Page 108 of The Freedom in Captivity

I turn for the bus station. With the money he gave me, I have no idea if I’ll get to B.C., let alone even halfway there, but we’ll see. I’ll use the money to get as far as I’m able to and then I’ll figure it out.

How? Not sure. Haven’t thought that far ahead.

Fuck, I haven’t thought of anything yet. An hour ago, I was sleeping. Now I’m completely free. Free from them, from my father’s plots, free to find Yasmine.

Downtown, at a bus station with dozens upon dozens of people milling around, moving every which way, cars honking and other city noises, I don’t feel as free as I am though. My feet become bricks and I don’t even want to head inside and buy a bus ticket.

I feel alone.

Stuck.

Lost.

Adrift with multiple paths: the right one and the one I want. The one my heart and mind wishes me to take.

But then there’s the guilt, regarding the one Ishouldbe taking.

Once again, stuck. Wedged between my choices.

I sigh.

Flynn

“Dude, slow down.”

Rosen clutches the car’s dash, despite wearing a seat belt, as I zoom the vehicle through the streets and back to the Corsetti property. Yes, my foot’s a bit heavier than normal on the gas pedal, but I have a good fucking reason.

“Relax, I won’t get us killed.”

He scoffs. “Now I get why you were so determined to drive.”

Meaning, when he headed for the driver’s seat, I pushed him out of the way and took it instead. The speed of the vehicle is healthy for me. Gives me something to focus on—remaining alive while driving at max speeds—and matches the energy coursing through me. If I allowed him to take the wheel, he’d drive slower than I need him to, making me an anxious mess.

At the next corner, I barely slow as I take a sharp turn and he curses. “Fuck, man, careful! She’ll be there when you get back.Ifwe get back. Don’t kill us. In case you’ve forgotten, I also have someone to live for now.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I grumble, but instead of slowing, my foot presses heavier on the gas pedal. Disposing of Stefano De Falco’s ashes took longer than I wanted it to, which means every passing minute is one less by her side. And I have an undetermined length of time with her left.

After holding her for the remainder of yesterday and into the night, Nico messaged very early this morning, which forced me away. After she remained up half the night sobbing, she barely had any rest, so I left, assuming she’ll be asleep half the day anyway. By that math, she could be awake by now, but I really want to be by her side when she does wake up.

Finally,back at the mansion, I park on the side of the house, by the soldiers’ entrance and exit the vehicle, still leaving it running with Rosen inside.

“Hey!” he hollers.

“Mind putting that in the garage?” His answer is lost as I enter the mansion, passing the bedroom he’s recently moved out of, and finding mine.

Keeping my steps light, I slowly turn the knob, to avoid making any noise that might wake her. If she’s still passed out, I’d like to keep it like that. The door opens an inch, then a foot, and finally enough for me to slip inside, eager to find her sprawled inmybed. Her hair draping my pillow. Buried beneath my blankets.

Empty.

My stomach drops.

“No.”

She better be in the shower…even if I don’t hear the shower running. And through the open door, I see it’s empty.

Empty except a few specific things.

The clothing she wore all night is left in a mess on the floor. A damp towel showing signs of recent use hanging on the hook. The shower itself is wet. She showered, dressed in new clothing…and left.

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