AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She leans at the door of the small room, motioning for me to stop stocking groceries. "So tell me about these classes. What made you want to take them?"
Taking a deep breath, I lie.
I open up to Marlene about the time I was mugged during a school trip to Times Square. It's an earlier traumatic experience that I can now talk about without giving away any hints about my current situation as someone on the run.
“I was 13 and on a school trip to Times Square when it happened,” I tell her. “It was supposed to be a fun and educational experience, but it quickly turned into a nightmare. A group of us had wandered off from the main group, thinking we were invincible in the bustling streets of New York City. We were laughing and taking pictures, completely unaware of our surroundings.”
“That's when I felt a sharp tug on my backpack. I turned around to see a man, much larger and more intimidating than me, yanking at my bag. Before I even had time to react, he had snatched it from my grasp and pushed me hard on the ground, and ran down the street. He disappeared so fast in the crowd.”
“Oh my God,” she says when I pause for a moment. “That sounds so awful.”
“Yes, I agree. “I was in shock. This kind of thing didn't happen to me before. After that incident, I became hyper-aware of my surroundings. I always made sure to keep my bag close to my body, never walking too close to the street, and avoided dark and deserted areas.”
I explain how it has made me feel like I need more control over my safety.
As I finish sharing my story with Marlene, she listens intently, her eyes filled with empathy. After a moment of silence, she reaches out and gently places her hand on mine.
"That sounds so frightening," she says softly. "I can't even imagine how it must have felt to have that happen to you at such a tender age."
"It was terrifying," I reply, my voice catching slightly. "But it also made me realize that I need to do more to feel safe. I can't assume that nothing bad will ever happen."
Marlene nods, empathetic. "You're right. It's important to empower yourself and take proactive measures to ensure your own well-being."
A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips. "Exactly"
Marlene squeezes my hand gently. "I admire your strength and determination," she says sincerely. "Not everyone would be able to handle such a challenging situation and recover like you did. What happened to you wasn’t your fault. And no one should ever make you feel powerless." She gives my hand a gentle squeeze before continuing. “I'm really proud of you for taking this step. Empower yourself, girl."
"Thanks," I say, grateful for her words. "Well, we should probably head out," I add, changing the subject. "It's going to be a busy day tomorrow."
"Very true," she replies with a nod. "Have yourself a good night, Talia."
After gathering my things, we leave and Marlene locks up as I head back to my room. As I lie in bed, I cling to that hope.
Getting my power back.
10
Antonio
That compact mirrorand half-filled purse are the only things we found that belong to Natalia. Finding her belonging brings a mix of emotions to the surface. Relief that we have found something, but also fear of what it could mean for her.
Sitting alone in the SUV, parked on a quiet street of this small Colorado town, I let out an energized breath.
The street is lined with quaint houses, their lights softly glowing in the darkness of the night. The SUV's windows are foggy, adding a sense of anonymity to my lone figure inside. I can see my breath, a visible white cloud in front of me. With my driver side window rolled down, the scent of pine from the nearby trees drifts through the open window, mixing with the crisp air of the cool night. I feel hidden and isolated from the reality of our world, the swaying pine trees creating a calm that's at odds with my racing thoughts.
The faint scent of gasoline lingers as the SUV's engine idles.
We're closer, but there's no clue as to where to go next. I can’t stop the turmoil in my mind. My thoughts drift to Natalia, to her talent and all her hobbies. She loved dance class when she was younger, but as she got older, sketching and drawing were her things. And shopping. And live concerts, which were a nightmare for me as her bodyguard. With her art, she would lose herself in it, each stroke showing her passion and depth. The uncertainty and chaos in my mind intensifies as I struggle to piece together any information that could lead us to her.
I glance at the map sprawled across the passenger seat, its lines and names a puzzle waiting to be solved. I never thought I’d ever use a map like this. But as it’s a tourist-y town, the little gas station had a few of these and I decided it would be a good thing for me and my team to use. We divided the town into sections on the map and split my men into groups. They all had their area to search and find whatever they could about who might’ve kept Natalia in that abandoned industrial building.
Did they take her?
Did they hurt her?
Is it possible she got away?
Where could she go from here? I know she wouldn't dare head back home; it's too far and far too dangerous.
