The Spy's Inheritance

Chapter Eight: Run Away

 A familiar song starts to play and I realise my phone is ringing. I quickly search for it and answer it without looking at caller ID. "Hello?" I ask into my phone looking for a place to park. "Chris where are you?" Josh's voice asks concerned. "I was at the library but it closed so now I'm driving around. Why?" "Wait, are you driving and on your phone?" "Yup, but I'm looking for a place to stop as we speak." "Christina Johnson you are irresponsible." "Yeah and you are an ignorer." I say back my pain evident in my voice. He remains silent and I pull into a parking lot. "There I pulled over." "Where are you?" "I think the Lincoln corner shop." "That's a few kilometres from the public library isn't it?" "Yes, why?" "Because I'm coming." "No, there's no need. You made everything perfectly clear today. I'm truly sorry about the kiss." "Chris, just wait please. I'll be there in a few minutes okay then we can chat." "Where were you days ago? When I feared the worst?" I muttered into the phone before my brain could stop my tongue. I hear him sigh on the other side and then the call ends. 

What do I do now? Do I wait for him or do I leave? Leaving him like he left me. I didn't deserve to be someone's second fiddle. I was my own person. 

Yet if I was being honest he was addictive. I couldn't stop thinking about him since the kiss and I've made lots of revelations since he's been around. Maybe he was giving me a clearer view on the world. I don't know but soon I was left with the same choice. 

Do I stay or do I leave? 

I sat in my car trying to make a decision but it was difficult. I wanted to talk things out but I also wanted to run away with my tail between my legs. Finally, my heart spoke up and my brain was left with the consequences. 

I got out of my car into the suddenly icy air. I want to get my jacket out of my car but remember that I had taken it out and left it at home. I was also dressed for a warm day but instead of getting back into the warmth of my car, I kept walking in circles. Allowing my mind to wonder. The air was icy enough to numb me but not enough to shut my brain down. 

Headlights suddenly stun me as the Ford Ranger stops a few feet in front of me. A very angry looking Joshua gets out of the van. He looks at my attire and a fury makes it to his eyes. "CHRISTINA!" His voice booms in the silence. "It's 8 degrees and you're dressed for a day at the beach! Are you f*****g insane?! You'll get pneumonia." He goes off as he walks over to me. He takes off his jacket and holds it out to me. "No, I'm fine thanks." I say stubborn. I see the sudden fury take full flame and he puts his arm around me but as he does that I flinch. His fury suddenly dies away and his eyes soften. He pulls me closer to him gently as if I'm fragile. He puts his jacket around my shoulders and I shiver into its warmth. When his hand accidently bumps into my skin he nearly freaks. "You're ice cold!" He pulls me into a hug attempting to warm me but he awakens the sparks of our flame. He seems to feel my body go rigid and before my heart has a chance to take control once more my brain does. "Thanks but I have to get going." I duck out from under his jacket and attempt to walk to my car but he grabs my wrist and pulls me against his chest hugging me from behind making me feel as if I'm in a safe haven. He lays his chin on my shoulder and his warm breath on my neck causes me to get goose bumps. "Josh I really need to get going." I say my tone growing urgent. I couldn't kiss him again not after what happened the first time. "Chris, the only reason I haven't spoken to you is because I have been busy working," he says quietly. "But I don't want a relationship now." He says his voice barely a whisper. "So why did you kiss me? If you were only going to turn me down." I ask silent tears spilling from my eyes but my voice stayed calm and collected. "I honestly don't know why I kissed you but I think it's because I'm drawn to you." I rip out of his arms and nod. "I get it. I don't want a relationship now either." Just as he attempts to grab my arm I throw his jacket towards him capturing him off guard. I use that as my escape. 

I jump into my mustang and rush off but not towards my house. It's just past midnight when I arrive at beach. Although it was dark and most probably dangerous I needed to be here to clear my mind. It was the only place I could think straight. 

I walked to the beach and sat down in the sand staring out at the pitch black sea. "So, my dad hit me." I thought aloud to myself, "I'm strong enough to put it behind me. So, what he chased me out of the house. I can overcome that." I remained silent and stared at the water again a plan starting to come together. I stood up pure excitement taking control. I take a look at the ocean promising to return one day. I run to my car and hop in immediately starting it and rushing off. If my plan was to work I needed to get some rest... 

I got home just before four o'clock and sneaked into the house. I quietly walked up the stairs and ran to my room. I brushed my teeth and hopped into bed... 

