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Or was I becoming delirious?
“How can you help?” I asked as my will tired.
“I started getting everything settled for your safety here since the first text I’d sent you. All in hopes you would reach back.” He huffed with a small smile. “There’s a safe house ready for you, along with a few guidelines to go over.”
“What kind of guidelines?”
“Think of them as our witness protection guidelines, here in Miami. New identity, food to live off, and a place where you won't be easy to find. After some time, we’ll find a more permanent place for you.”
I watched his clean shaved features looking for anything he would give away, they gave me nothing. Not a reason for him to lie, or the slightest reaction that he was lying. After everything he’d said, and what I’d taken in, it was the idea of having somewhere to rest that claimed me into this new life.
I was just so damn tired.
“Here we are,” Chief Pierce announced as his undercover cop car rolled to a stop in front of a quaint home.
At some point in time the house was blue, but after years of sun, rain, and dirt, it was now faded. Big lanterns hung on each side of the dark wood door, and the yard was well kept. Even if the two-story home had seen better days, it still fit the calm neighborhood.
Chief Pierce got out of the car, but I hesitated.
It wasn’t until he stood on the front porch I decided to look both ways down the road and exit the car.
I huddled inside my hoodie with each step I took. My chucks made no sound stopping next to him. The wood below our feet creaked when he opened the door, I shivered.
“Come on in,” he said when I stood outside.
The thick, stale smell crowded my lungs as it mixed with the cleaning supplies that must have been used recently. All the walls held an old yellow tint, and the few furniture pieces scattered around were in great condition. Even if the home’s age showed, it was in pristine shape, better than the studio apartment I had back in New York.
I didn’t need to follow Chief Pierce with my gaze, the creaking flooring gave away each stride he made deeper inside. I followed him to the kitchen, where fruit wallpaper surrounded the trim of the room and ruffled sheer curtains stood still over the small window.
“The house has been stocked with food and utensils you may need, as well as your bathroom.” He shifted in his spot. “Hopefully it’ll last you a few weeks, but when you are ready to make a short trip for necessities, there’s a convenience store just around the block.” His bushy eyebrows were expressive as he spoke, and I remained quiet until he said, “I’ll wait for the medical examiner to get here to check your vitals before…”
“No,” I croaked.
I didn’t want anyone’s hands on me. No one to see my wound or evaluate the exhaustion I knew I was suffering. I didn’t want anyone to know who I was, how I looked like, and most importantly, where I would be.
The least people I met, the less dangerous it would be for me and them.
“I refuse any medical assistance.”
“Ms. Cohen, it would be best if…” he trailed off as his eyes zeroed in on my neck.
“All I need is a first aid kit.” My tone said enough. I wouldn’t be seen.
His lips twisted downward. “There’s one under the bathroom sink.”
“Thank you,” I replied appreciatively.
“I’ll leave you to rest. We can go over the rules and guidelines to follow tomorrow, and the protection you’ll be under.”
“What kind of protection?” I asked.
“It’ll be finalized a few days from now. Once it’s done, you'll have around the clock security.” I was ready to decline such a thing, but he cut me off. “It’s not a request. It’s a must.”
I let him leave with a nod. There was nothing else to say. Tomorrow he would be back, but for now, I followed the path up the stairs and into the hall. The first door I pushed through was the bathroom.
My eyes could hardly stay opened as I roamed under the sink cabinet. When I found the first aid kit, I cleaned my wound, letting the tears of pain fall in the lone confinement of the room. Once I couldn’t take it anymore, I let the wound breathe by not placing a new gauze, and walked out the door.
The next room I encountered had a bed and fluffy bedding. I didn’t care to check the other room, I’d found the rest my body craved. I flopped down to the bed and my eyes automatically closed.
