Chapter Thirty-Two



Ariya's P.O.V.



I've been jogging for a few hours now. The sun is pretty high in the sky, suggesting it's noon at least. I've taken a few breaks, but nothing more than a few minutes. I can't run the risk of losing too much time. I've finished one bottle of water and I have two left. I need to make those last, but carrying them is making my arms more heavy. I'm aware that I can't keep going at this rate. I need food and I need to sleep. Normally running with two bottles of water wouldn't affect me at all, but these aren't normal circumstances. I had to hide my discarded bottle so no one would be able to see it. I can't take any chances here and I'm paranoid I'm going to miss something that will get me caught, which is making me mentally tired. I need to rest but I don't feel like I'm far enough away to be able to do that.

I scold myself out loud, "Come on, Ariya. Don't be so weak. Don't be everything he told you you were. Don't give him the satisfaction of being right. Suck it up and get on with it. I just need to get to a phone and everything will be ok..."

That incentive pushes me on and I continue on my journey. The sun is just starting to set when I stumble upon a small house. I stop and watch carefully, not wanting to get caught, step into a trap or one of Justin's friends.

I see a woman bringing in washing from the line in the back yard. She looks harmless enough and I take a chance and approach with caution. I see the moment she notices me. The look of shock and fear in her eyes tells me everything I need to know. I drop my head and try to make myself look less intimidating. I don't know if that works, because she eyes me cautiously. I know I'm not a timid person. I know I scare people. It's just the way I am. I guess I have my lovely father to thank for that.

I quietly say, "Excuse me. I was wondering if I could borrow your phone? I need to call home to let them know I'm ok..."

She frowns, "What happened to you? You look like you've been in an accident."

An accident. Right, I'll go with that.

"I was traveling through when my car tyre popped and I ended up in a ditch. I had to walk for miles. You're the first place I've stumbled on. I don't need anything, just your phone so I can call home. I'll be out of your way after my call."

She must fall for my story because she says, "Ok. Come on in. Are you sure the crash is the only thing that hurt you?"

"Yes ma'am."

This sickly sweet rubbish has my stomach churning, and not because I'm hungry. Although, stepping into her house I can smell food cooking. Before I step in the door, I glance at the windows and listen for anything to alert me that someone else is in the house. She must notice my hesitation because she says, "My husband won't be home from work for another 30 minutes at least. It's just us for now. Would you like something to eat? You look like you haven't eaten in a while."

She must trust that I'm not going to hurt her. I must not look like a threat. Which is true for the most part. As long as she doesn't do anything to me or threaten me in any way, then I'm not going to hurt her. I just need to make sure I get out of here before her husband returns. I can't leave a trail of battered people after me. Justin will definitely find that.

She hands me the phone, "So? Would you like a sandwich?"

My stomach growls, giving away my hunger. She chuckles, "I'll take that as a yes. I'll fix you something. My name is Mary. What's your name, dear?"

Now she wants to be friends? Seriously? Are the people in this town weird or what? We don't do things like this in New York. I just stare at her for a minute or two, trying to figure her out. She doesn't look like she's fishing for information or like she knows where I've come from. Justin probably doesn't expect me to approach anyone and he probably doesn't think I'd get this far. I have to admit, this is a pretty dumb move, asking this lady for her phone, but I need to speak to D. The quickest way for me to get out of this town is if he sends someone to pick me up. I can't run much further before someone finds me or Justin catches up with me. For now, I have to just deal with her seeing me and hope she doesn't drop me in it.

I fake that I didn't hear her, so she repeats herself.

"Joanna. My name is Joanna."

"Well, Joanna, I'm glad I can help. I'll just be in the kitchen, through there, while you make your call. Come on in when you're finished."

"Thanks."

I wait until I hear the sound of food being prepared before I dial. I don't care what he's doing, D better pick up the phone, otherwise I'm gonna chop his balls off when I see him again. He told me to call whenever I need him or whenever I'm in trouble. I think this situation comes under both categories.

It rings for ages in my ear and I'm almost cursing him for not picking up, when I hear him say, "Yeah."

"It's me."

"What? Where are you?!"

"Long story. I need you to send someone for me, like now. I need to get out of here immediately."

"What have you done?"

"Can't tell you now. Just get someone here. I'll get to town so you know where to send someone, but I need to be gone by dark. Can you get me out of here?"

I hear him sigh.

"I'll do as many... sessions as you want. I'll work for free forever, but I need you to get me out of here."

He chuckles, "You don't take my money anyway. We'll talk about the terms after, but you will give me the details when I see you. Give me a few hours. I'll send someone with a green bandana."

"Great. Thanks."

I hang up and let out a deep sigh. I just need to get to town and hide until I can get picked up. Justin probably won't expect me to go to town, but I'm sure he'll warn people to keep a look out for me. I'll just have to be careful. For now, I'm going to eat that sandwich and then make a run for it.

This Mary person has put out a plate of sandwiches, chips and pickles for me. Huh, I wasn't expecting that. Still, I'm not going to turn it down. As I grab a sandwich, I thank her. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble. Thanks."

"It's no problem. You look like you need a good meal and a change of clothes. You sure you don't want me to call the sheriff or something?"

"No thanks. I've called my brother, he's going to meet me back at my car."

"Would you like my husband to drive you to your car?"

"No, it's fine. I'll be out of your hair as soon as I've eaten this. I can jog there by the time my brother arrives."

I don't know if she believes me or not. I know Justin said I'm not very good at lying (actually, he said I was rubbish at it), but maybe that's because he's trained to tell. This lady can't tell I'm lying, right?

She takes a deep breath and speaks, "If you're in trouble, my husband and I can help..."

"I just need to get back to my car. Once my brother picks me up I'll be fine. Thanks for your concern though."

I'm starting to lose my patience with this woman. Do people really think they can just poke their noses into other people's business? I wouldn't think about asking someone something so personal. Granted, I can usually tell what's going on by their body language or the way they react to my wise cracks, but still.

I down the last of my sandwich and I say, "Thanks for the food and the use of your phone. I appreciate it. I'll be getting out of your way now..."

Just as I'm going out of the front door, I almost bump into someone in my haste to get away. I look up but then turn my head away quickly, as I hurry to escape. That's not who I expected to be this lady's husband. I don't know who I was expecting, but not him.

I'm at the boundary of their yard when he shouts, "Wait! Ariya! Come back...!"

I don't even acknowledge him. Hopefully he'll question his eyes because I haven't responded to his calls. I hear footsteps jogging after me, but I take off at a faster speed. That little bit of food has given me some extra energy and the prospect of getting to one of D's men gives me the extra incentive to move quicker.

Eventually the extra set of jogging feet stop. I'm alone in the fading light and the sounds of the night life waking up. I have to make it to town by dark. D won't need long to sort something out and I need to make sure I'm ready for whoever he sends. I just need to get back to New York and everything can return to normal. I push myself even more so I can get to town in time. I'm leaving a lot to chance now, but I haven't got much choice in the matter. Most of my life hasn't gone to any kind of plan, I don't want this to be another thing that fails.