My mind was still racing when I ended the call with June. The adrenaline had long worn off and I could tell that I was tired, but my mind refused to quit racing. I hated that I was once again on the run. I hate that I was naïve enough to fall for Vex in the first place.
“Are you hungry?” I was startled out of my thoughts by Missy checking on me.
“Not really but thank you” I replied to her.
“Well if you get hungry there is a cooler tucked in behind your seat, help yourself. We have a few hours before we hit Louisiana. If I understood Sam, then your next ride will already be there waiting for us.” Missy sighed before she continued. “I’m not sure what you’re running from, but I know it’s bad if Sam was helping. I hope you get clear of whatever it is.”
Hearing the tenderness in her voice when she spoke of Sam, I was reminded of their exchange when Missy had picked me up. “Have you an
Tobias and I did not talk much for the rest of the drive. A few hours later, as late afternoon approached, he pulled into a diner off the side of the highway. The diner exuded an air of nostalgic charm as he pulled into its parking lot, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow on its weathered exterior. The building itself seemed to stand as a relic of a bygone era, reminiscent of the late 1980s, with its faded colors and retro design. The paint on the walls had weathered over the years, giving the diner a rustic, slightly worn look that added to its character. It immediately made me think of classic television shows with happy families, where problems could be fixed within the half hour of air time.“We are going to meet Hawk here. It doesn’t look like he has shown up yet so why don’t we head in and grab a bite to eat?” Tobias shook me out of my gawking.“A burger sounds really good” I tell him. The truth was my mouth was already watering thinking about a thick burger with cheese,
Hawk’s Point of ViewIt didn’t take long after hanging up with June that I was already regretting my decision. It’s not that I minded helping June out, heaven knows she has been a life saver more than once for me, but I hate letting people into my sanctuary. I had meticulously built the walls up around our home, and knowingly letting in an outsider felt like I was betraying a part of myself. I like order, schedules, and discipline. Chaos, drama, and unnecessary crap do not belong here. I built my dream up outside of Tyler, Texas, back in the woods away from the rush of modern society closer to Whitehouse, Texas. I literally clawed and fought my way to make my dream a reality and I protect it fiercely as does everyone here.Even amongst our own kind we are considered outsiders. Not accepted amongst polite society, wolf or human but we have started to earn respect, and many have learned that we are not to be trifled with. My pack is largely made up of misfits. Some of us were rogues,
I was looking forward to kicking my shoes off and enjoying a hot shower as I hastily unlocked the door to the small apartment. To most people this little apartment does not look like much, but to me it is perfect. The outside is inconspicuous being above an older coin laundromat most people don’t even realize that there is an apartment above them. Stepping inside the door I quickly turned and locked the three locks on the door behind me. I quickly kick my tennis shoes off at the door and set my bag down. Since the apartment is essentially a studio, it does not take but a few steps to get into the kitchen. I like the fact that it’s an open area, less places for someone to be hiding. Reaching for my only mug to make some tea I was startled to hear the shrill ring of the landline telephone.The phone was installed here before I moved in. No one should have this number though. No one should even know where I am. I tried to tell myself that it was a telemarketer, or a
Everything happened fast after I told Jenny that I wanted out. My future was essentially in the hands of complete strangers, but honestly it couldn’t get any worse that my current condition. Carrie quickly took the x-rays that were needed due to my injuries, but I never seen another doctor at that hospital. Jenny instructed me to lay down flat on the hospital bed and to not move. She covered me with a few sheets and for a few moments I felt like a child again in a blanket fort.I could feel the bed moving through the hallways and we had turned a few times, but I had no idea where I was headed. After a little while Jenny pulled the sheet off of my head and I could see that we were standing in some kind of basement storage area. There was a garage space and soon both doors started to go up. Two identical large moving vans backed into the building. A woman that looked very similar to Jenny hopped out of the one van.“I have Whiz working on her credentials alre
