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HE’S THE SAME GUY WHO Jenny called the night I left Patrick the first time. What are the odds that he’s at the gas station?
When Patrick tied my hands behind my back again, he didn’t do it the same way the first guy did. Patrick was never a Boy Scout. When he walked me to the car, I started wiggling my hands, trying to loosen the rope until I had my hands almost completely free.
When Patrick got out of the car at the gas station and was distracted, I knew it was now or never. I yanked my hands free, jumped out of the car, and ran for my life. The bus was a happy accident. The driver let me on, thinking I had money, but kicked me off at the second stop when he realized I didn’t.
Hiding behind the bushes wasn’t the smartest idea I’ve ever had, but I figured with a business called It’s A Party, it had to have been run by a woman and I just needed to wait until they opened to get help.
That’s when Owen pulled up. Once I recognized him, I knew I’d be okay. Owen looks the same as he did two years ago. Buzz cut dark hair, muscles for forever, tall as a redwood, and wide as a truck. Patrick’s lucky Owen wasn’t able to catch up to him.
Owen called an ambulance anyway, even though I told him I would be fine. The medics have checked me over and declared me medically cleared. They don’t know about my back. There was no reason to show them. I’ve been beaten enough times to know it will hurt more tomorrow and the next day and then it will heal and I’ll be fine in less than a week.
As I explain how my last two days have gone to the Detectives, Owen stands beside me, listening. At one point, he walks away with clenched fists. I tell the cops about Ralph and Edie at the store. They thought it was a robbery gone bad, but I explained what it really was; a ruse to kidnap me for a bounty.
I then explain the drive and the three turns we took to the house the three guys took me to. I can’t remember the name of the road, but the cops think they can find it. Patrick didn’t blindfold me on the way out, so I remember some landmarks and give those to them.
The police pulled the surveillance tapes from the gas station and it shows proof of what I’ve been saying. The nice lady cop comes back over to me as I’m still sitting in the back of the ambulance, away from the prying eyes of the media who are all over the place. “Do you have a family member or a friend you can call? I don’t think it’s safe to go back to your apartment.”
I shake my head. I have nowhere to go and no one to help me. “Can you take me back to the woman’s shelter?”
She nods. “We can, but don’t you want to be with someone you know? You’ve been through some pretty traumatic stuff the last two days.”
I look up at her stoically. “I don’t have anyone. The shelter will be fine until I figure out my next step.”
“She has me. I’ll take care of her.” Owen interrupts.
Shaking my head even before I start to speak, “I can’t let you do that. You’ve done enough for me already.”
He ignores me and looks at the cop. “She’ll be at my place. My home address is on the back, along with my personal cell phone number. If you need any other questions answered, you’ll be able to find her there.” He hands her a business card.
“Is this okay with you?” She asks me as she takes his card.
I look at her and then at Owen. He helped me before and he’s helped me today. He’s the only other person in this world besides Patrick that even knows or cares that I’m alive. But unlike Patrick, Owen’s never tried to hurt me. I nod my head. “Yes, it’s fine.” I turn to Owen. “Thank you.”
“Is she cleared to go?” Owen asks the cop and she nods.
“We’ll be in touch.” She hands me her card. “If you need anything, call. Day or night.”
I take her card and thank her.
“Time to get you out of here. Put this over your head.” He hands me a jacket that smells like him. “I want to keep your face out of the media as much as possible.”
“Okay.” I put the jacket over my head and let Owen lead me to his truck.
He puts me in the backseat. “Lie across the back until I tell you it’s safe. I want to get away from the cameras before you sit up. Okay?”
“Okay.” I lie down next to Bella, who is fast asleep. It’s been quite the day for this little puppy as well. She’s been stuck in this truck all day. At least Owen had the air conditioning on and got her water from the store.
Owen climbs into the front seat of the truck and navigates us through the parking lot and onto the main road. “I’m taking you to my house. You’ll be safe there.”
“Okay.” I answer from under his jacket.
A few minutes and a few miles later, he tells me I can sit up. “No one’s following us. You’re safe now.”
“Thank you.” I watch my surroundings and it’s getting more and more remote. “Where do you live?”
“Wellington. It’s just up ahead.” He points out the window. “When was the last time you ate something?”
I think back and realize I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday. “It’s been a while.”
He nods. “Okay. I’m going to show you to one of my guest bedrooms, where you can shower and get cleaned up. My sister-in-law lives next door. I’ll borrow some of her clothes for you. While you’re showering, I’ll make us something to eat. Does that sound okay?”
I like that he asked me and didn’t tell me that’s what we’re doing. “Sounds great. Thank you.”
He pulls the truck up to a gate and rolls down the window. He punches in a code and then places his thumb on a scanner. The gates open and he pulls through them. At the end of the road are three homes that all look brand new. “You live here?”
He smiles at me through the rear-view mirror. “I live in that one.” He points to the left. “My brother’s and their families live in those.”
We pull into a garage and he closes the door. “Wait there. Let me help you down.” He runs around the truck and opens the back door and takes my hand. “Here we go.”
I slide out of the truck and wince in pain.
“What’s wrong? Why are you wincing?” Owen takes me by the shoulders to steady me.
“Just sore.” I lie. He doesn’t need to know about my back, either.
Bella whines, and he picks her up out of the truck and puts her on the floor. “Follow me inside.”
Owen opens the door into the house and we’re standing in a living room, dining room, kitchen area that’s about the same size as the grocery store. “Wow.” I look around. “Nice place.”
“Thanks.” He seems shy about it. “Follow me. Your room is upstairs.”
He leads me through the kitchen and living room to the staircase at the front of the house. We climb the stairs and turn right. There’s one room on this end of the hallway. “Here. There’s a bathroom in the room. Help yourself to anything you need. I’m going to call Olivia for those clothes.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for helping me.”
“Do you really have no one? Friends or family?”
I just shake my head as tears threaten to fall. In the last week I’ve lost my mom and both Ralph and Edie. There’s no one left.
He doesn’t look at me with pity, but sorrow. “I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.” I watch him walk down the hallway and turn to go down the stairs.
I open the door to the room he gave me and it’s bigger than my entire apartment. It’s decorated in blue and yellow and looks happy. It’s a happy room which is far from what I feel. Last week was mom, yesterday was Ralph and Edie, and today it’s my freedom.
At least I’m not wearing a leash.