"I need to get out of here, NOW", I thought hastily, as I grabbed my duffel bag and started shoving my underwear and bras into it as fast as possible. I quickly glanced up at the clock on the nightstand. 5:08. He'd be home in twenty-two minutes. I only had twenty minutes to get out. I looked at the window with the escape route and silently thanked the day we chose this apartment.
There was a soft meow, and Tomeka the Siamese cat, jumped up on the bed next to my duffel bag.
"What is it Meekers?" I asked. "We're leaving soon. Do me a favor and keep an eye on the front door, would ya?"
Tomeka jumped down, trotted to the living room, and sat down in front of the door guarding it. It's like she knows English, I thought. Then again, that wasn't surprising. Tomeka was an extremely smart cat.
I ripped open my closet doors and grabbed my favorite clothing. I knew not to take too much; I only needed a few clothes to survive on until I could fully begin my new life. I grabbed my favorite pair of leather pants, favorite black corset (from my favorite lingerie set), favorite black motorcycle jacket, and of course, my favorite black leather combat boots. I tossed a few more pairs of jeans and tanks into the duffel bag, then practically ran to the bathroom to grab a few more things. In the bathroom, I quickly looked at myself in the mirror. I stood at 5'5" and had been told several times that I was very small for my size and age of 23. My long black hair was messy and fell to my shoulder blades; I grabbed a brush and quickly pulled it through my hair. In the mirror, my eyes met my own. My emerald green eyes had seen better days. A faint bruise was under my right eye, I tried not to think about what had happened last night. Selina Kyle, what have you gotten yourself into?
Once I had put my hairbrush, makeup, and straightener all into my bag, along with my clothes, I checked the time. 5:19. Time to leave.
I threw the duffel bag over my shoulder and called Tomeka. "Meekers! Come here!"
She looked over her shoulder and meowed as if saying "Have everything? Are you ready?"
"Yes Meekers, come on." She ran and jumped into my arms.
I glanced around the room to make sure I had everything I needed. I looked at the coffee table and remembered my small bag of change I had been saving up. I ran over, and stuck my hand under the table, searching for the bag. I had taped it to the underside of the table so that he couldn't find it. Once I grabbed it, I walked briskly to the bedroom, but not before leaving the diamond ring on the table. I looked at the clock again. 5:22.
I set Tomeka down on the window sill along with the duffel bag. I quickly opened the window and crawled out on to the escape route. Grabbing the bag, I offered Tomeka to jump into my arms. She meowed and jumped into the duffel bag. "That works too, I guess," I commented. Looking down the street, I saw his shiny black Mercedes-Benz in the distance. Time to leave.
As I climbed down the ladders, I wished we didn't live on the second to top floor. Even though it was only the fifth floor out of six, it still took a while to get down. As soon as my feet hit the pavement, I began to fast walk towards the alleyway. I had ten minutes to get to the subway or I would never be able to leave his sight again. I would be trapped in the apartment. Or worse, I would be… No. Stop thinking about that. I forced the thoughts from my mind. We're going to be fine.
Crossing the street, I saw the subway entrance. I was really getting away. This was it. I was almost out of here. I glanced over my shoulder, then again. There's no way. He couldn't have found me this fast. I saw his platinum blonde hair stand out from the crowd.
"SELINA!" I heard him roar my name. "GET THE FUCK BACK HERE!"
His six-foot figure began to roughly shove people out of the way as he rushed toward me. I ran for the subway entrance. I took a quick look over my shoulder. The traffic blocked him, but that didn't stop him from trying. James was big for his height, but I could weave through crowds.
I looked back; he was having a rough time getting around people, but he was still catching up. I looked ahead; I was almost to the subway entrance. I weaved through a few more people and checked behind me again. James was halfway to the entrance. I practically ran down the steps.
I looked down at my duffle bag, Tomeka was still in there. I ran into people as I tried to pass them. I didn't even stop to apologize, I just kept running. As I was running down the escalators, I heard someone yell, "HEY! WATCH IT BUDDY!".
Looking behind me, I saw James push a young college kid down as he bolted for the escalators. To hell with it. I jumped up on the flat metal divider, and slid down the rest of the way, and landed on my feet when I got to the bottom. I looked ahead; the subway was just pulling in. I bolted for it. I heard him scream my name again. I didn't care, I kept running. I ignored people stopping and staring at me.
Up ahead the subway was about ready to leave. I bolted for the doors. I leapt through them just in time, and the subway doors slammed shut. James ran to the doors, his large, strong hands beating on the glass of the subway. It looked like all of his muscles were rippling; ready to explode he was so angry. A vein popped out on his thick neck. "OPEN THIS FUCKING DOOR NOW!" He screamed. I could see the fury in his deep green eyes. I stood back smiled, and waved. "SELINA, YOU BITCH!" The subway began to pull away. I smiled until I could no longer see him. I then sank into the nearest seat I could find, putting the duffle bag on my lap and stretching out my legs. I let out a huge sigh of relief. I had made it.
Tomeka sat up, and meowed at me. "Yes Meekers, were gone. He won't be coming after us for a long time."
She meowed again and glanced at an older man with graying hair sitting on the bench across from us. He looked like he was too posh to be riding a subway. His tailored suit stood out from the rest of the middle to lower class crowd. I wondered what he was doing on a dirty subway.
"Starting a new life I see?" he commented, interrupting my thoughts.
