Firecracker (On Hold)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two

Ariya's P.O.V.

I've been jogging for a few hours now. The sun is pretty high in the sky, suggesting it's noon at least. I've taken a few breaks, but nothing more than a few minutes. I can't run the risk of losing too much time. I've finished one bottle of water and I have two left. I need to make those last, but carrying them is making my arms more heavy. I'm aware that I can't keep going at this rate. I need food and I need to sleep. Normally running with two bottles of water wouldn't affect me at all, but these aren't normal circumstances. I had to hide my discarded bottle so no one would be able to see it. I can't take any chances here and I'm paranoid I'm going to miss something that will get me caught, which is making me mentally tired. I need to rest but I don't feel like I'm far enough away to be able to do that.

I scold myself out loud, "Come on, Ariya. Don't be so weak. Don't be everything he told you you were. Don't give him the satisfaction of being right. Suck it up and get on with it. I just need to get to a phone and everything will be ok..."

That incentive pushes me on and I continue on my journey. The sun is just starting to set when I stumble upon a small house. I stop and watch carefully, not wanting to get caught, step into a trap or one of Justin's friends.

I see a woman bringing in washing from the line in the back yard. She looks harmless enough and I take a chance and approach with caution. I see the moment she notices me. The look of shock and fear in her eyes tells me everything I need to know. I drop my head and try to make myself look less intimidating. I don't know if that works, because she eyes me cautiously. I know I'm not a timid person. I know I scare people. It's just the way I am. I guess I have my lovely father to thank for that.

I quietly say, "Excuse me. I was wondering if I could borrow your phone? I need to call home to let them know I'm ok..."

She frowns, "What happened to you? You look like you've been in an accident."

An accident. Right, I'll go with that.

"I was traveling through when my car tyre popped and I ended up in a ditch. I had to walk for miles. You're the first place I've stumbled on. I don't need anything, just your phone so I can call home. I'll be out of your way after my call."

She must fall for my story because she says, "Ok. Come on in. Are you sure the crash is the only thing that hurt you?"

"Yes ma'am."

This sickly sweet rubbish has my stomach churning, and not because I'm hungry. Although, stepping into her house I can smell food cooking. Before I step in the door, I glance at the windows and listen for anything to alert me that someone else is in the house. She must notice my hesitation because she says, "My husband won't be home from work for another 30 minutes at least. It's just us for now. Would you like something to eat? You look like you haven't eaten in a while."

She must trust that I'm not going to hurt her. I must not look like a threat. Which is true for the most part. As long as she doesn't do anything to me or threaten me in any way, then I'm not going to hurt her. I just need to make sure I get out of here before her husband returns. I can't leave a trail of battered people after me. Justin will definitely find that.

She hands me the phone, "So? Would you like a sandwich?"

My stomach growls, giving away my hunger. She chuckles, "I'll take that as a yes. I'll fix you something. My name is Mary. What's your name, dear?"

Now she wants to be friends? Seriously? Are the people in this town weird or what? We don't do things like this in New York. I just stare at her for a minute or two, trying to figure her out. She doesn't look like she's fishing for information or like she knows where I've come from. Justin probably doesn't expect me to approach anyone and he probably doesn't think I'd get this far. I have to admit, this is a pretty dumb move, asking this lady for her phone, but I need to speak to D. The quickest way for me to get out of this town is if he sends someone to pick me up. I can't run much further before someone finds me or Justin catches up with me. For now, I have to just deal with her seeing me and hope she doesn't drop me in it.