By the time I woke up June was slowing down and pulling into a driveway next to a quaint small yellow house. I admired the gorgeous garden out front with luscious hibiscus blooms, tulips, and other various flowers and plants. It was close to dawn as there were orange red streaks illuminating the sky. June pulled all the way into the open garage, and as if by magic the door started to close on its own plunging us into darkness for a moment before the garage lights came on.I happily got out of the car and stretched before twinging at the pain shooting along my left side. This is where Vex had done the most damage to my ribs. It served as a stark reminder that I was not on some vacation, but I was running for my life.“Are you ok?” June’s voice was laced with worry, she must have seen me twinge while I was stretching. I shook my head yes, letting her know that I was ok. Just then a door I hadn’t noticed before opened and I was surprised at the man
“So, for starters you are no longer Abigail” Whiz had produced a thick manilla envelope from a pocket in the side of his chair. He opened it and pulled out a new identification card that had my picture and most of the details were correct, but now I had a new name. “Clara is on her way over here she is going to give you a new hairstyle as well. Most of your background information does not need to change. I find that if I can stick as close to the truth as possible people have a better time absorbing and becoming their new selves.” I don’t know if Whiz could see that I was getting overwhelmed, but he reached over and patted my hand in reassurance. Once I nodded that I was ok he continued.“I am sure that you have already been told but you can not contact anyone from your old life. Even if someone you love passes away, you can not go back.” Whiz was very adamant.“I don’t have anyone to go back to honestly. I don&rsqu
June’s Point of ViewOne of my biggest concerns was coming true. It dawned on me after Ophelia’s phone call that somewhere there was a mole in our operation. I hated feeling this way, like I could not trust anyone. I needed to get to the bottom of this problem and quickly before any of the others got hurt. I had a more pressing problem though. I needed to get Ophelia safe, and I was now extremely limited to where and who I would trust her with.With my back pressed against a wall I called Whiz. I knew in my gut I could trust him. He was fond of Ophelia, in fact he personally hand selected her name after his grandmother. Like always he picked up on the first ring. “Whiz we have an issue. He found Ophelia” I found no need to mince words. “I have her being transported right now but I need to find out how that scum bag found her.”“Start at the beginning, how do we know he found her?” Whiz was naturally untrus
Hawk’s Point of ViewIt didn’t take long after hanging up with June that I was already regretting my decision. It’s not that I minded helping June out, heaven knows she has been a life saver more than once for me, but I hate letting people into my sanctuary. I had meticulously built the walls up around our home, and knowingly letting in an outsider felt like I was betraying a part of myself. I like order, schedules, and discipline. Chaos, drama, and unnecessary crap do not belong here. I built my dream up outside of Tyler, Texas, back in the woods away from the rush of modern society closer to Whitehouse, Texas. I literally clawed and fought my way to make my dream a reality and I protect it fiercely as does everyone here.Even amongst our own kind we are considered outsiders. Not accepted amongst polite society, wolf or human but we have started to earn respect, and many have learned that we are not to be trifled with. My pack is largely made up of misfits. Some of us were rogues,
Tobias and I did not talk much for the rest of the drive. A few hours later, as late afternoon approached, he pulled into a diner off the side of the highway. The diner exuded an air of nostalgic charm as he pulled into its parking lot, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow on its weathered exterior. The building itself seemed to stand as a relic of a bygone era, reminiscent of the late 1980s, with its faded colors and retro design. The paint on the walls had weathered over the years, giving the diner a rustic, slightly worn look that added to its character. It immediately made me think of classic television shows with happy families, where problems could be fixed within the half hour of air time.“We are going to meet Hawk here. It doesn’t look like he has shown up yet so why don’t we head in and grab a bite to eat?” Tobias shook me out of my gawking.“A burger sounds really good” I tell him. The truth was my mouth was already watering thinking about a thick burger with cheese,
My mind was still racing when I ended the call with June. The adrenaline had long worn off and I could tell that I was tired, but my mind refused to quit racing. I hated that I was once again on the run. I hate that I was naïve enough to fall for Vex in the first place.“Are you hungry?” I was startled out of my thoughts by Missy checking on me.“Not really but thank you” I replied to her.“Well if you get hungry there is a cooler tucked in behind your seat, help yourself. We have a few hours before we hit Louisiana. If I understood Sam, then your next ride will already be there waiting for us.” Missy sighed before she continued. “I’m not sure what you’re running from, but I know it’s bad if Sam was helping. I hope you get clear of whatever it is.”Hearing the tenderness in her voice when she spoke of Sam, I was reminded of their exchange when Missy had picked me up. “Have you an
