Page 143 of Played
The officers exchange glances. The male one nods.
"Alright. One person. But stay out of the way."
Colleen doesn't wait. She shoves past them, stumbling into the room.
I lean sideways, peering through the doorway.
Colleen drops to her knees beside the mattress, arms wrapping around Claudia's skeletal frame. They clutch each other, both sobbing. Claudia's hair hangs in greasy tangles. Her clothes—sweatpants and a t-shirt—hang loose on her emaciated body.
My eyes drift to the metal shelving against the wall.
Three granola bars. Two protein shakes. Four water bottles.
That's it.
That's all that's left.
The stench hits me then—urine, sweat, something rancid I don't want to identify. I press my hand over my nose and mouth.
If Julian hadn't insisted on breaking into Daniel's apartment—
If we hadn't found that computer—
If we hadn't checked the cameras—
She would have died.
Alone. In the dark. Starving.
Her body would have rotted here, undiscovered until someone eventually bought the building and stumbled across her remains. Months from now.
My knees buckle. I grab the doorframe to steady myself.
“Ms. Singh?”
I blink. An officer appears beside me, hand on my shoulder.
"She could've died," I whisper.
"But she didn't."
“Because of you. You saved her."
He shakes his head. "We all saved her."
On the mattress, Claudia clings to Colleen like she'll disappear if she lets go. The paramedic tries to examine her, but she won't release her grip.
"I thought I was going to die," Claudia sobs. "I thought no one would find me."
"Shh. You're safe now. You're coming home."
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
They wheel Claudia out on a gurney, Colleen walking beside her, gripping her hand. The paramedics flank them. A police officer trails behind, speaking into his radio.
I stand frozen in the hallway until they disappear around the corner.
Then I run.
