Hopeless Romance

Chapter Five

I was watching leaves on a tree out my window, enjoying how they softly shake in the breeze.  Suddenly I saw the brown delivery truck turn into my circle.  I saw someone with red hair driving. My heart beat faster, thumping so hard I thought she would probably see my chest moving up and down!  I opened my window and climbed out onto the roof.

Right away I knew today was different. This time she was driving really fast!  This time she parked backward and very close to the garage. 

She jumped out of the truck and loudly, without yelling, said, “Jump on my truck, now!”  I backed up.  What??  I thought she was hot, but she wanted me to run away with her?  She was a perfect stranger.  In my fantasies she climbed up a ladder into my room, but leave with her?  She brushed her hair back behind her ears and looked at me intently, “Trust me and jump.  Or, at least save me and go back into your prison quickly.” 

I started to back into my window, one leg in.  Disappointment and shock registered on her face quickly.  I saw her double back to her truck.  She pulled out a box.  She was walking to my house, my prison.  I knew I would never see her again.  She would knock, leave and I would stay.  Here.  Forever. 

I ran and jumped onto the roof of the truck, it wasn’t far as the storage area of the truck was really high.  Immediately she backed away from the door and ran to the truck.  But, Mother must have heard something.  I saw her open the door.  She stood on the front porch and raised a gun.  I screamed, “No Mother!” She shot the delivery woman in the leg. It might have hit her in a vital area but Pod bit Mother’s leg.  Both women fell to the ground, mother’s gun falling away from her.  The delivery woman got up first and pulled a gun from beneath her shirt.  She told the soldier to freeze and then walked over and picked up Mother’s gun.

The woman who had taken care of me was staring down a gun.  The delivery woman hand cuffed her. Then she took Mother inside my house.  I jumped down from the truck, some part of me still wanting to protect the woman.  I was at the door when I remembered how coldly she had ignored me and shot the delivery woman.  I remembered the interview with the MPs.  The door was cracked but I couldn’t go in.  I didn’t want to see, but I didn’t care enough to get involved.  Instead, I called to Pod who had run back inside after attacking mother.  Pod came running, her little tail wagging. 

“Good job Pod.” I quickly gave her a pat.  Then I carried her back to the truck and sat in the passenger seat.  Only a moment later, I saw the red haired woman leaving my house.  I was surprised to see her, I hadn’t heard a shot.  She hurried as quickly as she could, but was limping from her wound.

She reversed out of the driveway.  Slow, casual like.  I thought she’d roar out of there.  I guess she didn’t want to attract any more attention.

My mind was flooded with questions, and fear.  But, I was also super attracted to this woman and felt totally tongue tied.  Finally I said out loud, “Where are you taking me?”

She looked over quickly then back at the road, then in her rear view.  “I know you have a lot of questions man, but I’m sure that gunshot got reported and Rachiese are on their way.” She gasped a bit and grabbed her leg, “Yeah and I’m in some pain.  You will get all your answers soon okay?  Can you trust me a little longer?”  She smiled at me quickly and then resumed her super vigilant outlook.

“Okay, cool.  Just tell me your name?”

“E.”

Seriously?

Message received loud and clear.  I shut up and looked out the window.

We drove a few miles then she slowed a bit.  All of a sudden we drove into a rundown tire shop, paint missing, cracking, and peeling off the wood building.  I was shocked when a Rachesie man hurried out.  Hair stood up on the back of my neck.  This was a Loyalty Test and I had failed.  I would disappear, a POW somewhere.  If this had been a real REV thing, I would have heard my Mother get shot.  I mean, my Mother could now describe the delivery woman, her vehicle, everything. 

The delivery woman spoke quickly, “Hi Mr. Yan.  I need a replacement.”

“Yes, follow me.”  He glanced at her shot leg, she was limping and her pants were splattered and soaked with blood. “One moment, please.”  He ran back into the building and brought out a first aid kit.  He poured something on the wound, wrapped and covered it.  “That should do until you get back.  Looks like the bullet went straight through.”

Pod was in my arms and gave a bark, picking up on my fear.  I was frozen.  I knew there was nowhere to run- I didn't even know where we were as I never  left my house and hadn't really been paying attention on the drive.  I also knew the delivery woman was armed, and guessed she had back up.  I had stupidly chosen to trust a stranger, just because she was cute and had touched me!  Internally I gave myself and my hormones a big kick.  Pod had seemed to like and trust her too.  The drive over Pod had licked the woman’s hand a few times and cuddled next to her leg.   Whereas, Pod never liked Mother, growling softly whenever she got too close.  Great, I was comparing my intellect and my dog’s.

The delivery woman looked at me.  “Come on.  We are leaving.”  I slowly left the truck.  We followed Mr. Yan.  I looked around for MPs in helmets.  There was only an old pickup truck.  The delivery woman said, “Get in.” I did as I was told.  She wrapped a blind fold around my eyes.  “This is for our protection.  I am taking you to my base.  You will be free again.”  I thought, sure, whatever.  But I stayed silent.  I had already dug a deep enough hole to bury myself in ten times.

“Thank you Mr. Yan.  Take care of yourself.”  I heard her softly say.  The truck started up and we drove and drove.  I finally fell to sleep.  The stress and disappointment of the day had zapped me.  I knew I was going to prison.