Remembering Raimondo (Complete)

Set-Up

I sat on the bus and watched Amira and her car get smaller and smaller as the bus drove off. I was not used to using public transportation. Leaving home changed a lot.

The phone Amira gave me was very old school. A flip phone. I like flip phones. Pressing the button on the side, the phone automatically flipped open. The battery was fully charged, I wanted to explore the technology. I was close to debating against it because i need the battery life to remain high until I atleast am sure the plan doesnt go wrong.

Ignoring my responsible self, I began to dig through the contacts. Clearly the phone was used. Halfway through the contacts I realized i knew noone listed so i went back to the main menu and clicked on Media. Inside there were a few folders.

"Lets see photos," I mumbled pressing on the photo icon.

It took a while to load, but when it finally did i discovered i knew no one in the pictures either.

But i lazilly continued to scroll down until i reached a photo that made me stop. The photo was of Amira, and in her arms was a man. I couldnt see his face clearly so i continued to the next photo. Maybe the next image would be more clear.

"Who is your lover?" I wondered aloud.

It took longer for the image to load. Phone must have felt my curiosity.

I quickly looked around at the passengers on the bus. There werent that many people. Mostly old men and women. Except for one person sitting on the other side. He had a hood over his head, arms crossed over his chest and his head down. He looked like he was taking a nap.

I returned my focus back to the phone and gasped loud enough for a man on my right to look up. I closed my eyes and shook my head. When I opened, his eyes were still staring back at me through the photo. It was Jeff. Jeff was her lover.

She set me up.

I was overcome with the sudden realization. I needed to get out of the bus as soon as possible and definantly before I pass that building that she mentioned. I looked out of the bus, there wasn't a bus stop anywhere near.

Standing from my spot a lifted the duffel bags strap and slung it over my shoulder. I made my way towards the drive.

"Sir, you need to stop." the driver didn't look up.

"Ma'am you should be familiar with the stops. We do not stop for another forth of-"

"I said stop."

Feeling the urgency in my tone he complied without another second of hesitation.

When the bus stopped, I made my way out as quickly as possible. Outside I turned to look into the bus. The hooded man stood and began walking towards the door. I knew who it was long before I tried to make out the figure.

Jeff.

Without another thought I dropped the duffel bag and sprinted into the thick trees scatterd on the side of the road. Dodging awkward branches and making sure I didn't step on a surface too uneven for my feet, my pace quickened with the beat of my heart. I didn't know which direction I was running in or how far of a distance my running has created in between me and Jeff. The only thing I knew is that I was running at a pace that didn't feel natural. My lungs quickly restricted and it became harder and harder for me to breathe. In the same instant I thought about slowing down, I heard running feet catching up to me. I turned right and continued running. I stopped when I no longer heard the steps behind me. I discarded the phone I still had clutched in my hand. For all I knew there was a tracker in there.

I walked for a while in silence. It took more energy and time to walk without making alot of noise. Especially in an area like this one. As frightening as it felt to walk around in an area I was unfamiliar with, knowing that I had outrun my predator removed some of my fear.

Stopping only whenever I thought I heard the snapping of sticks or crunching of leaves, I kept walking in a slow pace. The fourth time I stopped I was certain he was watching me from somewhere. Waiting for the perfect moment to attack. My pulse went crazy long before I broke into a sudden run when the snapping sounds quickened. He was close enough for me to hear his panting...

I gave out one last scream as he tackled me onto the floor.