there, I will get help! Do you know which floor you are on?”
“Uh, I don’t know, maybe the fifth floor?”
“Okay, Lilly, stay where you are.”
Hanging up the phone, Lilly released a sigh that turned into a huge yawn. She lay on the carpeted floor and closed her eyes. Her ordeal was over. The worst had happened and she had survived. The power in her tingling fingers had served her well. She had been doubtful when Jolene and Sabine told her to direct intention through her fingers. Today she had no choice, her fingers and hands had saved her. Emotionally drained and exhausted, she fell asleep on the floor of the Admiral’s office. The next thing she knew, James was shaking her shoulder, gently. She opened her eyes to see him standing over her, Jolene next to him and three military police standing close by.
“Are you ready to go?” James asked softly.
“Are Alex and his thugs still outside?” Lilly asked.
Jolene shook her head, “No, the military police escorted them out of the building and made sure they left the area.”
James helped her stand and put his arm around her as she began to shiver. The military policemen escorted them to the front door and made sure they got into their cab safely.
Sitting around the oak table in Jolene apartment, they drank tea in silence for a few minutes. “We started to worry when you didn’t return from your lunch break,” Sabine said in her gentle voice.
Jolene nodded in agreement as she stood, dampened a paper towel and began to blot the dried blood from Lilly’s face. You’ve had a bad scare, ma chere. Take some time to get body and soul back together. We can hear about your dangerous encounter when you are rested and grounded.”
Lilly nodded in agreement. She turned before she opened the kitchen door, “It was my tingling fingers that saved me. I am so grateful for your guidance. Using my own power to escape felt good. I don’t have to be Alex’s victim. Those days are in the past.” Lilly walked slowly up the winding stairs to her apartment, closed the door and flipped the lock. Within five minutes, she was soaking in a warm bubble bath.
~
The scent of coffee and warm croissant drifted up through the floor boards in Lilly’s bedroom. She stretched, inhaled the tempting scents of breakfast and readied herself to go downstairs.
She knocked on the door of Jolene’s kitchen and opened the door.
“Come in, come in, have a cup of coffee.” Jolene rose from her chair and put her arms around Lilly. James and Sabine smiled and invited her to join them at the table.
Lilly finished eating the last crumbs of her croissant. She sat staring at the empty saucer and sipping coffee. The elders waited until Lilly was ready to talk.
Sabine broke the silence, “How are you feeling this morning, Lilly?”
“Happy to be home. I had a close call yesterday.” She sipped her coffee and began relating the events of the previous day. As she told them about the hidden courtyard, Sabine looked pensive. How did you know about the hidden courtyard?”
“I went over and scoped out the Place D’Arms hotel right after I moved into Panthea’s. I thought it was a good idea to have an emergency place to hide if Alex showed up. It didn’t do much good. The thugs hid themselves in a doorway down the street and waited to see for me to would step out.”
Jolene’s eyebrows rose as she asked, “Did you remember to activate your protective egg before you left Panthea’s?”
Lilly’s face blanched, “No, I was in such a hurry to see Roland and hear the band, I went running out the door without a thought for my safety.”
Sabine’s mouth puckered, “I bet it will be the last time you forget your protection.”
Jolene spoke gently, “You could have come into Panthea’s. Our wards are strong, he would not have entered.”
“I didn’t want him to know where I live. I
