The image of the old woman's tear-stained eyes haunted me.
Suddenly, I wasn't feeling it anymore.
Before I could get a word out, Mandy had already swung the door open and stepped out. Reluctantly, I followed.
To my astonishment, the old woman was now lying motionless right outside our door.
Mandy breezed right past her, unfazed.
How could she just step over someone lying there?
A wave of fear washed over me, but the urge to help prevailed.
I had questions for the old lady, so I didn't chase after Mandy. Instead, I dialed for an ambulance right there.
Mandy circled back, clearly annoyed, "Jess, what's the hold-up? Let's go!"
I couldn't respond in time.
The old lady's eyes suddenly snapped open, pinning me with a stare that turned her pupils into tiny specks.
She lunged at me with gnarled fingers, as if trying to pull me in.
Startled, I stumbled back, barely avoiding her grasp.
"Stop dragging your feet, let's move!"
Mandy yelled from not too far off, her tone steeped in impatience.
If this lady died on my doorstep, that'd be a nightmare to explain.
What's the rush, anyway?
My irritation flared up, "I'm not going anywhere! We need to help her first!"
Mandy had changed. She was different.
Her own grandmother had died from a stroke on the street.
During her wake, Mandy had solemnly promised to help any elder in distress, scam or not.
What happened to that promise?
"Help who?" she retorted with clear frustration.
I pointed sternly at the woman on the ground.
She paused, then burst out laughing, "Jess, are you playing hero now? Help what? It's just a balloon!"
A balloon?!
I spun around.
The old woman was gone.
Where she'd been lying, a pink balloon now slowly rose into the air.
This was surreal!
A cold draft swept up, sending shivers across my skin and raising goosebumps.
Shaking, I pulled out my phone to call the police.
Hearing my call, Mandy's eyes widened, her expression uneasy, "I'm not sticking around for this. You catch up quick, don't keep folks waiting!"
The police were quick to arrive.
Hotel staff were cooperative, promptly bringing up the security footage.
In the video, neither the old woman nor I appeared at all.
She'd been there three times, and I'd been right by her side!
Yet, the footage only showed Mandy entering and leaving.
No trace of me stepping outside, nor of any pink balloon.
How could this be?
The footage must have been tampered with!
My unease grew.