Page 6 of Slavic

I’venever wanted to hurt anyone as badly asIdo that bastard right this minute.

EdithpatsRowanon the shoulder, then starts passing out the plates, motioning for us to eat. “Goahead girls, eat up before your eggs get cold.Yourears still work while your fingers feed the body.Janetwanted me to give you the directions to whereshe’s going to meet up with you.I’vealready spoken to her on the phone, so she knows what you’re driving, and is preparing a room for both of you now.

“Thetruck stop is on a main road, so it’s not hard to find, butI’vewritten detailed instructions down on this piece of paper for you to make it easier.Iunderstand more than you realize what you’ve been through and what you’ll be facing in the future.”Shereaches over, pattingRowan’sarm softly, but she doesn’t even react, just plays with the food on her plate.

“Dear, right now you feel like a failure, worthless, and not worth putting your sister in danger, or anyone else for that matter.Letme tell you, all of that is in your mind.Youare worth something, too!Everytime you doubt yourself say those words over and over in your head.Ittakes a huge amount of faith, trust, and strength to escape the world you’re running from, but one day that single step will have been worth all of this.Yousee it’s the hardest, that first step of anything in life is always the most trying.You’realready over the worst of it, doll.Nowit’s time to heal and find your new path forward.”

Atfirst,Rowanis just picking at her food, but after those words, she straightens up and to my happiness finishes her plate of scrambled eggs and bacon.Shestill hasn’t looked up, butI’lltake anythingIcan get right now.

“Edith, you have been so kind to us, and we’ll be forever grateful for all your help.Whatdo we owe you for the room and this wonderful breakfast?”

“Nothing.AllIask is that one day you pay it forward to another.Whetherit be a kind word or picking someone up out of a ditch.Maybeit will be as simple as saving a stray animal.You’lllearn that nothing is more fulfilling than kindness to another.”

Edithsuddenly gets up. “Leaveyour dishes in the sink.Ihave a girl who works here part time to clean the rooms, and it will give her something to do.Youtwo need to get on the road sooner rather than later.Menare dangerous when their toys are taken away, so get as much distance as you can from those who seek to hurt you.Onelast piece of advice for you both is never stop looking over your shoulder.Youmight be able to run, even separate yourself from your past, but nevertheless, it is still yours to follow along behind you.Iwish you bothGod’sspeed.”

Chapter Four

RUBY

IwaveatEdithas we pull out, heading south.Nothaving my phone to use forGPSis odd, butIfigure they still wouldn’t make maps if they didn’t work.AfterIclear the small town and we’re back on the highway,Ilook over atRowanwho is once again staring out the window.

“Sis, we have several hours before we get to the next stop.Talkto me.”

“Idon’t know what to say,Ruby.I’mso scared …I’veruined everything for us both.”

“Whatthe hell are you talking about?”

“Ruby, this is all your life will be from this moment on … running.Foreverlooking behind you, never trusting in anyone, no roots anywhere, and always wondering if someone is going to recognize you every time you’re out and about.Continuouslyexpecting the worst out of people no matter how good they are to you.

Heisn’t going to divorce me,Ruby.Itwould cause a scandal and he won’t do anything to hurt his career.Robertisn’t going tostop untilI’mback, and this time he’ll make it feel likeIwas in a funhouse before.Iwon’t survive even a night ifIgo back, but maybe that would be best for all of us.I’venot only ruined my own life by my stupid bad decisions, but now yours too.”

“Thefuck you willRowan!Stopthis shit right now!You’venever been the type to yell ‘poor little me’ and you’re stronger than you realize right now.HellSis, less than twenty-four hours ago, you escaped a really bad situation in one piece.Yes,Iknow you feel and look like crap right now, but those wounds will heal inside and out.

Iget it, your whole life has been upended by a single decision.You’requestioning yourself, and that’s normal.Rightnow, you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, but at least you’re moving forward.Asfor me, hell,Ihaven’t had roots in years.Youknow that better than anyone and you knowIdon’t do anythingIdon’t want to, ever.Youhaven’t messed anything up for me.Iwas walking in circles before you called, and my life was going nowhere.

Littlesister, as crazy as things are right now, we will find a way to get you away from that bastard permanently, one way or another.Doyou understand me?Iwill not stand by and allow that monster to lure you back, even if you think it’s for the best.BecauseIcan guarantee this isn’t going to be the first time you think if you go back, it will all be better.Butyou know that’s simply a lie you’re telling yourself, even if you don’t want to admit it right now.

Assad as this sounds, that house of horrors had become comfortable, your version of normal.Nowyou’re out here struggling to figure out which way to go and what’s next.Youknew the momentIsaw those bruises in that mirror, let alone when you said our safe word, thatIwas coming.Anddon’t thinkfor one momentIdidn’t come there willingly.Youdidn’t drag me there,Rowan.Ireckon the only wayIcan make you see this differently is by asking … if this situation had been reversed, would you have done the same for me?”

“YouknowIwould have.”

“Thenlet’s do this because that dick can’t touch us if we stick together.We’llrest and get you healed up, and then we’ll figure out our next steps.Butat some point, we’re going to discuss the ‘why’s’of you waiting so long, and the ‘what’trigger it took for you to finally say enough is enough.Fornow, enjoy these moments of peace.Youescaped baby sister, and the hardest part is already behind you.Togetherwe’ll find our purpose in this world,Ipromise ya.”

Idon’t bother her anymore asIreach over and turn the radio up.Themiles pass by in a blur asIhead down the highway.Luckily, we don’t need to stop anywhere to eat sinceEdithpacked us a light lunch to bring along.

Janetwas right about not being able to miss the truck stop.Therewere signs that said it was coming up for miles in advance.Pullingin,Itake my time maneuvering through all the vehicles coming in and out of the lot.Parkingout front,Itake a few minutes to look around, but beforeIcan get out of the car, a woman approaches.

Shemotions for me to roll the window down. “RubyandRowan?”

“Yes,Ma’am, that’s us.”

“I’mJanet.Edithcalled to let me know what you were driving.Ineed you to pull around back and park in spot number eleven.We’llleave your car here for a few days, just to make sure they’ve not found a way to track it.”

Shedoesn’t wait for me to answer, just turns away and walks back into the building.PuttingtheSUVin reverse,Ihead around the building as she asked.It’shard to trust a stranger like this, but she’s the best option we have right now. “Rowan, do you want me to go in alone, or are you coming with me?”

“Ifit’s okay,Iwould prefer to stay in the car instead.”

“Iwon’t be long.”

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