Chapter 6: Run
~ September 10th, 2040 - 5:15 PM ~
On the other side of the hemisphere, Chloe Fuller and her mother Claire Donovan are sitting in the living room of their family home with the children reading a book as a family. It is early in the evening in Phoenix, Arizona as the Fuller family is enjoying their together time before they make dinner, bathe the kids, and put them to bed. Claire has the twins, little Steven and Kimber Fuller on her legs and they are holding the book wide open as their maternal Grandmother reads them the story. Besides the trio, Chloe and her oldest daughter Corinne, Cora to her family, sit listening to the tale as the twins listen intently read the book and show the twins the actions in the book's illustrations.
Chloe and Cora will read the next book together while the trio will sit and listen intently. The story, Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham is almost done when Chloe's cellphone rings. At first, she plans to ignore it but then she realizes that it is a tone that she has only heard once before. Sliding away from her oldest child she looks at the screen as she walks to the stairwell that used to be her husband's study with a purpose. Her pulse is racing and her heart pounds as she looks at the name on the phone.
Even as the phone continues to ring, the name J. Correr continues to flash. Accepting the call, Chloe says, "Hello?"
Chloe can hear the wind whipping by as her husband is driving at top speed. The next thing she hears before his voice is the sound of gunshots. That is followed by two words, "Chloe... RUN!"
Chloe's heart freezes at the words as the phone call abruptly ends. Jackson had bought a cheap burner phone and programed that name and ring tone into her cellphone for the explicit purpose of telling her to run. He had warned her that should he ever have to do that he would not use any name other than hers and would follow it up with RUN. If that day ever happened she was to get the "Go Bag" out of the stairwell hiding place and leave the house immediately. When the call ends Chloe goes to the concealed panel in the stairwell and lifts it up. In the panel is a satchel that has new IDs, prepaid cards, cash, and a Walther CCP with two spare magazines. Slinging the bag over her left shoulder Chloe closes the pannel and walks back into the main area of the house.
"Mom... we should go for a little ride." Claire looks up at her daughter as this seemed a bit odd. "My friend Correr just called. He said it's such a nice evening that we should go out for a ride."
While Jackson's family was not supposed to know that he was an agent for the CIA he had informed them when he had to preserve his relationship with Chloe all of those years ago. As such, and because she was living in their home, Jackson had gone over his RUN orders with both women before the kids were born, just in case one or the other was in the house with the kids when something bad happened.
"Come on kids, we're going for a little ride," Claire says trying to sound like everything is normal. Deep down she knows it's anything but normal.
Even at 5-and-a-half-year-old, Cora Fuller is very bright for her age. It is not like her mother to just spontaneously announce they were going out before dinner. She also notices that her grandmother hands her mother her brand new cellphone and that her mother leaves it and her cellphone on the kitchen table. Before the 5-and-a-half-year-old girl can ask why she is ushered into the garage alongside her siblings and put into the family mini-van. Once they are all strapped in Chloe presses the button on the remote for the garage door to open. Once the door to the house is closed Chloe keys the alarm code for this specific action. She presses 1-2-0-7 and the alarm begins the process of arming. Chloe climbs into the van which is already on and drives away. The garage door automatically lowers and the final action indicates that the alarm is active several metal rods telescope from the ground. Jackson informed Chloe that this was his humane way of keeping pets off the lawn which was now booby-trapped.
Chloe knew to drive to the highway but did not know what she was supposed to do next. Claire activated the onboard navigation and found the location marked RUN. With the destination now set Chloe follows the path indicated. Claire turns on the movie player in the back for the kids to watch while the adults follow the instructions provided by the onboard nav. Twenty minutes later, the Fullers and Claire find themselves at a rather dilapidated automotive service station.
"We're out of gas." The attendant states as Chloe pulls up next to the pump.
"Gato Correr told me to come here," Chloe says to the man.
The attendant seems unimpressed by this statement and just leans back in their chair and tilts his hat over his eyes. However, as soon as his chair is back on two legs the door to the garage begins to open. Not knowing what to do Chloe decides to pull into the garage. As soon as she has gone as far as she can she hears a click as if something has locked to her tires and the automatic garage door begins to close. Only when it is shut does another man enter the garage.
"Hola Mrs. Fuller." The man says in a bit of a rush. "I realize you must have many questions but time is short. Please, gather your family and belongings and come with me."
Not wasting any time Chloe and her family do as the man asks. Chloe presses the button on her van and the automatic door slides to the passenger section slides open. The two adults exit and they help the children out of their booster seats. As they did not bring anything other than the run bag the Fullers and Claire are soon following the man down underground. Chloe knows garages like this usually have a lower level for oil changes and to work under the car. What is not normal is for these facilities to have large long tunnels running under the ground.
