Proclivity For You

Run.

Jake once told me that I was too weak to really go after what I wanted in life, and that I was so lucky to have his attention because of that fact.

Perhaps he was right, about the weak part anyway, but as I jammed my suitcases into my car at 1 am while he was working night shift, I still felt a bit victorious.

I winced when the bruise on my stomach shot pain through my torso but ignored it. I had to get out of here and I didn't have much time. I needed to start driving now if I was going to make a good head start on him.

I knew he would come after me, but I had a route to follow that could buy me some extra time. I had new documents with my name change, and I had a job waiting for me. I left my phone on the counter, and had bought a new one under my new name yesterday. I had planned as much as humanly possible.

I slammed my car door shut, threw my seat belt on, jerked the car into drive and pulled out of our driveway. His driveway now. I turned the car west and didn't look back.

_____

I had been driving for 9 hours now. I had passed Knoxville about 2 hours ago and was making my way down to Louisiana. I was making my way to Los Angeles, but I was taking an alternative route to avoid major cities just in case. I didn't need to make it easier for him to find me.

I promised myself I wouldn't turn back, wouldn't go back to him, and wouldn't stick around until he eventually killed me. It had taken me 6 years to reach this point, but better late than never my mom always said as a kid.

_____

I had been driving for 12 hours now. I was tired but I blinked the sleep out of my eyes and kept going. I needed to make a lot of ground today.

_____

15 hours in. I had just passed the sign for a town called Monroe about 5 miles back.

My car gave a jolt and my stomach dropped. No. No. No. The car stopped accelerating and small tendrils of smoke started coming out. Shit. Shit. No. I could not afford this. Not financially, but time wise. I couldn't afford to lose time. I pulled over to the side of the road and waited for my car to stutter to a stop. I put it in park and got out. I opened the hood and coughed as smoke billowed out. Shit.

I covered my mouth with my shirt and tried to stop panicking. Focus. Car issues mean you need someone who can fix said car. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and tried to pull up some auto body shops. Only three pulled up. I called the first and no answer. Fuck.

I called the second and no answer. I swear to god this third one better answer. It rang and rang, and when I thought it was gonna be another no answer a raspy voice said, "Pearson's Body Shop".

Thank god. "Hi, my car just broke down and a lot of smoke is coming out. I'm just driving through so I don't know anyone, and only thing I could think was to call a shop." Stop rambling.

"Okay. What road are you on? I can come get you, but it'll probably be about a half hour."

I looked around but didn't see any street signs. Of course. "Uhm. I don't see any street or road signs, but I can see a giant purple and black barn from here?"

"Ha. You must be on Cattle Lane. Okay. I'll be there in a half hour."

"Thank you." And I closed my phone. Alright. Breathe. This will probably be an easy fix. You can be back on the road tomorrow. It will be fine.

A while later I saw a truck rambling down the road. He eventually stopped and a man stepped out. Much younger than I thought based on the voice. He walked over and swung his hand out to shake mine. I had to stop myself from flinching.

"Chris Pearson. Nice to meet you. Sorry for your pickle here."

I thought of the new ID in my bag "Nik. Nik Saige. Its okay. I'm hoping you can help me get it fixed."

He started walking to my hood and I followed. He peaked in. "I can't tell much right off the bat other than it is involving your radiator. Let's get you hitched up and back to the shop and see what we have to do."

I nodded, grabbed some of my stuff from the car and watched him get it connected to the tow hitch. He gestured me to the cab, and I followed reluctantly. Didn't much want to be in proximity of a man I didn't know but guess there wasn't much choice. He started the truck and turned us around towards what I was assuming was town.

"So what brings you through?"

I jolted and looked at him before quickly looking away "On my way to a new job. Relocating."

"Nice. Where to?"

"West Coast." I didn't really need anyone knowing exactly where I was going. I could see him look at me out of the corner of my eye but ignored it. He didn't say anything else and soon we pulled into his shop.

He motioned me to a seating area "Give me about 30-45 minutes to take a look." I nodded and sat down.

It wasn't even 25 minutes later when he came with a sigh "Okay. Do you want the good news or bad news first?"

I just stared at him.

"Okay. Well. Its not your radiator. It's a cracked engine block. It is not a quick fix by any means. I'm afraid you'll be stuck here at least a week."

I closed my eyes and leaned my head down. Fuck. I could feel myself wanting to cry.

"I'm sorry man. But the good news is that my sister has a bed and breakfast here in town and she can take you in. I figured you might not have any prospects being a traveller and all."

I guess that was nice of him. "Okay. Thanks. Which way do I go?"

"Oh, I can drive you there. It's just long enough a walk to be inconvenient. If you want to hop in my truck over there."

I hesitated but ultimately got into the truck. I was tired and he hadn't killed me on the way here, so I was probably somewhat safe. We pulled up to the bed and breakfast and I jumped out. He followed me in and smiled at the woman behind the desk. She had black hair, and a lot of tattoos. If I weren't running to a new life, she'd probably be someone I'd have fun hanging out with.

"Hi Mar. This is Nik, my customer."

I shook her hand and nodded a hello.

"Nice to meet you Nik. Here is a key to your room, its on the first floor at the end of that hallway there. On the house since we don't typically use that room for guests, and I was sorry to hear about your trouble."

I took the key, said a quick thank you and lugged my bags down the hall.

"Nik!"

I came to a stop and turned to look at Chris. "I'll swing by tomorrow to give you an update on your car." He smiled. 

I nodded again and turned back to my door. I quickly unlocked it, shut the door with a click and dropped all my stuff. I sat down on the bed with a sigh. This was not how today was supposed to go. 

Chris POV

I got back into my truck after saying goodbye to Mar and her knowing smirk. She knew all to well my type, and that Nik fit the bill. Physically at least.

He seemed cagey. On edge. Not necessarily scared but always alert. Was a man of few words at the very least. Made me wonder a bit what his story was. But that was a waste of time. He was only here because his car decided to take a shit. Not necessarily worth someone pursuing, even if it would have to be on the down low.

I pulled into my driveway with a sigh and a stretch. Today had been long day but owning my own shop was worlds better than working under some dickhead. I kicked off my shoes, grabbed a beer and slumped on the couch. I closed my eyes and cursed when the first thing that showed up was Nik's face.