Shadow's Within

8 : Home

The roar of the engine startled the target. His face in a state of distortion, eyes barely gauging open. We already on the open road when he wakes, lying back on the green Chrysler. Where I found the car, well you may assume I 'borrow' it from the parking lot. Okay, I steal it, so what, we were in dire need of escape route fast. Wondering out in the open, with an unconscious guy doesn't bode well in New York.

I breeze the car through Columbus Avenue, cruising past Central Park. The tinkering light of night light gives me a sense of peace.

"Wwhere.. are we?" he asks.

"Passing central park" I coil the car to the right. Going up Broadway and Riverside. "You okay?"

"I.. I think so" he answers. "What happen back there?"

I hesitate, and his voice starts rising alongside him. "Wait! That guy? What happen to him? I remember getting hit in the head and then nothing." His hand covering his head checking for any head wound.

"Nothing to worry 'bout. I've taken care of it. He won't be bothering us anymore"

"I see..." his voice soften.

The rest of the trip went on as quietly as possible. Neither of us spoken, which I love. I could use the silence. Him however, just sitting at the back, watching over the window for the fast-forwarding image passing him.

After 20 minutes, we arrive in 149th St. I rest the car to a stop at the side of the road. The neighborhood is a row full of two-story buildings interconnected to one another. It's the kind of place you would call nice. The buildings have white paint by the walls accompanied by a red tile rooftop, and each house styles a Victorian era elegance.

The target pushes his head from the back over to my side. "Where is this?"

"Somewhere safe" I muttered.

I head out of the car and immediately greeted by a warm breeze of the summer air. I love the smell of a warm zephyr. The target follows my lead.

I studies each of the houses properly, checking for the correct number.

10A, 11, 12, 13

"What are we looking for" he asks, a quizzical look on him.

"Shhhhh" I retort, moving through the sets of houses.

The number increases exponentially until it reaches...

"There!"

19.

My feet trudge forward, progressing up the set of stairs and coming to a halt at the door. A chestnut colored wooden door with a set of beautiful oval glass in the middle.

I raised my hand to tap on the door and find myself drawn to a hesitation. My hand wouldn't move. "This is the only solution" I thought. "You want to live right?" My inner thought exclaimed. With a single puff of breath, I gather my courage and tap on the door.

Three taps later, the door swings open, and a woman greets us on the other side. A woman, 50 years of age, gentle expression and kind eyes, blonde hair with a streak of grey strand hidden.

"Carolyne Matthews" I said.

"Yes?" she answers, eyes scanning me and the man behind me.

"It's me"

She stares me, observing me from head to toe. Her eyes stare right through me, before realizing, her eyes gawk bigger than a hungry bear. Tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

"Annie?" she asks, her voice barely audible.

I nod slightly, feeling embarrass not sure what to make of the situation. She immediately hugs me without warning, just a quick grab and wrapping her hands around me. I could feel her warmth. One I've been missing these past years. Slowly, I reply her hug, covering my arms around her.

Her grips tighten around my neck. "I can't believe it's you" I can hear the sound of her tears. She's crying. "I knew it. They said you were dead. I didn't believe them. I just knew it. You had to be alive."

I stood there, being squeeze like a snake squeezing its prey. Normally I'm not the touchy kind of girl, but for this occasion, I like it. I couldn't help it. My eyes went teary. A quick water slide across my cheek and I'm crying. I didn't hold it in. I let it out, and I'm crying for the world to see.