June’s Point of ViewOne of my biggest concerns was coming true. It dawned on me after Ophelia’s phone call that somewhere there was a mole in our operation. I hated feeling this way, like I could not trust anyone. I needed to get to the bottom of this problem and quickly before any of the others got hurt. I had a more pressing problem though. I needed to get Ophelia safe, and I was now extremely limited to where and who I would trust her with.With my back pressed against a wall I called Whiz. I knew in my gut I could trust him. He was fond of Ophelia, in fact he personally hand selected her name after his grandmother. Like always he picked up on the first ring. “Whiz we have an issue. He found Ophelia” I found no need to mince words. “I have her being transported right now but I need to find out how that scum bag found her.”“Start at the beginning, how do we know he found her?” Whiz was naturally untrus
“So, for starters you are no longer Abigail” Whiz had produced a thick manilla envelope from a pocket in the side of his chair. He opened it and pulled out a new identification card that had my picture and most of the details were correct, but now I had a new name. “Clara is on her way over here she is going to give you a new hairstyle as well. Most of your background information does not need to change. I find that if I can stick as close to the truth as possible people have a better time absorbing and becoming their new selves.” I don’t know if Whiz could see that I was getting overwhelmed, but he reached over and patted my hand in reassurance. Once I nodded that I was ok he continued.“I am sure that you have already been told but you can not contact anyone from your old life. Even if someone you love passes away, you can not go back.” Whiz was very adamant.“I don’t have anyone to go back to honestly. I don&rsqu
By the time I woke up June was slowing down and pulling into a driveway next to a quaint small yellow house. I admired the gorgeous garden out front with luscious hibiscus blooms, tulips, and other various flowers and plants. It was close to dawn as there were orange red streaks illuminating the sky. June pulled all the way into the open garage, and as if by magic the door started to close on its own plunging us into darkness for a moment before the garage lights came on.I happily got out of the car and stretched before twinging at the pain shooting along my left side. This is where Vex had done the most damage to my ribs. It served as a stark reminder that I was not on some vacation, but I was running for my life.“Are you ok?” June’s voice was laced with worry, she must have seen me twinge while I was stretching. I shook my head yes, letting her know that I was ok. Just then a door I hadn’t noticed before opened and I was surprised at the man
Everything happened fast after I told Jenny that I wanted out. My future was essentially in the hands of complete strangers, but honestly it couldn’t get any worse that my current condition. Carrie quickly took the x-rays that were needed due to my injuries, but I never seen another doctor at that hospital. Jenny instructed me to lay down flat on the hospital bed and to not move. She covered me with a few sheets and for a few moments I felt like a child again in a blanket fort.I could feel the bed moving through the hallways and we had turned a few times, but I had no idea where I was headed. After a little while Jenny pulled the sheet off of my head and I could see that we were standing in some kind of basement storage area. There was a garage space and soon both doors started to go up. Two identical large moving vans backed into the building. A woman that looked very similar to Jenny hopped out of the one van.“I have Whiz working on her credentials alre
I was looking forward to kicking my shoes off and enjoying a hot shower as I hastily unlocked the door to the small apartment. To most people this little apartment does not look like much, but to me it is perfect. The outside is inconspicuous being above an older coin laundromat most people don’t even realize that there is an apartment above them. Stepping inside the door I quickly turned and locked the three locks on the door behind me. I quickly kick my tennis shoes off at the door and set my bag down. Since the apartment is essentially a studio, it does not take but a few steps to get into the kitchen. I like the fact that it’s an open area, less places for someone to be hiding. Reaching for my only mug to make some tea I was startled to hear the shrill ring of the landline telephone.The phone was installed here before I moved in. No one should have this number though. No one should even know where I am. I tried to tell myself that it was a telemarketer, or a