"If you will all climb aboard our transport for the ride, we will transport you to the next part of your journey." The man states.
Claire takes the twins into her section and the trio fastens the seatbelt into place. Chloe and Cora sit in front of them and fasten their seatbelt and once she sees they are ready to go tell their driver so.
"I'm sorry, what do I call you?" Chloe asks.
"You may call me Antonio." The man says as he climbs into the driver's seat. The tunnel they are in is fairly large and decently lit. The vehicle's motor is very quiet so Chloe suspects it has an electric motor. The cart, pulling two-passenger carts has good power and is moving quite fast. As they travel down the tunnel the kids are counting lights to occupy their time. The whole family is wondering where they are going but are not asking questions.
A short while later the group arrives at a stop similar to the one they just left. Chloe suspects it is another basement but to what she doesn't know. Steven points out that there is another elevator lift and Antonio instructs the family to take the lift up. He does not get off of the cart as has other matters to attend to.
"Thank you for the ride," Claire states to their driver.
"You are very welcome. Good luck to you all." Antonio states as he drives off down the tunnel.
The Fullers and Claire pile into the elevator and seeing only two buttons press the one for the ground floor. It is a fairly long ride as far as elevators go but they soon arrive on the main floor. Disembarking from the elevator, the family finds themselves in what can only be described as a Vehicle Showroom. There are cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs of all makes and models here. All of the vehicles appear to be new and Chloe is quite perplexed.
"Ahh Mrs. Mouser, there you are." A rather well-dressed man says as he approaches the group. "I hope you and your family had a pleasant ride."
"Yes," Chloe states. It took Chloe a moment to remember that Jackson had selected the name Mary Mouser for her cover identity as Jackson always said she looked like the Hollywood actress. "Thank you," Chloe replies when the man hands her two sets of keys.
"Your new vehicle is all detailed and loaded per your husband's instructions." The man says indicating that he wants the family to follow him.
The group is led outside where they find a red Honda Pilot awaiting their arrival. It appears to be this year's model much to Chloe's surprise. Two of the service members open the passenger doors and Chloe is surprised to see a booster seat for Cora and two car seats for the twins.
"Your husband plans ahead." The man informs Chloe. Claire and Chloe inform the kids that their father bought them a new Honda and that this is their new vehicle. The excited kids love the color and can't wait to take a ride in it. The adults load the kids into the vehicle, fastening seatbelts while promising to stop for dinner soon. While Claire finishes strapping the kids in Chloe opens the rear door and finds a bag for each member of her family including herself and her mother.
"How did these get here?" Chloe asks.
"As I said, your husband plans ahead. He has been updating the bags every two weeks for the past five years... just in case."
"What about our old van?" Chloe asks.
"As we speak it is being... disassembled. If you had any unexpected... additions on it, they will be found and dealt with. Your husband pre-programmed your new navigation and I can assure you, all of my staff are trustworthy and true friends of your husband so you have nothing to worry about on our end. Just follow the directions on the navigation and the instructions in your satchel and you will be fine. Do not deviate from those instructions." The dealer sternly tells Chloe.
"I understand," Chloe replies.
Climbing into the SUV, Chloe adjusts the seat and mirrors to her specifications. Once they are ready the Fullers power up the SUV. Chloe finds a smartphone docked in a phone holder. Claire looks in the satchel and the tablet Jackson left them has a note titled Honda Pilot. Opening the note Claire reads that the phone is a burner-style smartphone. She is to call Charlie once they are on the road (the phone is synced) and when he answers she is to say, Charlie... Lockdown. The note tells Chloe to then hang up as Charlie will know what her message means and follow the instructions that he has left for her cousin.
Chloe activates the navigation and begins traveling west per the instructions. While she is driving Claire dials the number for Charlie and Chloe delivers her abrupt message. As the two women don't end the call Charlie abruptly does so and the pair realize that is what they were supposed to do. Sighing, the pair begin their long journey as guided by the Navigation.
Chloe drives her family for thirty-five minutes before the car indicates that they should stop to eat. However, the instructions on the tablet give the women instructions to eat at a specific diner. Chloe hears several whines from her kids (as they wanted to eat elsewhere) but knows that her husband has his reasons she follows his instructions to the letter.
Pulling up to the location provided, Chloe shuts down the engine and the two adults proceed to get the children out and walk into the rather quaint-looking dinner. There are only a handful of people present and the waitress behind the counter tells the group to sit where ever they like. Claire hands her daughter the tablet and upon reading the file she reaches into the satchel and finds an envelope.
"Hello folk," the waitress whose nametag reads Robyn greets the family as she lays out their menus. "Can I start you with drinks?"
"Three glasses of milk and I'll have an ice tea." Chloe states.
