Running from Danger
her arms wrapped snuggly around Jamal’s waist. As they picked up speed, the wind pummeled her face, so she leaned forward, catching a whiff of Jamal’s woodsy cologne mixed with sweat. Suddenly, the motorbike jerked and slid as its front tire rolled over a large pothole. Jean’s chest tightened and her breathing became strained. She tapped Jamal on the shoulder. “Pull over.”
“Huh?”
“Pull over!” Jean yelled.
As Jamal stepped on the rear brake control, his motorcycle shook. They reached the side of the road and climbed off the motorcycle. The speed of Jean’s breathing intensified, and she stumbled sideways, plopping onto the ground as the steady hum of tires rolling on pavement echoed in the background. After steadying herself, Jean sat on her knees and leaned forward before taking several deep belly breaths. That was scary. I thought for sure I was going to fall. This has to be the worst night of my life. I wish I was at home in bed.
A worried expression marred Jamal’s face. “Oh crap. Are you okay?” he asked as he rubbed his hand through his short, black hair and squatted down next to Jean.
Yeah, now that I’m not on a motorcycle going 100 miles per hour with a stranger who … Jean glanced at Jamal and tilted her chin. “How’d you do that?”
Jamal scrunched his eyebrows and frowned. “Do what?”
Jean sighed. “You just took down something like twenty men,” she exclaimed. Is he some type of hitman? Or in a gang or the mafia? Should I try to flag down the police?
Jamal shrugged and shot her a crooked grin. “I guess all those kung-fu lessons my parents forced on me finally paid off.”
As she continued taking a series of deep breaths, Jean shut her eyes and curled into a ball.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, I’m going to check out my bike. Let me know if you need something.” Jamal slid a small flashlight out of his pocket and circled his motorcycle while repeatedly glancing in Jean’s direction.
“Damn,” Jamal exclaimed.
“What’s wrong?” Jean hopped up and strolled over to Jamal.
“The front brake rotor broke. There’s no way we’ll make it much further on this bike. We’ll have to hike it.” Jamal moved his bike behind a bushy area off the shoulder. “I’ll come back to get it later.” He pointed toward a cluster of lights in the distance. “I believe there’s an exit with some motels nearby. It’s not too far. We can crash for the night.”
Jean and Jamal began walking along the highway’s shoulder. As they walked, Jean’s eyes darted back and forth toward the highway’s traffic while Jamal rubbed his hands together. “Ooh, winter is coming. Let’s hurry to get out of this cold.” He lowered his jacket off his shoulders and held it toward Jean. “Here, take this.”
Jean shook her head and scrunched her brows. “You’re cold?”
“Of course. I think it’s around 30 or 40 degrees. What, you’re not cold?”
Jean shrugged. “No, I feel fine.” It suddenly dawned on Jean that she never felt cold. Sometimes, a fleeting chill would pass through her veins, but it always dissipated within minutes. “You don’t think we should call a taxi or something?”
“We’re so close to the exit. We can make it there before a cab gets here. And, it’s too cold to stand here. At least I’ll warm up by walking,” Jamal said as he pulled his jacket back up onto his shoulders. “So, what was going on with you and those men?”
Jean shrugged. “I have no idea,” she mumbled, her voice trembling with fear. “The whole thing was really weird.” Jean glanced around the empty road. “I think they were trying to kidnap me.”
“Well, if we run into them again, I’ll take care of them for you.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
They continued to walk until they arrived at a small hotel. “Oh no,” Jean said with a worried look on her face.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t have my phone.” She slipped her hands into her pockets as if searching for her phone. Why am I doing that? I never keep my phone in my pocket. “It must be in my car.”
“I have a phone. Also, the hotel has one.”
“I know, but I also had a bag with clothes and things.” Jean stuck her hands in her pants pockets. “I don’t have my money.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll get us a room. You don’t mind sharing, do you? I’ll get one with two beds. If that’s not available, I’ll sleep in a chair or something.”
“I promise I’ll pay you back.” Jean secretly wished she could have her own room. After all, Jamal was a stranger. But, she had no money and she was too exhausted to think about anything. He seemed safe enough and he did just save her life.
“No worries. Do you want to borrow my phone?”
“Um, that’s okay. I was going to call my mom, but I can wait until we get to the room.”
Jamal slid his phone out of his pocket and waved it in front of Jean. “Are you sure? I don’t mind if you use it.”
Jean hesitated. “Um, okay. Thanks.” Jean raised her arm to grab the phone, but Jamal lifted it higher in the air away from her.
“Hey, make sure you return it. If you steal my phone and run away, I know people.”
“Even if I run, I’m sure I won’t get very far. I mean, with your kung fu skills and all, I’m sure you’ll take me down.”
Jamal chuckled and handed the phone to Jean. “Oh, by the way, my number shows up as a private call,” he said.
“Thanks.” Jean stepped away out of earshot of Jamal and dialed her mother’s number. The call went straight to voicemail. “Hey, Mom, this is Jean. I just wanted to let you know I stopped at a hotel on my way to Seattle. I borrowed someone else’s phone. Anyway, I just wanted to update you. I’ll try to reach you again later. Love you.”
After checking into a double room, Jamal bought Jean a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt from the hotel’s gift shop. Upon entering the room, Jean’s hands trembled as she scanned the room with a worried expression. What have I gotten myself into? Maybe I should have had him drop me off at the hotel and go on his merry way. I’m sure he has a friend or family member nearby who can pick him up.
Jamal slid past Jean. “Are you okay?”
