The Daughters of Tomorrow

Chapter Five

Evelyn and Mark were making plans to leave in two days time. They prepared maps, and since Missouri was at least a 16 hour drive they had chosen a bed and breakfast to stop in and spend a night at when they reached a town in Ohio called Moores Corners, which was their halfway point. And a motel to stay in when they actually arrived so that they could rest before heading back.

Evie had explained to Carly that she would need a few days off, and Carly had actually already hired someone new to help her out so she didn’t mind that Evie would be gone for a little while.

Mark organised to have two weeks off so that he could be prepared for any surprises along the way, and he wanted to be there for Evie as much as he could. Marks boss didn’t mind that he was taking time off, because he had been working for Werner and Pike for 4 years and over that period of time he had only ever taken two weeks off all up. Mark was absolutely dedicated to his firm, but Evie was more important and he wanted to prove that to her.

He knew that she had not felt love since the death of her mother, and he would show her what love truly was.

“I think we could leave tomorrow if we really wanted, we’re more than prepared.” Evie said in a slightly excited tone

“If that’s what you wish my love, I’m happy to abide” Mark answered and Evie smiled at him.

The next five minutes were spent in silence as they packed some clothes into a medium sized suitcase, Evie was going to pack most of their toiletries in the morning so they could still use them in the meantime. It was almost 6pm. It had been almost 24 hours since she had heard from Hen, they normally spoke at least once a day. She decided she would call once her and Mark had finished packing.

Mark spoke, pulling Evie from her reverie.

“Shall we watch a movie tonight? Maybe order some Chinese?” He asked thoughtfully

“That sounds great, babe. Why don’t you call and order? I’m just going to go to the bathroom.”

As Evie walked away she started to pull her phone from her pocket, she closed the bathroom door behind her and started calling Hens number, but she got no answer.

Odd. She hasn’t known Hen long but in the time she has known her she’s always answered her phone.

Evie sent a text instead.

Just checking in, we are taking about leaving tomorrow. I’ll call again before we go. -E

Evie locked her phone and looked up at herself in the mirror, she let out a small sigh before turning on the faucet and washing her face.

She dried herself with a towel from the rack and then headed back out to the living room where Mark was eagerly waiting for her.

It had been hours since Hen had left her couch, and even longer since she’d eaten. She felt her stomach rumble and tried to Will herself to get up, but the sadness she felt was overwhelming and as much as she wanted to eat, she wanted to lay still even more.

It had gone dark not that long ago and Hen considered staying where she was until morning. She had lost her dream job, she had flown to an entirely new country, and she was missing her mother terribly.

Her mother would tell her to get up, eat something, shower and then search for a new job. ‘Don’t give up’ she would say. Hen thought about calling her, but she didn’t feel like she could handle so much positivity being thrown at her just yet. She felt like being sad for a little while, but then she realised that it had been a while. Just then her phone lit up, she forced herself to sit up and reach for it. It was Evie.

Well, at least now Hen had the time to try and figure out what was wrong with her lately. Maybe she would go with Evie, it’s not like anything was holding her back anymore. Without responding to Evie’s message Hen got up off the couch and walked over to the light switch, flicking it on. Then she went straight to the bathroom and washed her sorrows away with a 45 minute shower and once she was dry and dressed she pulled out a burgundy duffel bag from her closet and started packing, she had made up her mind and she was done feeling sorry for herself.

It was time to be proactive.

After she had packed several outfits, she packed a small toiletry bag and put her socks and shoes on.

She put a large coat on over her flannelette pyjamas, threw her duffel bag over her shoulder and locked her door before heading over to Evie’s house.

“That was so good,” Mark said as he set his empty container on the coffee table

“I can tell! You practically inhaled the entire meal” Evie laughed

“Well what can I say? I’m a growing boy” he joked back at her.

“This is really good orange chicken, so I don’t blame you for scoffing your face” She took another bite of her food as she finished her sentence

“I don’t know how you eat so slowly, it’s like you take ant size bites”

“I didn’t even notice, I thought I was eating normally”

“You’ve never noticed that you’re always the last person to finish a meal?” Mark asked amused

Before Evie could respond her phone started ringing.

“It’s Carly,” she said before answering “Hello?”

“Hey darl, I just thought I should let you know that a Henrietta stopped by looking for you. I sent her your way about five minutes ago”

“Oh! Is she okay?” Evie thought it strange that she hadn’t responded to her text or even called her back

“I’m not sure, I will say she had a huge bag with her. Maybe she needs a place to stay?”

“Okay.. well thank you for calling” Evie said warmly

“Anytime, stay safe on your trip. Love you”

“Love you too,”

Evie hung up the phone and looked to Mark.

“Henrietta is on her way, she went to Carlys place looking for me. I wonder if anything’s happened.”

“Well, I guess we’ll find out in about ten minutes when she arrives. I’m sure everything is fine babe” Mark assured her

“Carly said she had a huge bag with her and that it looked like she needed a place to stay”

“Well if that’s the case then she can stay here, but has it crossed your mind that maybe she has changed her mind about coming with us? I mean that would explain the bag.”

“You’re right, I just don’t know why she hasn’t called or messaged.” Evie said a bit confused.

“You can ask her that when she gets here. I’ll start cleaning up, do you want a soda?”

“Yes please,”

It took Hen half an hour to arrive and Evie had started to worry and wonder whether or not Hen even had her probe with her. Just as Evie was about to call there was a knock at the door.

“Finally!” Evie said walking towards the door, but Mark was closer to it and pulled it open while she was still a foot away.

Hen was standing at the door in her pyjamas, with a coat on, a bag over her shoulder and a pizza in her hands.

She looked at both Mark and Evie and smiled.

“Hi.” She said quietly.

“Hen are you okay? I was worried when I hadn’t heard from you. What is going on?” Evie asked hurriedly

“Oh I’m fine, I was a bit hurt and upset but I’m over that now and anyway I’ve decided to come and find The Keeper! If you guys will have me of course..?” Hen asked hesitantly

“Well don’t just stand in the doorway come on in. This is Mark by the way” Evie grabbed Hens arm and pulled her inside

“Lovely to meet you” Mark said as he closed the door behind her.

“You too, Evie has told me so much about you” Hen answered

“You said you were hurt and sad earlier? Why?” Evie asked as she pulled Hen over to the couch.

They sat down as Hen told Mark and Evie about how she no longer had a job, and didn’t know what to do anymore.

The trio spoke for two hours, ate pizza and tried to dig up some more dirt about The Keeper. Finally at 10:30 they’d decided to call it a night. Evie showed Hen to the guest bedroom where there was a queen sized bed perfectly made for her, she also showed Hen where the bathroom was and where to find glasses in case she needed water through the night.

Evie was so lovely and Hen was glad that she came here, it felt so much better then being alone right now. They had set their alarms for 8am and planned to leave by 9, they all had the very same feelings of excitement and fear about what was lying ahead for them.

Edinburgh

Hadeon sat in his chair in the dark watching the candle flicker beside Cordelias bed.

“Not long now my child” he smiled to himself, “not long at all..”