Astray (See No Evil Book Two)

Chapter Three

If I didn't know nothing else, I knew I was never going to travel long distance by bus ever again. I was uncomfortable, and I could barely get any sleep. Half the damn bus was snoring, the bus driver was swerving in and out of lanes, and the old lady next to me kept talking to me about her cats. Even if the seats were comfortable enough that I could get some rest, it still wouldn't have happened. A plane will be my only source of transportation from this point on.

It took me a lot of digging but I was able to find Ms. Elizabeth Pierce, Aunt Liz as my mother called her. She was the sister of my father's mother and was out in California for some time from what I heard. She moved back to Alabama when my father was murdered but no one seems to know why. She was more than happy to have me stay with her until I get on my feet and answer any questions I might have about where I come from. I just hope that she isn't a liar like the rest of them.

I thought Liz would have been here waiting for me at the station, but after an hour of waiting, I dug into my pocket and used the last bit of change I had left to get on the bus. Which now that I think about it, wasn't the best of ideas. I have no idea where I'm going or where to get off at. I sent Liz several messages and she hasn't replied to none of them. This trip is becoming less likely to be successful for me by the minute. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. People only move accordingly when it comes down to something that benefits them personally.

"Excuse me, miss?"

I turned around and looked at the guy trying to get my attention. He had a goatee and some brown eyes that looked as if they knew me. I knew I hadn't seen him before, especially because I've never been here before. I gave him a confused look and slowly held onto my purse just in case I had to slip inside of it to grab my knife.

"Do I know you?" I asked.

"No, but I used to watch over you for quite some time".

Okay? This was starting to get awkward. I looked around to see if there were other seats available on the bus that were far away from this weirdo. The fuck he mean, he used to watch over me?

"Remember that day when you were younger, and a guy tried to snatch you up?"

I looked back at him, remembering his face now. I started to feel a little safe, for some reason.

"Yeah, I remember that day. What was all that about?"

"It looked like you needed saving".

"Yeah, but we live in the city. I could be getting my throat slashed and nobody would say anything or come rescue me".

He walked across the little aisle and sat in the seat next to me.

"I was a good friend of your father. I figured he would have wanted me to make sure you were okay. Being in the system ain't no joke".

"You knew my father?"

"Very well. I was one of his right-hand men. I did a lot for your father and vice versa".

I recalled what Hazel said when I went to visit her and sat back in my seat.

"My mother told me she was the one who murdered him".

"Unfortunately,".

"Why would she do that?"

"I don't know, and I don't care. No disrespect, but I wasn't a big fan of your mother. I only tolerated her because your father was madly in love with her".

I can't picture somebody loving a person like Hazel. She didn't even stop to consider the shit she would be putting me through by ending my father's life. Regardless of how she felt, she should've thought of me. Now here I am, on a wild goose chase, trying to figure out who I am and where I fit in.

"What happened to you after that day? I never saw you again". I said to him, popping out of my daydream.

"I had some disagreements with a close friend of mine, his name is Brandon".

"Disagreements about what?"

"I wanted out and he wanted to continue to hustle. Some harsh words were shared, and some threats were made. We made arrangements to come here and talk to a connect, so I'm doing what I'm supposed to do on my end then I'm done for good".

"Why not just have him do it?"

"He had to look over some shit in the city".

"I don't know much, but I do know what it is to have a close friend. You shouldn't let something like this end years of loyalty".

"I will forever be loyal to him. Just won't be around him. What are you doing here though?"

"My mother told me I had an aunt here. I'm eighteen now and can't be in a foster home. She's the only family that would've taken me in".

"I would have".

"Well, where were you when I was trying to figure all of this out?"

I rolled my eyes and looked at the window. Now isn't the time for him to tell me what he would have done. It's too late for that.

"Well, where exactly are you heading to? You looked lost when you got on the bus".

"Andrew Jackson Way".

"Oh, that's this stop right here".

He reached across me and pulled on the string to notify the driver that I was getting off. The bus slowly stopped at the corner and opened the door for me. The guy stood up and let me slide out of the row. I gave him a small smile and continued forward. The quicker I get to Liz's house the better.

"Simone, wait!"

