His Blind Revenge

2 Making a Friend

Anna~
I had folded my cane up and stuffed it into my small handbag. I tried to keep far enough away from the couple in front of me. Everything was fine I would get through this completely unscathed. No one would guess. I wasn't even really running away I was eighteen. An adult. My hands were shaking and my breathing was hectic making my chest constrict painfully. The perso behind me cleared his throat and I took an embarrassing shuffle slide forward.
"Sorry." I muttered my face heated up and for sure had gone red, goodness I hated having such fair skin. I heard the couple in front of me walk away giggling together. Taking a deep breath I skipped up to the window,"Hey!" I chirped as  cheerfully as I cloud but was treated with a a rude 'hurumph' which caused my smile to falter slightly.
"Ummm, I bought a one way ticket to Chicago? I just need to pick my ticket up, and if you could tell me how to get to my train?"
Another 'hurumph' followed by a scratchy female? Voice "ID."
"What? Oh yeah duh, sorry!" I jerked my wallet out of my near empty purse. Careful not to open my wallet upside down. Again. I let my fingers drift over the labels, running my fingers back over the labels again, a sense of panic began to overtake me. My ID slot was empty. I swore I had placed it in its allotted spot when Tommy had given it to me not even a week ago. Taking a deep breath I prayed as hard as I could to any god or deity I could think of. 'Please please let it be here.' In the back of my wallet was a zipper compartment that I stored cash and cards I hadn't got to sort or label. Pulling out three glossy cards that could be my new ID or reward cards Lynn always gave me. Now to deal with having to explain to the ticket lady that I was blind and needed help and didn't let any one know ahead of time. Placing the three cards on the counter I sighed, "I'm sorry ma'am I misplaced my ID and I am legally blind. Please, please tell me one of these cards are mine?" My hands were shaking badly with embarrassment and fear; fear that the ID would not pass inspection fear that I was drawing to much attention like usual. How stupid of me to misplace my ID and then to forget about it? I should've checked my wallet before I left. I'm so stupid. What about other important things? My new debit card was here right? What if I left my new name somewhere in our apartment? Lynn would find it...Then Dad would find me. Oh gosh, I sucked in a deep breath and held it until I thought I was gonna pass out.
I began to count to try and keep the panic at bay. One-hundred and forty-two seconds passed before the woman grunted again.
"Miss? Here is your ID," the woman tapped the back of my hand and I eagerly grabbed it making sure to place it in the correct spot. "And here are the other two cards. And your ticket. If you'd like I can get someone to help you get to your train."
I sighed in defeat and mumbled a yes. I would be fine once I got on the train and I'd quit making myself so memorable just another few minutes. I felt my cheeks heat up again in embarrassment as I was directed to wait "Ten feet to the left and three steps forward. Would you like me to guide you?" I ignored the lady taking a couple steps to the left I pulled out my cane I already made myself noticeable I might as well be comfortable now. I took another couple steps forward, knowing knowing I was low on cash and now with the worry of leaving evidence at home about my disappearance I did not want to use my new card in Chicago, even though it was merely a stepping stone to where I truly wanted to go, I needed to find an ATM and add to my already ample cash supply. Stopping and listening for anyone near me. Someone sniffed loudly to my left and I eagerly turned in that direction. "Excuse me?" I asked as politely as possible, I made sure to stare well off to the side of where I thought the person to be. "Would you be so kind to tell me, if you know, where the ATM is?" It was silent for so long that I wondered if the person had wondered off before I could catch their attention. Which was by far worse, talking to empty space with everyone staring at you, and you just keep talking and everyone else either thinks your crazy or just walks away and doesn't say anything either.
"Yeah it's right behind you; are you blind or something?" The person, a girl finally snapped. Grimacing I shrugged my shoulders making the cane tap on the ground. "I guess at least that's what the doctor told me ten years ago." I tried to sound light hearted but it came out a little strained, I didn't exactly enjoy making other people aware of me. But the had to have eyes, maybe she could use them for a change. The girl gasped "Oh God. I am so sorry. Um yeah it's to your right up against the wall. Ummm yeah. I'm so sorry I didn't se-I wasn't paying attention. I didn't mean anything by it I swear."
