“He’s a-asleep. L-listen, I d-didn’t really have a ch-choice, Al. I-It was M-Martin…I saw him.” I explained to her how I’d gotten into Officer Mike’s cop car. He was a sweet man, just concerned about me and my missing daughter…
“I-I’m fine,” I’d told him. “J-just focus on f-finding my daughter, pl-please…” I’d already talked to Al and I already knew she had her, but I had to play the part and I needed him to leave…
He had promised he would. He had promised to check up on me the next day. I got out of his cruiser, eager for him to pull away so that I could go back and get the bag and the truck…but that’s when I saw him…Martin.
From the darkened windows of the cabin, like a ghoul looking out at me, he was watching me with the cop. He was waiting for me to come inside…waiting to kill me…
“Wait.” I turned around, running after the policeman. I ran, hard as I could, chasing his taillights. The sound of his slamming brakes, was the sweetest sound in the world…
“Oh. I almost didn’t see you…you okay?”
He opened his passenger door and I climbed back inside, shaking. “I’m fine. J-just s-scared that’s all. I appreciate you checking on me. C-can we go somewhere for a little while…someplace safe? Will you take me home with you?” I’d asked him.
I had to wait for hours, until he fell asleep…as soon as I was sure he was snoring, I’d used his phone to call Al.
“C-can you c-come get me? Is Lily still safe with you?” I asked Al, my voice trembling.
“She’s safe. She’s exactly where I told her to stay. I saw Martin out there too. But he’s gone now. For all he knows, I’m just an old lady, no one to worry about…”
“You s-saw him! Are you at the cabin?”
“I’m next door, Nova. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I just thought you might change your mind…he snooped around and then he left. We’re fine, I promise. She’s hidden. We will come get you now. But I can’t get in touch with Rachel though. I’m a little worried,” Al said.
“I’m w-worried, too.” I gave her the address, then waited on Mike’s front porch for her to come and get me. I was going to see Al for the first time. She was taking me to her home, and Lily would be there too…together, we could get away from Martin for good. And hopefully, watch from the shadows while he went to prison for murder.