Key to His Heart (Sequel)

No One Knows Us

Hope and Jake spent over a month moving around the northern United States and laying false trails. They planned to go across the border to Canada, but not right away. They were waiting for the search to stall out.

Also, they still didn't try to reach out to any contacts to get help with their exit from the country. They suspected that the rogue agents had somehow infiltrated the dark web communications, or were threatening or bribing people to report back to them. Instead, they arrived in New York City one sunny morning, and by the end of the day, they had sniffed out a place that catered to undocumented immigrants. They got new IDs and passports and then slowly made their way north and east to Niagara Falls. This was the busiest northern border crossing in the country, and they intended to cross it with a large tourist crowd on foot.

Sadly, this meant ditching most of their few remaining possessions. Their weapons, the tactical vests, and most of their clothing could not come through with them. They had to destroy all the documentation of who they were including fake identities they had paid good money for. But it would be worth it in the end if it meant safety and taking a full breath of freedom.

They decided to keep a single laptop, which they partitioned so it would boot up with Windows OS in case they were asked to turn it on. They each had a basic-appearing burner phone. It was the height of summer, so Hope dressed in cutoff denim shorts and a tank top, her long hair swinging behind her in a high ponytail.

Jake wore a pair of black cargo shorts, a grey t-shirt, and a worn ball cap low over his eyes. They stuffed a hoodie into each backpack along with wallets, passports, phones, and sunscreen to complete the ruse, and that was the extent of their gear. Jake muttered when they had to fry yet another laptop and extra burners; he despised destroying tech, but it would look strange for tourists to carry all of that equipment for a day trip.

Hope had pulled the SIM on her work phone while they hid at the school after bricking the device. Maybe they would be able to reach out to their people in Duskwood someday, but not for a very long time. She hoped they would be left alone, but they didn't have the resources to take care of them any longer. This was life or death for her and Jake, so everyone else would have to fend for themselves.

After dumping the items they were leaving behind in various bins around a busy casino, Jake and Hope walked into the bustling Niagara Falls State Park. They visited various activities throughout the morning, picking up overpriced food and riding the Maid of the Mist tour. They held hands, kissed, and took selfies, just like tourists. At lunchtime, Jake turned to Hope.

"What do you say we check out the Canadian side, baby? I heard the photo ops are even more epic over there," he grinned at her, "and you know how I like to make my baby happy."

"Aww," Hope crooned in character, linking her arms around Jake's waist. "You're the best, honey. Let's do it." Jake patted her behind for good measure before giving her a searing kiss in the middle of a crowd. It had been days since he'd been inside her, and that would need to happen once they were across the border.

"I need you so bad, love," he murmured against her lips.

Hope whimpered as he stole her breath with his words and the feelings behind them. She clung to his neck. People walking by were chuckling and mumbling, and she reluctantly pulled away. His hand remained low on her hip, his fingers tracing under her shirt as they walked leisurely along the water toward the Rainbow International Bridge. They reached the U.S. customs building and took the turnstile one after the other along with a large, chatty group. They mixed in and made small talk with them so they looked cohesive as they crossed the bridge to stand in line for the Canadian Customs.