"That's ok. Thanks." I began to turn but then swung back around as much as I didn't like using other people's awkward pity sometimes it came in handy, "Ummm, would you mind helping me with one more thing actually?" I pulled my ticket out in front of me, I didn't really want to wait for the attendant to help me besides spending time with someone who sounded a little bit more cheerful then the attendant was so an upgrade. Who knew how long they'd take anyways. "The lady at the ticket booth didn't tell me where to find my train." The girl gasped again and practically snatched the ticket away. "Of course!" She squealed enthusiastically "Oh! Better yet I can take you there! I'm on my way to Chicago as well!" The girl stuffed the ticket back into my hand and shook it excitedly. "I'm Nix, well Phoenix but no one ever calls me that. I loved Florida and going to Disney world and everything but I can't wait to go home. The allergies here are kiiiiilling me. Do you live here? In Florida I mean?"
"Ummm, yeah I live here." I stuttered suddenly feeling like I should have waited on the attendant. Not really sure what to make of the girl I backed up a little trying not to be to noticeable about it.
"That's cool. I don't know if I'd survive a full year here. Alice is such a cool and normal name. I wish I had a cool and normal name! Who names their kid Phoenix and actually puts it on their kids birth certificate?" I felt my body deflate as I tried to keep up with Nix's chatter as she bounced around. "Alice?" I asked slightly confused why was she talking about someone named Alice. "Yeah, oh sorry I just read the name off the ticket. Your name is Alice right?"
"Uhhh, yeah that's my first name. B-but everyone calls me Anna."
"That's crazy how'd they get Anna outa Alice?"
"Ummm, my full name is Alice Anne S-smith." I told her, I scratched head as an uncomfortable heat began to surface all over my face. What a horrible liar was I. I had almost forgotten my name was Alice, what a way to blow my escape attempt. I didn't like it either because it was my real name, the Alice part. It reminded me of my mom. I hated having to remember her.
"Why do they call you Anna instead of Alice or straight up Anne?" Nix shot back way to curious for her own good.
Why couldn't the girl leave me alone.
"I guess my dad liked Anne better. Everyone I know always calls me Anna or Anne. I guess. I dunno." I shrugged my shoulders, a frown marred my face half with annoyance at the hyper body of joy in front of me and half in annoyance at my father for completely disregarding my name the moment mom died.
The girl had stopped finally giving my mind a moment to catch up with myself.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. You could've just told me to shut up. My boyfriend hates when I start talking. Says I'll go on and On and on and on and on....and I'm shutting up now." She went silent and I couldn't stop myself from laughing a little. I was always so mean to judge someone. But she was really sweet, a chatter box for sure, but she was nice. If a little nosy, actually more like a lot nosy.
"I-I'm gonna go get cash then we can walk over to the train together?" A new life meant a new attitude. Hyper happy people were people I should hang out with. No more sulking in my bedroom and only hanging out with young children.
"Yes! Of course! I'll wait right..." Nix snapped her mouth closed with an audible click making me laugh again. I wanted to ruffle her hair or something.
Skittering off I found the ATM sticking my ear phones in the machine I made quick work to pull out the maximum amount of six hundred dollars. Opening my wallet I stuffed the money into my unorganized pocket so I could deal with it later, alone and away from possibly staring people.
Returning back to Nix's side I jumped as I felt Nix lightly touch my arm.
"Um I don't know how you want to do this?" She said awkwardly "You can hold my arm or...." Nix trailed off shuffling  uncomfortably.
"I'll hold onto your arm if that's ok with you." I said easily although unsure how to proceed either. Lynn just grabbed my arm and pulled me behind her the few times I was ever forced to go out with her.
"Ok," Nix sighed with relief. "Do you have any other bags?" Nix meant the one duffle I had slung on my back. Aside from my handbag and the clothes I was wearing it was all I could sneak out of the house without alerting Lynn. Who would alert dear old Dad who would tie me up and never let me leave his sight again.
"No. This is all I've got."
"You sure?" Nix asked warily; "You've only got one duffle and a one way ticket, Uhhh you said you live here right?"
I took a deep breath and let a smile spread across my face. A real smile, one that stretched all the way up and made my eyes crinkle.
"Yuuup! Three-hundred percent positive." I have to start acting positive. Be joyful like Nix.
"Kay, we better get going then. I don't want us to get stuck here another day." Nix said laughing a little as she placed my hand on top of her arm, she began to lead us both to the train that would take me away from Florida hopefully for a long, long time.