Page 68 of Beautiful Chaos

Pausing just outside the street’s view, a wave of fear overwhelmed me, as heavy as a ton of bricks. I hadn’t been down any alleyways since I was a teenager the night those bastards took me. I swallowed hard and pushed forward.

This is not my end. I will not let them hurt me again.

With my eyes closed, I took a deep breath, and walked slowly, startling at every sound and shadow. I hugged myself tightly, trying to stay calm. I did my best to block out all the noises and the creaking that seemed to come from behind the big doors attached to the side of the building. At last, I made it to the end.

I was surprised that the path ended at a bustling shopping mall right in downtown Miami. Since it was Saturday night, the place was packed with people and last-minute shoppers. I took a deep breath of relief and ducked off into a coffee shop nearby to use the restroom and clean the streaked makeup from my face before I made my next move.

I was comforted to find it was a single-person facility. After locking the door, I turned and pressed my back against it, sliding down until I was crouched on the floor, my face buried in my knees, as I sobbed uncontrollably.

How did I not see this coming? How could I be so blind? Was everything a lie?

I stayed there on the floor for I don’t know how long when my tears had run dry. I needed to get up and get away from there and fast. There was no time to feel sorry for myself.

Where should I go? Aster’s plane won’t arrive until tomorrow afternoon. I needed to find a safe place to stay, but Jasper knew everything, where I lived, worked, and shopped. There wasn’t one place I could go and be safe from being found by any of them.

In another panic, I remembered the studio apartment upstairs in the bookstore. No one knew it was there. Back in the day, the room was used as a safe house for battered women.

Since his wife passed old man Frank said he didn’t use it much because battered women had a hard time trusting male figures due to their trauma. I recall reflecting on the accuracy of his thoughts.

I reached down into my clutch saying a silent prayer that I threw my key chain into it before leaving, when my hand slipped over cold metal. I threw my head back and let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.

Okay, I’ll send for an Uber, get to the bookstore, and hide out until tomorrow morning before anyone shows up to the shop to open. Then I head straight to the airport and wait for Aster.

This has to work.

Even Jasper’s secret investigator couldn’t be aware of the studio apartment.

This will work.

The Uber app notification alerted me that my driver was outside. I threw some water on my face and went for the door. Unlocking it slowly then easing the door open. Looking around for anyone that looked suspicious, I darted for the door. Enrique, my driver, waited in the navy blue sedan, parked by the front door.

Thank God.

“Are you Harper?” he said in broken English as I slid into the back seat, closing the door quickly and locking it behind me.

“Yes sir.” I rushed to answer hoping he would sense my urgency and hit the gas.

He gradually merged into traffic, making his way toward the bookstore. I watched him obey the speed limit and stop at every yellow light. Under normal circumstances, I would value the precautions taken for my safety, but not tonight. In the night darkness of Miami’s nightlife, amongst a sea of vehicles, anxiety about being found picked at me. The likelihood of being located was slim, and this realization brought some relief until a cringing thought crossed my mind.

What if his investigator person hacked my phone and could track my whereabouts or my app usage?

Shit.

I didn’t even think about that.

“Sir, could you stop here? I’d like to get out.” I told the driver.

he looked at me like I was insane.

“Here?” he asked with his voice laced with Hesitation.

I wasn’t sure why until I looked around and realized we were still on the interstate.

“Um, take the first exit you can, and I will get out there.” I smiled trying not to look like a psycho.

“Yes ma’am,” he said as he mumbled something in another language. I couldn’t help but agree with whatever he said.

A short time later we rolled to a stop on an exit ramp.

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