As always thanks for your comments.
I'm starting to catch up on the chapters I've written. I think there are about two complete chapters after this. I haven't had much writing time lately.
Banner by Secret
Part
9
"You'll
understand what I mean when I say there's no way we're going to
give up…"
Tommy pretended to be watching television but his eyes constantly drifted from the old TV set to the partly ajar bathroom door. He could see Jude as she prepared for the day. It wasn't that he was perving but watching her when she didn't know allowed him to see a side of her she'd no longer show.
He watched as she gazed at her reflection, her index finger tracing a bruise on her shoulder as she frowned slightly. She sighed and used an elastic band to put her hair into a ponytail then leaned down and splashed water on her face. There was sadness in her eyes, an almost bereaved expression when she once again gazed at her reflection.
Suddenly and with no warning her eyes drifted from her own to his in the mirror, catching him before he had a chance to hide it. Outrage flickered in her eyes as she spun around to slam the bathroom door and once again lock him out.
Fifteen minute of silence passed before finally he stood up and walked over to the bathroom door. "Jude?" He asked softly, reaching forward to tap his knuckles lightly against the peeling white door. "Are you coming out?"
"I just need a little space," was the muffled reply.
"Fine. I'm going out for awhile. You want anything?"
"No."
"Lock the door after I leave." He paused there for a moment longer, lingering to see if she'd emerge or offer some kind word at his departure. Nothing came.
He nodded to the Motel owner as he emerged into the early morning light. The Silver Mercedes he'd been driving since they'd had to replace the black Sudan was parked at the other end of the car park. He twirled the car keys around his index finger as he walked over, contemplating what to do with it. It was strange how in the center of a large town he still felt as if he were in the middle of nowhere. He could almost imagine a tumble weed drifting across the Motel car park as the vacancy sign swung in the breeze, the rusted old hinges squeaking with each change of direction.
He climbed into the car and started the engine, checking for non existent traffic as he pulled out of the park. He drove around the town for a few minutes, taking time to get his bearings and find an alternate means of transport to replace the car. He didn't dare buy a new one here. When someone was sent to track and pick up this car they'd instantly question the local car dealerships about recent purchases. Right now he needed an easy way to get out of town and the train station seemed the best option.
He pulled up out front of the building, ignoring the tow away sign. It was with some difficulty that he left the keys in the ignition and the engine running. It was a beautiful car and it seemed such a waste. He didn't fail to notice the spiky haired, petulant young teenage swooping in on the car behind him as he walked inside to the ticket booth.
There was a squeal of car tires and hooting laughter from outside. "So long sucker!" a voice called.
"Kids these days," the old man behind the counter muttered to Tommy, not looking up from the coins he was counting. Tommy gritted his teeth as he watched through the window as the car disappeared into the distance in a haze of exhaust. "What can I get you?"
"Two one way tickets to Vancouver." He leaned against the counter and rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. "Look, my girlfriend just left her boyfriend for me a couple of days ago. The guys a little crazy and I'm worried he's going to come after us and give her a hard time. If anyone asks, please don't tell him you sold me these tickets."
The old man finally looked up from the desk. He took in Tommy's plaintive expression then slowly nodded his head. "So that was two tickets to Toronto then Sir?" He winked quickly as he handed over the tickets; 'Vancouver' printed boldly on top.
- -
"If I could then I'd shrink the world tonight."
Jude was sitting on her bed; the CDs Tommy had brought her scattered around her and a set of headphones on her head. She bobbed her head in time with the music only she could hear. Her eyes were closed and she was completely lost in the music and as a result she failed to notice Tommy enter the room and jumped in fright when the door slammed behind him.
He smiled apologetically and shrugged off his jacket. The ten or so blocks back to the Motel had seemed a lot shorter when he drove and he was exhausted. He dropped the train tickets on the coffee table and crossed over to the kitchenette to get a drink.
Jude hopped off the bed, CD player in hand as she walked over to the coffee table and picked up the tickets.
