Luna On The Run

Chapter Two

Rowan POV:

I have been on this damn train for days. As far as I know, we are just outside of North Dakota. Another homeless person like me hopped on this cart last night. He searched my bag and took the fifty bucks in the front pocket. At least he didn't get the stash in my shoe.

I think for never being mugged before. I came out pretty good. I have more bumps and bruises from the ride than the mugging. I think he felt sorry for me now that the makeup had worn off, the swelling of my eye was more noticeable, and the bruising on my neck had settled a dark purple. He didn't want to add anything else to me besides stealing my money.

The train was rolling to a stop in the middle of nowhere. My heart had jumped into my throat at the thought of being put out here. Some others had been thrown out in the forests miles from towns, and I had been lucky enough to hide well enough that they never found me. I don't want to break that streak now, seeing as though the howling of animals bounced off my cart's walls the second the train stopped.

"Please, whoever is up there. Let me get through this check, and I promise I will get off at the next town." I crawled into my hiding spot behind the freight, crouching down using my black bag to cover my head. When the flashlights swiped through my cart, I covered my mouth to silence my heavy breathing. They were talking about seeing others jumping the coaches in the last town, but they aren't in this one, and I have kept every scrap of trash and any trace that someone had been in this cart away. Finally, the beaming lights moved on, but I knew better than to come back out until the train was rolling again, and when it did, I still stayed there until this death trap was really chugging.

"Thank you," I whispered to the full moon above.

I jumped from the cart when it rolled into some little town in Montana. I figured whoever had heard my pleas wouldn't like it if I didn't hold up my end of the bargain. My eyes drifted up from the cushy pile of snow I fell into. The mountains being kissed by snow stole my heart, and the land blanketed in soft snow eased the ache of my bumps and bruises. Immediately I thought of a log cabin in the woods where no one could find me, and the minute I crawled back to my feet, I began the hunt for that dream escape that was free of harsh words and harmful hands.

I stumbled into a dive bar with the smell of cheeseburgers calling my name. The smoke wafted around the room but didn't dull the delicious aroma of food. I flopped down at the first stool in sight. I grabbed a menu looking it over, waiting patiently for the tall man with salt and pepper hair serving drinks to make his way to me.

"What can I get you?" He asked me, never looking up from the cup he was drying off.

“A cheeseburger… ohhh! And an order of chili cheese fries… some poppers, and any fountain pop you have with extra ice, please!" I folded the menu up and looked at him with happy eyes.

"Okay then." Was all he said before walking away with a laugh.

I hope he remembers my order. I looked around at the people in the bar. Despite it being a hole in the wall, everyone looked nice and well put together. I, on the other hand, am filthy and beat all to hell. Suddenly, I feel very out of place and out of sorts.

It didn't matter, though. Within twenty minutes, all of my piping hot food was sitting in front of me, whisking away any give a damn I had left. I hadn't eaten in days, so I just dug in. A moaning bearlike sound fell from me as the melted cheese and grease graced my lips. Finally, about halfway through everything, my hunger was waning.

"Where you from?" the bartender asked.

"Hell." I chuckled dryly around a big bite of chili fries.

"Do you have a newspaper lying around by chance? I'm looking for work and maybe a place to rent for a while." I didn't look up to meet his curious eyes skating across my bruises.

"I got a place for rent… I have a job too. Can you mix drinks?" I snorted. Of course, I can mix drinks. I drank my way through medical school, just trying to survive.

"Yeah, I can mix drinks." I said apologetically. He fished around in his pockets for a bit and then tossed me some keys.

"The place needs some work, and there are animals on the property that need caring for. If you do that, rent is free." My ears perked at the word free.

"Are you sure? I don't wanna put you out or anything." I gripped the keys tightly. I heard those animals out there. I listened to the screeches of God only knows what. I regretted asking him the question as soon as the last syllable left my lips.

