𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨 | 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟒 𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐮

_______________

| 2 6 |

November the 13th.
3:05am

Her heartbeat was blaring in her chest, the sound of it thumping felt as if it was too loud. It could give her away, the silence was overbearing. Breathing out, she stared at her reflection and eyed her outfit. It was effective and cozy. Picking up her suitcase and her messenger bag, she turned off all the lights after stuffing both of them in trashbags— she could easily play it off as her going out to take the garbage.. On her bed, she left a simple note. She didn't bother leaving too many details, it was mostly a gratitude note. Quietly, she made her way toward the front door and pulled it open slowly. Once it was open wide enough, she stepped out and closed it gently. Silently, she clicked the lock into place and balled the key into her fist, bringing it to her chest she exhaled and then turned around. As she walked down the hall, she tugged her hood up and watched as another girl with her garbage walked into the elevator with her. They wore the same exact thrasher hoodie, with a smile— Rose removed her suitcase and messenger bag out of the trash bag and received an odd look from the girl.

The doors came open, both of them walked out. Keeping her gaze down, she left the building as fast as she could and walked directly to the Uber she had ordered. Looking back at the building, she sniffled. She could feel her heart tearing and staying behind. The man stepped out of the vehicle and quickly offered to put her items in the trunk. She nodded and pulled herself into the back seat. Closing the door, she wiped the incoming tears with a smile and quickly pulled herself together before the driver could question her. The man stepped into the drivers seat and the pair exchanged a conversation about the airport and address before he drove away.

The farther he drove, the more her heart cracked. Straightening herself, she pulled up her phone and turned it off. It would be better this way, she wouldn't get tracked. She'd make it to the airport, turn it on when she needed it— and then simply turn it back off. The small streets turned into the highway. There was a light layer of fog covering the surrounding area, the lanes were empty— except the few other cars and 18 wheelers on the road.

-

After a half an hour drive, she was dropped off outside. The man happily helped her with her belongings and then left. Silently, she checked in her luggage and kept her messenger bag as her carry on. A nice worker helped her print out her boarding pass so she could avoid using her phone. It was already 4:10am. The entire process of revision and security went by as it should have, she was at her gate and lined up by 4:25. Her body was covered in goosebumps. The sadness that weighed in on her was suddenly replaced by excitement. She thought of all the times she watched 'Home Alone 2' — she had fallen in love with New York after rewatching that film an obnoxious amount of times when she was a kid. Her dad even snapped the VHS tape in half after growing tired of it. Thinking of her dad, almost made her sad. But she had to stop herself from thinking about the past. She had to move forward, hell— she was on her way to New York.

Rose was cut off by her thoughts as people were being let on board, she quietly handed her pass to the flight attendant and she gestured her inside to a different side of the plane and pointed her in the direction of her seat with her perfect smile while holding the curtain open for her. There were rich looking people taking their seats at the same time she did, they all had their separate little areas— it was nice. Finding her spot, she plopped down and quickly buckled up. Glancing out her window, she shut it and popped a melatonin gummy before stuffing it in her bag and placing it in its slot. Glancing at her phone, which remained turned off—was stuffed in the same bag.

Settling down, she watched as everyone did the same and stared at the flight attendant doing the usual emergency routine and informational boring flight stuff. The lights were slowly dimmed afterwards and the captain spoke over the intercom, before he got off, he mentioned the weather— and the duration of the flight.

Once it was silent, all she could hear was the humming of the engine and the feeling of the airplane moving on the track. Her chest felt heavy, but the instant the airplane departed from the ground— She felt like she had escaped, the weight of her shoulders lifted and Rose felt like she could finally breathe again. It felt liberating, she was no longer a caged bird.

Adjusting herself in her seat, she leaned back and closed her eyes. The gummy had finally kicked in and she could prepare herself for the long five hour flight. She planned to sleep through all of it, but what she wasn't ready to deal with, was the draining jet lag. But it was a change she was long ready for.

Was she really doing this? Did she really drain their bank accounts? (Not entirely—that would be an understatement) A part of her felt guilty for leaving without saying much. The note on the bed didn't explain anything, she never hinted where her new destination would be either. The guilt brought her back to the reality that she was doing this, she did take their money, and she did leave without saying anything. Sighing out with her eyes closed, she sat up and rubbed her temples. Rose wondered how they'd react, she knew they'd be upset— even feel betrayed. Thankfully, she never swore anything to either of them. She never took Richards dumb "Satan" oath, or said she'd follow behind Michael. Regardless, she still felt bad—but the only thing that mattered was that she was free.

Getting comfortable once again, she closed her eyes again and managed to finally fall asleep.

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