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Sawyer told Hannah that the first thing they should do is search the internet for any information on her and her parents. He had to refresh her memory as to what the internet was. After she listened, she eagerly agreed.
“I’m going to start with just doing a search for your name to see what it pulls up,” Sawyer clarifies.
He types Hannah Randoff on the keyboard and hits the enter key. Much to their disappointment, the search comes up empty.
“Am I spelling your name right?” Sawyer asks.
“Yes, that much I do know,” Hannah replies.
“Let’s try your name and birthday.”
“Alright, my birthday is July 28, 1996.”
He enters this information in and still the news they are hopeful for never arrives.
“Do you remember your parents’ names?”
“Try Molly and James, that seems right. Can you try that?”
Sawyer nods his head. After trying their names the search still is fruitless.
“Maybe that wasn’t their names. It’s been a long time, perhaps you have forgotten,” Sawyer says softly.
“Maybe so, but it seems like everything about me and my family has been erased. Is that possible? He told me that no one would believe anything I told them if I escaped. Could he have done this?”
“I guess it’s possible. My cousin Bryce has had a lot of different jobs and kind of a shady past. I wonder if he could dig up something on you. He is good with that kind of thing. Don’t worry, he is good now. He won’t tell anyone about you, and we don’t have to give him many details about your life,” he adds as he notices her scared expression.
She breathes out a sigh of relief. Hannah nods her head at him as he moves away from his desk to retrieve his phone.
“Hey Bryce, are you downstairs? Good, you busy? Come up here for a sec, I need your help with something. Yeah, everything is good, just come up. See ya in a minute,” Sawyer says into his phone.
“He’s coming up, don’t be scared of him, he’s harmless. But, he tends to say everything that goes through his mind, so I’m warning you now.”
She grins at him. A few moments later there is a loud knock as the door is being opened.
“What’s up bro?” the red-head says loudly, “Who is this looker? Well hello, beautiful,” Bryce says while smirking at her.
“Bryce leave her alone, she’s not interested. This is Hannah, I’m helping her out for a while till she gets back on her feet. She’s had a rough go of it, and we need help finding some info for her.” Hannah shyly tries to hide behind Sawyer while he speaks to Bryce.
“So, Hannah, how do you know my cuz? Wait, why are you wearing his Zeppelin shirt? He never lets anyone even touch that shirt. Are you two together? No way, I never thought I would live to see Sawyer Monson tied down! Wait, when did this happen? I need to tell some people downstairs,” Bryce says laughing.
“Bryce, shut it! We are not together! She is just a friend, I’m helping her out. Now, are you going to help or not?” Sawyer shouts at him.
“Easy bro, chill. Okay, okay. What do you need to find out?”
“Well, I tried to Google her name, birthday, and parents’ names but I keep coming up empty. She needs to get her birth certificate to get some stuff in order,” Sawyer answers.
“Why can’t you just ask your parents for that stuff?” he asks while looking at Hannah.
“Well, I, uh . . .” she stammers out while flushing.
“She isn’t on speaking terms with them. We have to do this on our own. Can you help or not?” Sawyer says curtly.
“Yeah, write down her stuff and I will see what I can do. It might take me some time so be patient and don’t breathe down my neck,” the red head replies.
Sawyer moves back to the computer and writes down the information he had entered into the computer and hands the paper to Bryce.
“Thanks man, please don’t drop the ball on this. She really needs this,” Sawyer states to Bryce.
“Don’t worry. On another note, if I get this for you, what is my chance for a date babe?” Bryce says to Hannah while wiggling his eyebrows.
“Not a chance in he—” Sawyer starts, but Hannah cuts him off before he can finish his word.
“Please don’t swear around me. I knew someone who would use those types of words and told me he was good and against evil, but he was a hypocrite. My parents told me that anyone can use those kinds of words, but smart people find other ways to express their feelings in ways that God would approve of,” she tells them while holding back tears.
Both men look at her with an astonished expression, then mumble apologies.
“Alright, Sawyer you got a babe that only likes sweet talk, good luck with that. You have to keep yourself under control,” Bryce says amused.
“Shut it you red headed . . . never mind. Just let me know as soon as you find something,” Sawyer tells him.
“Man, I’m going to enjoy sitting back and watching while you try to hold your tongue, this is classic. Wait till everyone downstairs finds out!”
“You will keep your mouth shut if you know what’s good for you or I will . . .” Sawyer threatens.
“Okay, okay, whatever man. I’ll let you know what I come up with,” Bryce says as he turns to leave.
“Pleasure meeting you Hannah, I know we will be seeing a lot of each other,” he says to her while smiling widely.
“Bye and thank you,” she tells him softly.
Once he leaves, Sawyer apologizes again for him.
“Please don’t worry about it. I have to get used to being around people again, so I suppose I should get used to him too,” she tells him.
