Watch, Wait, Take

Chapter 8. New name, new me

I waited on the platform for around twenty minutes before the train arrived; it took only five minutes, to find my seat wrestle my way through the crows. I stretched and stuffed my luggage above my head in the overhead compartment. I heavily sat in my seat with a sharp huff, sighing settled myself in for the long nineteen-hour journey.

Looking out my window at the world whizzing by at a blurred speed I thought of Josie and how she has been deprived of all of the sights, sounds, smells and wonders this world has to offer. I'm so sorry Josie, I'm so sorry. 

This is all my fault.

****

Nineteen hours felt like a lifetime. Once off the train I hauled my bag across the platform, it seemed heavier than before but I was tired and week, I had been traveling now for twenty-three hours. I needed a break, but I needed to keep moving if I want to live.

The final part of my journey was by coach and only a one-hour fifteen journey.

I can do this.

It was only 9:50am, but to me it felt so late, I hadn’t had much sleep on the bumpy train ride, the little I got wasn’t enough. I hadn't had a decent nights sleep since the hotel. I will be in a new hotel after this last journey. I just have to stay awake until 11:15am then I can sleep until I arrive at the Peoria, Illinois bus station.

The journey, although just under two hours, seemed much longer to me, and my aching eyes. When we finally arrived at Peoria, Illinois bus station, it was a relief to stretch my legs and walk off the bus. I’d made it!

After collecting my bags I moved out to the side stretched and yawned, rubbing my eyes I got out my IPhone and searched for the nearest hotel, the closest one will do for now, just one night, tomorrow my heard work begins. I needed a new identity, I had to think of a new name, then get all the documents, find a job and a new place to live, as well as finding my way around this new place, a new car would be handy too, although that could wait, there was more important things to be done first. Prioritizing is key.

Finding a room for $67.50 for one night, at Red Roof Inn, it was a 9-minute drive away. Taxi it was then, here come the questions….

She googled Taxi companies in the area and called the top number that came up.

“Elite Taxi’s, Wendy speaking. How can I help?”

“Hi, can I get a Taxi soon as soon as possible, please? I’m at the Greyhound bus station on South West Adams street, going to Red Roof Inn on West War Memorial Drive.”

“Ok, it’s on it’s way for you can I have your name please, Ma’am?”

There was a pause of panic now, name! Name? What’s my name? Quick, think!”

“Hello? Ma’am, are you there?”

“Yes, sorry, I was distracted. My name is Emma. Emma James”

“Ok, thank you, miss James, it will be about 5minutes.”

“Thank you” I put the phone down quickly, legs shaking slightly from the panic. Well, I guess that is my name now, Emma James. It’s not so bad I suppose, no worse than Annie Evans, plane and simple nothing too extravagant that is stands out, a simple, normal name that blends in. Ordinary, just how I need to be.