CHAPTER THREE
Allison
I pulled into the crowded parking lot of the huge everything store. This was the last of the so-called breadcrumbs before I was headed towards the real destination. My hands shook as I unbuckled Neiryn and set him on his feet beside the car.
I rushed through the store, grabbing things as quickly as possible. Stopping here may have been part of the plan but that didn’t mean I couldn’t make the most of it. And besides, I had to make it look real, right? So grabbing food and diapers was as real as it could get. I also picked up a few things that I knew I would need, just enough to hold me over for a while.
I paid, swiping the card that had been given to me that didn’t have my name on it. The cashier didn’t even bat an eye as I signed my name on the electronic keypad.
After the car was loaded up, I drove to the closest gas station, filled up the car, and left the card on the ground right beside the pump. All part of the plan.
Then I was off again, only this time heading in the opposite direction from the one I’d been traveling the last twenty-four hours.
Three hours later, I switched cars, as instructed by Burke. The one that had been left for me just off the highway in an abandoned fast food lot was full of gas and ready to go. As I transferred everything to the new car, I noticed there was a bag full of new clothes for me and Neiryn in the trunk. One less thing for me to worry about.
I breathed out a heavy breath as I started the car and continued on my way. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I saw Neiryn’s little face watching the scenery go by out the window. I was doing all of this for him.
For a moment, I wondered if I’d done the right thing. Was I putting us in more danger by escaping? I had no doubt that I was, but I just knew that if we stayed we would end up dead. I couldn’t let anything happen to my little boy. I was his mother and I had to protect him. So, even if I was scared out of my mind and almost paralyzed with fear, I had to keep going.
I drove straight through the night. I would have stopped but I didn’t even feel tired. I was just ready to get to the destination and hopefully have a moment to sit and breathe.
“When you get there, stop at the gas station right off of the exit. Sit in your car, call this number from the burner in the bag and ask to see the property. Wait there until she says she can meet you. When you pull up to the house, drive the car into the driveway and park in the detached garage in the back. This way you can keep Neiryn hidden while you talk to her. If she asks, tell her you stopped to fill up and you saw the ad on the board beside the door.”
I remembered his instructions word for word and I followed them exactly. Down to telling the spry old lady that I didn’t need to see the place and that I was paying in cash. I had worried that she was going to ask me to fill out paperwork and want some form of ID, but she took the cash and gave me a small smile as she handed over the keys to the place.
I pulled everything into the house before taking a moment to look around. I didn’t care as long as it had running water. But to my surprise, the house came fully furnished and wasn’t too shabby, either. There were even sheets in the closet upstairs for the bed.
I was glad I remembered to grab a pack-and-play when I was at the store. It sucked that Neiryn wouldn’t have a bed but it would have to do for now.
I set him down on the floor in the living room, giving him a few toys that I’d bought. He seemed happy rolling around with his new stuffed lion. I collapsed on the couch as if my legs suddenly gave out and let out a sigh of relief. I knew I wasn’t safe but I was safer than I had been in a long time.
I’d never been on my own. And now I was, with a child no less, and not to mention, danger on my trail. But I was going to make it work and I had to trust that Burke was who he said he was and that he was there to help me. I had to believe that he knew what he was doing and he wouldn’t put us in danger if he could help it.
All of this led me to wonder just how he’d come to me. How did he know who I was? Or that I even needed help? He seemed to know more about me than I felt like I knew about myself.
Shaking my head, I decided to thank the universe for sending him to me. It didn’t matter how, it only mattered that I was free. Well, as free as I could have been.
After a while, Neiryn’s eyes grew heavy. I let him sleep on the couch, his little fingers clutching the fuzzy hair of the lion so tightly that I wondered if he was as worried as me.
He was the best kid ever. Sure, I was his mom and I had no doubt that was what every mom thought about their kid. But he really was. He was pretty even-tempered, and when he did have one of his not-so-happy moments, they wouldn’t last long. He was everything to me. His smiles and laughter kept me going in my darkest moments. His hugs brought me the warmth I needed when I felt cold on the inside.
While he slept, I moved around, putting things in their places. I made sure there was a big enough space in the corner of the master bedroom to set up his playpen when the time came. There was a spare room at the other end of the long hall, but I wanted him as close as could be. I figured this whole situation was traumatic enough, I didn’t want to leave him feeling like he was alone in any way.
I surveyed the food I’d picked up. All of it non-perishable since I had to drive with it in the car for a while before I got here. I knew I’d have to venture out and find a store soon, but I just didn’t want to worry with it tonight. I stood there, trying to come up with something I could make with the cans and dry goods in front of me. I was tired and honestly didn’t even want to attempt to cook anything.
Then I realized that I didn’t even have anything to cook with. Well, crap! I looked around and found no luck anywhere. The cabinets were all bare. Not that I really expected anything else. It looked like I might have to go out later. But then my eyes skated over the kitchen and caught on a magnet that was plastered on the refrigerator.
Sweet!
My prayers were answered with the number for a pizza delivery place. It wasn’t the best of food to eat, but hey, I wasn’t going to complain right then.
Knowing that Neiryn would be out for a little bit longer, I grabbed the last bag and headed up to the bathroom. I was hesitant at what was to come next but maybe it was just the change I needed.
Here goes nothing.