EMMA RUN

Chapter 6

I left Arnold's car away from the train station and continued on feet.

Did it ever cross my mind that one day I'll be a homeless girl with no car, no clothes, no credit card... absolutely nothing? HELL NO! 

All I had was the black backpack that my step mom Rose had given me before she was murdered. When I got tired of walking I sat on a white wooden bench and opened the backpack.

Along with the mysterious phone there was a hair dye, a golden heart shape pendant necklace, a few keys of I don't know what, some train tickets and a little cash. I put those things back inside the backpack. Then I stood up and kept on walking.

My mind raced in a rush and I felt uneasy as I tried to put the pieces together. Something felt wrong, I didn't know what it was but it felt like a piece of the puzzle was missing.

Thinking of my father, I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that he would do anything to hurt me let along try to kill me. He was not a perfect father but as far as I know he did love me and had always protected me.

We'd always had a love-hate relationship me and him. I loved the moments when he would praise my achievements and success without having someone around to impress, but that was as rare as coming across a white peacock. We would, fundamentally, argue about every single detail and I hated it every time he would set me up with someone just to tighten an alliance with a collaborate. It might have worked out with Lauren but it was not the case with many others. 

But I would always do my part as a Stevens and so I kept up with those people for the sake of the image of the company and to please my father. But when he insisted on the arranged marriage that was just intolerable.

I got to the train station and received a text message telling me which train to take. A matching train ticket was in the backpack. It seemed that Ella, who ever she was, thought everything trough.

When I got on the train I received another text message.

**********************

Dear Emma,

You'll find a yellow Mercedes-Benz waiting for you at the exit of the train station.

It will give you a ride to where you will be staying for a while.

Try to lie low and wait for another notice.

Best regards.

Your e-pal Ella

**********************

Indeed, three hours later when I left the train station I easily spotted the yellow Mercedes.

I started walking towards it and with every step I took my legs got heavier and my heart pounded faster in my chest. I wanted to have courage to be able to get over this part of my life but all I had was fear that wrapped me up from head to toe.

A tall good looking man in casual jeans and a white t-shirt came out of the yellow car. He crossed his arms on his chest and waited for me to reach him.

"You must know Ella! I need to see her immediately!" I said once I was close enough for him to hear me. The guy didn't respond. His face was blank it just had no particular expression he was so... creepy.

He opened the back door and ushered me in. I hesitated a little but I got inside the car anyway... I had no other option but to take the only hand that reached out for me even if it belonged to a ghost.

Another man was sitting in the passenger seat. Not as casual as his creepy friend though, this one was wearing a gray suit and some classic sunglasses.

The good looking guy slammed my door and took the driver's seat. We drove off and hit the road. I put my backpack beside me and waited.

One hour passed by and none of them said a single word. The creepy guy focused on the road ahead of him his driving skills way better than my friend Lauren's. The man next to him on the other hand was so still I could say he was not breathing. He was so composed. And I... I just felt like some merchandise that had to be delivered on time.

The feeling of the wind on my face was really refreshing I couldn't help but admire it. I closed my eyes for a moment and I swear I could imagine my friend Lauren by my side driving us to some crazy party. 

She must be worried sick about me.

The awkward silence made me feel uneasy so I asked about our destination. To my surprise both of them ignored me.

Merchandise don't talk huh?

"Hey... I'm talking to you! Where are you taking me?... Would it kill you if you answer my freaking question!?" I insisted with a bitter tone that bought me a little attention.

"Do not spew your inner hurt and anger on others... Saying and doing things that hurt their feelings won't make you feel any better." The man in the gray suit calmly responded. His gaze not leaving the passenger window.

"GOD! What could I have possibly done to be in this nightmare?!"  I pressed a hand against my forehead, pushing my hair against my ears.

Then I heard a throaty chuckle "Apparently the world is not a wish-granting factory. Isn't that true... miss Emma!" The man in gray suit said.

"Did you just quote John green!?" I found it funny yet it was super weird given the current situation. 

"Maybe our favorite quotations say more about us than about the stories and people we're quoting." He said again quoting the writer of The Fault in Our Stars.

"You must love that author!" I said surprised that he was interested in literature. I found it hard to picture him holding a book. He kept silent and so was the rest of the trip.

By nightfall we got to our destination. When we stopped I glanced out the window to see a tiny little house that was built between two rocks. There were no other houses nearby it was totally isolated.

The driver descended and opened the door of the car for me. I grabbed my backpack and took one more glance at the man in the gray suit. He didn't bother to even look back at me.

It would not take a genius to realize that he avoided revealing his identity. But, even though I didn't have the chance to see his face, I did glance an interesting tattoo on his neck.

I got out of the Mercedes and the two guys drove away leaving me in the middle of nowhere without saying a word.