Being haunted (Eight)

Driving twelve hours non-stop took a toll on me, making me realize how far I was from help. I was exhausted, drained, and beat. I had to stop at a garage a few miles back to cover the tea bags and get food. My focus wasn’t on rest but getting where I knew I was safe. I just hoped it was the right decision. I was listening to Angel haze ‘cleaning out my closet’ while glancing at the GPS wondering how much further would I have to travel.

'You've reached your destination.' It said.

"Thank God," I muttered as I pulled into the driveway by the neighbourhood. My heels clicked against the ground as I walked on the pathway to the door, my glasses hiding a bit of my identity. I knocked on the door and a tall man opened the door with a kind smile.

"Hello there. How can I help you?" He asked, I heard children in the background and a small smile played on my lips."Hi. Does Jessie live here? Jessie Crawford?" I asked.

"Yeah, she does. I’m Sam Crawford, her husband. How can I help you?” he asked. “I’m Lu- I mean Lena. I spoke to her a couple of hours ago that I would be coming over.” I said with a small smile.

“Oh, please come in then." He said as he stepped aside for me to come in. I smiled at him and entered. "Babe! Whose at the door?!" Jessie shouted from the kitchen I assumed. "May I go to her? I think she forgot I told her I'd be arriving."

"Sure. No problem. Please follow me." He gestured.

Since when did Jess like kind guys, I thought that was my thing. I snickered to myself. She’s so gone soft. When we entered the kitchen, she was bent over cleaning a kid's face. He had Sam’s eyes and her hair color.

"So ...my dearest...friend has turned soft?" I said with a smirk. She paused and looked up. Her eyes widening when she looked at me. Her eyes brimming with tears as she walked towards me. Pulling me into a strong hug, I felt a small bump.

"Lena you can start over again here' she said holding me in her arms.

'I can't stay here. I need to go far away so I can start over.' I whispered.

'Jesus Lena. I can keep you safe. You know that.' She snapped.

'I know cousin. I know but I just...I just need to.' I said.

'Okay. What can I get you then?' She asked.

'A new certificate, so I can disappear.' I said.

'Okay I got you' she said.

"It’s been so freaking long, you’re so tall and fit, you have mommy’s eyes." She whispered as she pulled back as took in my features. "You mean step mommy but yeah I know. I realized after I left.” I cried pulling her back into a hug.

“I’ve missed you for so long. I didn’t want to come to find you because I wasn’t sure of the status that side.” She whispered as she brushed away the curls that had fallen onto my face. She held me and just smiled. “I don’t want to wake up right now, this feels like a dream.” She continued.

“I’m a killer," I whispered. She froze and looked at me.

“You had to just ruin the moment huh?” she joked, though we both knew this was far from funny. "Mommy...who's that?" The boy asked, tugging at her dress.

"Oh, this is your Aunt Rose. Rose this is my son, Jacob." She introduced as she placed her hands on his shoulders. Looking at him with adoration.

"I'm 5 today!" He said excitedly giving me a toothy grin.

"That's so cool! Maybe one day we'll go shopping and get you anything you want!" I promised with a smile.

"Really!" He jumped.

"Yes."

"Awesome. You’re the coolest Aunt ever!" He screeched as he hugged me, taking in a deep I couldn’t help but feel at home. He smelled of home. "Okay okay go away. You and your dad. Your friends are outside." Jess shooed with a smile.

"See you later Ro. Come on son!" Sam said as he carried Jacob up.

He kissed Jess on the cheek and laid a hand on her belly before walking out.

"You've so gone soft! Where's my cousin that could kill three guys with one shot?" I teased.

"She's still here. Just cautious for her family." She said as she fixed drinks for me and her.

"I can see you are. Sam is...soft?" I asked.

"Not in the bedroom." She blushed. "I met him a while after you left. He helped me even after I shot him four fucking times. Yet he can kill too so don’t be deceived."

"I see," I smirked.

"So new identity or...? What happened to the lady that took you in? Ms. Loyn?" She asked as she took a sip from her glass.

"I ran away. I'm being haunted." I said after a moment.

"By who?" She snarled.

"Two-man. Justine and Adam." I whispered.

The glass slipped from her grasp as she paused, she let out a breath and shook her head.

“Are you… sure?” she asked, taking a moment.

“Yes.”

"You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. SAM!! GET MY PHONE." she yelled as she threw another glass on the wall.