Vision Of Broken Things

Chapter 12

After a few essential stops, for clothes and food to last us a week, we decided to withdraw enough cash from each of our accounts to survive for at least a month. We didn't want to leave any paper trail that could help the police or whoever is after us to find us. We were unsure of where to go or what to do next but we had everything that we needed to get by until we find out who is behind all of this.

''My uncle left this cabin for my dad up in the mountains when he passed away, my dad refuses to go anywhere near it so it might be a good place to hide.''

Wouldn't that be the first place he would look?

''Angelo, he would find us there within the first week.''

He sighed.

''Well, it will be good enough for a few days until we know where to go next.''

We were just mindlessly driving around town anyway, if we had to go to a motel we would need to give our names and it would be too out in the open.

''I guess we could stay a few days until we find a new place. Is it on a lease or is the property on your dad's name?''

I didn't want good research to be the end of us.

''The property belonged to a distant relative, we haven't legally changed the ownership of it yet.''

I thought that we would be just fine for a few days, five days max and we would be on the road again.

''Fine, if it is liveable, we will stay a few days.''

We drove for hours until we finally reached a dirt road leading up the mountains. We were a few miles out of town and we were almost literally away from society.

We finally reached a wooden cabin that was well hidden between trees, it didn't look too rundown and even though it was small in size I could see us surviving a few days here.

''Okay, my suggestion is that we unpack the car and have some lunch. After that, it is full speed ahead on research and brainstorming.''

I didn't intend to sound bossy but we had things to do and this wasn't a vacation, it was a step towards finally ending the madness.

''Yes, ma'am.''

Angelo unlocked the wooden door and we went inside. I wanted to know if the inside was liveable for us before we started unpacking.

The cabin was very bare. A single couch in the lounge with a dining table on the left side of the room, the kitchen was spit distance away from the lounge. A gas stove and a few dusty counters were the first things that greeted my eyes, a small fridge stood to the side.

Chrissy opened a door that led us to a single bedroom with a bathroom attached. There was a king-sized bed in the center of the room with a tiny bedside table next to it. A lamp stood on the bedside table but other than that there were no other decorations or furniture.

I stepped through the doorway that led to the bathroom. Spider webs and dust covered the toilet and shower but with a good scrub, it could be usable.

I nodded and walked back to the lounge.

''It sure is tiny but we can make do with this. We just need to clean up a bit and then we can set up everything we need. Angelo, will you drive to a shop and get some cleaning necessities while Chrissy and I figure out how to get the electricity back on and the geezer running?''

Angelo grabbed his keys from the dining table.

''Sure, if childhood memories serve me correctly, there should be some pots and pans in the kitchen cabinets. I will get some fresh sheets and bedding, maybe a blow-up mattress. I might be gone a few hours, depending on whether I find everything we need at one shop.''

Chrissy walked towards the front door.

''Let's get everything out of the car first, that way you don't have to struggle with space.''

After unpacking and placing everything onto the dining table, Chrissy and I get started on how to get things up and running. It took us a few hours since this place had been abandoned for quite a few years.

By the time Angelo got back Chrissy and I stood laughing away talking about embarrassing childhood memories.

''Looks like I missed the party.''

Laughter is the best distraction anyway.

''We finished before you got back so it was only right to entertain ourselves while you were out doing shopping.''

Chrissy had a point, there is nothing else we could do.

''So, there is a lot to bring in. I splurged a bit, I got a tent and a few blow-up mattresses. Blankets, pillows and such. Cleaning supplies, the whole shebang. I figured this was our best option for now but we will probably be roughing it out outside if push comes to shove.''

He was thinking ahead, which is good but it's also a lot of baggage to carry around with us everywhere. I wasn't going to fight about it so I let it slide. If it came to it, I would just abandon some of it as we go.

We started to clean the place up, I hadn't seen any spiders yet but we got bug spray just in case. We scrubbed until our fingers hurt, we blew up two mattresses and gave the bed a good wash, for the first few days we would all have to sleep on the floor until we can take turns with the bed. We moved the couch back and made a semi-bedroom set-up.

Chrissy made us cheese sandwiches while Angelo and I stocked the fridge and cabinets with food.

After lunch, we got brainstorming about how my dad's arrest had anything to do with the girl in the shipping crate. Angelo made copies of the paperwork he had found and was analyzing it for any clues.

''Do you think, if it comes to it, that your dad could track us down using your phone or car?''

He shrugged.

''Maybe, if it becomes necessary, I will get a burner phone and I am not sure what I would about the car. Possibly find some old number plates at a nearby junkyard.''

I hoped it wouldn't get to that but only time would tell.