Delirious || Bozari

Chapter Thirty-Six: Mari

She had been given the same bed she's always had, in the back of the abandoned Target. When she walked in, she noticed that the room was abandoned. Good. She knew that Boze would've forbidden her from doing what she was about to do. Having someone see her was the last thing she needed.

The last two things she had left of Wes, the bow and her outfit, were underneath the bed, exactly where she left them. She pulled them out and laid them on the mattress with a sigh, throwing the duffel bag she'd stolen from the delivery girls down beside it.

A part of her almost wanted to keep them. It was a good bow, after all, and Wes had had some skill when it came to fashion. But she didn't need any reminders of him lying around. Not if she wanted to start over.

She threw the items into the duffel bag and threw it over her shoulder, rushing out of the sleeping quarters as fast as she could. Most of the girls were in the bar; she'd have to be quick if she wanted to return before they all went to bed.

Boze kept the doors to the Compound locked at all times, to keep out any teenagers who wanted to explore the abandoned mall. Even if that wasn't true, there were always girls guarding the entrances. So Mari had only one way to get out; through the parking lot.

Without anyone working, the lights in the parking lot were turned off. Mari had to use the flashlight on the phone that Boze had finally supplied her with to navigate out, though it didn't make her surroundings any less creepy. Despite wearing a hoodie, she felt very cold.

The entrance to the parking lot was protected by a metal gate. Through the cracks, Mari could see the inky blackness of the night sky over the rooves of a few boarded-up houses. It had been a while since she'd seen the sky, and the sight wasn't lost on her.

After looking out for a few seconds, she scoured the walls for a button. It didn't take long to find it, to her left. There wasn't anything concealing it; Boze wasn't worried about keeping people in, after all. Only about keeping them out.

As soon as she pressed it, the metal gate started moving, receding into the ceiling. She slipped under it as soon as there was enough room, pulling her hood over her head as she did. If someone recognized her... she didn't know if Boze would be able to get her out of that one.

Hoping that the door wouldn't automatically shut, Mari started walking down the deserted streets. The duffel bag felt heavy on her shoulder. Before long, she was jogging. She wanted to get this over with quickly.

Few people paid her any attention as she made her way through town. She didn't know where the Compound was, but her phone had a map with a GPS, so she was sure she'd be able to find her way back. And once she passed the noodles restaurant which had held the mass majority of her dates with Peter, she knew exactly where she was.

Her apartment complex appeared in front of her ten minutes later. None of the lights were on; it seemed that her bitch of a landlord still turned off the power at eleven. For once, she was glad for it.

She walked over to the side of the building and found a handhold in the jagged concrete. Slowly, she started making her way up, using windows as footstools. It was far from easy, but she managed.

Before long, she was at her window. To her surprise, it wasn't locked. She pushed it up and jumped inside.

Everything was exactly as she had left it, despite the fact that the police must've come through at some point. Knowing her landlord, it was a surprise that her stuff wasn't on the streets. If that man was paid even a day late...

Someone must be paying for it, hoping that she'd return one day. And Mari had a sinking feeling that she knew exactly who that someone was.

Oh, Mom, Mari picked up the one framed picture she had of her parents. Dad. I'm so sorry.