Page 17 of Born in Depravity

I looked in my rearview mirror.

I probably just imagined a small movement coming from the tree about fifty feet away from me.

A knock on the window had me jumping in my seat. I looked up and met Roberto’s brown eyes shrouded in concern. I rolled down the window.

“Best be on your way, Miss.” He pointed to the road to my left. “Head in that direction. You’re going to be heading straight for a while before you need to turn. I have the map stored in the dashboard, along with a gun. I hope you never have to use it, but if you…”

He swallowed and looked away from me.

“Go, Miss.”

When he was about to back away from me, I quickly grabbed onto his hand with my own. I squeezed it and looked up at him.

I couldn’t tell him how grateful I was for him, for looking after me all these years, but I hoped he could see it in my eyes.

He flipped his hand around and squeezed my hand back.

“Safe journey. May God be with you.”

He backed away from the car and I drove off. It took a few attempts for me to remember how to drive, but then I got the hang of it and pulled onto the road, watching as Roberto’s reflection in the rearview mirror got smaller and smaller.

I hoped he would be safe.

I kept my eyes on him until I couldn’t see him anymore. Then I stared straight ahead. All the while, one thought moved in my mind over and over.

There was no God.

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