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26: Running From Nightmares

26: Running From Nightmares

Selena's father came in. He was in the same zip code as me, within a ten mile radius of me. We'd already given Pudgy over to Selena, and she was keeping me updated. I had written a checklist and was going through for the fourth time to make sure I had everything. If I didn't see or touch what was on that list, it wasn't counted that I had it.

I was very well prepared.

While I worked on that, Emmett watched TV. He leaned back, looking at some redneck show about duck calls. I hadn't pegged him for that type of guy, but I'd grown used to his unpredictable ways.

"Where is my makeup bag?" I asked, my tone alarmed. "I swear I packed it. I haven't worn makeup for the past two days!"

"It's in my duffle bag," he said around a mouthful of chips. "You ran out of room in your suitcase."

"Oh, right. Where is your duffle?"

"Over there." He gestured to the front door and I saw two bags sitting there. One suitcase and one duffle bag.

"Did you pack everything? Like, really, everything?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Because that doesn't look like much."

"Guys don't pack excessively like girls."

"Well, I also know that a few things of that are mine. I'm going to make you a checklist."

"No need." He made another arm movement towards the bags. "In the suitcase, there's a checklist. Mom made a whole stack for all our trips. I just grabbed one and checked stuff off. Me and my dad always had to do that."

Frowning, I looked at it in shock. He actually had checked things off. I had packed two duffle bags, one suitcase, a toiletry bag, and a huge purse. The purse had emergency things in it, including makeup tools, plus the usual pocket meant for my small wallet. I also had one thing of detergent and another of clothing softener for my laundry. Some hotels had rooms for their washing machines, so I figured I could stop and wash mine and Emmett's clothes in there. I had packed enough clothes for one or two weeks, but it would be okay when I did laundry at the occasional laundry room in a hotel.

Sighing, I collapsed onto the couch. "Did you ever meet Walsh?"

"Why are we talking about this?" he asked tersely. I sent him a pointed look and he took in a long breath. "Yes. Selena and I used to hang out. Mutual friends. He knew my parents well."

"So there's a small chance he will try to stop by and say hi?" I asked, biting my lip.

"You're being paranoid."

"You're dodging questions."

"He doesn't know my parents left. He might try to say hi. But I can easily just explain the situation and have him be on his way."

"He's going to find out that I'm here," I said nervously. "I know he is. He always does. He finds me, Emmett."

"It's okay," he said, his voice soothing. "I'm not going to let anything like that happen. Selena knows not to say anything, and I can easily shrug him off if he tries to visit."

"Better yet, text Selena and tell her to tell him you moved. Since your parents won't be here, it'll be easy and believable."

"Why can't you?"

"If he's around, he'll see my name on her phone."

"No, he'll see 'bestie' with about a million emojis next to it," he stated flatly. "I've seen it. That's what your name is."

I made a mental note to change hers from Selena to something like that. Knowing her, she could get irritated that I had an ordinary name and she had an something extravagant.