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Blood oozes from a gash where I whacked him with the lamp. For a moment, I’m overcome with fear he may not be okay, but that passes quickly. That fucker was about to kill me. I sure as hell don’t plan to stick around to wake him.
I slam my suitcase shut, grab his wallet from his jacket pocket, and take all the cash he has before tossing the wallet on the floor. Across town is no longer anywhere near far enough. I have to get as far away from here as I can.
“Get yourself together, Andrea!” I scold myself. I drop my phone into my bag, shrug my jacket on, and grab my suitcase as quickly as I can.
My feet start moving me towards the hallway, my breaths coming in short, panicked pants and my brain is in too much of a fog to think straight. All I know is I must get out of here.NOW!
I dry my eyes as I rush down the steps, fumbling on the bottom stair in my haste to flee. I catch myself on the banister just in time before I fall to the floor. I fly out of the front door, slamming it shut behind me with a finality that vibrates through my bones and the house.
Luck is finally on my side when I see a cab just down the way. I throw my shaking hand in the air and dart out into the street, waving franticly to get his attention. He sees me and speeds my way. When he pulls to a stop beside me, I don’t waste any time flinging the door to the cab open, grunting as I lift my suitcase and roughly toss it inside. Within a second, I’m in the cab and slamming the door.
“Where to, ma’am?” the cabbie asks with a concerned look.
“Train station!” I bark. It is louder and more forceful than I’d meant for it to be, but I’m petrified Christopher will come running out of that house any second. I need to be long gone before that happens.
I can’t bring myself to look at the brownstone as we pull away. So many thoughts hit me as the cabbie speeds down the street. It appears he understood the urgency in my voice, and I’m silently grateful to him for it.
As we get out onto the main road, my mind wanders back to Christopher’s still form laying in the floor. I hope I haven’t killed him, but if I did, it would be self-defense, right? He attacked me first.
What about my parents? My anxiety twisted brain thinks what every kid does in a time of crisis—Mom and Dad will help me.
But my memories suddenly fill in what my anxiety tried to make me forget.
Just before asking the cab driver to stop, I remember hearing my dad’s voice when Adalyn left that message. He urged her to continue calling me. He wasn’t angry or mean, but he pressured her.
My mom was her own brand of toxic. She’s always taken Christopher’s side. She’d spin this and make it my fault. She’d tell me I needed to apologize and fix this, not caring what he’s done.
I can’t even turn to my own brother because Andrew is clearly involved, too.
No, I can’t go to them.
With me gone, they would leave Adalyn alone. They would have no reason to torment her any longer. I have to leave, for my sake and Addy’s. I’ll do anything for her.
Looking up, I notice the cab driver checking his rearview. I peer behind us but see nothing out of the ordinary. Looking down at myself, I think he must be looking at me. My hand immediately goes to my neck, and I flinch from how sore it is to the touch. I realize it must be red and inflamed. The cab driver furrows his brows in concern, I think.
He sees the marks.
I flip the collar of my jacket up and zip it to the top, unwilling to explain a single thing. I hope he takes my actions as a clear message not to pry. Looking down, I notice my leggings are twisted, so I do my best to straighten them.
Knowing the driver wouldn’t be the only one to look or judge, I take my hair tie out and let my hair flow over my shoulders to help conceal my neck. I rake my fingers through it, trying to make myself look like I haven’t just survived a vicious attack.
I glance up to the rearview mirror again to find the driver now looking at the road. I cross my hands on my lap, willing myself to believe I’m going to be okay. I feel tears threatening again, but this time I don’t try to stop them. I put my sunglasses on, lean back against the seat, and let them fall.
Chapter 15
Iwipethetearsfrom my face as the cab driver pulls into the train station.I can do this.Pulling the baseball cap from my bag, I pull it down tight on my head and leave my sunglasses on to decrease the odds of being recognized.
When I open the door and step out onto the pavement, the cabbie is waiting with my luggage. I only have a few days of clothes in here. I didn’t know this was goodbye.
Pushing that thought away, I pay my fare and give a small tip. I never counted the cash I took from Christopher, and I need to hold on to as much of it as possible.
I walk up to look at the train schedule, hoping to find one leaving soon because I need to leave as soon as possible. Looking over the board, I see so many options. It doesn’t really matter where I go as long as it isn’t here, and my escape is swift.
After making my way to the counter, I say, “I would like the soonest departing train.” My voice is quiet, raspy.
The ticket agent looks at me in confusion. “Um, where to?” she asks.
“East. Anywhere East will do,” I reply, trying not to sound nervous. “Adventure awaits.” I inwardly roll my eyes at myself for my ridiculous comment.
