Those Violet Eyes

Getting away

Everly 

The cold night air hits me like a wall as we back our way out the back door of my tiny house. Before me is a small cobbled walkway that leads to the driveway at the back of the house. I loved this sweet little path as it weaves its way through a small flower garden. Walking through it felt light and peaceful, now it feels sinister. A dark sense of foreboding washed over me. I brush past the pretty pink roses before they would warm my soul with their sweet scent. I would stop and breathe in deep smiling as I go by. Now they grab at my hoodie like claws trying to hold me back, twisting away from them as I follow behind aunt Lilly. My Son wrapped up tight in a blanket, I hold him to my chest. Feeling his soft breath on my collarbone is the only thing holding me together. I must get him out of here. We make it to the small gate at the end of the path. In the daylight, it looks like something out of a fairy tale. At the end of the path is an archway of sweet peas in full bloom, a rainbow of pinks, purples and blues, lots of small Lavander plants around its edge make up a mix of violet, magenta and lilac. Rosemary hedges block the view of the drive, giving privacy and smelling wonderful in a warm breeze. Now the moonlight spills in from cracks between clouds, casting lifeless silhouettes across the ground. I am suddenly more aware of all the dark places someone could hide, just waiting to grab us and drag us away. Aunt Lilly stops at the little picket fence, looking back over her shoulder at me. I know what she is thinking and it strikes fear in my heart. The fence has been on my "To Do” list for ages because it makes so much noise when you open and closes it. I feel tears welling up in my eyes, what are we going to do now. I close my eyes tight, think Everly, think! 

"We just have to go over it” I whisper. Aunt Lily looks shocked for a second then a smile curls up. 

"Why didn't I think of that” She admitted before lifting the two bags in her hand over the gate, setting them down to the side a little. Adjusting the bag on her back, she lifts one leg up and over the gate. Putting her hands on either side she lifts herself a little to test if the gate can take her weight and not make a sound. She purses her for just a second, before lifting herself with her arms and twisting so now her hips are on the other side. Doing a little shuffle now her first foot is on the ground to make sure she is stable. she lifts her other leg over the fence. I move forward handing the baby over to her waiting hands, adjust the bag on my back bracing myself for the task at hand. Aunt Lily makes her way down the dark drive toward the car as I lift my leg over the fence. I have just lifted all my weight onto my arms when the sound of smashing glass rips through the air. They have found my house. As quickly as I can I twist my body and almost drop to the other side. Picking up the two bags I start to run to the car, not looking back for fear of what I will see.  

My heart is beating out of my chest as I move around Lexie's car. It's a 2011 Nissan Leaf. I had teased her when she had first brought it. This sweet little baby blue electric car just didn't seem to suit her rough rock chick personality. Yet right now, I could kiss her for it. Everything about this car is soft and quiet. Aunt Lily presses the button on the key, the flash of light-yellow light is the only giveaway that the car has unlocked. I know the chances of anyone noticing the flash is slim, still it gives me goosebumps. I don't let that stop me, pushing the feeling of dread out as I concentrate on what I'm doing. Rounding the back of the car I press the small button on the boot, it slowly starts to open, but I don't have the time to wait so I pull it up faster. When there is just enough space to fit the bags though I throw them in. First the two in my hands than the one on my back. Moving around to the side of the car where Aunt Lily is very carefully placing my son in his car seat for the first time. My heart drops a bit thinking this is the way his first car ride will be, in the dark, danger looming right behind us. I'm paralyzed for a moment, lost in thought, watching aunt Lily. 

I am shaken out of my stupor by the sound of breaking wood and smashing glass. The sound rips through the quiet night like an explosion. I fight the rising panic and take the bag from aunt Lily. I need to focus. I need to keep moving. If we stop, they will find us, they will catch us. Whoever they are, they do not mean us well that much is clear. I throw the last bag into the boot and press the button to close it. Aunt Lily has finished buckling in baby and is now in the driver's seat so I make my way to the passenger's side. I don't get a chance to put my seat belt on before aunt Lily is backing the car out of the drive. Again, I'm glad Lexie brought this car, almost no noise comes from the engine. Unless you were right next to us you would find it hard to hear it, as it shoots backward out onto the road. I put one hand on my door and the other on the dashboard in front of me to brace myself as aunt Lily turns the car and takes off in the opposite direction to the house. 