“I really don’t know if anyone can get used to Bryce,” he responds lightheartedly.
Hannah laughs at this and Sawyer looks at her wide eyed.
“She laughs! Finally, an emotion other than sadness! Your improving sweetheart,” he says enthusiastically.
“Yeah, yeah,” she says while bowing her head.
Sawyer just smiles at her. Hannah has a sinking feeling that he is wondering what he has got himself into.
***
IT HAS BEEN A WEEK since Sawyer found Hannah or vice versa. She has spent her days perched in his living room window, observing the comings and goings of the street below. She gazes upon the picturesque mountains in the morning and evening as the suns rises and sets upon them. Hannah finds peace in the birds singing to each other and even in the cars honking their horns. She doesn’t tell Sawyer that she feels that she is being watched from the window. She cannot tell where the person is, but she can feel their eyes on her, studying her every move from where she sits. She has a gnawing feeling that he has found her. She senses his presence. She has the same terror running through her body as she did in the dungeon when he was expected to arrive. Hannah is pulled out of her thoughts by Sawyer walking into the room.
“So, beautiful, what would you like to do? Looks like we have the whole day to ourselves,” Sawyer asks as he looks at Hannah.
“I have no idea, what is there to do?”
He ponders this for a bit. Sawyer then looks her over, head to toe. This makes Hannah feel uncomfortable as she blushes and looks away. He smirks at this.
“Well, I guess you need some clothes, right? You can’t wear mine every day,” he laughs. Hannah looks back at him with her mouth gaping open and eyes wide.
“I don’t want you to have to buy me anything! You are doing more for me than anyone else ever has!” she tells him truthfully.
“Sweetheart, I’m not going to let you wear my Zeppelin shirt every day, I like it too much,” he says to her smirking. She grins at him and after much thought gives in to him.
“I suppose you don’t know what size you are, do you? Or what, uh, intimate stuff you need, right?” he states sheepishly. Hannah blushes at this as does Sawyer.
“No, I haven’t been able to choose my own clothes for years. What I had on when I met you was the only thing I had to wear for the last few years,” she tells him while looking embarrassed.
“That explains why I saw them in the trash then. Let me make a call. My friend Shelley can help, she owes me anyway.” Sawyer walks into his bedroom to call her. Hannah begins to feel very anxious. She doesn’t want to leave the safety of the apartment, especially since she is beginning to feel reasonably calmer now. She starts to worry about seeing him again. What if he tries to take her again? She has so many different scenarios running through her mind she doesn’t notice Sawyer walking back into the room. He sits beside her on the couch and she is instantly snapped out of her thoughts.
“Here, try these on,” he tells her as he hands her a pair of oversized flip-flops.
“Most places don’t look too kindly on being barefoot,” he explains.
“Thanks,” she responds while smiling at him. He returns the smile, stands, and offers his hand to her.
“Come on, let’s go,” he says. Hannah gazes at his still, outstretched hand. Then she peers up at his grinning face and reluctantly accepts it.
They leave the apartment and go downstairs to a driveway behind the building. Sawyer leads her to a dark blue truck while Hannah constantly looks around to make sure he isn’t hiding somewhere. Sawyer notices what she is doing and begins to glance around as well.
“Babe, I’m not going to let anything happen to you, okay? Trust me please.” Hannah looks at him thoughtfully then nods, hurrying to his truck.
“She’s not the best or newest, but I love her. She is the first thing I paid cash for, so she is all mine” he lovingly says about his pride and joy.
“I take it that your truck is a girl, what’s her name then?” she asks. She is now very amused and feeling more secure. Hannah has even forgotten to continue looking for him due to delighting over the current conversation.
“I’m glad you asked. Baby doll, meet the most important lady in my life, Bella,” he tells her proudly.
“Bella? Really? I thought it would be a dangerous or mysterious name, like Delilah,” Hannah snorts.
“Don’t be hating on my truck! Bella means beautiful, which she is to me,” Sawyer says thoughtfully while gently rubbing the dashboard.
Hannah smiles while quietly riding alongside him through the town. She peers out the window, taking everything in. She rolls down the window and enjoys the breeze hitting her face. She loves the sensation of the sun shining on her and closes her eyes to completely relax. After a few minutes, Sawyer asks her if she is okay.
“Never better. I forgot how nice it is to feel the wind blowing through my hair and to soak up the sunshine. I have really missed it,” Hannah responds thoughtfully. Sawyer is perplexed by her statement.
“What do you mean? Have you not been able to go outside for a while or something?”
“Uh, no not exactly. So, where are we going?” she asks, trying to change the subject.
Sawyer realizes that she still isn’t ready to tell him anything yet. “Shelley works as a hair dresser. We are going to the shop she works in to meet up with her, then she will tell us the plan.”