"Can you hack it, kid? With the animals, I mean." I have always loved animals… I'm sure I could figure it out. If I can become an attending physician, I can milk a damn cow.

"I got it. I can do it. When do you need me to start here?" I asked, shoving the last popper into my mouth.

"Not here. It's a little nightclub I opened recently. The place is called Lucid. It is more of the speed for a girl your age. A bunch of old bastards is all that sits around here at night." He laughed at his own joke.

"What's your name?" I asked the man who quite possibly just saved my ass.

"Berny. Hang around until lock up, and I will give you a ride to the farm." I nodded and propped up on the bar finishing my drink with a twisting sensation that told me not to get into a vehicle with a strange man and go to a farm in the middle of bum f****d nowhere… but that same feeling was telling me that I needed this. This is my opportunity, and everyone has to start somewhere.

"EVERYBODY LISTEN UP. GET THE f**k OUT!" He yelled to the patrons still gathered around the bar.

I kept waiting until he locked the doors, and then I offered to clean the place with him. Once we were finished, I reluctantly climbed into his old farm truck, and we headed off through the dead of night with my stomach souring the food I had just minutes before been so excited about.

"You don't have to be afraid, kid. I don't want to kill you or anything. I just need someone to care for this old s**t hole. With the club opening, I don't have time to anymore. There is a truck in the barn and some farm equipment. If you can get the truck up and going, you are welcome to use it." I nodded, still feeling bile rising into my throat. I did manage to relax once we pulled in at the place. It was kinda cute!

"Can I go look?" I asked as the fear lifted from me, leaving with only excitement.

"Yeah, sure. I'll wait here in the truck for you." He said, making me feel more at ease, knowing he wouldn't follow me inside.

I stepped onto the creaking porch, shivering in the cold winter air as the wind helped me open the old door. Inside was much bigger than I thought, and despite needing some work, I knew this was the right choice. I have such a good feeling about this place. I didn't need to go any further. I had made my decision.

"I'll take it!" I grinned, bouncing on my toes with a mixture of cold and excitement.

"Great. Here are the keys to the animals, the keys to the barn, and the keys to the truck. Come to the club tomorrow night. Here is the address. I will have someone there to train you and get you a schedule going." I nodded, grabbed the wad of keys, and then turned around, going back into the house that he said was already hooked to electricity and water.

A hot shower sounded terrific until I got in and pulled the curtain. Then a violent fear rattled my bones, making me dizzy. I leaned over the side of the old tub and spilled the contents of my stomach on the floor. Maybe, just maybe, it would be a good idea to shower with the curtain open for a while. I made my way into the living room. It's fully furnished, thankfully, and despite the furniture being outdated and dusty, that couch looked like an incredible place to sleep. I don't even care about the dust. I don't care about anything but sleeping right now. I went to the kitchen, grabbed a butcher knife, and clutched it in my fist. The couch creaked the same way everything else here does. I assume this place and its contents are all burdened with the weight of time, but right now, it's all perfect… it's safe. Tomorrow I will start fresh, and I know this fear will leave me at some point.

I woke up late at night to hear scratching outside the front door. I rolled from the couch, hiding behind the front door. If Jacob had already found me, I only had one choice. Kill him. If he lives, he will torment me for the rest of my miserable existence.

The scratching came again, only this time it was accompanied by whining. I exhaled, letting my body relax. I opened the door on shaking legs to see what critter had made its way all the way out here to this farm. A small puppy ran in, shaking the ice and snow from its fluffy body. It shook as violently as I was.

"Hm. Are you alone too, baby?" The scruffled thing wagged its tail and yipped happily.

"Do you wanna stay with me, buddy?" I picked up the little dog and thought of how Jacob said pets were as useless as a defiant spouse.

"Ohh, pardon me. Would you like to stay with me, little lady?" The little pup yipped again before licking my chin. I closed the door, and she and I snuggled onto the couch with my knife clutched tightly to my side.