"You could say that," I coolly said back.
A low speaker crackle of the stop announcer made the old man stop what he had to say; "Gotham Grand Central Station. Next stop, 5th and Main." The subway came to a slow stop, and the doors opened.
The older man got up and began his way to the doors, but not before stopping in front of me. He fished around in his pocket and pulled out a small roll of bills. "I hope this helps," he said before putting them quickly in my hand and exiting off the subway.
"Wait! You don't have to!" I called back. Before the doors closed, he shouted back, "Yes I do!".
Then the doors closed, and he disappeared into the crowd. I looked down at my hand and unfolded the bills. Tears slowly welled up in my eyes as I counted $600 in one hundred dollar bills. Tomeka purred as she rubbed her face on my cheek.
"That was some guy, huh?" I said to her as I forced myself not to cry. "We have to find him and thank him one of these days." I began to put Tomeka, wondering who that mysterious man was and why he did what he did.
About forty-five minutes later, our stop arrived. I was on the other side of Gotham, away from James and all of his… No. Stop. New life, Selina, remember? As we got up to the street, I dug my hand into my pocket the get out the piece of paper. This piece of paper was my ticket to a new life. I looked down at the address scrawled on it. "638 Park Way Suite 13. That's about 3 blocks away, you ready for this Meekers?" She was asleep. "Well, as ready as you'll ever be I guess." Chuckling to myself, I started walking.
We arrived at our new apartment directly above a small pub ironically called "The Cheshire Cat". I chose it not only for the location, but the coziness of it as well. The apartment had been ready for a few days; I had my good friend Lori set it up for me before I left James.
"Key should be under the mat…Ah! There it is!" As soon as I opened the door and walked inside, Tomeka jumped down from the duffle bag and began to inspect the new living space. "Meekers, welcome to our new home!"
Suddenly, I sank to the floor and began to cry. Tomeka came to my side and meowed. "It's nothing Meekers. It's just…were finally alone. We're safe here. I'd never imagine this day would come." I gave her a reassuring smile that was really meant for me. I couldn't believe it. I was starting a new life.
I looked over at the kitchen. Lori had left me a few pots and pans that she must have not needed. There was a white cat clock on the wall, and even though it was kind of tacky, I fell in love with it. I smiled. Lori knew my taste very well. I set my duffel bag down on the crème sofa and walked into the kitchen. On the counter was a small note in Lori's handwriting. I picked it up and read it.
Selina,
I'm at a fashion show in Paris for new outfits/lingerie for the Cat's Meow. I won't be back until a few days from now. If anything happens, you can always stay at my place. I left a spare key taped to the side of the cactus plant on the kitchen counter. Also, The Cheshire Cat owner said he would look after you and watch out for anyone looking for you. When I get back I'll introduce you to him.
See you in a few!
XOXO Lori
P.S. The cactus only needs a little bit of water per week.
I put the note back down on the counter and looked for Lori's spare key. Sure enough, it was taped to the side of the cactus pot. I put Lori's note next to the pot to remind myself of the spare key. Then I got a class from the cupboard, filled it with water, and gave the cactus some of the water. I made sure not to put too much, so as not to over water it. Then I grabbed my duffel bag and went into my new room.
Slowly, I began to unpack my clothes, savoring the moment of relief as much as I could. Here I was, away from him, in a smaller, cozier apartment, alone. I couldn't believe it. Everything in the apartment was mine, from the white cat clock on the kitchen wall down to the cream modern sofa in the living room. Tomorrow I decided was a day purely for shopping. I planned on using the old man's money to get groceries and some much needed supplies. The old man…I need to find him. I made a mental note to find him.
Putting the duffle bag on the top shelf in the closet, I turned and inspected my new room. Tomeka came into the room and hopped up on my bed. "We need more decorations. Lori did a good job with the furniture, but it needs a more…personalized touch."
Tomeka meowed in agreement. I chuckled. "Let's sleep Meekers. We have another big day ahead of us. At least this one will be much better than the last."
I crawled underneath the black comforter; Tomeka sprawled out on the other pillow next to me. I could hear the laughter and clinking of glasses from the pub beneath us. Luckily, it was muffled and not as loud as I thought it would be. Sleep then enclosed me.
"Selina. Oh Selina, how I love you. I don't want to do this, but I need to…because I love you and you have to learn."
James was standing over me, his right hand curled into a fist. "How many times have I told you to do simple things? Huh?"
I tried to reply, but nothing came out. "I can't hear you!" he yelled and advanced.
"A lot James! A lot!" I yelled back trying back away from him.
"Hey baby, there's no reason to shout at me. That's another one against you."
His hand whipped out and gripped my shirt, pulling me towards him. Even though I was five inches shorter than him, he towered over me. I could smell the vodka on his breath and the stench of his sweat.
"I love you, but I have to teach you to be good." He shoved me against the wall and pulled back his right fist...
"NO!" I yelled and jolted awake, hands covering my face and covered in a cold sweat. I was breathing fast, too fast. I quickly glanced around the room, making sure he wasn't there. Then I remembered where I was. I was safe. I slowly put my arms down, feeling safe again.
Tomeka was staring at me. "I'm alright." She still stared at me.
I lay back down and breathed slowly. Rolling over, and looking out the window directly in front of me, I silently vowed I would get revenge on James. I didn't know how or when, but I knew that I would. Then, I fell back asleep.
