Against All Odds

Chapter 1

I take a deep breath as I look out the taxi window to the busy streets of New York. I look down at my new ID, passport and cash that I was given. The ID and passport read Nevaeh Pierce.
"You are Nevaeh Pierce now. You have to blend in now. Do you understand? That means you have to stay out of trouble or they will find you." Andrew says from beside me. I look at my uncle and nod.
"Yes, Sir. I will do my best to keep a low profile." I say. He squeezes my shoulder and smiles a little bit.
"I hate having to do this... but I just want you safe. Neither of us are to reach out to each other unless it is an absolute emergency. Do you understand? You have to disappear off the face of the planet otherwise Asher will find you." He says. I smile at him and nod. I reach over and hug him tightly.
"I know... There are a lot of people here. I should be able to disappear between all of them. I will stay on alert I promise." I say leaning back into my seat. He lets me go after hugging me back and sighs.
"Stay on alert... but also try to create a new life for yourself. Don't live your life in fear. I want you to be happy." He says. I smile at him and nod.
"I will Uncle. Thank you for helping me." I say. He nods and looks out the window as we pull up to an apartment building. I look out at the new life I have and gulp. I turn back to my uncle. I give him one last bear hug before opening the taxi door to get out. "I love you uncle. I will miss you so much. I appreciate everything you have done for me. Truly..." I say. I see the tears in his eyes as I pull back.
I give him a peck on the cheek and slide out of the car. I grab my bag from the trunk and make my way into the apartment building. I grab my key out of my pocket and head to the elevator as I  check what apartment I'm in. My key chain shows apartment 395. I press the 3rd floor button and take a deep breath as the elevator makes its way to the 3rd floor. I move to leave the elevator as the door opens but collide with someone as I do.
"Oh my gosh I am so sorry!" I say as I grab onto the person to keep them from falling. The girl looks up at me and laughs a little bit.
"Oh don't worry that was my fault I shouldn't be rushing around here." she smiles and looks at my suitcase then back at me. "Oh, are you just moving in?" She asks? I nod and smile at her.
"Yeah actually I am. Do you live here?" I ask. She grins.
"Yes I do! We get to be neighbors yay!" she says. I laugh a little bit and nod. She gasps. "Goodness, where are my manners?! Hi, I'm Riley." she stretches her hand out to shake mine. I take her hand and shake it with a grin.
"I'm Nevaeh. Nice to meet you. " I laugh. She grins and grabs my suitcase for me.
"What apartment are you in? I'll show you where it is." She offers. I hold up my keychain to show her the number.
"Apartment 395." I say. She nods and turns right and heads down the hall.
"You are at the very end of the hall. Come on I'll show you." She rolls my suitcase behind her. "Is this all of your stuff? What brings you to New York?" She asks. I bite my lip and shrug at her.
"Everything in that suitcase is everything I will ever need." I say. "I figured I could buy decor once I made it here." I say. She nods and stops at my door, turning to look at me.
"Hmm. You must be a minimalist." she says with a smile. I nod and put my key in the door and walk into my new apartment.
"Yeah something like that." I laugh. "To answer your second question, art is what brought me here. I got a job at an art gallery as an assistant." I say setting my stuff down on the counter as I look around the apartment. My uncle must have furnished it for me. The couch, TV, bed, etc. is all here already. This is a really nice apartment! Riley grins.
"Really? That's awesome! I love art! I'll have to come see you sometime so you can show me all the really cool art you'll be working with!" she says. I turn and study her. I smile. Make a friend. Check. That was easy.
"Sure yeah! I would love that!" I grin. "Are you busy? Do you want to hang out while I unpack?" I ask. She smiles and rolls my suitcase to me.
"I would love to stay and get to know you but I have an appointment here shortly. How about tonight? Maybe we could get to know each other and I can show you the night life in New York? I'll introduce you to my friends!" she says. I smile and nod.
"Yeah that sounds great! When should I be ready to go?" I ask. She jumps up and down excitedly.
"Yay! Okay! Um, I'll come here and get you at 7:00 does that work?" she asks. I nod.
"I'll be ready!" I say. I hand her my phone. "Here put your number in and I'll text you." I suggest. She adds her number and hands my phone back. I send a quick message to her and grin. "Okay. I'll see you at 7!"
"I'll see you at 7! Bye Nevaeh!" she says and walks out of my apartment closing the door behind her. I take a deep breath and take my suitcase to my room and start to unpack.