LUKE
I can imagine that she is scared out of her mind. She doesn’t know me and I could be just like the guy that we are leaving behind. I don’t exactly know how to assure her that I am not.
When we arrived at the cabin I let her in and gave her some space. “Pick whichever room you like. I will take the other. If you want me to leave then I will. I know that you will be safe here. I don’t know if you need to walk the dog first, or if you can just get ready for bed. If you do walk the dog, I suggest I go with you, only because I want to make sure you are safe. If you want to do it on your own, I won’t object.”
“I can just let him run a little, he won’t go far. I can do that while I get everything set up for the night. I really appreciate this Luke.”
I shrug. “It’s fine, I would do it for anyone.” I am a little lost on what I should do next. “I’ll get the rest of the stuff from my truck. I think we should turn in soon, we need clear heads tomorrow.”
“Are you sure your brother will help me?”
“Let’s put it this way, his girlfriend is the robbery suspect that he hid out here. He knew she was innocent and being railroaded, so he hid her until he could prove that she was innocent. Wound up a hero too. He took out a major gang leader here in town by protecting her.”
She nods. “So he does what is right?”
“Basically. He had to fight really hard to get where he is and he will be damned if he will not do it right.”
“I’ll take the room further back. That way if he does manage to find us, I can be further away from him.”
“When he finds you, is he always alone?”
“Not always, but mostly.”
“I just need to know if I am out manned.”
“Usually he likes to wait for me to be alone. I think he finds me and then watches me. To make sure I am alone. Like tonight, there were a few people there when I got to the gym, but by the time he talked to me I was alone. I don’t think he expected you. That isn’t usually like him. I think he got ahead of himself. I have been gone the longest this time. I made it a point to never be alone. You know, always in a crowd. I was just looking for a way to sleep tonight and I think he used it to his advantage.”
“Well, he isn’t going to find you here. If for whatever reason he does, then you can run. There is nothing holding you here. I just want to help and if you feel uncomfortable with me here, I will leave. I really just think that we need to work together to get this guy to stop, but if you have another idea then we can go with that too. I just think that you can’t run forever.”
“I can’t. I am running out of money. It costs money to change your name. I have to find the right people too. It all is just exhausting. Finding a new place and hoping that I can live my life before he finds me again. Praying that he doesn’t find me again.”
“I promise you Jessica, I am going to do what it takes to keep you safe. I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself, but I am offering you help.”
She nods. “I gladly accept it.”
I just nod in return. I don’t want to start sounding like a weirdo, so getting ready for bed sounds like a good idea. I move to the first bedroom and start unpacking things. I want to give her space. I think if the pattern sticks then he won’t be here tonight. If he does manage to find her, then he will watch to make sure when he can find her alone. I just have to figure out a way to get him arrested before he makes a move.
Doing my best to give her space I put everything away and I am ready to head in for the night, but I don’t want to go down before her. I just want to make sure that the cabin is safe. That means locking everything down. There are minimal windows in this place. I do know that the back bedroom has a window. I need to make sure that she locks that.
Heading towards her room, I debate on even bothering her. She might even be asleep. She called in her dog a while ago. But I need to make sure.
I give the door a light knock. I hear nothing. Now comes the new debate, do I open the door and check the window. If I don’t and he sneaks in her window that would really piss me off.
I knock again a little harder, but not hard enough to wake her up if she is asleep. It is really late and she already has been having trouble sleeping. I hope that she finally feels safe and that allows her to get some much needed sleep.
Still there is no answer. I crack open the door. “Jessica, are you up?” I whisper it, but she should still hear me if she is awake.
Nothing. I open the door a little more and see Reeko on the end of the bed. His head picks up when the door opens. Then he sees it’s me and lays back down. Jessica is curled up on the bed, out cold. I don’t really blame her, she has been through a lot.
Quietly I walk over to the window and check the lock. Of course it is locked already and I was worried for nothing.
Now if she wakes up I will look like a creep.
Quickly I leave the room. Closing the door behind myself.
A slight smile on my face. I made her feel safe.
For the first time in, I don’t even know how long, she is going to have a good night’s sleep. I did that. Even if my family can’t recognize the good things I do, at least Jessica can see it.