Running Into the Past

Chapter 5

Mark and Kara drove off in silence. The tension and emotions inside his jeep felt almost full, as if hanging in the air between them. Kara was still beyond shaken. She was fighting panic and tears and screaming inside. She could only focus on the how. How did he know what roads I would take? How did he find my truck? Did he have a tracker on it? Is there a tracker on me? How? Should I call Leon? Is Mark in trouble now? Of all of these questions and flights in her head, that last one shook her. It sent ice through her veins. She didn't really know this man and had not met him mere hours ago really. It was a living nightmare and she had never felt so lost. At the same time, a piece of her felt that she was with the person she was supposed to be. She knew to her core that he was in danger because of her. She wasn't ready to admit to herself that the fear of him being in danger was not just because of guilt...she wasn't ready to believe she had feelings for this man. This man in the dark gray t-shirt.

She felt herself being drawn back into reality as she saw him glancing at her. Mark was worried and he thought he was being smooth by his casual side glances and that she hadn't seen his worry. Whatever had happened on the side of the road back there had shaken this woman more than he had seen any other man shake in fear. It was all he could do not to press her. He was determined to get to the truth behind who this stunning yet frustrating woman was. He had never been good at delicacy but he could sense he needed to give that a try. She appeared strong and able as much as she appeared fragile and broken. He doubted others could see her in that same way. He felt it was his eyes that saw who she really was and he didn't know why.

The jeep came to a halt as it was parked in the small lot of the only edible establishment in town. Kara was looking around nervously as if something was going to appear at any time. Mark reached over and laid his strong firm hand on top of hers while it had rested on her thigh. She didn't even flench. Kara could feel the tension ease off of her shoulders even if only slightly. He looked at her with his green eyes and said "You are safe with me."

Kara hadn't realized she was holding her breath until it came rushing out after he said those words. She fully believed them. She opened the jeep door and stepped out with trust that her life was in his hands. She had no idea just how true that really could be. He went around to her side and walked next to her to the restaurant entrance. He was "solid", she thought to herself.

"This is the finest bar and grill in town" Mark said, with a deep chuckle. "I thought you said it was the only one," Kara snapped back. " It is, that is why it is the finest!" Mark smiled with a half smile and Kara felt more tension go.

It appeared to be a seat yourself kind of place. In the far back section of the restaurant there was what appeared to be a billiards tournament that had a variety of characters playing in it. A rather large bearded man with a leather biker's vest took notice of them. Mark tipped his hat to him and the other men standing. The burly man and a few others nodded in return. They slid into a booth in the dimly lit facility with low hanging warm light fixtures over each table. The seats were worn and the table had a slight tilt. A bubbly waitress made her way eagerly to the table. "Well, see hear who came in for a visit and brought him a girl to boot." She turned her smile to Kara, saying "Hi missy you must be special because this here fella doesn't ever bring in a lady friend." Kara tried to mumble something about being a new acquaintance but the waitress cut her off and reverted her attention back to Mark who seemed to be blushing a bit. "Hi Sandy this is Kara-how are you and the boys?" Mark replied seemingly changing the subject. "Giving me hell as always, doing what boys do, what can I get you guys to drink?" Sandy asked.

As they were putting their drink orders in, Kara began scanning the people. She was afraid he had to be there and had to be close. Mark could tell she was zoning out again and reached over and squeezed her hand. She looked at him and said, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let you help me."

Mark paused for a moment. He then looked at her rather sternly. Then, with firm and sincere words, he said, "I am saying this once. So you better listen. I make my own decisions. If I put myself into a situation that is good or bad or ugly, I own my decision to do so. I will not sit here and listen to you apologize for the choice I made or those I will make. I am a man that stands by his words and his actions no matter what. Now that that is out of the way. When I said you can trust me and you are safe with me, those are not just words. We have all the time you need and I will order my normal for us both and you are gonna find your breath and tell me from the beginning where you came from and how you got here. We both know it isn't for a nice countryside vacation."

Kara could feel the sincerity of Mark and was trying to let her guard down to accept it. She could suddenly feel the bludge in her jean pocket and remembered the bracelet that sent her fear into overdrive. She got it out and laid it on the table as if it was an anchor to keep her in reality. She had been hiding her shame, fear, and insecurities that Slate had created in her. She had always thought herself to be bold and independent. It wasn't until this moment did she realize how feeble she had aloud herself to become in the hands of Slate.

"No, I'm not on a country vacation," Kara said as she looked at Mark. "I am afraid me being here with you has changed your life, but I am not sure it is for the better."

"Let me decide that" Mark said with a suggestive tone.

"You are right. I'm running. I wasn't convinced until I opened the door and saw this" gesturing towards the bracelet. "The only other person that even knows part of the story is my dad....was my dad." Taking a breath and holding firmly to not shed a tear, "I went to him before he died for some answers, and now I am certain that those answers are directly linked to his death."

She waited for Mark to respond and he continued to give her the space she needed to talk, only showing signs of his complete attention.

Kara seemed to talk for what felt like an eternity. She lost all awareness of those around her and Mark. It was as if they were in their own moment and everyone else disappeared. Kara felt herself giving details of how she met Slate. How their relationship began and then how it moved onto the way he began to change into the controlling and violent person she came to know. She described to him the physical violence, intimidation, threats, and control she had never told others. No one knew he had struck her. No one knew he had grabbed her by the hair and pushed her against the wall, only to blame her because she shouldn't dress so seductively going to work. That "she must want to be treated like a w***e because she dressed that way" he would say. She opened up to Mark in deep ways and he continued to listen with intent.

As Mark listened he was fueled with anger and rage. He could see how the brilliant blooms of this woman wilted because of this person...this wickedness.

Kara took a moment. She told him "through all of this I still didn't know how bad it would be. Or really who he was." She began to describe hearing him call her the name Emily. She led Mark through the journey she took with her dad and the evidence she found in his study after the funeral. She told him about Leon and how he had helped her with the phone and money. She told him she had not spoken to him since. Mark squeezed her hand and said "you are strong, but we all need a moment sometimes." She drew in a breath, looked at him and said "there is much more and maybe someday I will tell you it all". She lifted the bracelet and Mark could see the inscription.

Mark could see the fractures return. She said "he was in the truck....this was the last gift he gave me in his last effort to say he would do better and that no one would ever have me but him." She paused, "I didn't bring this. I know I didn't. Yet it was there on the seat placed like it belonged. I don't know how he found me. But I can feel him watching me. He has seen you by now. He will not rest, Mark."

"I believe you. But I need you to hear me when I say he will never hurt you again, Kara," Mark said with the most certainty he had ever spoken. "Let's get out of here. You are coming home with me. If he has found the cabin I'm not worried. I have my own arsenal," Mark said. Kara didn't feel shocked by that. He wasn't sure what the plan was. However, he knew he would protect her to the end, no matter what that end would be. He usually felt that he was always in the right place at the right time. This time he felt it was his life's path to take.