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NOLA KNOX
Monday, June 22, 2020
Maggie’s eyes flicked back and forth between the syringes and just past Nola’s shoulder in search of an escape route.
“Sorry, Maggie,” Nola said, fingering the syringes in her hand. “We need to finish our chat,” she said as if they were sitting down for tea, “and I’m afraid we might not be done before the baby comes. But first of all I need your gun.” Nola slipped one of the needles into her pocket.
“I’m not giving you my gun, Nola,” Maggie said through clenched teeth as another contraction overtook her. In that second, Nola was on Maggie, the point of the larger needle pressing against her neck.
As Nola unsnapped the gun from its holster Maggie reached for it at the same time. They wrestled for it, their fingers clawing at the cold metal. It fell to the ground with a clatter along with the syringe. Maggie knew she was no match for Nola’s speed and strength and kicked out at the revolver, sending it skittering across the cave floor and down into a deep crevice filled with water.
A shiny layer of sweat gleamed across Maggie’s face and her breath came in desperate hitches. “I don’t understand what’s happening.” Maggie planted one hand against the cave wall. “I did what you asked me to. Why would I double-cross you? You hold all the cards, Nola. You can trust me,” Maggie said through gritted teeth.
“I don’t think so,” Nola said regretfully. “You know all my secrets now.”
“And you know all mine,” Maggie gasped. “I need to get to a hospital,” she whimpered. “I can’t have my baby here.”
“Well, you really aren’t in a position to make any demands now, are you?” Nola snapped as she slipped on a pair of latex gloves over her fingers.
A contraction overtook Maggie and she pressed her palms against the coarse wall of the cave with a low guttural moan.
“Five minutes apart now,” Nola said looking at her watch. When the spasm passed, Maggie lowered herself to her knees as if in prayer and pressed her forehead against the limestone.
“Do you want me to turn myself in for killing Eve? I will. I’ll do it. I’ll do it right now. But please, you have to get me to the hospital.”
Nola sighed as if dealing with an annoying petulant child. “I still want Nick to take the blame for this. I will take great joy watching him being taken into custody. Now if only I could count on you to keep your mouth shut.” Nola shook her head.
“I won’t tell,” Maggie cried. “I promise. Please,” she begged. “Please, call for help.” Maggie felt a rush of liquid and then blood bloomed between her legs. “Oh, God! Please, Nola, something’s wrong. Call 911.”
“Lie down, Maggie,” Nola ordered. “The baby is coming.”
“No, no,” Maggie shouted, shaking her head from side to side. “Someone help! Please, help me!” Tears streamed down her face and she struggled to catch her breath.
Nola was a little bit afraid of this. Maggie going into full panic mode. Nola wasn’t worried that someone was going to hear her.
“Shhh, now,” Nola said pulling a scalpel from her backpack. “Lie down and I’ll take care of you.” she cooed.
“Please don’t let my baby die,” Maggie beseeched. “Please, Nola, please.” She reached up and grabbed a fistful of Nola’s shirt. Her eyes were wide and haunted. “Eve wouldn’t want this. She wouldn’t want you to do this.”
Using her free hand, the one not holding the scalpel, Nola smoothed Maggie’s hair, slick with sweat, away from her face. “You have no idea what Eve would have wanted. You killed my sister and I’m afraid you’re going to have to pay for what you’ve done.”
