That night

Thunder rumbled in the distance as I looked out over the outside balcony. It was about one in the morning so I hoped that Oswald was fast asleep and that I would be able to bury the tape before being discovered. If I can get out quickly, hopefully I'll beat the rain… The house was quiet as I crept down the stairs carrying my boots to avoid rousing anyone. I carefully opened the door and closed it behind me successfully without waking anyone. The night sky made the back lawn impossible to see. Fortunately, I thought of that and found a flashlight during the day. The beam of light allowed me to find the spot, although the rain started to fall making the job that much more difficult. The spot was just as I left it the day before; but with the rain falling, I was spared the foul odor and the head looked more like a dark prune with the soaked hair. Placing the flashlight on the ground, I took up the shovel once more and started digging the mud beside the head. After about two feet, I threw the tape in and started replacing the thick mud. After finishing my work, I decided to bury the head as well to avoid Oswald finding out my discovery.

I did my best to think of other things to avoid my nausea making a reappearance, without much success. But I was able to finish without being sick and picked up the flashlight once more. When I lifted it to find my way back to the house, I saw that there was a light coming from a room on the second floor. Gasping, I turned off my flashlight and ran to one of the trees for cover. Oh God, what do I do now? The rain started pouring as I started shivering and waiting for the light to turn off. Finally, I saw darkness once more, but I didn't want to risk the flashlight again. A couple of lightning flashes were enough for me to find my way back to the back porch. Once I was under the shelter of the manor again, I took off my coat and boots. I waited for thunder to rumble before I opened the door. I closed the door behind me, and saw a towel draped on the railing of the staircase. This caused me to look around with paranoia, but I didn't see anyone, so I left the towel there and quickly went back up to my room. Fortunately, the coast was clear and I was able to shower and get into bed without hearing anything.

The next morning

Just act like nothing happened...I told myself...keep it together... I descended the stairs in a white tea dress with large violet roses printed on it. The towel was now gone from the end of the banister, which I hoped was attributed to the thoroughness of Olga and not to Oswald. "I'm telling you, boss..." Gabe's voice said on the other side of the wall from where I was standing, "Ms. James isn't naïve. She's going to figure it out sooner or later, so..." "I'm well aware, Gabe. I don't need you to tell me." I heard Oswald respond with a tone of either planning or worry. This conversation made goosebumps appear on my arms. "I'll take care of it..." he said more quietly. This phrase made my heart pound and sweat start to form on my forehead. I'm dead...he's going to kill me... I ran back upstairs as quietly as I could and grabbed my purse, leaving behind the cell phone and credit cards that he gave me. He can't find me. But I did keep the cash so that I could find somewhere to stay in the meantime. I'll send him the money back once I've found a job or something.

I was about to run when something in my mind told me to leave a note. After all, he did give me shelter when I had nowhere to go. So, I wrote the following words on the notepad that I would be leaving behind:

Dear Oswald,

I'm sorry for leaving so quickly, but I have overstayed my welcome. Thank you for allowing me to stay in your beautiful home. Even though I didn't get to tell you goodbye, I appreciate everything you have done for me. I can't tell you why I am leaving but know that it's for the best. Please don't look for me, I have some things to work out before I see you again. I promise to repay the money that I took as soon as I can. Please forgive me.

Sincerely,

Fee

I threw the notepad on the bed and quickly changed to casual clothes, jeans and a black v-neck t-shirt. The door was locked so I prayed that no one would try to come in before I left. I went out on the balcony and saw that there was a small gap between the edge of the railing and a climbable part of the stone wall. With some near slips and sore hands, I made it to the ground eventually. I creeped around the manor carefully so that I wouldn't be seen. Should I wait till he drives away? Or should I just sneak through the woods? Since I had no idea what his schedule would be that day, I decided that I needed to sneak through the woods. Thankfully, Oswald didn't have a patrol around the estate, otherwise I would have a much harder time getting away.

