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The inside of the bus suddenly spurred to life as people moved in their seats, but I remained still with the hoodie over my head as my blood pumped with nerves.
Now that I was awake, my neck felt warm and the persistent ache in my wound only increased. I’d tried not to move much as pain would follow, but the pain also created a given reminder of why I’d run away and reached out to the unknown number. I was desperate, and now I looked out the window as the station came to view, I would find out if this was a mistake.
I pulled my dated phone out of my pocket to check the last message.
I’ll be there when you arrive.
How will I know who he or she was?
All directions pointed at how foolish I’d been to come here. And when the doors opened, I stood with nowhere else to run. I was exhausted, and my muscles ached from the adrenaline and never-ending tension of being followed.
Martin. I closed my eyes, shaking away the vision of how I’d left him behind. Every step I’d made closer to the bus exit was another minute I’d stolen from his life.
As I stepped outside, the sun’s rays swept deep into my skin with its warmth. The smell of clean air and sea breeze met my senses while my eyes squinted, looking around.
Some people rushed out to meet the opened arms of loved ones, while others moved along to their next destination.
Not knowing where to go, or who to search for as I looked around the Sunshine State, the thought of walking away on my own crossed my mind.
Then what, Davina?
Panic swarmed around me as I stood in the bus station in a city I had no knowledge of. Nowhere to sleep or even a place to clean the wound that pulsed heavier with every breath I took.
“Ms. Cohen?”
My body recoiled from the touch on my shoulder. Horror swept inside my heart as I turned in place. A middle-aged man with palms outstretched and wide brown eyes stared back at me, stunned.
The sudden movement I’d made sprung tears of pain from the sting of my healing cut. I held the tears in, paralyzed as I watched his next move.
“I’m Chief Pierce, from MPD. I’m the one you are meeting.”
Slowly, he moved his hand to his chest, pulled part of his chain bringing what underneath his clothes hid. A badge.
It didn’t mean anything to me. After all, I ran away from two said police officers in New York.
But he knew my last name.
What else did he know?
“My apologies for startling you. I shouldn’t have touched you.” Chief Pierce's tone was soft as he let the badge hang from its chain.
He took a step forward. I took one back.
His palms rose again, mine sweat.
“I just want to help,” he explained.
The question, “Why?” hardly left my mouth.
“I knew your mother. We weren’t close and yet, I felt like I had to help you.” He exhaled deeply and scratched the back of his head.
“Why?” I asked again, needing more than his vague reply.
“Because for years, I’d tried to bring down the same men you are running from.” He almost seemed embarrassed. “I too had to run away from the city. It was becoming too dangerous for my daughter. After getting word from a fellow Chief from New York that you were targeted, I thought of your mom. I’m sorry for your loss.”
My mouth was dry, and swallowing his words made it all more difficult. I felt as if he was holding more, but he looked, sounded, and acted sincerely.
I believed he meant well.
