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“Eight,” he admits.
My stomach turns. “What’s your name?”
He shrugs. “I don’t remember.”
I feel like I’m going to be sick, but I smile through it. “Do you have any family?”
He shakes his head, his big brown eyes pleading with me.
“Fuck,” I mutter. “Okay. Come with me. I need you to be very brave right now. Okay?”
He nods and takes my hand trustingly as I lead him to my motel room. I quickly pack my stuff and stop with the cash I have left on my hands.
“You got any money?” I ask the boy. “Anyone you can call?”
He shakes his head again. He’s crying now.
“It’s okay.” I cling on to the money tightly, then hand it over for him. “We need to get you out of here. I have someone who can help you.”
“Really?” he sniffles.
I wonder if anyone has done a nice thing for this boy in his brief life.
“Really,” I reply with a firm tone. “But first we need to get out of here. Come on, we’ll take a train.”
I guide him on the street and get us a taxi. There’s no sign of the boy’s father, or whoever the hell he is, for which I’m grateful. I know he murdered this boy’s mama. And that the kid doesn’t even know his own name… It’s sad. And so unfair.
I stuff the cash into his pockets on the taxi ride. The driver stares at us. This one will remember me. I need to get out of here fast, and I can’t afford to travel with a little boy anymore.
With my lipstick, I write the number for Phoenix on his little arm. I make him promise me he’ll call when he gets to his destination. He keeps asking me why I can’t make the call, and my heart breaks a little every time.
When we get to the station, I make him walk up to the information office and buy a ticket out of here. I get one for myself to a place in the opposite direction. I walk the boy to his train and he realizes what’s happening. I kneel next to him and button up his jacket stuffed with cash.
“Are you leaving me?” he asks.
“I have to get somewhere, and it’s dangerous for you to stay with me,” I tell him with regret, smiling and turning the corners of his mouth up. “Cheer up. When you get to the station, you’ll know. It’s the last one so everyone gets off there. From there, find a pay phone and call my friend. His name is Phoenix. And one other very important thing. Don’t mention you met me. To anyone. Even if they offer you more money. My friend will take care of you, okay?”
He nods. “But why can’t I tell anyone about you? You’re my only friend.”
“You will make lots of new friends soon,” I promise him, squeezing his hand tight. “Maybe one day, I’ll see you again.”
He looks like he’s going to cry again, but puts up a brave act as I sit him down in the train and make sure he’s safe.
“Will you wave from the platform?” he asks.
“Of course,” I promise sincerely.
I get off the train. The little boy’s face is pressed against the window and I wave as the train sets off. My heart sinks when I see tears on his face. I tell myself I did everything I could. If I get caught for this, so be it. That boy needed help.
I gave him almost all of my money, keeping only the amount for my train ticket. I don’t even know the city I’m going to. But I need to be as far away from the boy as possible to keep us both safe. I need to get on my train and get out of here before someone recognizes me as the runaway bride of the Scorpion cartel king.
I board and pick a seat. The train is packed but I keep to myself, anyway. Even though I have nothing anyone could steal, I’m too worried to fall asleep on the train. My heart is pounding. The man sitting across from me is staring.
This isn’t something I’m used to. I’m never out in public alone. But I know I have to get used to it. It's too dangerous to seek my family or anyone from my past life. It could mean signing their death sentence along with mine. I need to stay under the radar. Go somewhere no one knows me.
The ride takes hours. The man across stares at me lewdly while I get off with my meager possessions. Now I’m standing in a new city, a place I don’t know. I have nowhere to go and no money. I’m scared.
There’s a small, run-down building right across from the train tracks. I set my sights on it, thinking it’s a motel where I could beg for a room in exchange for some work. I’ll do anything, I’m a fast learner.
