Page 9 of Einar

“Dependson who is asking and where you got this number!”

Ijerk a bit at the brusque, no-nonsense voice barking out of the phone.

“Myname isRuby.Ifound your number on an old phone book … me and my sister are in trouble.”

“Thenyes,I’mwho you’re looking for.Justso you know in advance,I’mone for being cautious because many depend on me.Doyou understand?”

“Yes, ma’amIdo.”

“Ihave no idea where you’re at, butIhave multiple places we can meet up.Areyou coming from the north or south?”

“We’releavingOhioright now, so tell me where to go and we’ll be there.”

“There’sa place calledTheTruckStoponI-40 right outside theTexasborder.Callthis number when you get close, andI’llmeet you there.Don’tdo anything to bring attention to yourself.Asa matter of fact, there is probably no way you can make it that far today.Iwant you to head toward a roadside motel inArkansascalledJJ’s.It’salso next to a truck stop, and it should be about halfway.Ihave friends there thatI’lllet know you’re coming.”

“Thankyou,Janet,”

“Don’tthank me yet, let’s get you here first.Payattention to your surroundings and no matter what, stay away from crowded places.Thereare eyes everywhere and you can trust very few of them.Seeyou tomorrow.”

RubyandIshare a glance.

Timeto go.

ChapterEight

ROWAN

Timewearson as hours and miles pass by.Rubyattempts to get me to talk to her several times throughout our drive, butIdon’t.I’mnot sure if it’s becauseIdon’t want to or just can’t.Infact, the very thought of conversation is exhausting.Imight not ever want to discuss my time withRobert, and that’s something she will have to learn to deal with.Thatwon’t be an easy concept for my meddling big sister to grasp.

IknowI’mdifferent.There’sno wayIcould be the same person now asIwas beforeRobertgot his hands on me.Hopefully, that isn’t something she has her heart set on, or she will just become one more personIhave disappointed in my life.Rubymust have gotten the hint because after a while she stops trying to pry and falls silent.Thehum of the tires on pavement and the soothing embrace of the night lull me into a fitful sleep.Ihave no idea how longI’veslept when a gentle shake wakes me.

“Hey, get up.We’reat the motel;I’llbe right back.”Igroggily nod my head, sleep still clinging heavily to my mind.Rubbingmy eyes,IwatchRubyopen the glass door and walk into the lobby.Thesign on the closing door reads, “JJ’s.”

Wemade it.

Rubyreaches the front desk, and an older woman appears behind the counter.Iobserve their conversation as they go back and forth.Apparently, we are in the right place because the lady handsRubya room key.Afew more words are exchanged beforeRubyturns, making her way back out to me in theSUV.Ishoot her a questioning look as she gets in the vehicle.

“Lookslike we have a room in the back.”Again,Ijust nod.Ruby’slips tighten in annoyance at my lack of interaction, butI’mworn thin like butter scraped over too much toast.

PuttingtheSUVin drive, she pulls around to the back of the building and backs in between two other cars.Shehops out, popping the latch to the back as she goes.

Numbnessis setting in.Myflight or fight adrenaline is gone, and the napItook on the way here did nothing to help the bone deep weariness within me.Openingthe passenger door,Iget out of theSUVand just stand there, looking around with little care as to whereIam.

It’snot withRobert, and that’s all that matters.

Ruby’ssoft voice pulls my attention to her. “HereSis, take this key and find the door with no number on it whileIget a few things out of the car.”

Ihesitate.I’msafe as long asI’mwithRuby, but it’s dark…bad things happen in the dark.

“Holdup,I’llcome with you.”

Relieffloods through me.Idon’t have to make a decision, andIdon’t have to be alone.Rubyfinishes getting her bags out of the back, closes the hatch, and moves around the car toward me.Thewheels on her suitcase have a slight squeak to them.Thesound seems overly loud in the surrounding darkness.

Movingin unison, we walk down the sidewalk in front of the rooms.Glancingdown at the key,Inotice it doesn’t have a room number on it asIscan the numbered doors we’re passing.Absently,Inote thatRubyliterally just told me to look for the door with no number, so it should stand to reason the key wouldn’t have one either.

AmIfinally losing my mind?

Ihave no idea if we’re going the right way or not.Thankfully, it’s not long before we find our room.It’stucked into a corner, andIlook over atRubyas she motions for me to swipe the card, thus unlocking the door.Heedingher unspoken request,Islide the key card into the slot.Asoft click and a green light grant us access to the room.Pullingthe door open, we both walk through the doorway.

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