Faded With A Stranger

Chapter 8: The Call Home

The truck rolled to a stop in the sleepy, dimly lit town that Chris had hoped was a waypoint rather than their final destination. The truck's headlights cast long shadows on the cracked pavement as the elderly woman parked beside a small, run-down building. She turned off the engine, and the sudden silence was punctuated only by the distant hum of insects and the occasional bark of a stray dog.

Chris and the others stepped out of the truck, stretching their legs and trying to shake off the fatigue of the long journey. The town looked eerily quiet, with only a few lights flickering from the windows of nearby homes and businesses. It was a stark contrast to the hectic and chaotic surroundings they had come from.

The old woman turned to Chris, her face earnest. "I take you here. There is place where you can call. Be safe, okay?" She gestured toward a small, dilapidated payphone at the edge of a nearby convenience store.

"Thank you so much," Chris said, trying to express his gratitude with a smile despite the exhaustion and tension. "We appreciate your help."

The woman nodded, gave a curt wave, and drove off, the truck's engine fading into the night. Chris watched her leave with a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety. He turned back to Maria and Ana, who had already started to explore their surroundings.

"Looks like we're back in the same town the hookers came from," Chris said, his voice heavy with weariness. "Let's try to make the most of it and figure out our next steps."

As they moved toward the payphone, Chris felt a sudden, uneasy presence behind him. He turned around to see Maria and Ana, who had been quiet for most of the journey, now approaching him with expressions of tentative excitement.

"We had great time," Maria said, her English still heavily accented but clear enough. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and determination.

"Even if we impatient," Ana added, stepping closer. Her tone was earnest but held a hint of stubbornness. "We like to come to home town."

Chris raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "What are you talking about?"

Maria and Ana exchanged glances before Maria spoke up again. "We like this town. We know people here. We can help you find money. You need help, yes?"

Chris's confusion turned to concern. "Wait, you want to stay here? After everything?"

Ana nodded, her face firm. "We know how to get things done here. This place, it's good for us. We can help you find what you need. It will be easier."

Chris rubbed his temples, trying to make sense of their sudden change of heart. The idea of staying in a small town, with the FBI potentially closing in and Doug's hidden fortune still a looming question, felt like a dangerous gamble.

"I appreciate the offer," Chris said cautiously, "but we need to keep moving. The FBI will be looking for us, and we have to get out of here as soon as we can."

Maria's face fell, but she remained resolute. "We can still help. We know people who can find things. Money, safe place. You don't need to leave town right away."

Ana stepped forward, her eyes pleading. "Please, just give us a chance. It's better to have some help here than nothing."

Chris sighed deeply, weighing his options. He knew that their situation was precarious and that time was of the essence. However, he also recognized the potential advantage of having local contacts who might be able to assist them.

"Alright," Chris said, his voice weary but resigned. "We'll give it a shot. But we need to be cautious and stay low. No attracting attention." Chris then ran to the payphone, and dialed his wife, who would be furious at Chris, and indeed she was. His hands trembled slightly as he inserted the coins, feeling a pang of guilt and anxiety about the call he was about to make. He took a deep breath and dialed his home number, hoping for a glimmer of comfort amid the chaos.

The phone rang, each tone echoing louder in the still night air. Chris's heart pounded in his chest, each ring amplifying his mounting dread. Finally, a familiar voice answered on the other end.

"Hello?"

It was his wife, Laura. Her voice, though strained, carried the familiar warmth that Chris had missed so dearly. But today, it was tinged with frustration and worry.

"Laura, it's me," Chris said, trying to keep his voice steady. "It's Chris."

There was a brief pause, then a sharp intake of breath. "Chris? Where the hell have you been? Do you know how worried I've been?"

Chris winced, the intensity of her response hitting him hard. "I know, I'm so sorry. It's been a—"

"You're sorry?" Laura interrupted, her voice rising. "You've been gone for days! I had no idea where you were, or if you were even alive. Do you know what this has done to me? I was going out of my mind!"

Chris's heart ached at her words. "I'm sorry, Laura. I got caught up in something I didn't expect. I'm in a tough spot right now, but I'm trying to find a way to get back to you."

Laura's voice softened slightly but remained stern. "What's going on? Are you in trouble?"

Chris hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Yes, it's complicated. I'm with some people who are helping me, but we've got to stay low. The situation is dangerous, and I need to get back to Austin."

There was a long silence on the line. Chris could almost hear Laura's mind racing, trying to process the situation. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady but filled with hurt. "Chris, you need to come home. I don't care what kind of trouble you're in, you need to figure this out. I can't deal with this uncertainty anymore." Chris hesitated, his mind racing as he tried to find the right words. "I'm with some people who can help me get out of this mess. But, Laura, you need to know... they're—"

"Who are they, Chris? Just tell me!"

"They're—" Chris's voice faltered. "—they're sex workers. I didn't mean for this to happen, but I'm stuck with them now. Their names are Maria and Ana. They're helping me, but I need a way out. I was hoping your parents could come pick us up. We're not far from their town."

There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line, broken only by Laura's sharp intake of breath. "HOOKERS?! YOU GOT DAMN HOOKERS?! WHEN DID YOU GET HOOKERS, CHRISTOPHER?"

Chris flinched, the intensity of her reaction hitting him hard. "Laura, please, let me explain. It's not what it seems. I got caught up in a situation I didn't expect. I just need your help."

Laura's voice erupted with anger. "When did you even get involved with hookers? How could you do this? And now you want my parents to come pick you up? Are you kidding me?"

"I didn't plan any of this," Chris pleaded, trying to calm her. "It started with a chance encounter. I'm in trouble, and I thought they could help me. I just need a ride to get out of here. Please, I don't have any other options right now."

Laura's breathing was rapid and uneven. "So, you want my parents to come and pick up not only you but also these—these women? This is beyond unbelievable, Chris. I can't have my family involved in this mess."

"I understand it sounds awful," Chris said, his voice filled with remorse. "But I'm really stuck. If I don't get out of here soon, things will get worse."

Laura's voice was a mixture of fury and anguish. "I don't care how stuck you are. You've put me through hell, and now you want to drag my family into this? No, Chris. No way. I can't deal with this. I won't let my parents be involved."

Chris's shoulders slumped as he absorbed the full force of her anger. "I'm really sorry, Laura. I know this is a lot to ask. I just... I don't know what else to do."

Laura's tone softened slightly, though still laced with frustration. "You need to sort this out yourself. Get yourself out of this situation. I'm done being dragged into your mess."

"Laura, please," Chris begged. "I'm doing my best. I just need a little more time."

Laura's voice was resolute and cold. "Figure it out, Chris. And don't call me again unless you have something concrete. I can't keep dealing with this."