Mad Woman✓

2. Getaway car

"Riding in a getaway car... There were sirens in the beat of your heart." 

   POV JOE ALWYN:

"Go, go, go!" she shouts, panting heavily. I do as she says, and drive away from the dive bar, from the person assaulting her. At least, I think he was assaulting her. My car growls because of the sudden speed and probably because of its age. It isn't the best getaway car out there, I'd say.

"Why did you help me? Why did you act like you're my boyfriend? Which is the stupidest thing you could have done, by the way. Idiot", she breathes after a few minutes of silence, "Besides, you just saw me get a gun and a dagger. I can defend myself."

"I don't know, you looked..." - Vulnerable - "It didn't look like you could easily bend down to grab your gun out of your boot, nor lift your leg. You're pretty tall and that was a very tiny alley. Who was that anyway? Do you know him?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm glad you found me, thanks. Don't act like you're my boyfriend though, never. Go to the right here."

"Where are we going?"

"I rent a place on Cornelia Street. Just bring me there."

"That's at least a thirty-minute drive."

"I know, but I can't really go anywhere else."

"What were you doing here anyway? If you live all the way over there?"

"Visiting John. I need those... things he got me if I'm going to stay here in the city. And I'm planning on staying for a little while. Plus, he's one of my best friends, I miss him."

I just nod and don't say a thing.

"Can't you drive faster?" "I don't- I-" "I'll pay your ticket if you get caught. Please drive faster", she says. Her voice is a little shaky and I look over at her. "I don't think my car can go any faster..."

She has put one of her feet on the seat and has her arms wrapped around her leg. Her chin rests on her knee, and she looks nervous.

"Don't look at me. I'll get you a new car if you want me to. Just speed up", she mumbles.

I cough and look back to the road, speeding up a little more, making the car a little shaky. We're going about 100 now. I'm surprised my car hasn't broken down yet.

"Does he know where you live?" I ask. "I don't know, he probably does by now. It's been a month. Even longer than that, actually. Of course, they know", she sighs.

"There's a jacket in the backseat. You're cold", I say. "I'm fine." "You have goosebumps." "And you're talking too much. And I told you to stop looking at me. Besides-" "Put it on goddammit!" I snarl. I'm stressed. And tired. And maybe even a little drunk. And I have a gun in my car. And a dagger.

And you.

I sigh when she reaches for the jacket and places it over her shoulders, "Thanks, Joe."

I nod and continually look in my rearview mirror, feeling uncomfortable with the idea that he might be following us now. I don't know who it is, but he didn't seem like a nice guy.

Not at all.

"This must be killing you, too. I should try to be less harsh, but I have to be. You saved me and now I owe you one. I hate owing people stuff. And you acted like we were a couple for God's sake..."

"You don't owe me nothing. Nothing, Taylor."

"I do. That guy- Joe, you gotta sleep with one eye open from now on. He thinks we're a thing - he thinks you know me. That's not good, Joe. Not good at all."