I Found Home [Completed]

Chapter Twenty Nine

Samuel Hernandez

"To the left," Xander muttered quietly.

The cart stopped moving suddenly, and there was a small tap against the metal handle. We can go now. We're clear of other people now. Rebecca pulled herself off of me, opening the white flab to her left as the blush disappeared from her face. The only things I could see from the opening were a bush with a hole in it and a pair of legs with heels standing on the other side. A shiver ran down my spine when cold air blasted at us.

I didn't realize how cold it was until now.

"Okay, go," I whispered, nudging her gently.

Rebecca nodded at what I said. She slithered through the small hole of the leafy bush, and I followed after her shortly, hiding my body with the white flab. The leaves were irritating, but we managed to get through without much of a sound. Rebecca's mother was on the other side, rolls of streamers looped through her arms like bracelets. It must've been to appear casual. Beyond the bushes was a small rusted gate, where I assumed we would escape.

"The suitcases?" Rebecca whispered.

Her mother gestured towards the bottom of the hedge, and I peered down. The suitcases and bags were slid underneath the leaves, hiding in the cascade of green. Beside our belongings was the blue stuffed bunny, which Rebecca grabbed quickly, hugging it tightly in her arms. I grabbed the handles of the suitcases and pulled them out of their hiding places, slinging bags over my shoulders. My grip on the cases tightened as Rebecca wished her mother and Xander farewell.

Xander gestured to the suitcases and informed, "Rebecca's mother and I added some more spare clothes and money, just in case you didn't last a day in the streets without them."

Rebecca's mother nodded. "I don't want to feel responsible for any damages done to you two. Stay safe."

My heart suddenly swelled up, and I bowed slightly towards the both of them, making them startled by the reaction. My eyes squeezed shut to keep in the tears trying to escape. "Thank you..!" I exclaimed in a hoarse voice as my pride kept me from sobbing out loud. "Thank you for letting us go!"

I gave Xander an approving look and bowed once again to Rebecca's mother. Rebecca grabbed one of the suitcases in my hand, and I looked towards her. Her eyes gleamed brightly as she stared up at me. They were pale, almost like the times she felt ill and trapped by the imaginary walls made by her family, but this time, they were alive. Her eyes.. were alive. Numbers flashed in them, and she gave me a kind smile.

"C'mon. Let's go."

I nodded, breaking out of my daze from admiring her eyes. "Right." I turned to the two figures watching us. "Again, thank you."

Xander grinned and put his hands on his hips. There was no sign of isolation or despise anywhere. "No problem. Go on now."

Rebecca pulled on my hand, and quickly, we ran through the grass towards the gate. The only sounds I could hear were our steps in the grass and our quick, heavy breathing. She opened the gate clumsily, and it swung open. I peered over my shoulder to see Rebecca's mother crying as Xander tried to comfort her. My heart dropped. I felt guilty all of a sudden, for taking her daughter. I'm sorry. Please forgive my selfishness. I rushed through the gate, and Rebecca clasped it shut.

Her hand held mine tightly, and she suggested, "We should walk further away from here before signaling for a taxi so that we don't raise suspicion."

"Yeah.." I mumbled, "Great idea."

I took.. her daughter from her. Guilt began filling my mind, and I tried to find something to calm down my rushing thoughts. My thumb rubbed Rebecca's palm gently, and I noticed the blush on her face thickening. I couldn't help but smile at how even though we were in a crisis, she still managed to entertain me with her blushing.

I assumed that it was midnight by the time we stopped walking to call a taxi. We were just at the edge of the outskirts, almost reaching the city, but Rebecca began to feel tired, so I decided to call a taxi before we went any further. She was relieved.

"Where to?" The taxi driver asked, looking at me through the rearview mirror as Rebecca leaned on my shoulder to sleep soundly.

"Can you take us to the nearest hotel from this destination?" I questioned, my arms wrapping around Rebecca's figure.

The taxi driver nodded. "O' course, mate. It's pretty far, but I got some spare time."

I sighed in relief. "Thank you. I'm so sorry if we disturbed you from going home and whatnot."

The taxi driver shook his head as he began driving. "Ah, it's no problem. My wife is getting used to me working later and later." He chuckled sadly, a spark of a smile on his face. "Though I feel guilty for leaving her alone at night. She doesn't like the dark."

I didn't know that we were invested in such a long conversation until we continued talking to each other.

"You should probably call her from time to time during your late shifts," I suggested, leaning back in my seat. Rebecca leaned towards me a little more. "I bet if she knows you're safe and sound, it'll make her feel better about sleeping alone at night."

"You're probably right," he said, turning right on one of the streets. I sensed the small smile on his face as he said, "So how about you and your girlfriend back there? Is she your secret to giving great advice?"

I shook my head. "Oh, she's not my girlfriend. She's just.. my friend."

"Ah, you hesitated. Do you like her?"

I remained silent, thinking through his question. Looking over at Rebecca's sleeping figure, I couldn't help but smile slightly. She's definitely something.

"Yeah. I do."

The taxi driver and I continued with our conversations until we reached the hotel. I thanked him, and gently, I woke Rebecca up from her nap to tell her we arrived. Slipping out of the vehicle, the taxi driver gave me a 10% markdown. I paid him, leading Rebecca into the hotel. As she began to book us a room, I looked over my shoulder to see the taxi still sitting there. The driver was on his phone, FaceTiming someone.

The small image of a woman was what I saw. He seemed lightened by her presence, even on digital screens. His wife. I noticed his smile, the relief and happiness on his face.

I smiled myself.

So he took my advice after all, huh?