"Vancouver?" she asked, pushing the headphones down to her neck so she could hear his response. Tiny music faintly drifted from the headphones and across to him. "I thought we were going to stay put for awhile. And what about the car?"
"It got stolen last night," he remarked with a shrug. He was surprised at the lie and disheartened by how easily it slid from his tongue but after a seconds thought he figured it was as good as the truth. Letting her know their every move had been watched for the last couple of days would only cause her to panic and acknowledging that he'd made the mistake of assuming there was only one tracking device in a car that was most likely custom designed by his former employers was embarrassing.
"But these tickets are for tomorrow morning," a slight whine had crept into her voice. "Can't we stay a few more days?"
"I got us our own cabin on the train. It'll be nice."
She dropped the ticket and it floated dejectedly down to it's partner on the table. "Right, I'm sure it'll be lovely." She closed her eyes and put a hand to her forehead. He watched as she inhaled and exhaled deeply as if trying to soothe herself.
"You okay?"
"Fine." She glanced over at him then turned to the window but not quick enough to hide the faint glimmer of tears in her eyes. "So what's in Vancouver?"
"Nothing really. It seemed as good a place as any but we can always get off early. Anywhere in particular you want to visit?" He took a sip from his glass of water then set it back down on the bench.
She glanced over her shoulder at him, shrugging her shoulders sadly. "Toronto?"
He wanted to walk over and take her in his arms. To just wrap her up in a comforting hug and convince her that everything was okay, that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe. Her eyes drifted up to meet his and for a moment he contemplated if she'd let him. He took a few steps toward her but her eyes drifted to the floor.
"Jude," he whispered. He reached over to touch her cheek but she quickly turned her face away, dodging the gesture and rejecting all it tried to convey.
"Vancouver's fine," she muttered, brushing past him.
- - -
"This morning I got in a fight with myself, I've got the bruises to prove it."
Jude awoke early the next morning. There was no clock in the room but through a crack in the curtains she could see dawn was just beginning to break outside. The world had that eerie atmosphere where the nightmares of the darkness hadn't all quite departed but the budding anticipation of a new day was slowly fighting it's way through.
Figuring more sleep would be the best use of time and that being sharp and alert around Tommy could never be a bad thing, she lay back against her pillow and closed her eyes tightly. Her mind was buzzing; her conscience, wisdom, curiosity and intelligence all striking up conversations with one another, sparking all the arguments and admonishments that came when the four got together.
The sleep thing… wasn't working.
She sighed and sat up with her back to the headboard, the chilly morning air rushing over her bare arms and dragging her body along to join the conscious state her mind had entered. Across from her Tommy was fast asleep on the sofa. It wasn't long enough for him and both legs were hanging over the side. One arm was slung over his face as it to ward off any annoying light. In any other situation, any other guy, she would have found the image amusing, adorable or endearing but instead she simply looked away, her gaze once again returning to the window.
She couldn't remember the last time she'd been truly alone. Not the type of alone where she was trapped in a dark musty room while two mysterious strangers stood guard at the door, nor the type of alone where she locked herself into a bathroom and encouraged her mind to take her to some kind of 'happy place'. Just the alone where she was an average, ordinary teenage girl walking to the store to get a loaf of bread or some milk, the girl who walked her dog or went for an early morning jog. She missed being alone. She missed that girl.
Silently she pulled back the blankets and climbed out of the bed. She reached for her sweater and slipped it on then slid her feet into her shoes. She'd slept in a pair of slacks that didn't look like pajamas so there wasn't much necessity to change those. She ran her fingers through her hair absentmindedly, not caring to glance at her reflection in the mirror as she tiptoed to the door and slowly opened it.
Teasers
for Part 10
"Tonight,
you arrested my mind when you came to my defense with a knife in the
shape of your mouth. In the form of your body with the wrath of a
god…"
"Hey,"
another called, "come on over here. We'll get you a beer." "No
thanks," she sped up, trying not to look scared while moving as
fast as possible. The men were crossing the street. With hands in
pockets they strutted across the one large road and stood side by
side on the footpath ahead of her. She froze.