The Swiss Escape

Train Ride

It doesn’t take long before we are on the train headed to Hassleholm. Alex’s parents live an hour's drive from the station. Kayla has already fallen asleep. I guess that’s the advantage of an overnight train. Pulling out my phone, I send a message to Jen. ‘How are things at the boutique? I know it’s your busy time of year.’

She responds almost immediately, ‘Girl, I need a clone! So that way, one of me can run the front of the store, and the other can unload merchandise. It’s been crazy! The store is doing great, I might be able to hire another associate. If so, guess who is going to come to see you!’

I smile. I miss Jen a lot. She and I were best friends from the day we met. Jen was my second person in the room with me when I had Kayla. We try to skype each other twice a week. Jen approves of Alex. When she found out everything, he helps me do, she was excited that I found a good man. ‘I would love for you to come! Alex and I have a spare room just for you. Just wait until I give you the all-clear. Johnny found me, so it isn’t safe for you to be here right now.’

‘He’s there! I thought he just moved. No one around has spoken to him in months. I’m so sorry. I should’ve done a better job keeping tabs on him.’

‘Don’t it isn’t your job to keep track of Crazy McNightmare.’

‘I just laughed so hard I spit my drink everywhere. Crazy McNightmare, I love it. From now on, that will be his name. Please check in with me more. Now that I know he’s there, I am going to worry about you so much more.’

I feel bad. My intent was not to make Jen worry, but just tell her to hold off on her trip. ‘We are heavily monitored. If he appears, the police will catch him. Don’t worry. We are all safe.’

I feel as though I am lying to Jen. I don’t feel safe, even with four officers escorting Kayla, and I still don’t bring me a sense of security. Looking down, I have Kayla’s head resting on my lap. She is sound asleep. Three of the officers are also out, while one stays up to keep an out for anything suspicious. Running my fingers through Kayla’s light blonde hair, I can’t help but smile. The situation is stressful, but soon it will all be over, and we can relax. Even if it takes months, this will all be worth it to keep Kayla safe.

Laying my head back, I close my eyes and try to get a few hours of sleep. Tomorrow will be another long day of travel.

A sudden noise awakens me. My eyes snap open, and I look around the cabin. One officer is asleep, and the other three are gone. I begin to feel my heart race. They said we should always stay with them; did something happen to them? Where did they go? Did John figure out our plan?

As the panic begins to rise, the door opens, and in walks two officers. I immediately calm down. “Are you alright?” One of the officers asks.

“Yes, I’m fine. Just was an odd day.” They nod in understanding and get back into their bunks. I look over at Kayla. She’s still fast asleep. That is one trait she didn’t get from me; I am not a good sleeper.

A few hours later, we pulled into Hamburg station. Since we don’t have to change trains, we wait patiently for the train to depart. Kayla begins waking up and looks at me. “Mommy, where’s Alex and Mittens.” I am not sure how to explain that we are going to Alex’s parents' home without Alex.

“Alex and Mittens stayed home, but I know they wish they could be with us.” I look at her and smile. She has her yellow blanket clutched in her hand while she rubs her eyes with the other. “Did you sleep well, sweetie?”

“Yeah,” she lets out a yawn. “I’m hungry, mommy.”

I get into my purse and pull out a pouch of applesauce. Kayla gladly accepts the pouch. A short while later, the train pulls out of the station. I pull the box of the books Alex got Kayla and handed it to her. “Alex got you a present, would you like to open it?”

Kayla nods her head excitedly; she pulls the brown paper off the box and opens it. Her face lights up when she sees the two books. I take a picture of Kayla flipping through the pages of the books. The seek and find book is about dinosaurs. Kayla opens the different tabs to look at the hidden objects. Handing me the books Kayla asks me to read. I read the seek and find book first, I am a little worried about reading the fairytale book. My German is better, I can understand most words in a conversation, but reading is a different story. It isn’t an area that Alex and I have spent time learning. I can read basic children stories but even then, it is probably more that I have the story memorized.

I send the photos I took of Kayla opening her books to Alex. He responds back quickly, ‘Does she like them?’

‘Yes, she has already had me read them to her. I think we need to practice my letters and reading. It was a little bit of a struggle for me.’

‘We can do that when you get home. I am hoping they find Johnathon soon and he will be out of our lives for good. It’s weird not having you or Kayla here. Everything is quiet and feels off. I know it’s only been six months, but it feels wrong for the house to be empty.’ I smile as I read Alex’s text.

‘Kayla has already asked where you and Mittens are. I think we both miss you.’

Alex sends me a picture of Mittens from the veterinarian clinic. I quickly show Kayla. “It’s Mittens, is she going to come here with us?”

“No, Mittens is going to stay with Alex. He wanted you to see that she’s okay. He’s bringing her home from the doctor’s today.”

“Oh, okay.” I could hear the disappointment in her voice. Kayla goes back to turning the pages in her book. Maybe I shouldn’t have shown her the picture.

A couple of hours later, we are in Hassleholm. We get off the train and head through the station. Once outside, we take a van to Alex’s parents' house.

When we arrive, Alex’s mother comes out to greet us. “Kamryn, it’s so good to see you.” She embraces me in a hug then turns towards Kayla. “My Kayla, you are growing up so fast.” She hugs Kayla then waves everyone inside. It took thirteen hours, but at least we finally made it.