"Lights!” I almost shriek as we around the corner.  We're not speeding but it feels like we are. My heart is racing and I keep looking back over my shoulder, waiting to see someone following us. There is no one. 

"No, not yet. They might see us” Aunt Lily doesn't take her eyes off the road for a second. We start to slow for an intersection, every part of me is on edge. Looking back and forth several times, I almost give myself whiplash. Every other day our quiet little neighbourhood has felt nothing but safe and welcoming. Sweet cottages with white picket fences and flowers of all colours. Children's laughter and dogs yapping go hand in hand. It's a place where neighbours smile and wave as they pass up by or stop for a warm chat.  now it feels like there are dangers around every corner. The once pretty white fences now look like spears to be used against us. Tidy hedges hide dark beings ready to pounce. The night has stripped away all the beautiful colours and left behind an ominous feeling. My hands are shaking and clammy, I try rubbing them down my jeans to dry them before I cross my arms and tuck my hands into my armpits. Squeezing myself tightly. Leaning back into the seat I close my eyes and try to concentrate on my breathing. In through my nose, out through my mouth, in through my nose, out through my mouth. Slow I start to feel some of the fear drain away. My stomach is still turning, I still feel lost and helpless. Opening my eyes, it takes a moment to focus, but the first thing I notice is aunt Lily has turned the lights on. I let out a big breath, definitely feeling relieved at this. Looking over at aunt Lily, her knuckles are white, she is holding the steering wheel in a death grip. Her eyes are jumping from the road in front of us to the rear vision mirror every couple of seconds.

I try to talk but my voice catches. I try to swallow but my mouth is dry. I finally manage to let out a grunt like noise, although not loud it's enough to make aunt Lily jump. Whipping her head to look at me, the shock in her eyes is clear. Or is it terror? She lets out a soft sigh before reaching over, giving my leg a squeeze, then returns her attention to driving. The warmth from her hand in just a small moment helps to calm my nerves. Somehow just that small gesture has always brought me comfort. I start to remember all the time she has done it, her soft squeeze.  So much love in such a small thing.

As the fog of fear starts to lift off my mind questions start to pour in. Who were those men? What do they want? Shouldn't we call the police? Who are they after? Why would they be after us? Are they still coming? Where are we going to go?  When can we go home? Do I even want to go home? Questions swirling and changing coursing my head to ache. Rubbing my temples, I finally find my voice. 

"Aunt Lily, what are we going to do?” Looking over at her. Needing her to make it all better, to make it go away. I know that’s not possible, I'm not a little girl anymore. Things don't just go away. In the dark of the night with only street lights to light the inside of the car, it hits me how tired aunty Lily looks. Her eyes have dark circles and bags I don't remember being there before. Her hair is lost some of its shine and her skin looks pale and drawn in, she might have even lost weight. I have the sudden urge to pick her up and wrap her in a warm snuggly blanket like she used to do to me when I felt unwell. 

"There a beach house that’s been in our family for years, we will go there. Then we will work out what's going on” There is a warmth to her voice but it doesn't reach her face. She still looks just as overwhelmed as I feel.  

"Try to get some sleep, my love. It's a long drive and Baby will wake soon for a feed” She finishes before turn her attention back to the road ahead of us. I know she is right, but I don't think there is any way I can rest. As if on cue a small cry comes from the back seat. Looking back, I can just see a tiny hand waving in the air, having found its way out of his wrappings. My heart skips a beat at the sight of it, I am totally in love with my baby. He is a tiny ray of light in this dark night. 

"I guess he's ready now” I lean back to get a better look at how much of his blanket he has managed to kick off. 

"Is there anywhere we can stop just for a minute?” I ask trying to at least cover his little legs before he gets too cold and upset. 

"There should be a rest stop just ahead. We can stop there” She sounds nervous and I don't blame her. The thought of stopping not knowing if there are still people following us is unnerving, but I don't know what else to do. 

"No, Keep going” we need to get as far as we can. I have an idea, quickly unbuckling my seatbelt I shimmy my way between the two-front seats, butt up in the air. As graceful an elephant. Aunt Lily starts to protest but ends up laughing at me as I grunt and moan my way through to the back seat. Somehow, I make it, twisting around to face the front again. I buckle up and lean over to check on my son. Even he is looking at me like I'm crazy.