Chapter 3

I got woken up by screams from down the hall. The same screams I heard the day they found the guy I had killed. I ran out of the room to see what was going on. They're around the corner was a dead woman. Cut from cheekbone to cheekbone. Stomach ripped open like a wild animal had gotten ahold of her. I stood there in shock knowing I wasn't the one who had killed her.

The guards of the ship came around moving us away from the body. I headed back to my room, still in shock. I was asleep the whole time. I looked around making sure my knife was still where I put it. I finally found it. It was at the bottom of my bag. I grabbed it and headed out of the room. I threw it over the side of the ship.

I watched as it fell in the water and started sinking down in the water. I walked back to my room ready to just go back to bed and not remember what I had seen. As I sat on the bed I heard a knock on the door. I decided I didn't feel like answering it no matter who it was.

They knocked again a little louder and stated they were the guards doing searches of rooms. I hurried out of bed to open the door for them. "Hello, sirs. Please look around as much as you need to." They stepped inside and began their search through my clothes. Even going as far as to pick up the bed and look under it. After they finished looking they sat the bed back down and left.

I exhaled very deeply since I had been so nervous in the first place. I sat back on the bed. I decided to get some more sleep, it had been a very eventful day. I fell fast asleep. Not dreaming about anything. Everything black. I must have slept for days because when I woke up we were at the dock and everyone was getting off of the ship. I grabbed my bag and headed to start a new life.

I was so excited. Then I saw the man I had met a couple of days ago. I gave a smile. Then looked down at my feet. I was so nervous at the thought of him being around me again. I finally got through the crowd of people. Getting away from everyone felt great. I got around a building to a small alleyway. I sat my bag on the ground while taking a deep breath.

I didn't pay attention that someone else had come around the building with me till I saw feet in front of mine. I looked up to see the blue eyes staring at me. "Oh hello again." was all I could get out before his lips were on mine. More aggressive than before. His hands were all over me. From slightly running his fingers down my neck to finding my breast and playing with them through the dress.

He pulled away from me. Leaning his forehead on mine. "I have never found a woman who makes me feel the way you do, and I don't even know your name." I smiled, still trying to catch my breath. "Do you need to know my name?" Before I knew it, he had picked me up and my arms wrapped around his neck and my legs around his waist. We began kissing again as he held me in his arms.

We kissed for a while longer and he pulled away leaving me wanting more. "I have to go. I can't be late." was all he said before he hurried away. Leaving me standing there still weak in the knees. Still trying to catch my breath. How could a man I didn't know somehow make me feel this way? After finally catching my breath all the way, I decided to go find a place to stay for the night.

I found a room for rent with an older couple. I had to explain that I wasn't a woman of the night. That I didn't make my money that way. After what felt like forever they agreed to let me rent the room. Just as we got to the agreement a young child ran into the room. "Mama, Papa. Can you come to play with me?" "Not now son we are busy." The child looked towards me then. "Who are you?" The parents answered quickly. "This lovely young lady is going to be renting the room from us." He gave me a big smile. "My name is Thomas." I smiled back. "Nice to meet you, Thomas. My name is Jackie."

"Alright, Thomas go play with your toys." "Okay." was all he said with such sadness. "You two have a lovely child. So sweet and respectful." The mother lowered her eyes. "We don't get to spend much time with him since we both work all the time. He is usually home by himself." "That is so sad." "Well since you are renting the room, do you mind spending time with him until we get home from work, and that way you can stay here for free."

"Oh my goodness. I would love that." "It's settled then. Here I will show you to your room." "Thank you so much for this." "It's not a problem deary." The woman opened the door to the room and it was so perfect for me. I looked at the bed that was all fixed up with multiple blankets and pillows. I was so excited. She left me to get my things put away.

I put my little bit of clothes away in the dresser. This was what I needed. I felt happy. I didn't need to kill anymore. I smiled to myself. I finished putting everything away and headed to the kitchen where I heard the couple talking. "Oh good. You are not someone who stays in their room all the time." "No sir. I enjoy being around people. Is there anywhere around where I could work part-time?" "If we see anywhere we will let you know. So are you hungry we made soup?"

I gave a nod as Thomas ran past me to get some food too. "Jackie, do you want to play with me after we eat?" "Of course Thomas" Sitting down and eating with them made me feel like I had a family for the first time. I felt at peace for the first time in my life.