"I'll also have an ice tea." Claire states.
"Ok, I will get your drinks while you look over the menu," Robyn says. Before she is out of earshot Chloe calls her back.
"Robyn..." Chloe says acting like she was just reading her name tag. "I was told to give this to you before we ordered."
Chloe hands Robyn the envelope. Robyn opens it and scans the message. "Thank you, miss. I'll get your drinks and be back to take your order.
Chloe watches as the woman tells the cook at the counter something. She sees the man eye her family and nod. Robyn then goes about getting the drinks. Carrying the five beverages out on a tray Robyn asks if the group needs a few more minutes or do they know what they would like?
"What are your specials?" Claire inquires.
"For the kids, I would recommend our kid's meal spaghetti dinners. We have meat, and marina and Alfredo sauces. They come with kid-sized corn or green beans. For the two of you, I would recommend our pan-fried shrimp over noodles. With your choice of noodles and sauces."
The adults look gob-smacked at the recommendations as spaghetti was one of the kid's all-time favorite meals and Chloe and Claire both loved shrimp. Chloe opted for Shrimp Alfredo over linguini while Claire chose Shrimp Scampi over rice. Within fifteen minutes of their order being placed the kids had their food while the adults had to wait five extra minutes for theirs. As everyone was starved the family all cleaned their plates. The kid's meals came with a scoop of ice cream while Claire ordered a piece of cherry pie. Chloe ordered a piece of cherry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on it.
"That was amazing," Claire tells Robyn as she collects the empty dessert plates.
"Thank you," Robyn replies. "We were beginning to wonder if we were ever going to be needed." The waitress states.
"I'm not following," Claire says.
"We work for your husband," Robyn tells Chloe. He bought this location strictly for this moment. We used to have... less than honest professions. Your husband gave us a second chance and set us up here. In exchange for new, honest and simple lives we were to wait here for the day you brought us the letter. He hoped the day would never come but should it, we were to be ready."
The cook came out and when he did the customer sitting quietly at the end of the counter turned to face the Fuller family. The young man and woman at the far end of the diner stood up and walked over to the group. "This is my family. John the cook is my brother. My father Martin who has been watching over you from the counter. And my son and daughter-in-law Cole and Debbie."
"Thank you... I... I really don't know what to say." Chloe tells the group.
"Your thanks are more than enough. Jackson did what no one else in his position would have, as such, we are happy to finally be able to return the favor." Martin informs the group.
"As the tablet in your satchel will tell you, Debbie and I will escort you to the hotel where you will be staying tonight. Jackson knew you would be tired so arrangements have been made for you to get some rest before you continue on your journey tomorrow morning." Cole tells Chloe.
"I will bring you breakfast before you are to check out of the hotel," Debbie tells the family. "That way you only have to stop for lunch before you reach your destination."
"Thank you all... I can't tell you again how much this has helped with this... journey." Chloe says not wanting to alert her children to the true nature of their situation.
Reflexively Chloe reaches for her wallet but Robyn stops her. "It's on the house." Robyn states.
"Are you sure?" Chloe asks.
"John is such a superb cook that we are busy during peak dining hours. Tonight just happens to be one of those rare nights that everyone is ordering out or not at all. Most fortuitous wouldn't you say?" Robyn asks.
"Indeed." Claire and Chloe agree.
As stated, Roby's son and daughter-in-law escorted the Fullers to a modest hotel located fifteen minutes from the diner. Cole walked in and came out a short time later with the keys to the suite that they would be occupying. Apparently, Jackson somehow owned this place as well (something Chloe would be discussing with her husband the next time she saw him) and had made renovations to it to accommodate his family should they ever need to use it. The suite was two rooms, the bedroom area had two queen-sized beds and the common room had a fold-out couch with a full-sized bed. It was decided that the twins would sleep with grandma while Cora would sleep with mom. The kids whined when they were told there would be no time for swimming tomorrow but they would make time when they got to their destination.
"Where are we going, mom?" Cora asks very curiously.
"It's a surprise Hunny..." Chloe states. "A big surprise," Chloe informs her daughter.
Truth be told she didn't know where they were heading. The tablet only seemed to unlock files as the GPS reached certain checkpoints. Jackson probably did this on the off chance that someone somehow got their hands on it. They were told they would be getting a 7:30 AM wake-up call, at which time Debbie would bring their breakfast. They had thirty minutes to eat, and thirty minutes to get ready, and be on the road again by 8:45 AM.
Until they were on the road again they wouldn't know how long until their lunch break and then begin the final leg of their journey. Chloe looked at her young twins snuggled up against her mother while Cora did the same to her. The kids were content and safe. She and her mother were safe, Chloe just hoped her husband was safe and making his way back to his family.
To Be Continued