I quickly turned, wondering what else it was he could possibly have to say. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash. He peeled off what looks to be three hundred dollars and handed it to me.

"I can't take that".

"You can, and you will".

"Aye, I gotta make more stops! Either get off or sit back down!" the bus driver yelled to us.

I snatched the money out of his hand and turned to get off the bus.

"Thank you, Mr. ...." I said over my shoulder.

"Tyreik" he said, then the doors closed separating any other conversation we could've had.

I unlocked my phone and went to the text thread of Liz and I to get the address to her house. I stayed alert as I walked down the long block to her brick house. All the lights were on, so I assume someone is home. At least I hope so. I rang the doorbell and waited patiently. A few seconds later, the door flew open and a woman looked at me through the screen, hair pulled up in a messy bun and a cigarette hanging out of her mouth.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"Are you Elizabeth Pierce?"

"No one calls me Elizabeth accept for my mother and she's dead. So, who the fuck are you?"

"I'm Simone, we spoke on the phone a couple days ago".

A smile spread across her face and she pushed the door open. She grabbed me by my hand and pulled me inside, then embraced me in a tight hug. When she finally let go, she placed both her hands on my cheeks and smiled at me.

"You look so much like your father".

All I could do was smile back. Only because I didn't know if this was a compliment or not. I never saw any pictures of my father.

"How was the ride?"

"Long, and something I never want to do again".

"Well, you won't have to. Like I said on the phone, you're family. You can stay here as long as you want".

I looked around and noticed things were a little messy, messier than what I'm used to, but it will do. I did stay in a shelter for a night, so I have no room to be acting picky. I should be grateful enough that she even opened her doors for me. A few women came down the stairs, dressed barely in anything. One of them gave me a wink before they all pilled out the door.

"Don't pay them any mind. I'm going to have Chavonne get you settled in".

"Who's Chavonne?"

"I guess you can say she's like a daughter to me".

She called up for Chavonne to come downstairs and meet me. Chavonne jogged down the steps and stood next to Liz. When she finally noticed me, she looked me up and down and smirked. Kind of the way a man does when he sees something he likes. I hope shortie knows she is barking up the wrong tree right now and I will slap the shit out of her.

"Cha, this is my niece Simone that was I telling you about. Simone, this is Chavonne. Why don't you two get acquainted. You hungry Simone?"

My growling stomach gave her the answer she wanted. She smiled at me this disappeared out of the room.

"So, you from New York huh?"

Chavonne's accent was different. It was country, but it had some west coast twang to it. It was weird, and I didn't know if it was something I wanted to hear often.

"Yeah, is that a problem?"

"Not a problem at all. What brings you here anyway?"

"Liz is my aunt. I needed a place to stay".

"Foster care huh?"

"How did you know?"

"Liz takes in a lot of charity cases like you. Teach them the way of the game then send them on their way".

"I'm not a charity case".

"That's what they all say".

She bent to grab my suitcase and turned to go up the stairs. With more attitude then I attended to show, I followed closely behind her. She stopped at a room at the end of the hall and I finally realized this house was bigger than what it looked like from the outside.

"Liz had some walls knocked out to make more rooms".

"Rooms for what?"

She laughed then stepped inside of the room and placed my suitcase on the bed.

"It's fresh sheets, so you don't have to worry about nothing".

"What is this game that Liz shows these girls?"

"She didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

She shook her head. "I really wish she start giving niggas heads up. She did the same thing to your sister and her mother".

"My sister? I don't have a sister".

She smiled and patted my shoulder.

"There's a lot you don't know, and I hope you find out soon".

She left out of the room, closing the door behind her. I took the money Tyreik gave me out of my pocket and looked around for a place I could hide it. I saw a cracked floorboard and walked over to it. I'm sure I'll end up with splinters, but I curled my fingers under the board and pulled it up. I went into my suitcase and grabbed the box of earrings Essence gave me one year for my birthday. They were fake, so I never wore them, but it was the thought that counted. I folded the money up small and tucked it in the box with the earrings and placed it in the floorboard. I put it back in its rightful spot then got up and put my suitcase on the floor. I don't feel too comfortable here, maybe it's because I don't know anybody. But like Liz said, I'm family. I know she wouldn't let anything happen to me.