His Mystery

Five

Ximena

I’ve been hiding in Nancy’s house for three weeks. Three weeks of only going to the backyard to see the sun settle. Nancy has been keeping an eye out in the hospital for Roberto, but he has not shown up there. Nancy said I am healing well and should be ready to make my move. She has made it abundantly clear that she is not going to let me do this alone and that she hated Roberto as much as I did.

Tonight was going to be the night that we were going to try to make a move on removing my items from the house. I was growing nervous as the minutes ticked by. I needed this to work. I needed to get out of here and move on. I can’t keep living my life hiding.

I was sitting on the back porch of Nancy’s house when I heard the screen door open and slam shut, making me jump.

“Thought you’d be used to it by now.” Nancy chuckled as she walked toward where I was sitting.

“I am. I am just jumpy, I guess.” I shrugged.

“What time are we heading out?” She asked as she took a sip of her coffee mug. I don’t understand how people can be so dependent on coffee. It tastes fūcking disgusting.

“Ten, he is never home around that time. We should be good.” I replied, looking back out to the sun slowly going down. I have done much thinking, and as much as I want to contact my family and let them know that I am well. I can’t, not until I am safe.

“Well, I am going inside to watch an episode or two of Keeping up with the Kardashians. Hollar at me when you are ready to go.” She said, standing up from the steps and walking inside.

I shook my head. I am going to miss her. She has been an angel during this process. After the night that I spilled the beans about Roberto and me, she never asked or mentioned anything. She heard my side of the story and didn’t want anything to do with Roberto.

Once the sun had settled and I let my mind wander to all the scenarios that could go wrong tonight, I stood up and headed inside. I looked over at the couch where Nancy was curled up in the corner of her cream-colored L-shaped couch, snacking on popcorn and watching her show. I walked past her and into the room. I needed to relax before tonight. Nothing can go wrong.

~ A couple of hours later~

Nancy and I are sitting in her car in the corner of the street. As suspected, I see that it is empty, and his car is not in the driveway. We have been stacking the place for two hours, and no movement inside or outside.

I grabbed the hair tie from my wrist and pull my long blonde hair in a tight bun above my head. “Okay, I’m going. I should only take five minutes max. Nancy, I need you to promise me that you will leave in five minutes if I am not back. If he catches me, I don’t want anything to happen to you.” I said, looking outside the window, not wanting to look at her. I know that I will start crying if I look at her, and I can’t have that now.

She held my hand and squeezed it. “I will do no such thing. I can protect myself. I hope I don’t have to use this on him, though.” She said, making me look at her. My eyes almost bulged out of my head when I saw her patting the side of the door and pulling out a gun.

“One always has to be prepared.” She said, making me laugh.

“I can’t deal with you, Nancy. You are full of surprises.” I replied, bringing her into a hug.

“Go on, child. I will be right here waiting.” She said, making me sigh and look out the window again.

I curled my hand on the car’s handle and pulled it open, quietly stepping out of the car and closing the door. I pulled the hoodie of my black zip-up jacket and made my way to the house. One thing Roberto never helped me with was the gardening, and for that, I am thankful, of course.

Crouching as I got closer to the house, I walked over to the back, hoping and praying that he did not find my ziplock bags with the cash and passport. I kneeled next to my favorite plants and used my hands to dig through. Two minutes later, I could see the top of the ziplock bag, and I wanted to stand up and do the happy dance, but I knew I couldn’t. I needed to get out of here and fast. I pulled the two ziplock bags and made a run for it, not stopping until I was safely in Nancy’s car.

“Go!” I yelled as I put my seatbelt on.

“You got what you needed?” She asked as she sped through the street and out of the neighborhood.

“Yes, thank God he didn’t find it.” I replied between breaths.

Once in the safety of her house, we both exited the car and went inside. I went straight to the table to dump the contents of the ziplock bags. I counted the cash again, perfect twenty-five thousand dollars, and the passport, all I needed.

“When are you leaving?” She asked, holding a cup of water in her hands.

“Tonight, I can’t risk being here any longer.” I replied, putting some of the contents in my bag.

“I need you to do me one last favor.” I said, turning around to face her. “I can only take nine thousand dollars in cash anything else TSA gets involved. I will contact you so you can deposit a weekly amount for me.”

“Anything for you, honey.” She replied, walking toward me and opening her arms for me to walk into.

“Can I take you to the airport?” She asked as she hugged me tightly.

“Yes, ma’am.” I replied, pulling away from her hug.

“Will you be telling me where you are?” She asked as she fiddled with her hands.

“Once I am safe.” I replied, placing my hands on her shoulders. “I will take a quick shower and pack a carry-on baggage, and then we can go.” I said, turning around and heading toward the bedroom.

I took a quick shower, trying not to dwell on the feelings aching my heart. I had grown to like Nancy, but I couldn’t continue living like this. Twenty minutes later, we drove down to the airport in complete silence. Nancy stopped at the departure, and I took a deep breath. I curled my hand in the car handle as Nancy did the same, and we both exited the car. She popped the trunk open, and I grabbed my carry-on.

“You call me as soon as you are safe. Okay?” She asked in a demanded tone with teary eyes.

“Will do.” I smiled and brought her in for a hug. “Thank you for everything, Nancy.” I pulled the handle on the carry-on and rolled the bag inside the airport. I walked toward the first airline I found.

“Hello, how can I help you?” The customer service representative asked.

“I am looking for a one-way ticket to Italy.”