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I may not be as big as Grim or as pretty, but I know I’m muscular and if you can get past my scar, easy on the eye. Opening my bag, I pull out underwear and a white tank then climb into the bed pulling the covers over me. Even if I’d slept on the floor, I don’t think I’d be able to keep my eyes open. Sleep claims me before Cheree comes back into the room.
***
The next day I wake to find Cheree curled into my side, her arm draped over me and my arm around her.
“Janet’s being kind to us, more than we could’ve hoped for,” Cheree whispers.
“We’ll make it up to her. And Grim,” I whisper. “What they’ve done—there’s no repaying that kind of loyalty.”
Cheree raises up on one arm and looks at me. “Makes you believe in something more, doesn’t it?”
“Maybe.”
“We should get going.” Cheree twists and puts her feet on the floor. “I’m going to go wash my face.”
Cheree stands, she’s wearing black underwear and a black tank. I watch her leave the room then sit up in the bed. Checking my watch, it’s five o’clock. Time we were on the road.
***
The morning air is cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth of Janet’s apartment. The sun hasn’t quite managed to chase away the chill of the departing night, and the sky hangs heavy with the promise of a long journey ahead.
“Janet,” I begin, turning towards the older lady who stands in the doorway, her arms folded across her chest like she’s bracing herself against more than just the cold. “We can’t thank you enough for this.”
Her eyes hold mine, steady and sure. “You don’t need to thank me, JD. You’re Grim’s family, and that makes you mine, too.” Her voice is firm, but I see the worry that lurks behind her gaze—worry for us, for what we might face once we step out from the sanctuary she’s provided.
“Still,” Cheree interjects, stepping forward with an earnestness that softens the hard lines of her face. “You’ve given us more than shelter. You fed us and took care of us.”
“Stay safe out there,” Janet replies, reaching out to squeeze Cheree’s hand. “And remember, you’ve got friends. No matter what happens.”
“We’ll be in touch,” I assure her, my voice low. “Once we’re settled.”
“Good,” she says with a finality that brooks no argument.
Cheree and I exchange a look, silent understanding passing between us. Time to go. We shoulder our bags, the familiar weight a reminder of the road ahead. I check the gun holstered at my side one last time, its presence both a comfort and a testament to the life that seems to follow us no matter how fast we ride.
“Let’s hit it,” I say, and Cheree nods.
We step out onto the cracked pavement, the early light casting long shadows that seem to point the way forward.
“New York, here we come,” I say as we climb into the car.
The engine kicks over and we pull away from the curb, leaving Janet’s safe haven behind. Gravel crunches beneath the tires as we merge onto the open road, the dawn stretching before us, wide and unwritten.
As the buildings of the small town shrink in the rearview mirror, I can’t help but feel the surge of adrenaline that comes with the unknown. There’s danger out there, lurking on the highways and byways of America, but there’s also freedom—the kind that can only be found when the horizon calls your name.
The city looms in the distance, a beacon drawing us inexorably forward. Whatever lies ahead, we’ll face it together.
Chapter Four
Cheree
If I didn’t know better, I’d think JD was taking his time to get to New York. We should be there by now but today he decided to take a short cut. Now, we’ve veered off the main road and are going to set up camp in a secluded area. I know I should be mad but it’s nice being in the company of a man who isn’t telling me what to say or think or putting his hands on me.
JD climbs out and begins collecting wood for a fire. I watch as he skillfully stacks the wood and turns a flicker of a spark into a flame.
“JD, what are we doing?” I hunker down beside the fire, knees drawn up, arms wrapped around them.
The flames cast a warm glow on JD’s face, the light dancing in his eyes.
