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1
Natalia
I take a step back,staring at the wooden trinket box in disbelief. My heart is thudding in my chest, a chaotic beat that drowns out the sounds of the room. How did someone get their hands on my mother's letters? And how could they have known to come looking for me here?
I'm tense, biting down on my lip as I try to reason with my racing thoughts. Maybe someone found the letters, and that's the reason they're looking for me. It makes sense. I don’t exactly have a common name, but the last time I saw my mother's letters was when I left them with Tammy Lou for safekeeping. Yet, here they are, in a place where I thought I would be safe.
A sinking feeling fills me, and I can't help but think the worst. I should've known that my life would eventually catch up with me. I should've kept running and never stopped. My mind races as I try to piece together what could have happened to Tammy Lou.
My eyes snap to the phone on the nightstand, my heart pounding in my chest. Without hesitation, I grab the receiver and punch in her number. Every second feels like an eternity as it rings, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Finally, she answers on the second ring and I feel a wave of relief wash over me. "Tammy Lou," I gasp out, barely able to speak through the lump in my throat. "Thank god you're okay. I've been terrified for you.
Her voice trembles with emotion as she responds, "Natalia! Oh my god, I'm so glad you're safe. I've been worried sick about you."
"Yeah, me too," I say, my voice cracking into the phone. The receiver feels cold and foreign in my trembling hand, my fingers gripping it tightly as if it's the only thing keeping me anchored to reality.
"Where have you been?" she demands, her voice trembling with a mixture of concern and relief. Every word drips with emotion as she speaks.
"It's a long story, and I know it sounds unbelievable, but I need to explain everything. But first, please tell me you know where my mother's letters are." My words tumble out in a frantic jumble as I speak into the phone, my voice cracking with suppressed emotion. My heart races and my palms sweat as I wait for her response.
She pauses, and I can tell she's thinking. "What do you mean? I didn't see any letters when you left. What's going on?"
"Someone must've taken them," I exclaim, panic rising in my voice. "Did anyone come to the house while I was away?" The image of someone rifling through my belongings sends a shiver down my spine.
She hesitates for a moment, and then admits, "Yes, a man came looking for you last week. He said he knew you from somewhere and wanted to talk. I told him you weren't here, but he seemed insistent. I should have called you." Tammy Lou's voice trembles with fear as she speaks, her words barely audible in a shaky whisper that seems to trail off into the distance. The sound of her ragged breaths, coming in quick gasps, fills the air and reverberates through the phone.
My jaw drops in disbelief at Tammy's revelation. "A man? What did he look like? Did he threaten you?"
"He was tall, with short dark hair and a low, trimmed beard. His presence didn't seem threatening, but I wasn't going to take any chances. I just wanted to help you, Natalia."
My mind races as I try to make sense of this new information. Could it be that this man has been searching for me all along, and now he knows where to find me? How did my letters make it from Tammy's house to the person that left it at my door? Questions swarm around in my head, begging for answers. I know why more people would be looking to take me hostage as leverage, but why would they go through these lengths to drop the letters off here and not try to grab me at the same time? Fear and urgency grips me. I know one thing for sure – I can't stay here anymore. I need to find a new place to lay low, and fast.
I take a deep breath and steel myself before speaking to my best friend. "Tammy Lou, can you go somewhere tonight? Somewhere other than your house?"
"Why?" The sound of worry is clear in her voice as she asks for the reason I want her to go somewhere else. "Everything's fine here."
"I know you said you haven't seen the letters, but I need to know that you're safe."
"Of course, Natalia. I'll go to--"
"No," I cut her off firmly. "Don't tell me where you'll be. It's better that way."
"What's this all about?" Doubt seeps through her voice as she questions me.
"I need you to trust me, okay? You know my family used to be into some shady stuff from the past, and now it's come back to bite us. Listen to me, just pack and leave, okay? I may not be able to reach out to you right away. Not until it’s safe. But I'll explain everything as soon as I can. Go. Now."
Fear creeps into her voice as she quickly agrees. "Okay, we’ll gather up a few things and leave town."
"Good. Go. Now," I urge her wondering whether I'll ever be free from my family's our dangerous past.
"I'll message you soon."
The phone call ends with a deafening click, and I sink to the cold, hard floor, feeling like my insides are about to come spilling out. The reality of my situation is clear - there's no stopping with these people. My mind races as I try to come up with a plan, my breathing quick and shallow. I need to find a way to keep moving. I need to go somewhere they won't know to look for me.
With trembling legs, I force myself to stand up, the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. Every second counts now. I can't afford to waste any more time.
I inhale deeply and press my palms against the cool, smooth surface of the kitchen counter. My fingers tremble as I try to calm myself down. I can feel the weight of my family's expectations bearing down on me, and I know I need to strategize if I want to survive.
Grabbing my phone, I frantically search for bus routes to nearby cities. Canada seems like a safe bet - far enough away from the famiglia and its connections. As I hastily piece together a plan, I focus on finding a discreet place to hide out where no one will recognize me. The last thing I need is more attention from those who want me for leverage against my father.
