I just had reached the Chicana motel when my phone rang. I picked it up and did not recognize the number at all.

“Hello? Alice Pieszecki here. Who is talking?”. At first I could only make out someone crying.”

“Alice, it´s Lara. Help me please.”

I was shocked at first to hear her talking but caught myself again. “Lara? Where are you?” I was seriously worried about her.

“At the Ginger Inn. Please help me. Please…” the line went dead. Did she just say THE GINGER INN? I was there not even 10 minutes ago. I rushed to my car and drove as fast as I could back to the hotel. Not knowing where else to find her I ran into the managers office. I was relieved when I saw her sitting there . At first I thought she was okay but she was badly bruised. What did Ruth did to her? Another thing was that there were handcuffs on her wrists and her wrists were scratched. I was so mad at Ruth and wanted to kill her that moment. But it all went away when I hugged Lara. It felt so good to have her back just holding her in my arms. We thanked the manager and drove back to my apartment. I called the others and told them that I had found her and that it would be best if she would stay with me for a while. I did not tell them anything about her condition. Which was bad, on the outside and the inside, as far as I could tell. Thanks to the police she got the handcuffs off really quickly, and they went out to find Ruth and arrest her for kidnapping Lara.

Alice´s apartment 12:35 am

I lay down on Alice’s bed, but did not fell asleep. The only thing I could do right now was cry. Alice lay down behind me and held me in her arms and simply let me cry. It felt so good to be in her arms. Just wonderful, just right. Soon I fell asleep while she held me in her arms.

It felt good. It felt right. Watching Lara sleeping in my arms was just….right. I don´t know why and I don´t know when I said it but I just said it because it felt right. Whispering into her ear I said “I love you, Lara.” and kissed her on her cheek before I fell asleep myself.

Lara smiled in her sleep after Alice told her she loved her. She held Alice´s hand all night long.

Next Morning Alice’s apartment

Alice lay there holding her in her arms and smiled at Lara. Lara stirred and smiled back.

“Morning, Lara. Feeling any better this morning?” Alice asked.

Lara stood up suddenly and tried to run out of the bedroom. Alice caught her and held her as she started to cry.

“Lara, it´s okay. It´s okay, stay as long as you want to. I am here, I am here.” Alice let Lara cry on her shoulder. When she stopped crying, Alice got up to make coffee and brought Lara a cup of it. Drinking it Lara sat on the couch looking around Alice´s apartment.

“Nice place.”

Alice smiled at the compliment. “Thanks. Lara, I think we need to talk.” Lara looked at Alice and shook her head. “I don´t want to talk. I need to leave. Need to see the police. Thanks for everything Alice, but I need to leave. I am sorry. I will call you or stop by after I have been to the police.” While saying this Lara walked out of the apartment leaving Alice once again alone.