Page 44 of Unsealing Her Fate

My primary focus right now is finding a way to support myself here. Though, that brings its own set of issues: taxes, IDs, and names I can’t use without being found.

That’s a problem for later, “Andi.”

After finding the remote, I turn on the TV and thumb through the channels, finding a classic TV show. I toss the remote beside me on the bed, enjoying the noise even though I’m not really watching it.

I walk over to the vanity area, take off my jacket, and hang it on one of the two available hangers. When I turn to the mirror, surveying myself, I realize I’m a mess. Forty-plus hours on a train will do that to you, I guess.

Well, forty-plus hours on a train after nearly being choked to death.

My fingers brush over the marks Christopher’s fingers left on my throat. They’ll take time to heal, and they’re dark enough that makeup won’t completely cover them anymore. It’ll be a few more days at least, and I certainly can’t apply for jobs with them showing.

I’ll have to get to Chelsea’s for that scarf, but first, I need to at leasttryto do something about them before going out. I pull out my makeup tote and get to work again.

Thirty or so minutes and several heavy sighs later, I realize I’ve done all I can do. The bruising is marginally less noticeable, but I can still see it. It needs a few more days to calm down and a way for me to cover it in the meantime.

I grab the heaviest jacket I have and head out of the room. It’s around 2:00 in the afternoon when I go to Chelsea’s, and if I make this quick, I may have time to scope out the town before places start to close. In a small place like this, I doubt things stay open much past five.

I follow Mike’s directions and soon find myself in front of a cute little boutique. It has eclectic pieces and other really beautiful items. In my experience, shops like this with products like these are pricy.Toopricy. I instantly worry this trip may cost too much money.

“Hi! Is there anything I can help you find?” a young, pretty blonde girl asks.

I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t reveal the anxiety I feel. “Yes, hi. I’m looking for a warmer jacket, scarf, and maybe some gloves?”

“Absolutely! Follow me.” She starts toward a corner at the front of the store, and I keep a few paces behind. “We have a great selection of ski jackets and more. I think you’ll really like these.”

Sifting through the selection, I find one in particular that’s very cute. It’s an ivory puff jacket with a fur hood lining. I slide my fingers down the arm to find the price tag and instantly wince at the cost.

Okay, so this shop won’t work.

The girl must notice my wince because she shifts somewhat uncomfortably. Opening my mouth to say “Thank you for your time,” she interrupts me.

“We have a clearance section in the back if you’d like to look there. We have some great deals today.”

My cheeks burn, and I know they’re red from embarrassment, but I also know I need to suck it up and get used to it for the foreseeable future.

I nod in response, and she leads me to the back of the store, where they have a relatively large clearance section. I spot a coat I like and check the tag. A sigh of relief follows when I realize this is more in line with what I can spend.

Taking my time, I look through everything they have and pick out a nice black puff jacket that comes down to my knees, a pair of gloves, some jeans, and warmer pants.

As I walk toward the register, I remember I’m still missing my vital piece. The scarf.

“Did you find everything you need?” The girl gives a bright smile.

“Yes, well, everything but a scarf. Do you have any?”

Her eyes quickly glance down to my throat and back up. “Oh, of course! Right over here,” she says a little too loudly.

Heat crawls up my neck to my cheeks, the blush I’d finally rid myself of comes back in full force. This is really becoming annoying.

I march behind her a little too aggressively, trying to rein in my annoyance. She’s not trying to be rude, but walking around with this glaring reminder on my throat is really getting to me.

We arrive at a display of scarves, and my voice comes out a little rougher than I mean for it to. “Great, thanks! I got it from here.”

She seems to notice the brushoff, giving a quick nod, a forced smile, and then scurrying off to the register. A pang of guilt washes over me, but I shake it off. They have more choices than I expected, and I take my time looking through each.

An ocean blue knit scarf catches my attention several times. It reminds me of the water in California. It’s soothing but bright at the same time. I stop overthinking and just grab it, hoping the reminder of home isn’t a mistake.

The poor girl up front keeps a smile on her face but barely makes eye contact with me as she rings me up. She’s uncomfortable enough, and so am I, but I still manage to speak before leaving.

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