Page 18 of Out to Find Freedom

When it came to an end, I wanted to ask him to sing it again and again.

Ryan: There. The one more song.

My smile was the biggest it had ever been in ages.

Unknown:Thank you. So much.

Ryan: Why did you need it?

Unknown: You play wonderfully, and your voice is… soothing.

Wanting to know if he was outside texting or inside, I had to look. I’d kick myself later for the moment of weakness.

Gripping the window ledge with my fingers, I leaned over to glance out. He stood in nothing but jeans on the deck with his hands on his hips, looking around at the houses in his neighbourhood.

Little did he know I was right next door looking out at him.

Ryan ran a hand through his hair and raised the other near his chest, which held his phone in it.

Ryan:You need help?

He didn’t know, but right then I knew he was a good man. A man who didn’t deserve a burden like me.

Unknown: No. Sorry to disturb you.

Ryan: How’d you get this number?

Unknown:Magic.Going to sleep now.

I looked over to see him read the text, glance around, and then drop his arm to his side. He sighed. When he turned, I got a quick view of his face before he went through the back door with a slam. His brows were drawn; he looked concerned and annoyed. He probably thought he’d find me standing at the end of his bed holding an axe or something just as crazy.

God, what have I done?

Unknown: I promise I won’t be trouble.It was the right thing to do. I didn’t want him worried.

When no answer came, I guessed he was probably getting ready for bed. Brushing his teeth… something I hadn’t done for a long time. I washed them with water, used material to clean them as much as I could. Or Ryan could be taking a shower, another thing I wished I could do. Water from a sink only did so much. I still felt disgusting every day.

I dropped to the bed, opened the screen to look at his messages. I ran my fingers over them, smiling to myself. I spoke to someone out in the real world.

A crazy conversation, but still one nonetheless. Even though it was small, it was something to me. So was him singing. I pressed two fingers against my lips to stop myself from laughing giddily.

I would cherish this night for the rest of my life.

Ryan didn’t know, but he’d given me a gift.

I nearly squealed when my phone vibrated.

I scrolled down to the bottom and read his words.

Ryan:Guess I’ll see.

He would.

Unknown: You will.

Ryan: What’s your name?

My heart jumped hard. I couldn’t give him my name. Could I? No, if he searched anything about me, he would see a police report from whatever Gloria had told them. If he was smart, and he looked it, then he would know I was in the house. Never would I risk him or anyone else.

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