Part Four

Lita sighed, folding up another shirt and packing it tightly into her suitcase. She knew she couldn't take a lot with her, it wouldn't look right. But she wanted to take at least a few of her favorite things, knowing that they surely wouldn't be missed. She smiled at what she'd chosen, noticing it was mainly a bunch of Matt's oversized T-shirts. The bigger the better, she thought, rubbing her still flat tummy. She thought about a comment Matt had once made to her, telling her he loved it when she wore his shirts, that she looked sexy in them. Of course, he didn't always like it when she'd cut them up to turn them into halters. She grinned at the memory and pushed another one into her bag.

Reaching into her closet, she pulled out a couple pair of jeans and folded them, packing them neatly on top of her shirts.

Won't be fitting into these very much longer, she told herself. But I have to have something to wear.

Crossing over to her dresser, she opened the top drawer to retrieve a few other items, when her eyes fell to the framed photo sitting on top. It was a picture of herself and Matt, taken recently during a road trip. She stared at the elder Hardy's warm smile staring back at her. They'd been so happy that day. And so in love. Impulsively, Lita placed the picture in her suitcase, electing to take it with her. Opening her jewelry box, she couldn't resist taking the bracelet Matt had given her last Christmas as well. She treasured it for a couple reasons. It was very unique, polished brown and emerald colored glass interspersed with real emeralds and silver beads. Matt had told her he saw it in the store and it literally sparkled, just as she did. He'd knew she'd love it, so he had to get it for her. Lita loved it, wearing it often.

Finishing up her packing, she slid the zipper around her bag, then locked it into place. To say it was full would be an understatement. She hoisted the bag off the bed, then lugged it down the stairs into the foyer. Her ride would be here any minute.

In the hallway, the grandfather clock chimed midnight, almost ominously. As it took it's time striking once for each hour, she walked through her home one more time. She had to make sure nothing odd had been left out, or would seem out of the ordinary. It had to look just as if she'd simply gone away for an overnight business trip. In the refrigerator, she made sure she'd placed a fresh jug of milk inside as well as some turkey. She'd left a load of towels in the dryer and an empty glass in the sink. That'd been a little hard, as she was always a stickler about leaving a clean kitchen. Matt use to tease her about it.

Sighing, she thought It doesn't really matter. It wasn't like I was spending a ton of time here recently anyway. Since she and Matt had reconciled, she'd practically moved into his place again. In fact, most of her other favorite clothes and things were there.

The ring of the doorbell jarred her from her memories. Turning from the kitchen, she headed through the house to answer the front door. Peeking through the peephole, she quickly opened the door as she confirmed who was on her doorstep.

"Come in, quick," she said, stepping aside to allow entrance to her helper.

"You ready?"

"Yeah, I think so. I've packed my bags, and I've made sure it looks like I'm just going on a short trip."

"Lita," a frown crossed the person's features. "You don't have to do this. We can figure something else out. Are you sure you're able to go through with this?"

Lita sighed. "Yeah. I have to. For Matt's sake, as well as my own and this baby's." She placed her hand over her stomach.

"Then no turning back now. I'm going to help you, but you're going to have to listen to me and do what I say. You understand?"

"Yeah. That's why I called you to begin with. You, more than anyone else, know what kind of hell I've gone through."

"I wish I didn't. But I do. Just like me Lita, you're also going to survive this. Trust me."

"I hope so," the redhead lamented. "I really hope so."

Her accomplice glanced at her watch, noting the lateness of the hour. "I'm glad you live in nowheresville, North Carolina. There weren't any cars on the road. So we better go and get you on your way. We can't afford for you to be spotted."

Lita nodded, grabbing the handle to her suitcase and pulling it behind her.

"Stephanie?" she asked, reaching her hand out and grasping the young woman's arm. A desperate look crossed her pretty features.

"Yes Lita?"

"Thank you. I don't know what I'd do if you didn't help me."

The brunette woman smiled sadly, understanding the other woman's predicament. Lita was dealing with the monster that was Kane, while she herself had lived a nightmare kidnapping episode with his brother a few years back. She remembered the terror he created for her, knowing Lita was living the same kind of horror now."

She grasped Lita's hand, squeezing it gently. "You're welcome, sweetie. You're welcome. Now let's go."

To be continued..............