Hannah nods then sits back and closes her eyes once more. They pull up to a little shop a few minutes later. The outside of the building is painted like a zebra and the windows are covered in writing. She begins to feel anxious and starts cautiously looking around again.
“Is it safe in there? I mean, you’re going in too, right?” she asks nervously.
Sawyer chuckles, “Of course, I would hate for Shelley to scare you off.”
He steps out of the truck and walks around to Hannah’s side. He graciously opens her door and offers his hand to her. She quickly accepts it then glues herself to his side. She is hanging on to him while attempting to shield herself behind his tall frame. As Sawyer opens the door to the shop a bell rings above their heads to signal their arrival.
“Sawyer, I’ll be done in just a minute,” a woman’s voice calls out.
Hannah is still standing close to Sawyer as she tentatively moves her head away from his arm to look around. She slowly studies the room she is in. There is a woman getting her nails painted in one corner. She thinks to herself that she would love to do that. She looks further into the room and sees another lady getting her hair cut. Hannah thinks that she could undoubtedly use a haircut, it’s been over fifteen years since she has had one. Shelley notices her look longingly at this and speaks up.
“Hannah, come sit in this chair, and I will work my magic on you!”
Hannah gazes at Shelley apprehensively. She studies the woman before her. She notes that this woman is taller than she is, but not by much. She has a medium build and a dazzling, sincere smile. Hannah is taken aback by Shelley’s hair. It’s long, silky, and much to her surprise, purple. Various shades of purple, rich dark shades of violet mixed with lighter shades. Hannah has never seen anything like it, but how would she? She has been shut away from the world for so long. Shelley also has the most beautiful blue eyes under her dark eyebrows and lashes. Hannah notes that Shelley wears a lot of makeup, although she thinks that the woman before her is beautiful. Her clothes are pretty simple, but then Hannah assumes it’s because her hair is making the statement for her. She notices that Shelley has a few tattoos on her forearms as well. Hannah assumes that Sawyer probably did those since they were friends.
Hannah walks over to where Shelley has gestured for her to sit. She cautiously lowers herself into the spinning chair. Shelley puts a black drape over her and spins her to face the mirror. Both women gaze at the reflection. A kind of sadness shadows Shelley’s face, compelling Hannah to look away.
“Hey now, I’m the best of the best. When I’m done, you won’t recognize yourself,” Shelley says smiling.
Hannah smiles back and takes a deep breath. She looks beyond her reflection to see Sawyer gazing back at her. When he realizes that she has noticed, he looks away while giving a small cough. Shelley sees this also and snickers at him.
Shelley leans down to Hannah’s ear and quietly says, “I don’t know what you have done to my bestie, but keep it up. This is the first time he has been decent to be around since his parents died.” Hannah looks at her in amazement before she shyly grins.
Shelley then leads Hannah over to a sink and shampoos her hair gently. Unexpectedly, Hannah has a flashback to her childhood of her mother doing the same thing to her. She recalls her mother’s smiling face as she sang along to the radio that was in the bathroom. Her mom knew so many songs. She would sing and dance along to every song she heard, whether she knew the words or not. Hannah remembers being so happy and loved with her mom. She shuts her eyes to hold off the tears she fears are about to fall. Shelley senses something is off and motions for Sawyer. He walks up then leans over Hannah.
“Hey sweetheart, you doing okay?” he questions softly.
“Yeah, sorry. I just remembered something. It was my mom washing my hair when I was younger, also some other details about her. I can see her face, I thought that I had forgotten it. I’m sorry, I just got overwhelmed for a moment. I’m okay now, really.” She tells him trying to get the look of concern off his face. He turns back to Shelley then nods. Shelley walks back over to Hannah and continues while Sawyer stays close by.
When Shelley is finished, she brings Hannah back over to the chair with Sawyer following protectively behind them. Shelley begins to carefully comb out the mass of dark tangles and mats. She then studies Hannah’s hair and asks if she would be fine with cutting quite a bit off. Shelley holds up her hand about four inches below Hannah’s shoulders to show her where she wants to cut her hair. Hannah looks over to Sawyer to see what his opinion is. He smiles and tells her that it is completely up to her. Hannah beams at this. She hasn’t been able to make a choice of her own for a long time. She is delighted with just being asked what she wants. Hannah looks back over to Shelley and nods at her while smiling.
“Let’s do it,” Hannah tells her.
Shelley broadly smiles back and gets her scissors out of a drawer. She spins the chair around where Hannah cannot see her reflection anymore. Shelley begins cutting her hair as Hannah watches six to eight inch strands fall to the floor. Hannah feels relieved as she watches the pile of hair grow. There goes that part of her life she thinks to herself. Never again will she be treated like that, where her voice is ripped away from her.
If Hannah is being truly honest, she really doesn’t care what Shelley does to her hair. She is just ready to look different, feel different and most importantly, be different.