Lost Tribrid

Chapter 4

Without a second thought, I gathered the hoodie this mysterious man handed me and threw it over my body as I briskly walked away. Pain still consumed my body, but I had to push it away, I needed to escape. These men were giving me the opportunity to have freedom never deemed possible. Not allowing this to be in vain, my feet carried me to the bus station in town. Fidgeting before opening the door and fiddling with the money Rick had given me to make sure it hadn’t fallen out of the hoodie packet. Joy filled my dying heart seeing a small woman sit behind the desk at the bus station. I would have walked until my feet bled before I came face to face with another man whom I wouldn’t be able to trust.

“Hun, did you need help?” The woman called out as I stood frozen to the floor.

Gazes all fell upon my shaking form. Fighting the urge to pull the hood over my head as though it would be suspicious of what I could only imagine, that of my appearance. Gulping down my fear as I slowly glided to the main desk. Head bowed, not feeling worthy enough to look another person in the eye.

“Yes,” my voice cracked. “Is there a bus leaving immediately?”

I knew the man told me to ask about a bus leaving in fifteen minutes, but fear enveloped my form that he would be expectant to follow.

“You could leave in less than five minutes. One way or round trip?” The woman paused but I didn’t lift my head or give a response. The beaten and bloody displacement of my appearance should have been response enough.

“That will be $62.47 hun, how did you want to pay?”

Pulling the money from the wallet in my pocket not knowing if it would cover the costs or I would need to wait on another bus. No amount of effort could control the shaking of my hands. Thoughts of being in close contact with any one person’s skin were detrimental as nothing would ease the trauma for which it has embedded every crevice.

By the heavens, she must have known as the contact never came, everything was slid in front of my eyes on the counter. Listening to instructions on where I could find the bus before its departure. Unsure of where its destination was or if there would be more than one. My mind was consumed by Rick and this man whom he had to know. After escaping the confines of that office, I slowly placed the hood over my head. Clutching my ticket and remaining money as I stood before the bus doors. Ascending the steps caused more pain than could be pushed to the side. My body collapsed after just three. Feeling multiple eyes set in my direction, I had to contain the scream begging to pierce the air. They could see this small broken form violently shaking, but not a single soul moved. Silence engulfed the small confinement as it threatened to suffocate all its occupants. I could do this, I had to do this! Get off the ground and get as far back from any living soul. Then it would be possible to shrink into the void of nonexistence. No hope that survival could be possible, but wonder as what would come next if death didn’t fall. I drew my knees up to my chest as I clutched them so tightly a whimper escaped my lips. No courage to look and see if anyone heard the noise. Allowing my head to fall and rest atop my knees as I tried to allow sleep to heal my battered body. Knowing it wouldn’t be so easy to sleep in an unknown place, as I would yet again wake up in a place of confusion. Before trying with all my will to force my body to relax, I knew it wouldn’t happen. A gasp left my lips as I felt the bus jerk forward. My gaze shifting around to seek out potential threats, I paused when I saw two forms move at an unbelievable speed outside the station building. Noticing the first form as Rick and the second as the man shadowed in darkness. Clamping my lips closed and freezing my soul as they rushed out of the building. Watching them frantically search around the lot at all the buses. It wouldn’t be hard for them to spot a woman battered and bruised, but I couldn’t stomach them seeing me.

More importantly, risk them saying they were helping me but really landing myself in the same situation I have lived in the last year. Slinking down into the seat so I looked smaller than I was. Thankfully, the hood still resting atop my head kept my battered face concealed. Finally, releasing the breath I was holding when the bus was far enough away from the lot. Wondering if they would be able to track me down by forcing the woman to tell them where I was going. After the attempts to stay awake, my mind and body filling rescinded this world and allowed darkness to take me under. Not sure how long I had been sleeping, but I jerked awake when I felt a large hand on my shoulder. Jerking to the side, a loud screech escaped my lips as my body plummeted to the floor of the bus.

“Sorry ma’am, but we’re here and I can’t leave until you get off the bus.”

I looked up into the elderly man’s eyes and could see how he looked at me with concern laced in his eyes. I shook my head as I tried to get off the floor, but my body protested against my attempts. He moved slowly beside me and then I felt his gentle hands lift me to my feet.

“There’s an inn just beside the bus stop. The owner will be able to help and get you settled. Just tell her that Harry sent you,” he smiled while leading me to the front of the bus.

“Why?” was all I could crook between my dry lips.

“Not all evils live in the same place. There are those who evil clings too, I hope you have escaped it’s grasp.”

With a small smile to meet his, I slowly walked down the stairs and turned to look at the kind man one more time. He pointed to the left of the bus, and I could see the small building that must be the inn.

Harry closed the door before I could thank him for being kind. Something he didn’t seem to notice I had lacked in my life. From his lips to whatever God there was, that evil would finally release me from torture. It didn’t take long to reach the inn, but I’m sure it was much longer than it would have been if I didn’t need to pause. Feeling every limb in my body grind and protest as I forced the movement. Once the door was open it was surprising to not be blinded by florescent lights. Soft lighting from beautiful antique lamps were placed on a few side tables in the front room. The outside gave nothing away, but it seemed even smaller inside. No one stood or sat behind the small wooden desk. Had Harry not told me this was an inn, I would have wondered if this was someone’s home I so carelessly walked into. With a deep breath, I approached the desk and tapped the small silver bell. There were no keys lining the back wall or mail slots that I could see. When the hairs on the back of my neck started to prickle, my body froze. My brain screamed for me to leave, but the slow beat of my heart kept me in place. That’s when the most beautiful woman appeared from around the corner, and I was mesmerized by not only her silver hair but her silver eyes.