Hopeless Romance

Chapter Six

I woke when the truck started bouncing on a bumpy dirt road.  When I moved, I heard, “you can take off your blind fold now.”

I removed it and looked over at the delivery woman, E.  She smiled at me.  Then I looked out my window.  We were in the middle of acres of empty land with no trees, only old corn stalks.  It looked like the corn stalks had just been left to die, browned and drooping low.  I would take my chances at escape.  She could shoot me.  I didn’t want to go to prison.  Pod was asleep between me and the delivery woman.  I slowly, casually, lifted her onto my lap, making her moan.  She hated to be moved when she was sleeping.  I hoped she wouldn’t get hurt.

I tried to open my door, to jump out.  Shit, it had safety locks or something.

E. gasped, “What are you doing?

“Okay, okay, you have me as a traitor.  You are taking me to jail. I get it.  Just stop flirting with me already.  Stop smiling at me.  You are good at your job I’ll give you that.”

For a minute she said nothing.  Finally she laughed. A wonderful laugh that really pissed me off right at the moment!  She picked that up.  “Oh, sorry, I don’t blame you for being scared.  Usually we don’t have to stop at Mr. Yan’s.  Usually people being held captive don’t hesitate as long as you did.  I usually get a clean get away.” 

I was not scared.  I didn’t hesitate that long.  It sounded like she was calling me chicken or something. “Right I’m sure everyone else jumps off their roof for a perfect stranger without thinking it over.”

“You would be surprised.  I swear half of them are suicidal or something.  By the way, I liked that about you.  You still think things through for yourself.”

I felt a bit embarrassed that I had gotten angry.  “So, where are you taking me?”

“Not to jail, to freedom.  I promise. There is a community here for you to join.  There’s our base now.”

I looked out to the field but I couldn’t see anything but a dry water bed in a deep ravine.  I was surprised when she headed right for it.  She drove down into the ravine at a spot with a more gradual descent.  She parked under a massive oak tree.  I guess there was one tree in the area.  The roots scratched the top of the truck and ran down the sides.  It was difficult to open her door but finally she managed and motioned to me to follow. I had to go out her side; mine was up tight against a dirt wall.   

We walked for hours mostly in tall corn that rustled and crackled in the wind.  We didn’t talk much still because I was just trying to breathe.  I hadn’t exercised, well, pretty much since I was born.  Alume in June is hotter than hell and more humid.  We were both soaked with sweat.  Her red hair was plastered to her face.  She had a backpack with water bottles and green peppers she shared with me.   She poured water in a plastic lid for Pod.  She was carrying the light, but warm, dog. I was trying to appear tough and macho, but finally collapsed, sat down, and told her, “Leave me for the vultures”. 

She sat down by me. “Not much farther.  We must get to hiding.  They are looking for us.”

I didn’t want to move.  “Tell me what happened to Mother.”

She looked away.   Then back to me.  Then at the ground and quietly said, “I’m sorry.  I had to kill her.  I had no choice.  I wish she hadn’t seen me, or my truck.  Those details could lead them to our base.”  A tear fell down her cheek.  What a humane assassin.

I didn’t know how I felt.  Swirling whirlwind of feelings: sad, relieved, angry, lost, abandoned, and happy.  “Mother,” a part of my heart whispered and cried out.  My brain shut it up with, “Enemy, murderer of your real mother and father, lowlife actress, cold hearted spy.”  Hate was choking me.  I hadn’t been the one to avenge my parents, but knowing the person who rescued me had avenged them satisfied me.