Page 101 of Mayhem

After fifteen minutes, I hear it. A loud splash as if someone fell into water. I don’t hesitate. I flip the lock on the door and slip out quietly. Once the door is firmly shut behind me, I take off down the driveway. For being such a rich neighborhood, the houses are awfully close together. I’m able to easily make it to the end of the driveway and down the block without being detected. I shove my hands in my pockets and keep my head down, aiming to look like I’m cold.

It must work. I pass a woman out walking her dog, but she just nods in my direction and keeps walking. I have no idea where I’m going, but I keep walking until I get closer to a busier road. It takes several blocks and some dead ends, but I eventually find an intersection. Glancing left to right, I take a deep breath, letting the universe decide for me. A car appears from my right heading left, so that’s what I do too. Hopefully, this is closer to an open business. I have no way of telling the time, but it’s been dark for several hours. Who knows if anything is even still open.

I tense every time I hear a car behind me, but am relieved when they don’t stop. What feels like an hour, but must only be thirty minutes or so later, I come up to a gas station. Lights flickering like it is still open. I head inside, smiling at the man behind the counter.

“Hello. I’ve broken down on the side of the road and my phone died. Do you have a phone I can use?”

The man looks a little suspicious but reluctantly nods. He hands me a cordless phone over the counter.

“Thank you.”

I take the phone, dialing my mother’s cell phone number. It’s the only number I know by heart, even though I’ve never actually called it.

It rings twice before a male’s voice answers.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Mom.” I give the clerk a small smile.

He fakes a smile before going back to the magazine he was flipping through.

“Oh, Celeste, it’s your daughter. Your mother can’t come to the phone right now. She’s a little preoccupied.”

I grit my teeth but keep my tone neutral. “Great. Well, I’m stuck on the side of the road. I’ll need someone to pick me up.”

“You think I’m falling for that? I’m not walking into a trap.”

“If you want me, you’re going to have to come get me. I’m at a Jeclo Gas Station. I’ll be here waiting.”

Hanging up the phone, I glance up at the clerk. “Thank you, sir. I’m going to wait outside for my mother to pick me up.”

He waves me off, never looking up from his magazine.

After several hours go by, I curse. They must not believe me. Or they can’t find me. I have no idea where I’m actually at. It’s not like I could’ve given them an address.

I find a spot to sit and wait next to the air machine. I keep an eye out for any vehicles coming, knowing Nate and Finley might already know I’m gone. I do not know how long Hailee was able to distract them.

Then a dark SUV pulls in. It stops at a pump as a man steps out. He is dressed in all black, tattoos covering his hands.

He doesn’t hesitate. He walks straight toward me.

“Willow, I presume.”

“Who’s asking?”

“Mr. Mitchell sent me. Said you requested a pickup.”

“Great. Nothing like making a girl wait for hours in the cold,” I deadpan.

He shrugs. “You’re farther away than we expected. Come on, there’s no time to waste. I was told to tell you your mother only has a few hours left. If you don’t do exactly as I say, they will kill her.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“Yes, and it seems you’re alone.” He looks around. “You’re not as stupid as they thought.”

“Thanks, I think.”

I follow him over to the SUV.

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