*                                                                                              *                                                                                     *

When I woke up it was eight o' clock. I stretch and head downstairs. I walk around the house making sure my dad isn't home. I quickly run to my parents' room and discover the closet door still unlocked. I walk in and start searching. 

It takes me a whole hour to discover a piece of paper. I open it up... 

"Dear Christina,

Please think a bit harder sweetie. I hid the information you need in a place that we both treasured. I know you think I only ever loved my fashion sense and James Bond but there was one more place. You remember the butterfly chasing in the green fields, don't you? And the water balloon fights?

I was hoping to tell you everything in person but unfortunately if you are reading this I was unable to. 

You were always my bundle of joy. I love you lots like jelly tots.

Love always

Mom" 

The letter brings tears but also memories and unwanted curiosity. What had my mom wanted to tell that she had to hide it away? The more I read the two sentences about the butterflies and water balloons memories started flashing in my mind. At first it was partial memories, the old ones and the more recent memory the most painful and vivid. The last time I saw my aunt and that's when I knew where I would run away to. 

I ran to my room the letter fluttering in my hand. I grab all my clothes and a bag. I stuffed my clothes in and all my toiletries. I looked at the time and called my dad my voice emotionless. "Hi, I just called to say I'm going to buy groceries and then spend the weekend at Tracy's place." My dad grunts an okay and I end the call. I put my phone onto my bed and grab my Mp3 player along with my earphones. I put my jacket on that has a hood along with a scarf and then I take my bags downstairs. I drive to the nearest ATM and draw enough money to do groceries but also the right amount to buy a bus ticket. Once the cash is in my pocket my plan sets into action. 

I walk into the store and walk around taking some random stuff and placing it into a trolley. I quickly pay for it and head out. I pack the stuff into my car and then I drive home parking my car in the garage. I write a note to my dad saying that I'll walk to Tracy's place because it is close by. Once I'm done I grab my bags, pull my scarf over my mouth and put the jacket on, pulling the hood up. One by easy disguise. 

I walk to the ticket office and into the warmth not removing my hood or scarf. I pay for the ticket that'll take me to my old home. I checked the time avoiding the cameras, it's one o'clock and the bus leaves in thirty minutes. I gather my things and look for my bus. As I see it I get on handing the driver my ticket and heading to the back. The bus mostly empty. I put my earphones into my ears and listen my own little run away playlist. 

The trip lasts six hours but I'm finally where I want to be. I walk most of the way to my aunt's farm. Pure madness but the countryside was the safest place I knew. When I finally reached the farm house it was past eight I hadn't been as fit as I had believed. I knocked on the door and hoped they were home. When the door opened I was greeted by a very surprised couple. "Chrissy is that really you?" My aunt's voice comes half filled with surprise half filled with happiness and before I can answer I'm pulled into a bear hug by my uncle. 

There were many tears but all of them happy. We didn't linger on the fact that I had run away or the fact that I hadn't seen them in years. Instead we spoke of everything else. When my aunt wanted to know if I had a boyfriend I put on my brightest smile and said I don't have time for that, I'm a senior and I'm finishing this year. She smiled weakly realising it was something else. She changed the subject smoothly and before we knew it we were all yawning. "Head to your room, kiddo. We left it the same. No battleship here." My uncle said and I smiled happily. I kissed them both goodnight before heading to my room. 

As I opened my room's door and switched on the light I was welcomed by bright colours. My aunt and I had painted butterflies, dragons, rainbows and fairies. Only one wall remained the way it was and that's because my mother was supposed to finish it. She had fallen ill suddenly and then she was gone. My dad had changed weeks after, to the cruel cold person. My aunt had then made the suggestion that I come to stay with them for a while so that my dad could grieve properly without having to worry about me. My dad declined and my aunt then suggested that they at least see me every school holiday. 

I had become my aunt and uncle's daughter in a way, since my aunt wasn't able to conceive and my mom thought it would be good for her to co-parent me. Hence since my first birthday I was co-parented between the two families. One Christmas we'd be on the farm and the other we would be in the city. 

Hence when my father banned me from visiting my aunt and uncle went into a fury. There were court battles but the court would be on my father's side because he was my parent and they found him fit as a father. Although he was cruel and cold I couldn't tell anyone except my aunt and uncle because I didn't want to betray my father. 

I sigh breaking my train of thoughts and head to the bathroom happy to see no one was in. I quickly clean myself up and head to bed. The sleepless night and long travel taking it's toll on me. Once I get into bed I sigh again this time a happy sigh. I was finally back where I truly belonged...