Nowhere to Hide

Finding Refuge

Abby nervously watches the goon continue up the sidewalk. Dogs bark frantically down the road, alerting the neighbors of a stranger lurking nearby.

Pulling his penlight from his pocket, the invader flashes it around.

Abby scrunches lower in the bushes. Please don't let him find me. Oh, please don't let them find me, she silently begs.

A cat strolls up beside her. It rubs against her legs and meows. She glances down at the fat, ginger-colored beast. It's going to get me caught if it doesn't quit. She shoves it away. The cat darts back and meows again. It then tries to climb on her lap. Pushing the beast down, She rubs it's fur, hoping the attention will calm it down.

The stranger points the flashlight in her direction.

She glares at the furry beast. I don't even like cats; she thinks as she continues to rub its fur.

The invader shines his light on the bushes. 

Abby plops to the ground. The animal rubs against her face. Cat dander flies through the air. Her eyes water, her nose starts to itch. Abby turns her head the other way. I wish you'd both leave.

Looking up, she discovers the intruder heading towards his car. My misery is almost over. She feels snot dripping down her upper lip; she pulls up her shirt collar and wipes it away. A collection of cat fur causes her to sneeze.

Turning towards the house, the goon shines his light around again.

Damn allergies, she thinks, as the man stomps towards the house. 

Abby's eyes water worse than before. Her nose is so clogged she's finding it difficult to breathe. Opening her mouth, she gasps for much-needed air. Please go, she silently begs.  The cat rolls around beside her, stirring up cat hair and dirt. You're going to be the death of me yet, you mangy beast.

The man continues towards her. Reaching the edge of the bushes, he shines his light around. 

Abby holds her breath. Please don't let him see me, oh please don't let him see me. 

He moves closer. 

He knows I'm back here.

He starts to move the bushes away when a deep smoky voice stops him in his tracks. 

She peeks through a hole to find an officer walking towards them. Her heart drops to her stomach. If one doesn't get me, the other will.

"Are you looking for something?" the officer asks.

"My dog. I saw him dart behind the bushes, but he's not there now."

"You need to move along, then."

 Please do, Abby thinks, trying to contain a sneeze.

He glances at the bushes and then the officer who's impatiently tapping his foot.

"Either move along or take a ride to the station, your choice."

"I'm going. I'm going." Shuffling down the sidewalk, he climbs into his car and drives away. 

One down, one to go, Abby thinks. A second door closes. The cruiser pulls away. That was too close, thanks to you, she thinks, glaring at the furry beast. Getting to her feet, she dusts the dirt off her pants.  She gazes down the dark, deserted road and then the cruiser going the opposite way. Guess I better get some traveling money and collect my things. 

Staying hidden in the shadows, she jogs to the ATM down the street. She pulls the bank card from her sock and places it in the machine. Abby decided it'd be a good idea to keep it with her day and night. She also thought it'd be wise to go to bed fully dressed so she'll be prepared if the inevitable happens in the middle of the night. The way it usually does on TV.

Sliding the cash and the card in her shoe, she heads towards the gym. She doesn't make it too far when she sees headlights down the road. She ducks behind the building and waits. To her relief, the cop passes her by.  I need to get my stuff and go before I get caught.

She starts to cross the cold, empty street when she discovers cruisers parked around the gym. What am I going to do now?

***

 The bright morning sun slowly rises over the Ozark Mountains, warming the frigid night air. Birds are happily chirping in the treetops above her, welcoming the gorgeous day. Exhausted, Abby glances up at the beauty surrounding her. I wish I felt as chipper as you. She's had to dodge the law and the goon all night long. She thought about going to the shelter or the homeless camp at the edge of town but figured that'd be the first place they'd look.

I hope my plan works, Abby thinks, trudging towards her friend's house. She climbs inside her van and slides the door too. Abby knows Thelma works at a Missouri hospital and hopes she can get a ride across the state line. Maybe I can catch a few z's on the way. She yawns, plopping down in the seat. She starts to stretch out when she notices her friend on the porch. It's probably better for her and her family if she doesn't know I'm here. Dropping to her knees, Abby crawls underneath the seat. Thelma and her husband, Ned, is aware of her situation and would gladly give her a ride if she asked, but it'd cause them a lot of trouble if the police discover they helped a fugitive escape. Not to mention what the mob would do. 

Waving to her children, Thelma opens the van door.

A high-pitched noise echoes through the vehicle when Abby moves further back. Glancing over, she sees her leg is on a toy. She raises and scoots the object away. The doll squeaks when it re-inflates. I hope she didn't hear me.  She glances towards the front. Thelma slides into the seat, unaffected by the noise. Abby sighs with relief. So long, Berry Arkansas, she thinks as they pull out of the drive.

Thelma slams on her brakes. The sudden stop causes Abby to fall back. She lands on the toy again. I know she heard the noise that time. She looks up to find Thelma's eyes gazing into the rear-view mirror. Abby then notices red and blue lights flashing across the back glass.