Seeking Refuge

Abby nervously watches the goon continue up the sidewalk. Dogs bark frantically down the road, alerting the neighbors of a stranger lurking nearby yet no one bothers to see what was going on.

Pulling his penlight from his pocket, the invader flashes it around.

Abby's body trembles as she scrunches lower in the bushes. Please don't let him find me. Oh, please don't let them find me, she silently begs.

A cat strolls up beside her. It rubs against her legs and meows. She glances down at the fat, ginger-colored beast. It's going to get me caught if it doesn't quit. She shoves it away. The cat darts back and meows again. It then tries to climb on her lap. Pushing the beast down, She rubs its fur, I don't even like cats; she thinks as she continues to pacify the persistent creature.

The stranger points the flashlight on the bushes.

Abby plops to the ground. The animal rubs against her face. Her eyes water, her nose starts to itch. Abby turns her head the other way. I wish you'd both leave.

Looking up, she discovers the intruder heading towards his car. My misery is almost over. She feels snot dripping down her upper lip; she pulls up her shirt collar and wipes it away. A collection of cat fur causes her to sneeze.

Turning towards the house, the goon shines his light on the shrubbery again.

Damn allergies, she thinks, as the man stomps towards the house.

Abby's eyes water making it hard to see. Her nose clogs making it difficult to breathe. I don't know how much more of this I can take. Plopping down beside her, the cat rolls around, stirring up cat hair and dust. Abby glares at the four-legged intruder. You're going to be the death of me yet, you mangy beast.

The man continues towards her. Reaching the edge of the bushes, he shines his light around.

Abby holds her breath. Please don't let him see me, oh please don't let him see me.

He takes a step closer.

He knows I'm back here.

He starts to move the branches away when a deep smoky voice stops him in his tracks.

She peeks through a small opening to find an officer walking towards them. Her heart drops to her stomach. If one doesn't get me, the other will.

"Are you looking for something?" the officer asks.

"My dog. I saw him dart behind the bushes, but he's not there now."

"You need to move along, then."

Please do, Abby thinks, trying to contain a sneeze.

He glances at the bushes and then the officer who's impatiently tapping his foot.

The officer grabs his cuffs and says, "Either move along or take a ride to the station, your choice."

"I'm going. I'm going." He shuffles to his car. the door slams a few minutes later.

One down, one to go, Abby thinks. She glances through the small opening but doesn't see anyone around. Maybe the cop is checking the house. A second door closes. The cruiser pulls away. "That was too close, thanks to you." she glares at the furry beast. Hissing, it darts away. Getting to her feet, she dusts the dirt off her pants. She gazes down the deserted road and then the cruiser going the opposite way. I need to get some money and collect my things before he comes back.

Staying hidden in the shadows, she jogs to the ATM down the street. She pulls the bank card from her sock and places it in the machine. Abby decided it'd be a good idea to keep it with her day and night. She also thought it'd be wise to go to bed fully dressed so she'll be prepared if the inevitable happens in the middle of the night. The way it usually does on TV.

Sliding the cash and the card in her shoe, she heads towards the gym. She doesn't make it too far when she sees headlights down the road. She ducks behind the building and waits. To her relief, the cop passes her by. I need to get my stuff and go before I get caught.

She starts to cross the street when she discovers cruisers parked all around the gym. Abby falls to the ground. What am I going to do now?

***

The bright morning sun slowly rises over the Ozark Mountains, warming the frigid night air. Birds are happily chirping in the treetops above her, welcoming the gorgeous day. Exhausted, Abby glances up at the beauty surrounding her. I wish I felt as chipper as you. She's had to dodge the law and the goon most of the night. She thought about going to the shelter or the homeless camp but figured that'd be the first place either would look.

I hope my plan works, Abby thinks, trudging towards her friend's house. She climbs inside her van and slides the door too. Abby knows Thelma works at a Missouri hospital and hopes she can get a ride across the state line. Maybe I can catch a few z's on the way. She yawns, plopping down in the seat. She starts to stretch out when she notices her friend on the porch. Abby checks her watch. I didn't realize it was that late. It's probably better for her and her family if she doesn't know I'm here. Dropping to her knees, Abby crawls underneath the seat.

Thelma and her husband, Ned, are aware of her situation, being a fugitive, and would gladly give her a ride if she asked, but it'd cause them a lot of trouble if the police discover they helped her escape. She can't even imagine what the mob might do.

Waving to her children one last time, Thelma opens the van door.

A high-pitched noise echoes through the vehicle when Abby moves further back. Glancing over, she sees her leg is laying on a toy. She raises up and scoots the object away. The doll squeaks when it re-inflates. I hope she didn't hear me. She glances towards the front. Thelma slides into the seat, unaffected by the high-pitched noise. Abby sighs with relief. So long, Arkansas, she thinks as Thelma backs out of the drive.

Thelma slams on her brakes. The sudden stop causes Abby to fall back. She lands on the toy again. I know she heard the noise that time. She looks up to find Thelma's eyes gazing into the rear-view mirror. Abby then notices red and blue lights flashing across the back glass.

I did all that running for nothing. She cries.