Alexis was careful not to wake Fiona as she took the last of the bags to the car. Fiona hadn't been sleeping well lately. Alex honestly couldn't blame her. If someone had broken into her house she'd be on edge too. As she passed Hewie he let out a little growl.
"Shh!" You'll wake her up
The dog had never liked her, she still had no idea why. As a matter of fact he didn't get a long well with anyone, except Fiona. It wasn't so bad... as long as he didn't bite her. She put on her boots, her gloves, and sweater. Then grabbed the last of their bags and headed for the car. It was already pretty full, but she managed to squeeze them in the trunk.
"That should be it." She murmured to herself, although she felt like she was missing something.
Alexis looked around. It was an early December morning, the sun was just coming up but it was still dark outside. The snow that had fallen the night before was mostly undisturbed, everything felt so peaceful.
Alexis loved winter, it was her favorite time of year. She was never bothered by the cold. Alexis found it very refreshing. Although it would make driving much more treacherous. Alexis was walking aimlessly around the building, but paused for a moment when she reached her apartment window.
Fiona didn't like the cold...
Then she noticed something odd. Not far from where she was standing there were footprints in the snow. At first she thought that maybe they were her own. No, they couldn't be. They were much bigger footprints then her own, and she could tell they had been there for a while. Most of them were barely visible not had been covered up by the snow that had started to fall late last night. But one was very deep.
Whoever the man was had been walking around late last night, and stood there for a long time... just across from her apartment window...
"Alex?"
Fiona stood in the window, still wearing her pajamas. Alex took a step over to the footprints and carefully trampled over them, disguising them as her own.
"Good morning!" She said.
"What are you doing out there?" Fiona asked.
"I was finishing packing our stuff. Whenever you're ready we can go."
Fiona smiled. "Sure." And closed the window.
Alex wouldn't tell Fiona about the footprints. It was probably nothing, and it was no good scaring her. It wouldn't matter soon anyway. Soon they'd be on the road. Alex knew Fiona would have a good time, and maybe even forget about this terrible year. Even if it was only for a few minutes.
A few minutes later Fiona was ready. And after they took Hewie for a quick walk, they got into the car.
At that very moment, however, someone was watching them. And as they drove away he followed, very carefully, a few cars behind them. Far enough for him not to be noticed, but close enough for him to follow. And he had become so accustomed to following Miss Fiona.
He waited a very long time, but Riccardo was a patient man. Despite his anger, and growing desperation. Fiona had run last time, she had escaped. She would not escape again, and this time he would take what was rightfully his to begin with.
But there was no need to be hasty. For now he'd follow them. He would wait until they stopped somewhere to either sleep or perhaps he get some gas, he would kill the other girl and take his rightful prize. He'd kill the dog too. When he broke into Fiona's home the damn dog jumped him. He'd been far too hasty.
Not this time. By this time tomorrow Fiona would he his once again, and he would finally reclaim his Azoth...
