Chosen Read Online Free Page B

eternity.
    While he experienced the sensation of being threaded through the eye of a needle, Mariah was going through her own gyrations: muscles tense, knees and elbows locked, teeth bared. She convulsed from what seemed like invisible blows, jerking from unseen punches, grunting from air expelled violently from her lungs. Her head whipped from side to side with each convulsive movement and a low growl escaped her lips. Michael wondered if she was in pain. He was not; all he felt was tremendous pressure.
    And then it was over. His organs no longer felt like they were being siphoned out of him. Heat suffused his body and he slumped, weak from the sudden release of tension. Sounds from a nearby office receded. The noise from the traffic in the street was no more than a muffled rumble cocooned in velvet. While floating in this tranquil semi-trance, Michael observed Mariah through half-slit eyes.
    The minute he descended into this current state, she relaxed. Her grip on his arms, while no longer bruising, remained firm. Her eyes, narrowed in concentration, stared into his. No, she was not looking at him: her eyes were focused on something beyond him.
    Then she began to mumble. He tried to fight his way out of the enveloping lassitude, straining to understand her words. They were unidentifiable. It sounded like she was talking to someone as she formed her own language.
    And then it changed. Some of the words finally penetrated the haze ... and Michael was stunned. The more she spoke, the more astonished he became. When the mumbling stopped, Mariah began to speak distinctly.
    “Amanda, don’t be afraid, I’m here to help you...I know you can’t see me, but...yes, okay honey, I am an angel. Can you tell me where you are?” In the silence, her head cocked to the left. She was so absorbed that she never reacted to the sweat running into her eyes.
    “Is there a window in the bedroom? ...Good. Can you see out of it?” She nodded and her face softened with a sad smile. “I know he hurt you, sweetheart, but I need you to help me so I can get you away from him. Go to the window and tell me what you see.”
    There was a pause as Mariah’s eyes closed. And then: “Buildings...what gas station?...That’s great, Amanda. What else?...park...kids swinging...where? Got it, across from the gas station. Are you on the same side of the street as the...okay. Any stores across from you?...Laundromat... pizza...What’s its...fantastic! Really, a phone number? ...555-4655, that’s wonderful , yes...Don’t worry, I won’t leave you.”
    Mariah’s eyes opened wide. Her pupils were dilated, unfocused. She said, “Amanda, what’s that noise? ...uh-huh, they sure do sound like big planes...I know you want your mommy. I’m going to send someone to get you just as soon as...calm down. Go back and lie on the bed. Don’t tell him you were talking to me. Pretend you’re asleep...good girl. Hang in there. Someone will be coming for you real soon.”

Chapter 6
    Mariah blinked. Her eyes swam into focus as she broke the connection with Amanda. She released Michael and flexed her fingers to rid them of the numbness caused by maintaining such a fierce grip. She noted, with relief, that he seemed fine.
    Michael stared at her, his mouth hanging open. Focus on something normal, like notifying the police about where Amanda is , she thought, trying to stem the rising hysteria that threatened to overwhelm her.
    “I’m calling 911.” Her voice was strong and steady. “I need to tell them where Amanda Forrester’s being held. We’ve got to hurry before the bastard hurts her again.”
    Calling 911 seemed reassuringly ordinary. She told the operator that she had information about the Amanda Forrester abduction, and the operator asked Mariah to wait. In less than a minute, a voice identifying itself as Officer Sanders, 21st Precinct, came on.
    “May I help you, ma’am?” She knew how stupid this was going to sound, but Mariah identified herself, gave