Author's Note: Sorry, I haven't been around to update this in the last few months. There were some personal things I was going through, and I had to step away for my mental health. But I'm glad to be back now.
Disclaimer: I don't own South of Nowhere or the characters. Only the plot.
Chapter Six: Far From Heaven
Ashley's POV
The portal down to earth, where it would bring me to Spencer's corner of the world, stood in front of me. Those brilliant colors that reflected like a rainbow were easy to get lost into, and all I had to do was touch it. I could feel Mike's eyes on me, waiting. So I turned my head in his direction and gave him a small smile. "You're going to be fine, Ashley. And you know how to reach me if you need me prior to reporting in every night," said Mike.
"Thanks for believing in me," I replied. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you." I clenched my hands into fists a few times, trying to get blood flowing to warm them up. They were as cold as ice, and my nerves were getting the best of me. It was now or never. I couldn't allow myself to be ready… I just had to go.
With no more time to waste, I stepped forward, then looked behind me to see Mike waving and said: "Good luck, Ashley!" I gave him a thumbs up before the portal sucked me in. And suddenly I'm spinning faster than what I always imagined was the speed of light; my stomach summer salting all the way up to my throat, and staying there until the portal spits me out. Quickly, I managed to regain my balance by summoning my wings where the wind caught me with an undercurrent to keep me upright.
Even from high up here near the ozone layer, I could see the ocean as clearly as if I were standing on the beach. Earth never failed to leave me speechless in moments like these—but now it was time for me to search for Spencer—and although Rhode Island was the smallest state in the US, it didn't mean it would make finding her any easier than if she lived in California. And my best starting point would be the city of Providence.
I flew down at an inhumanly fast speed, and as I got closer—seeing buildings and people popping up like ants on an ant hill—I slowed; my eyes scanned alleyways that hopefully provided coverage; and I was able to see a narrow one leading to a big dumpster three feet from a brick wall with plenty of space to hide behind. Taking a deep breath, I willed myself there, praying I didn't end up in the dumpster (because Aiden would never let me live it down) and as luck would have it, my feet touched the pavement, with my back against the wall—wings long gone.
Straightening out my clothes, I jogged out of the narrow alley onto the sidewalk and rounded the corner of a bodega to…. Well, that's a good question. I couldn't recall if the contract mentioned other areas she could possibly be throughout her day, and waiting for Spencer to get home wasn't exactly an option either. It was in my and her best interest if I found her as soon as I could. But in my haste to figure out my next move, someone bumped into me, knocking me to the ground.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry… Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I said, before looking up to see the person who had placed me on my ass. She was a young woman with long raven-black hair, and she had a hand out-stretched, which I took. And upon touching, I was overcome with vague images of Spencer. This woman had seen or been around her… A perfect opportunity to get some information.
"You sure?" she asked, releasing my hand once I was steady on my feet again.
"Yeah. If anything it was my fault, I wasn't paying attention. I'm new here and I appear to have gotten myself lost," I answered, a blush of embarrassment creeping on my cheeks.
The woman smiled. "Ah, I see. Reminds me of when I first moved here years ago. Knew no one or where to go. So one night I was sitting at a bar, talking to the bartender—more like complaining—and he suggested I visit Rhode Island School of Design for their art museum. I met a lot of interesting people, and even made some friends in the process."
I nodded, returning the smile. "Thanks, I'll definitely check it out. Um, do you have any other suggestions by any chance?"
"Several! But unfortunately, I'm running late for work. If you'd like, we can exchange phone numbers." She pulled out her cell phone from her jean pocket just then, opening the keypad, fingers at the ready. Then she met my eyes.
Oh shit. A phone number? I had to think of something fast! "One second. I recently got a new number and still haven't memorized it yet." Bringing a hand into my left back jean pocket, I instantly conjured a cell phone there and removed it. The screen lit up as I made quick work of locating the number. "Sorry about all this. I know you have somewhere to be, and I'm totally not helping," I quipped.
With a wave of her hand, she chuckled. "Don't worry about it. It is what it is, and I offered to help so I plan to follow through."
Finally, having found the phone number, I read it off to the woman, and watched as she typed it in at lighting speed. A moment later, her number popped up on my screen as a phone call. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her glance at her wristwatch while I added her to my contacts, and I knew I couldn't keep her any longer.
"Thanks again for everything," I said.
"Sure, no problem," she replied, "and I don't mean to be rude but I really have to go."
"Of course. But wait," I gave the woman an apologetic look upon seeing a flash of impatience cross her features, "I didn't get your name."
"Carmen. Yours?"
"Ashley."
Carmen smirked, "Well, it was nice literally running into you, Ashley. I'll see you around—Don't be a stranger."
"I won't," I responded, feeling a smile stretch across my face as Carmen walked past me to the end of the sidewalk and disappeared around the corner. Now it was time to get back to the mission at hand: finding Spencer; and now that I had a destination in mind, I felt a bit more confident. Walking toward the narrow alleyway once again, and making sure no one was following me, I went behind the dumpster where I used my cell phone's GPS to locate the Rhode Island School of Design art museum—also known as RISD—before willing myself to become invisible, wings brushing the pavement.
I'm on my way, Spencer.
Then I took off into the sky.
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the update—let me know what you thought. Until next time!
