I throw only what I need in, everything else I can replace eventually. Ducking downstairs, I grab my photo album off the bookshelf and cram it into the blue backpack I found. Grabbing my tennis shoes, I slip them on before grabbing my phone and wallet from the kitchen. Rustling through my handbag, I find the keys to my beast.
Walking outside, I start walking towards the driveway, stopping to glance in the direction of my mother’s plant. I can’t take it, and the idea of leaving her is eating at me, but I know she will understand.
The driveway is so long, it takes me nearly ten minutes to walk down it. I’m dreading the walk but, hopefully, I see a car and can hitchhike into the city. When I get to the end of the driveway, I turn left and follow it all the way to the bitumen road. I look at the time and it is a little after 8:30. I still have plenty of time, but I’m also still miles away from the city. I see no cars, just proving how deserted this area is. After another hour of walking, my phone starts dinging, messages coming through.
Then, an idea hits me. I scroll through my contacts and find Mark’s number before dialing it. He answers after a few seconds. “Imogen?”
“Hey Mark, are you at work?” I ask.
“I’m on my way, I’m running a little late. What do you need?”
I tell him I’m stuck out of town and within ten minutes of walking toward the City. He pulls up in his blue Mazda and I can’t describe the relief I feel upon seeing him. I’m finally doing this, escaping. Getting my life back.
Mark rolls down the window. “Need a lift?” He jokes.
“You’re a lifesaver, thank you.”
“So, work?” He asks.
“Um.” Can I trust him not to tell Tobias and Theo? I decide I can because I don’t really have a choice and I also know he wouldn’t willingly seek them out after the other day. “Can you drop me to my apartment by any chance?”
“Everything okay?” Mark asks, seemingly worried.
“Yep, everything is fine. I just need to pick up my car.”
“Oh, okay, tell me where to go then.” He turns the car around and heads towards the city, listening to my directions.
He looks like he is dressed for an interview in his black slacks and white button up top. I really hope they didn’t fire him. Why can’t Tobias and Theo be normal like Mark? Not that Mark isn’t attractive or anything, but he definitely isn’t my type. He’s nice and friendly, but there’s no chemistry, which is a shame. Being with him would be easy, normal. Not this shit storm I’m living in.
“So, what were you doing all the way out there anyway?”
“I was visiting a friend, but they left before I woke up.” I say, not wanting to tell him that Tobias and Theo have a house out there. When we pull up at my apartment, I tell him I will meet him at work. He waves goodbye and I take off running for the parking garage.
Racing through the parking garage, I find my car on the bottom level. I unlock it before throwing my bag over the seat and into the back. I put my key in the ignition and turn it, but nothing. I check the dash – no lights come on, so I try again, holding the ignition on, it whines loudly. “Come on, not now!” I say, smacking my dash and my car finally starts.
“She may be ugly, but she is reliable when I need her.” I shut my door before reversing out the side of my car, scraping the bollard. Whoops, I didn’t lie when I said I am a terrible driver.
I tear out of the parking garage and head for the highway only to realize I need gas, so I decide to pull over to the first gas station I see. I fill the tank; my poor car gets the shock of a lifetime having a full tank in it for once. I grab my wallet and quickly pay for my fuel.
After I pull onto the highway heading out of town, I only get excited when I see the sign stating I’m leaving the city limits. I relax and smile, seeing the city in my rearview mirror. I’m finally out of here, I turn the radio up and keep driving. I have no idea where I’m going, but hopefully, I can make it to the next city which is over eight hours drive from here.
After about three or four hours of driving, I feel this sudden rush of fear hit me, sending goosebumps all over me. I look around nervously, my anxiety kicking in. Pulling over, I think I will stretch my legs and have a break from driving. I have about four hours of daylight left and really need to find somewhere to stay for the night. Getting out, I stretch my legs before raising my arms above my head to stretch my back. My heart is pounding in my chest, and my eyes move over my surroundings frantically, but I’m in the middle of nowhere. All I can see is fields and trees, not a house in sight.
I can’t shake the feeling of dread consuming me, deciding it’s best to keep moving. I hop back in and start driving again. I have to stop in a small town for fuel again, refilling my car, then jumping back on the highway that seems to be never ending. Just as the darkness slowly settles on the horizon, the feeling gets worse only this time, I’m forced to pull over when I feel like I’m burning from the inside out, boiling alive. No, not again. It’s the heat washing over me, doesn’t this shit ever stop? I lay my chair back, tucking my legs to my chest. Wave after wave of burning pain sears through every part of my body, the pain increases to magnitude levels. It’s already starting to get dark outside, and I’m stopped on the edge of the road, surrounded by nothing but trees. I reach over, digging through my handbag for anything to take the edge off. Finding one lousy Tylenol, I pop the pill in my mouth before grabbing the water that I got at the last gas station. Sculling half the bottle before tipping the rest over my head, trying to cool myself down.