Um, not really. I’m in a hotel room with a complete stranger. Of course, I’m not okay. “Um, y-yeah. I’m f-fine.”
“Are you sure? Maybe I’ll get a separate room.”
He’s already done so much for me. Maybe I can borrow his phone and text his information to my parents. “Um, that’s okay. Can I see your ID?”
“Sure.” Jamal slid his driver’s license out of his pocket and handed it to Jean.
“Thanks. Can I borrow your phone again? I just want to make sure my parents know who I’m with.”
“Of course,” Jamal said, handing his phone to her.
Jean snapped a picture of the license and sent a text message to her parents with the image. After returning the phone and license, she carried her new clothes into the bathroom and locked the door. Let me make sure it’s really locked. She jiggled the doorknob several times before showering and changing her clothes. Before leaving the bathroom, she grabbed a towel and wiped away the steam from the bathroom mirror. Jean stared at her reflection, examining her familiar features and searching for signs of alien otherness. But all she saw was the same ordinary human. She blinked a few times. Her eyes appeared to be a more golden orange than their usual brown. Maybe I’m just tired. She rubbed her fingers against her face. Her skin shimmered with a warm, golden hue.
Jean continued to study her reflection in the foggy mirror, puzzled by the fleeting changes in her eyes and skin. A whisper in the back of her mind wondered if the DNA test had unlocked something hidden deep within her genome. She sighed, brushed her hand over her arm, and pinched her skin. Is it true? Can I really be half-alien? Jean’s heart rate soared, so she took a few deep breaths to steady it. No, it can’t be true. I look human. I feel human. Aliens aren’t real.
Jamal tapped on the bathroom door. “Are you okay in there?”
Jean shook her head as she tried to clear her racing thoughts and flung the door open. “Oh, yeah. I’m sorry.”
“No worries.” Jamal sat down on the small sofa. “Take as much time as you need. I was just worried.”
Jean sighed and sat on the edge of the bed farthest from the door. “Jamal, do you believe in aliens?”
“Wait, you didn’t see an alien in the bathroom, did you?” Jamal hopped up and peeked into the bathroom.
Jean giggled. “I’m serious. Do you believe aliens exist?”
“Well, there’s a lot of space out in outer space. Wouldn’t it be a waste if humans were the only ones?”
Jean sighed. “I suppose.”
“I mean, I believe in a lot of wacky stuff, so I’m probably not the best person to ask,” he said with a slight shrug, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement.
“Oh, that’s okay,” she replied, her shoulders slumping with disappointment. “Your insight is helpful. Have you ever taken a DNA test?”
“If you’re pregnant, it’s not mine. You’re cute and everything, but we just met, and I barely touched you.”
Jean laughed so hard a few tears fell out of her eyes. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and cleared her throat. “Well, anyway, it’s not important. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
Jamal looked at Jean curiously. “If there’s something going on, feel free to tell me. Maybe I can help.”
Jean hesitated. He’ll probably think I’m crazy.
“No pressure. If you don’t want to tell me…”
“Okay.” Jean took a deep breath and rubbed her palms across her thighs. “Don’t laugh, but I think those men were after me because I took a DNA test.”
Jamal leaned forward. “Why?”
Jean shrugged. “I don’t know, but I think it may have something to do with my biological parents. I never met them because I’m adopted. In fact, I was on my way to meet my biological brother in Seattle. With what happened, it’s now more important than ever that I find my biological family.” Jamal studied her closely. Why did I say something? He doesn’t believe me. He thinks I’m delusional.
“If you want, I can go with you. I don’t have any plans and I can take care of things if those men show up again.”
“You’ve already done so much. I’m sure I’ll be okay.”
“I love an adventure. Besides, how else will I get that money you owe me?”
Jean giggled. “Well, I guess it will be fun to travel with a comedian. Are you sure it won’t be a problem? Won’t your, um, employer have a problem if you skip out on work tomorrow? Or are you a student?”
“It’s your lucky day. I just happen to be free tomorrow.” Jamal winked at Jean as his mouth curled into a slight grin.
“Well, I don’t want to be held responsible if you lose your job. What do you do for a living, anyway?”
“I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”
Jean rolled her eyes. “You couldn’t come up with anything more original than that?”
“Look, I do undercover work. I can’t provide details.”
Jean’s eyes widened as she cocked her head. “You’re a police officer?” She imagined him walking around a police station wearing a blue uniform with a gun at his hip.
“I may have already said too much. You’ve had a long day. Let’s talk after you get some rest.” Jamal’s phone rang, and he glanced at it. “Excuse me, I need to take this call.” He left the room and closed the door.
Jean hopped up and pressed her ear against the door. She overheard Jamal say everything was okay, and she was safe. Who is he talking to? Did he tell someone about me? A few minutes later, the doorknob rattled and Jean sprinted to the bed on her toes, slid under the covers, and squeezed her eyes shut just as Jamal opened the door. She lay still, struggling to slow her racing thoughts.
A few minutes later, Jamal’s phone buzzed. Peeking through barely parted lids, Jean saw Jamal frown down at his phone. His jaw clenched tight as he read a text message. With a tense glance at a seemingly sleeping Jean, he deleted it and shoved the phone in his pocket. Jamal stared at the ceiling with a hard glint in his eyes.
Jean closed her eyes. He seemed bothered by that message. What’s going on? Who is he communicating with? Her weary mind spun, eroding her brief sense of security. She had wanted to believe Jamal was simply a good Samaritan who saved her by chance. But now, unease gripped her. Whatever they were facing, this was only the beginning. The danger was still out there and she didn’t know if her supposed protector was being completely honest.