Page 34 of Fight or Flight

Crouching in front of the girl, I frantically whisper, “I’ll take this off, but you need to promise you will stay quiet and listen to everything I say, okay?”

Jesus Christ, I can’t believe I’m doing this. Today is the day. I’m going to die, and surprisingly not by my own hands this time. They'll kill me when they get back and see me here trying to rescue this poor child. I want to giggle nervously as I take off the gag from the girl’s little mouth and look for something to cut the ties with, thinking about how different it feels to actually fear death for once.

“What’s your name?” I whisper after I find a cable cutter in one of the drawers under the glowing monitors.

“Nora,” she breathes, her lips wobbling as if she’s on the verge of melting.

“Okay, Nora, listen to me,” I snap the ties and help her to her feet. “There’s no time to waste here; I need to get you out of here. When we leave this room, you need to be as quiet as you can, and when I tell you to run, you run with everything you have, okay?”

She gives me a small nod, and I know that’s the best I can get.

“Holy hell,” I look at the ceiling, swallowing the oncoming tremor. I don’t want to think too much about the repercussions of what I’m about to do, but it’s coming at me regardless.

I glance at the surveillance system and see that there are cameras everywhere. There will be no point in pretending that it wasn’t me after I walk out of this room with Nora. The brothers will surely find me and make me pay for stealing from them.

Stealing a human. A child. I can’t stop the manic giggle from getting out this time.

When I glance back at the trembling little girl clinging to my pants, my mind is made up, however. I’m doing it, and if I die in the process of doing something good in my life, something right for once, then so be it.

I’m starting to turn toward the door when the sight of the drugs pulls me back in the direction of the table, and on an impulse, I grab what, I hope, is cocaine and stuff the gun in the back of my pants, hoping that it won’t shoot my ass off accidentally. I grab the girl's wrist firmly and give her a look. She looks spooked, but there’s also a strong determination and understanding in her gaze that should never grace the face of a child so young.

Since there were only three doors in the corridor, I assumed the last must be the exit door, and I closed my eyes briefly when the night breeze hit my face as soon as I opened it.

One last glance behind me, and the next thing I know, I’m running with Nora by my side for what feels like forever. I know it’s only been about fifteen minutes when we reached my apartment complex, but in my mind, it’s been a lifetime. Every heartbeat asking if it's going to be the last. Yet, there’s no one behind me when I turn. The street is quiet, with barely any lights still on at some apartments.

My grandpa used to say that only harlots and thieves walk outside at an ungodly hour. He would probably say I’m both right now and shake his head with disappointment.

I never told anyone where we live, so I think it’s safe to bring the girl here until I can think of a plan. The place is loud when we step into the apartment, and I glare at the switched-on TV set and playing radio when Nora whimpers in fright at the ear-assaulting sounds.

Christy must’ve left everything on again and went out. I grab the remote and turn it off before silencing the radio.

“Nora, are you... ?” I turn to address the kid when Christy comes out of her bedroom.

“What the fuck, Claire? I was listening to that!” With the way she stumbles, I can tell she’s already taken whatever it is she’s on these days, but it doesn’t stop her from noticing the little girl in the middle of the room, looking ready to hide.

“Who’s that?”

“Christy, before they kicked you out, did you tell anyone where we live?” I come to her and shake her arm until I’m able to redirect her attention to me.

“Are you nuts? Why would I do that? To get fucking creeps on our doorstep? Fucking idiot.”

“No, Chris. I mean anyone from the staff. The boss, the girls, the bouncers, anyone...”

Her bloodshot eyes roll over my face with a sneer before glancing toward Nora.

“What did you do? Why aren’t you at work?”

“I quit,” I say and bite my lip, waiting for her reaction.

“You quit?” She asks slowly, her eyes tightening into tiny slits. “The fuck is wrong with you, Claire? Did you kidnap this little girl too? What is this, some fucking manic episode of your crazy ass or some shit?”

I ignore her remark about being crazy and tell her a short version of what happened.

Christy visibly calms down, but I know she’s not happy with what I’ve pulled. With a shake of her head, she throws, “You better clean up if she makes a mess, Claire,” and slams the door on her way out.

“Okay, Nora. You’re probably hungry, huh? Maybe I could make you a snack, and you can tell me a little about yourself?” I step from foot to foot, suddenly feeling very inadequate to take care of a child even for a while. I’m so out of my element.

I’ve been an only child and never spent time with any kids, so I have no idea what to expect. Is she going to cry? Scream? Curse me?

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