Finding new strenght

Annabel P.O.V.

The restless energy swirls through my body as I pack a bag with the things I need to take with me. I have put on make-up to conceal the bruises, and turned off my phone. I always turn it off before leaving the house, but I also always have it with me to turn it on when my half hour is up. 

Pete knocks on my door when the clock says 10 am, and I open with the bag in hand. He looks at it suspiciously, and I give him a smile. 

“Some things for the red cross.” I have done this before, and Bane thinks it’s to keep up pretenses, but it’s actually to help me today. This day has been coming for a long time, although there were times, like that night, I was sure I would never see this day. Pete grunts an answer and walks down in front of me. Neither of the men ever speak to me. They know it’ll be fatal if they try. Yes, Bane is that insane. 

Downstairs I don’t waste any time. I walk directly out to the car, going into the backseat. I know where my lawyer is located, and luckily for me it’s a few minutes walk from where Pete usually drops me off. 

The drive into town is silent, and I try to not seem as nervous as I feel. If Pete discovers something is up, then I’ll never be able to attempt this again. Bane will never allow me to walk around unaccompanied. 

“We’re here. Half an hour.” Pete says. He says the same thing every week. It’s the only thing he is allowed to say. I nod, open the backdoor, and go outside. The sun burns my fragile skin, and I walk to the red cross store, only making the turn towards the lawyer’s place at the last minute. I keep looking around discreetly for Bane’s men, but as usual I am not followed. 

“Welcome to Felton and Wisey, how may I help you?” A young woman asks when I walk inside the fancy looking building. 

“Hi. I am here to speak to Mr. Felton. My name is Annabel Simmons.” Her mouth dropped open. 

“One second, Miss Simmons.” She picks up the phone and a few seconds later I am standing in the elevator going to the 20th floor. 

When the doors open again an elderly man is waiting. He smiles when he sees me, and reaches out a hand. 

“Miss Simmons. I am very pleased to see you, but I was not sure if you remembered me when we spoke yesterday.” I shake his hand, looking around to see if I recognize anyone. I don’t. 

“I’m in a kind of a hurry. Can we speak privately?” He nods, his eyes showing concern. I look at the clock on the wall. I only have 20 minutes left before I have to be back, although I don’t plan to go back. 

“Of course, right this way!” He leads me down the hallway to a big office. When he closes the door I go right to the case. 

“Mr. Felton, you called me yesterday but I am afraid my phone is compromised. I need to leave town, and I need to do it today within the next 15 minutes. Would that be possible?” He opens his mouth only to close it again. 

“I’m afraid not, Miss Simmons. But I can assure you, you are quite safe here.” I sigh. 

“My husband..” He held up his hand. 

“I already spoke to your father, and I know what kind of monster he sold you too. Remember I am his estate lawyer as well. I will help you if you want to leave.” I nod, hope and courage building up in my stomach. 

“Are you sure no one knows I am here? The girl in the reception got my real name. She could tell someone.” Mr. Felton shakes his head.

“She knows not to reveal anything. If Bane Hassle comes running in guns blazing, she will deny having ever laid eyes on you.” 

“And your security?” 

“Top shelf. Relax Annabel, you are safe here!” The tears suddenly run down my cheeks as I finally feel just a smidge safe. I look over at the clock on the wall - one minute until I have to be back. Pete must be worried by now. He knows I am always early to not antagonize Bane.

“So, tell me, Annabel. Are you really running away after more than two years with that bastard? And what is that on your cheek?” I gasp. The make-up must have run down with my tears. “Does he hurt you?” Mr. Felton’s voice is tender and worried at the same time. I nod. 

“Do you have a bathroom?” I ask, deciding then and there to not hide how I look anymore. He nods, pointing to the door on the right. I’m already late, and I have nothing to lose anymore. I go in there and wash my face free of make-up. The black and blue bruises are ugly and reminds me of the severe beating I got only last night. I do not bend over the sink very much as it hurts my ribs and back. 

When I came back out from the bathroom, Mr. Felton cursed like a sailor, almost making me laugh. 

“How on earth are you still alive, child?” He asks, his eyes wide at the sight of my face. I sigh again. 

“He doesn’t want to kill me. Or he didn’t want to kill me. He wanted to punish me for some reason or other. I actually did die. Once.” 

“You died?” 

“Yes, last night. Or so he and his doctor say. They revived me. Why, I have no idea. But I died for a couple of minutes.” This is the first time I think about it, and strangely enough, the thought is not hurtful nor scary. I’m just puzzled. Why he would revive me when he finally was rid of me is beyond me, but he did, and perhaps that is why I have this new will to leave? 

“Annabel, you are one of a kind. What can I do to help?” 

“I need a new name, identity, and I need to get out of here. I know none of my things I have with me are bugged thanks to your security downstairs, but I need to get away. I had nothing before, but now that I am 22...”

“Your inheritance?” I nod and he smiles. 

“I kind of lost hope when I spoke to you yesterday, and when your father turned up here with that ghastly woman to claim inheritance from you..” 

“My father did that?” I’m sitting opposite Mr. Felton again, and lucky I did or I would have fell over. I knew my father didn’t like me, but I never knew the extent of Estrella’s poison. 

“Did you?”

“Of course not! It’s not his!” I take a breath, not realizing I was holding it. 

“I know a guy in another town who helps with new identities. He’ll help you. And I have a credit card here for you. No, your dad does not know which bank, and yes they are aware of your difficult situation. They will not say anything either. They are used to this and that. Lastly, I have a cottage in the town of Marigold in your grandmother’s name. Nothing your father knew about. It was her secret. I don’t even think your mother knew.” I look at all the papers. The world spins for a second. I am really doing this. 

“What do you need from me?” 

“A signature that you have seen this, and..” 

“Mr. Felton, Mr Bane Hassle is here to speak with you.” My eyes widen, and fear takes over my entire body. 

“Tell him I am busy with a client and he needs to make an appointment.” 

“He is already on his way up, sir.” 

Within a minute I am led from Mr. Felton’s office into a conference room, where he makes me wait alone. He tells me to hide behind the couch in there, and then he is out the door. My heart is racing so fast I am afraid it’ll beat out of my chest. Dread, doubt and fear are competing to be the dominant feeling, and when the door opens and I hear Bane's voice, I almost cry out in pure agony. But I manage to hold my breath instead, hoping against all hope he won’t find me. 

“No one is in here, sir.” 

“Are you sure you haven’t seen her today, Mr. Felton? Some of your coworkers are sure they saw her come in.” Bane’s slick oily voice says from the hallway. 

“They must have been mistaken. I have not seen Annabel Simmons since the day I read the will of her mother right after her 18th birthday. I called her yesterday, but she didn’t remember me.” 

“As her husband, I can be of help with that will.” 

“No, you cannot, Mr. Hassle. Only Annabel can inherit it, and she is the only one who has a claim to it. As I told her father yesterday. Maybe she went to visit him?” Bane sneers at this. 

“Foolish girl. She’ll just hurt herself. Understand I am only looking out for my wife. She is clumsy.” The door abruptly closes, and I bite my lip to not make a sound.