Corrupted Values

Chapter Two - Leaving

After driving for a few more minutes, Beatrice pushes the button to notify the driver we want to get off. The bus comes to a stop and we proceed to get off. We walk for a few minutes before we come up to a cute little one-story white house. I follow behind her as she walks me up the steps. Once she opens the door, a man comes out of the kitchen. It’s small, the living room has a couch, tv, and a little coffee table. Behind that is a little kitchen with a round table beside it. To the right is a narrow hallway.

“Well, hello there.” The man says as he hugs the woman that brought me here before looking at me in confusion.

“This is Azaliah, and she's going to stay with us tonight.” The woman places her arm around my shoulders and gives me a reassuring squeeze.

“This is my husband, Thomas.” She says, taking my hand.

“Come with me, Dear. I'll show you to the room you can stay in tonight.” She says as she guides me through her home. Once we come to the end of the hall, she turns to the left and opens a door to a child's room. There are toys on the shelves and a twin-sized bed against the far wall.

“This is my granddaughter's room but I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you used it.” she says, smiling at me as Thomas comes up behind us.

“Here's some clothes you can sleep in tonight,” Thomas says as he hands them to me.

“Thank you.” I say, smiling as I look up at the two kind people so willing to help me.

“There's a bathroom just across the hall, so feel free to take a bath and clean up. I'll make sure to put a toothbrush in there for you. It'll probably feel good to get out of those dirty clothes.” She says, smiling as she and Thomas close the door behind them. I look around the room. They are so kind to let me use it. I place my bag down next to the bed and slowly make my way to the bathroom. I turn on the tap to fill the bathtub. While I wait for the tub to fill, I look at myself in the mirror. Staring back at me are my bright blue eyes.

I never would've thought I would end up here. No family, no friends… And nowhere to go. I start to strip myself of my dirty clothes once the tub is full. I allow the warm water to engulf my body. I sit with my arms around my legs and put my head on my knees. While the warm water caresses my body, I can't help but cry. For all I can think about is my mom and what happened, why did it happen? All these questions and no answers. I don't know how long I’ve been here, but by the time my eyes are dried the water is cold. I pull the plug before I get out to dry myself off and get dressed. I put my clothes in the room where I had left my bag, then make my way to the kitchen.

“Come sit down Dear, I just finished a turkey and swiss sandwich for you." Beatrice happily states with a smile while beckoning me over. I give a small smile and take my seat at the round table with her and Thomas. I take a bite and I realise how hungry I am, which I guess I’ve ignored till now. I take another bite, savouring the flavours.

“So, Azaliah, tell me. What happened back there?” Beatrice asks while looking at me. I bite my lip nervously. I just met her. I don't know if I can trust her or not.

“What happened? Why were your clothes covered in dirt and why were you crying, Dear?” She asks with suspicion painted on her face. I start to get an uneasy feeling, and the room becomes tense. Suddenly, the air becomes thick with annoyance, making me rush to come up with a lie.

“I ran away from home. I was getting into a lot of arguments with my mom and I fell while I was running through our garden.” I say hoping she'll believe me.

“I see.” Beatrice says with a knowing look. She gets up, grabbing her home phone.

“I'll be right back, I'm just gonna make a call. Enjoy your sandwich." Beatrice says smiling before walking down the hallways and closing a door. I can hear her talking to someone, but it just sounds like mumbling instead of words. I look at the clock and it’s already eleven thirty. I finish up and put my plate in the sink before heading to my room. I still feel a little uncomfortable after the way the mood changed when Beatrice questioned me, but I push the feelings away for now.

I lay in the small bed and slowly drift to sleep only to be quickly woken up by noises in the kitchen. Sound travels a lot in this house and it sounds like people are talking. I tiredly make my way out of bed to get up to go look. I quietly open the door and wearily walk towards the kitchen. I start to hear whispering instead of mumbling as I reach the corner of the wall.

“Você falou com o Caldeiro?” Beatrice asks in a hushed whisper.

Translated - “Did you talk to the Celderiro’s?”

“Sim, ele disse que mandará alguém. Eles estarão aqui amanhã de manhã.” Thomas answers in a raspy whisper. I feel my heart race as my breath gets hitched in my throat.

