Part 13

Another couple of hours had passed after breakfast, and he was able to drive through the desolate roadways and into his old hometown of Raleigh, hoping to find some peace and safety there for a while. As Clay pulled the old car up to the driveway, he spotted Jerome on the front porch, who quickly walked down the front steps and over to Clay.

"Welcome home, Clay," he said, shaking his hand and hugging him briefly, "It's been a while."
"I know. And thanks for the welcome," Clay said, smiling, "Gosh. I haven't seen you in ages."
"Yeah, well...that's what happens when you lose contact for four and a half years."

Jerome suddenly glanced over at Jordan, who was asleep in the front seat of the car.

"New friend of yours?" Jerome asked, raising an eyebrow.
Clay turned around and back at him, replying, "It's a long story."
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Jordan slowly opened her eyes and found herself in another room, wondering if they stopped at another hotel. Clay suddenly came into view and placed a warm hand on her forehead.

"You need to stop doing that," Jordan muttered, closing her
eyes.
"Well, you didn't eat a thing this morning and you slept through the entire drive up here," Clay said, taking his hand off of her head, "So now I'm worried."

He then handed her a glass and two capsules that looked like pills.

"Drugging me now?" Jordan asked, looking at him.
"They're vitamins. You really need to have something in your system," he answered.

Jordan looked at him for a few moments, but sat up slowly and took them before she could hesitate.

"So where are we?" Jordan asked, looking around the room.
"We're in Raleigh," Clay answered, placing an arm around her, "But...we're staying with a good friend of mine for now."
"Is it safe?"
"Last time I checked, it was. We should be fine here for a while."
"How long's a while?"
"I'm not sure. A few months. Maybe more. But a while is a while to me."

She nodded slowly.

"Jordan, you have nothing to worry about. We'll be safer here than the last time."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I know for a fact that it's safe. I've lived in Raleigh all my life before moving out. And not once has anything out of the ordinary happened."
"Well, you're the one who said that 'you never know what could happen'."

Clay lightly smiled and said, "Yeah, that's true. But I'm assuring you now that nothing is ever going to happen again. OK? You have my word."

He slowly wrapped his arms around her, causing her to think, "I hope you're right."

(To be continued...)