It All Started With The Kidnapping

Chapter 9 - A New Beginning

Luna's Pov

I ran out of the alleyway, never looking back as gunshots echoed around me. Sprinting into the woods, I could hear footsteps behind me. I zigzagged around trees, trying to lose them. After some time, buildings came into view. Desperate for shelter, I ran to the closest open store and dashed inside.

The bell chimed, signaling to the worker that a customer had entered. Gasping for air, I struggled to catch my breath. A girl a couple of years older than me approached. She was stunning, with long, wavy purple-blonde hair flowing down her back, giving her a glamorous and striking appearance. "Hey, I'm Renee. How can I help you today? Is there anything specific you're looking for?" I hid behind a rack of clothing until I heard the footsteps pass, then stood back up and looked at her.

Gasping for breath, I managed to say, "Um... Yeah, I... want... a... new look." She glanced at me, then motioned for me to follow her.

She picked out a few outfits and said, "Try these on." I went into the dressing room and tried on the clothes. I didn't like them much. Luna, now is not the time to be picky, I told myself. Then I found the perfect outfit: a tank top paired with black ripped skinny jeans, combat boots, and a black and red leather jacket. No one would ever think I'd wear something like this

I added a necklace and two bracelets, along with aviator sunglasses. Finally, I took a bandana and made it into a headband to keep my hair out of my face. Looking in the full-length mirror, I saw that the cuts on my cheek had dried up, and I had a busted lip and a black eye forming on my right eye. Thankfully, all the other bruises and cuts were covered.

I stepped out wearing the new clothes and approached the counter. "Thank you for helping me out. How much will the clothes be?" I asked.

She looked at me and smiled. After checking her computer, she said, "It's free. I can tell you've been through a lot, and I want to try to make things a little better."

"Oh no, it's fine. I can pay, really. You don't have to do that." She just shook her head and pushed my money away, so I put it back in my jacket pocket. I didn't want to cause more trouble than I already had. "Do you know of a place that's still open that does hair?" I needed a complete makeover if I wanted to get out of town before James and Mason's henchmen found me and dragged me back to the prison I called my life.

She smiled and said, "Yes, when you walk out, it's to your right, four doors down." I thanked her again and left. Four doors down, I saw a cute little hair salon.

Inside, a girl with long, dark hair cascading down her shoulders was sweeping a pile of hair into a dustpan. Her bright smile added to her mysterious allure. "How can I help you?" she asked.

"I would like to dye my hair if you guys aren't busy," I said, hoping they had time. It was about 8 at night, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if they couldn't fit me in.

She waved me over to her chair. "No, you're all good. I'm not busy at all. Go sit in the chair in the corner, and I'll be right over."

I went over and looked at myself in the mirror, telling myself that after tonight, I was going to change for the better so no one could ever control me like that again.

Two hours had passed, and I had learned that her name was Dakota and that the girl at the clothing store was her twin sister. This surprised me because they didn't look or act the same. Dakota then said, "I have finished my masterpiece." She turned me around to face the mirror, and to my surprise, the girl looking back at me looked completely different. The new clothes and my long, platinum blonde hair, which cascaded in soft waves down my back and was intricately braided, transformed my appearance.

As I was about to pay, Dakota received a message from 'Barney.' She picked up her phone and texted back, laughing a little when she finished. When I tried to give her the money, she declined and told me to save it. I don't like when people take pity on me, but she wouldn't budge. Reluctantly, I put the money back in my pocket and went outside. Then I hailed a cab to the airport.

Once there, I bought a one-way ticket, which took up most of the money I made tonight at the bar. I'm grateful for the good tips, or I would have been hitchhiking somewhere. Then, I had to endure the long security line, which seemed to take forever. After finally getting through, I sprinted through the airport to make it just in time for my flight. I found my seat by the window and settled in. I'm starting a new chapter in my life, and this one is going to be better than the first. Goodbye, New York, and hello, Italy.