Translated - “Yes. They said they’ll send someone. They’ll be here early tomorrow morning.”

"Good.” Beatrice says in response to Thomas. I slowly step back stepping on a loose floorboard, making a soft creek. I quietly rush down the hall and sneak back into the bedroom. I feel a rush of fear run through me as I hear footsteps coming down the hallway. I look around, frantically looking for a way out.

“Azaliah, are you okay in there?” I hear Beatrice call out with a soft knock. There's a window I can fit through, deciding it's my best option. I slowly make my way towards it. I try not to make a sound. I slowly put my dirty clothes from earlier back in my bag before putting it on my back. Creeping towards the window, careful not to make a sound. Another knock comes to the door, but this time a little harder.

“I’m fine.” I call back, mimicking a tired voice. I slowly unlock the window and slide it upwards.

“Okay Dear, have a good night. I'll be sure to make a big breakfast for you tomorrow. I saw how hungry you were.” She says while I listen for her to walk away. Once she’s halfway down the hall, I slip out the window and quietly close it. I crouch and walk around the house until I'm under the hallway window. I peek in to see that they're not in the living room, assuming instead that they’re in the kitchen on the other side of the house.

I feel my heart squeeze to know that people that seemed so nice were only deceiving me, covering up their true intentions and were simply going to give me up to those monsters. I continue toward the front of the house hoping not to get caught. Once I make it to the corner of the house, I make a run for it to hide behind a car to the left. I stop to catch my breath and the cold breeze surrounds me. Thomas only gave me a thin pink nightie to sleep in and it isn't blocking the cold from reaching my skin. I shiver as the cold air brushes against me. I get up and start walking down the street when I see they haven't noticed I'm gone. It’s pretty dead out. I haven't seen a single car yet. Slowly, I make my way to the bus depot. I gotta get out of here. Houston’s big but not big enough. Where will I go? I ask myself.

"If anything happens to me, go somewhere with a big population and stay low." is what my mom always told me. Finally, I see the bus depot come into view. Thank god because my legs are getting tired. I walk up to the door and open it. Immediately I feel the warm air hit me. It’s quite a relief. I walk towards the desk clerk that's sitting on his phone. As I approach the desk, he looks up.

“Oh hello! How can I help you?” He asks with a big smile before it slowly fades as he looks at what I’m wearing. I look up at the lit up sign of cities and one catches my eye.

“I need a bus ticket. When's the next bus to New York?” I ask hoping he won't question me.

“Of course, let me look,” he says as he looks at his computer before his eyes meet mine again.

“It looks like there's another bus in thirty minutes going to Atlanta and from there another going to New York” he states with the same smile.

”Alright. Can I please have the tickets for those buses?” I ask, feeling relieved that I’m going to get out of this town. I hand him the money and get the tickets.

“Here are your tickets. If you would like to change your clothes, we do also have a gift shop here” he offers, as he points me towards the shop.

“Thanks,” I say, with a wave. As I walk towards the shop, I look at the clock counting down the minutes before the bus comes. I was having a good morning with my mom, and now here I am. Trying to run away. Not knowing if I’m even going to survive. I don’t know who's looking for me, but now I think it has something to do with some people called the Caldeiro’s? Nonetheless, I know if they do find me I'm dead.

I look around the gift shop, finding a few snacks to bring with me and grabbing a water bottle. I browse around the clothes a bit before deciding on a light blue top, dark grey sweatpants, and, of course, a toothbrush and hairbrush. After paying for everything, I go to the bathroom and change. Thankfully, there aren't many people out and about at this time of night. Walking up to the sink once I’m changed, I decide to brush my teeth. After washing and drying my face, I grab an elastic from my bag and brush through my long knotted hair. I put it in a messy bun this time to keep it out of my face. Looking at myself to have one last look.

“Good enough.” I say quietly to myself before I walk out of the bathroom, throwing the nightie in the garbage and checking the time. My bus should be here soon. I walk over and take a seat while I wait. Five minutes pass and lights come into view through the window. It's the bus, parking across from where I’m sitting.

“The bus heading to Atlanta will be boarding soon.” I hear the loud speaker announce. I grab my stuff and head for the door. Ready to start a new life.