Page 73 of A Monster Is Coming
“I saved us. He was going to turn me into his clone, Milani. Carl was going to put you on that stage and pump you full of drugs so you couldn’t fight off all the men he would let use you. I couldn’t let any of that happen to either of us. I’ve been saving some money for us, but we have to go, Milani. The last thing we need is for his men to find us. We need to disappear,” I say, moving faster and dragging her toward the back door.
“What about your mom?” Milani asks as we pass by the dressing room all the women use before they go on stage. I look over at my mother, seeing the blank look in her eyes. I wish I had time to get her to come with me, but I know she won’t. She’s too dependent on this place for money, for drugs, and for men.
“She stopped being my mom a long time ago, when she chose all of this over me,” I say, shaking my head and grabbing my book bag by the door. Just as we’re rushing out of the club, I hear yelling coming from the direction of Carl’s office. Luckily, for months now, I’ve had a go-bag prepared and stashed in a tree in the direction we’re heading. Bottled water, snacks, a few canned goods to hold us over, along with some changes of clothes. I never knew when or how we would get away, but I wanted to be ready just in case. We run and keep running. We don’t stop. Even when Milani gets tired, I give her the book bag and put her on my back, determined to get us as far away as possible.
We walk through the woods for three days until fatigue finally catches up with us. I figure we’re far enough away that we can get some much-needed rest. Using the bag as a pillow, we create a makeshift bed under a tree surrounded by bushes. Trying to keep us as hidden as possible, we cuddle up next to each other, warding off the cold. It’s too risky to start a fire in case any of Carl’s men are on our trail and close by.
“Milani, you get some rest while I keep watch,” I tell her quietly, making as little noise as possible.
“Come on, Linc, you’re more tired than me since I was on your back half the way today. You rest while I keep watch. If I hear anything, I’ll wake you,” Milani tells me. I see that stubborn look in her eyes; I know she won’t budge. The last thing we need is to argue and draw attention, but I try convincing her otherwise.
“Are you kidding me—I’m your big brother. You sleep, and I’ll keep watch. Don’t be difficult,” I tell her, standing my ground.
“Nope, not happening. Besides, I don’t need you falling on your face cause you’re too tired to run. No way I’ll be able to carry you, dummy,” Milani states, getting all fired up.
“Fine, just one hour, Milani. I’m setting my timer,” I tell her, not giving her any room for arguing.
“I guess it’s better than nothing. Get some rest, Linc,” she says a bit more calmly, thinking she got her way. I’m exhausted, and she's right, even though I won’t admit it. I’ll fall flat on my face if I try to run. There’s no way I’ll put her in that type of danger if they catch up to us.
I set my timer and get as comfortable as possible on the cold, damp ground. I try to close my eyes, but thoughts keep running through my head. We must be close to town by now. Maybe we’ll catch a break tomorrow and find a way out of the area. We’re running low on food and need to replenish our supplies soon.
“Hey, Linc, are you asleep yet?” Milani asks me softly.
“What’s up? Do you hear something?” I ask her, carefully sitting up straight and looking around.
“No, no, sorry. Um… I was just thinking… Do you remember when we first met?” she asks me, and immediately, my mind goes back to that day in Carl’s office when he killed her father. I hate where her head is at, and I know I need to reassure her I’ll protect her. I won’t let Carl’s men get to us.
“Yeah, I do, and I promised I wouldn’t let them hurt you, and I will keep that promise. I’ll get us out of here, Milani. I don’t know where we’ll go yet, but I’ll get us somewhere safe,” I vow to her again, just like I did that day.
“I know you will, Linc. You’ve always looked out for me. There’s just something I’ve wanted to tell you for a while now,” she says, pausing for a moment. “That day, I didn’t know what was going to happen. I thought I was going to die like my dad, so I lied to you. I was so scared, Linc. Scared that if I told you the truth that I had other family, you would tell Carl, and he would hurt or kill him for the money my dad owed. I’ve always wanted to tell you I have family in Alabama. It’s only my grandfather, but he owns a ranch there. I was thinking, even though I haven’t talked to him in years, I know he will take us in. We can go there to hide. I was close with my grandfather until my mom died, and my father started gambling. He was so frustrated with my dad, and they had a falling out. I’ve missed him like crazy, and I know he won’t turn us away. Please don’t be mad,” she rambles out practically all in one breath. Almost like she is afraid if she doesn’t get it all out now, she never will.
I’m silent for a few minutes but nod in response, absorbing everything she just said. My mind races with this possibility. I know she'll be safe if I can at least get Milani to this ranch. I can figure the rest out later.
“I could never be mad at you, Milani,” I tell her honestly. “I’ll keep you safe and get you there.”
She nods and takes a deep breath before saying, “I know you will, Linc. Even if we don’t make it there, I know we’ll have each other—Always. Now get some sleep, big brother.”
I close my eyes, and the next thing I know, my alarm is vibrating and waking me up. I let Milani sleep for a bit while I keep watch, but we’re on the move again before the sun rises.
We keep moving, more determined than before, with a destination in mind. Well, a destination for her, at least. Finally, as the sun warms the morning chill, we see a bus station in the distance. This must be a good sign. It has to be. I pull us to the front doors of the bus station, stop, take a quick look around, and turn to my only family now.
“Here, Milani, take this money. I’m giving you half. I want you to get on a bus to New Hampshire. Once you get there, take another bus I don’t know about. Keep taking buses until you get to Alabama. Make it to your grandfather’s ranch you told me about last night and stay hidden. That should put everyone off your path. No one knows about your grandfather’s ranch, right?” I ask, just needing to make sure I’m the only one who knows.
“I never told anyone, only you and just last night,” she whispers, looking at the money I placed in her hands.
“Good, I’ll do everything I can to never let them find you, but I need you to keep your head down. Don’t tell anyone you’re alone. If anyone asks, your parents are in the bathroom. Whatever you do, just get to your grandfather,” I tell her, shoving her toward the ticket counter.
“What are you going to do? I don’t want to leave you. You’ve always been by my side, protecting me. You can come with me, Linc,” she begs, but I’m already shaking my head.
“Someone’s got to lead these guys on a wild goose chase. I’ll throw them off your trail,” I tell her, smiling again. “I’ll leave here and go to California, or New Mexico, or something. I won’t let them find you. When I’m sure you’re safe, I’ll come find you in Alabama.”
“But I never told you the name of the ranch, Linc. How will you find me?” she asks, her eyes filling with tears. I know she wants to tell me the name, but it’s safer for her if I don’t know.
“I’ll find you. I promise, Milani. Didn’t I always tell you I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you? What are big brothers for?” I say to my sister with what is becoming my signature grin. With a heavy heart that I don’t let her see, I shove her once again just as I see a dark SUV pull up to the station. Time for me to keep running and keep them off Milani’s trail like I’ve vowed.
“They’re here, Milani, hurry, and I’ll distract them, just… Run!” I tell her, turning and yelling at the men climbing out of the SUV, seeing Tim, Carl’s right-hand man. The guy is almost as sick and twisted as Carl, but he likes his victims really young. I’ll never let that bastard get his hands on Milani.
“Want me? Come and get me, fucker,” I yell when I see Milani has already got her ticket and is standing by the doors of the bus.