There were woods dense enough for me to stay relatively hidden, but not so thick that I couldn't tell which direction I was headed. My past self must have known a few tricks, because I knew that I had to travel west to head toward Gotham City. And I knew that I needed to stay in Gotham to find my answers. As my boots traversed the uneven terrain, I thought about my next course of action. I may need to change my appearance, if Oswald has connections in the city; it may not be long till he catches up with me. I also need to find somewhere to live in the meantime… Though I was out of sight of the road; I heard a car approaching and I quickly got on the ground. It felt like I was in an old war movie and that I was behind enemy lines, trying to get back to base. I expected to hear someone calling my name like a lost pet, but fortunately the car kept driving and I knew that I was in the clear.

It felt like I had been hiking for hours when I finally reached a small store near a gas station. The man behind the counter was pre-occupied with reading his newspaper and didn't pay me any mind as I walked in. I decided to use bleach, so it would be sure to cover my brown hair. I also grabbed some snacks and a water bottle. After paying the man, I asked to use the bathroom. He handed me a key and I went back to use the sink to bleach my hair. It took a while, but eventually saw a different person in the mirror. I started to braid my hair when I heard voices through the thin walls, "Hey Dale! How's it hanging?" I recognized Butch's voice, causing my breath to suspend in my lungs. "So, have you seen this girl? She probably came by here alone with no car..." There was silence for a moment and then I heard the guy say, "Hmmm, nope. Haven't seen her..." "Look again Dale. It's important." "Again, I didn't see her." I could barely hear Butch mutter, "Damn it...Well, listen if you see her, Penguin's offering a thousand dollars to whoever can help us find her. Give me a call if you do, okay?" "Will do... don't let the door hit you on the way out!"

I heard the little bell of the door ring, but I didn't leave the bathroom for another few minutes. I left the room cautiously, hoping that Butch was gone. My hopes were realized when I didn't see any cars outside, and I thanked the store clerk while keeping my face pointed down. When I reached the door handle, I heard behind me, "Lay low, girl... The only reason that I didn't give you up is because that leprechaun offed my cousin a few weeks back. I won't ask you what's going on, but if that bounty goes up higher, I may change my mind." With this warning, I ran out. Another hour later, I had reached the Gotham Bridge. I had never felt so exposed before, so I ran across the steel structure as quickly as I could. Once I get in the city, I'll be able to hide somewhere...

Although I reached the other side of the bridge, it reached far into the city and I wanted to get off as soon as possible. Fortunately, I found a ladder that maintenance workers use that led to the bottom of the structure. Once my feet landed on concrete, I was able to take a deep breath. Though the air that I inhaled was far from fresh; instead it was tainted with cigarette smoke, the smell of rotting food, body odor, and many other unpleasant smells. Guess I'll have to get used to it... But, what do I do now? Without a plan, I was forced to start walking and hope that I would find somewhere to stay till I came up with something. As my boots clopped on the pavement, it blended with so many other sounds; wailing sirens in the distance, yelling, honking, engines, thumping basses, whistles, and more. I dodged arguments, pushy vendors, and just general people walking.

Eventually I found a motel that I could afford for a few days with the money in my purse, with just enough left over for a few meals. When closing the door behind me, the feeling of dread that I had since starting my journey finally subsided and exhaustion pulled me to the bed. Compared to what I left; the mattress was a hard as a brick. But it'll have to do for now…

The next morning

As I left the motel the next morning, I tried my best to work out the kinks in my neck and shoulders without much success. Soon enough I was able to find some breakfast and then I found a subway entrance. I went down into the subway and stood next to the bottom of the stairs. This is as good a place as any… I placed a cup down, stood up straight and started to sing. I couldn't recall where I heard the music, but it was there in my mind and now echoed around me. Nerves were holding me as people kept walking by; till two people stopped to listen, then four, then six. After a song ended, some would put money in the cup and move on. I kept this up for a few hours, my voice never tiring or waiving. By the end of my time, there was enough money to support me for a few more days. Maybe if I choose a different venue, I'll be able to earn more…