Leaving

Annabel/Allison

After what seems like a lifetime, I finally hear footsteps outside the conference room. Outside the sun has gone down, and I am sure I have been sitting here for hours. 

“Annabel, are you still here?” Mr. Felton’s hush voice echoes in the empty room. I peek out and it’s only him. 

“I’m here.” I say, crawling out from my hiding place. “What time is it?” 

“Almost midnight. I brought you food, and something to drink. You must be starving.” I looked at him for a second, before realizing what he said. The smell of the food invaded my senses. 

“I’m used to..” I shut my mouth and Mr. Felton raises an eyebrow. 

“Used to what exactly?” I shake my head. I am not going to say it out loud, because once said I can’t take it back. “Alright. Let’s get this show on the road.” He sits down at the conference table, food, drinks and paperwork in tow. 

“I made a call to the bank today, after your husband left - which wasn’t an easy feat by the way. Someone tattled, and I will make an inquiry as to who. They have no place with us moving forward. I also called a car dealership on your behalf and explained the situation. They agreed to make the papers in your new name, which is going to be Allison Delphi Solei. My friend is making your new documents as we speak, and I made a request to the office of identity - also telling them what is going on. I hope all of this is okay?” I have my mouth full of a delicious warm chicken/cheese sandwich when he asks me that, and I have to swallow hard to get it down. Mr. Felton laughs. “No need to choke on the food, Allie.” He says, trying a new nickname. I take a sip of the soda, which he has put in front of me with the food, and think it over. 

“Would I never again be Annabel Simmons?” 

“I’m afraid not. But this is the best way to do it.” 

“Wouldn’t Bane be able to see my name change and find me?” Mr. Felton shakes his head. 

“I asked them to seal your records, and only have the name change moving forward. I also required a new credit card from the bank, which was part of the reason I called them.” He puts an envelope on the table. “There is cash in here as well. A good luck thing from me personally, and no you cannot decline it!” I look at it for a second before looking at him again. 

“How did you manage all this in a day?” He shrugs. 

“I've been a lawyer for many years, and I have developed methods. I also know how to hide someone who wants to disappear.” I raise an eyebrow, but I decide to not ask questions. Perhaps I am not as alone in this as I thought. 

“Thank you! And the car?” 

“You need something proper, and I didn’t think you would mind I spent a little on it, but it also cannot stand out from the crowd. I bought you a new ford SUV that could be delivered today. It’s in the parking basement. We’ll go in a bit.” I nod, my mind swirling around everything that has happened today. 

After we ate and signed the papers Mr. Felton looks at his wrist watch. 

“3 minutes and I’ll follow you down to your new car. Go to this address.” He slides a piece of paper over the table. “Ask for Shawn and he’ll provide you with the right paperwork. I also changed the deed to the cottage in Marigold to your name, so you just have to drive here. It’ll be about a month-long road trip, but you’ll be far away from Bane Hassle. Which reminds me.” He takes out another set of papers. “I drew up divorce papers. I just need you to sign them, and I’ll have them served to him. You don’t need to do anything, I will contact you when it’s in order. I’ll also need your new number, and you will be saved as Allie. Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” I nod, signing the papers and hoping to the heavens he is right. A month-long road trip? I can do that! Anything to get away from Bane and start over. 

“Come on, we need to go now. We have a 15 minute window to get you out of here!” I look at him strangely while putting the envelope with my new credit card and money in my bag. 

“How?” 

“Like I said - I’ve been in this game a long time. I know how, when and where to smuggle people out unseen. Now come on.” 

Down in the basement Mr. Felton leads me to a shining deep blue SUV! It’s a Ford Explorer, and even though I know nothing about cars, I know this is a good brand. Not too flashy and not too ordinary. 

“This is us. They just got a new bunch of these in house. It has everything you’ll need from climate control to GPS and tinted windows so no one can see in. Oh, and it’s an automatic of course. You do know how to drive, right?” I almost laugh at his question. It’s like that just occurred to him.

“Yes, I have my drivers license and I know how to drive.” 

“Phew! Good! It had all the newest safety features and a leather cabin. You should be all set. I have set the address of my friend into the GPS and the address of the cottage as a favorite. You need to go now.” I give him a hug, feeling awkward and grateful at the same time. “Make sure you’re careful until you get to this address. I stocked up on snacks and drinks for you. You should be good for a few days.” He hands me the keys to the car and something that looks like a house key, which has to be for the cottage. and as I open the door I feel a sense of freedom I haven’t felt in a long time.

I drive out into the night, with the sound of the car and radio surrounding me. Occasionally the GPS tells me to take a turn or something, but other than that it’s peaceful.

After driving through the night, I decided to take a nap at a gas station in the wee hours of the morning. I don’t have a phone or anything, but I hope I’ll just sleep for a couple of hours. Not that I’m not used to not sleeping, it’s just that the adrenaline of everything is wearing off and now I’m actually getting tired.

Waking up I feel very disoriented, but the situation quickly catches up with my sleepy brain. I sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and move to the front seat. The empty parking lot by the gas station is no longer empty, and when I start my car the clock says it’s 2.30pm. I slept for almost nine hours. How is that possible? I can’t believe it, but then again, I have never felt safer in many years. Not even before I was forced to marry Bane.

After going inside the gas station to pee, I return to the car and find some food and a water bottle from the floor of the passenger seat. I munch on some fruit and a cold ham and cheese sandwich before turning the car back on and driving the last of the way to Mr. Felton’s friend. The rest of the drive takes about an hour. 

I park in front of the address on the GPS and it’s an expensive looking apartment building. I park just out front, making my way inside where a security worker asks who I am visiting. I give him the name and he calls up. He gives me permission to ride up with the elevator to the 6th floor, where a man is waiting for me.

“Here.” He says, thrusting a large envelope in my hands and going back inside. I look into it, seeing a new passport, drivers license etc. I quickly make for the exit again, and plot the new address in Marigold into the GPS, putting the papers in the glove compartment.   

I have been driving for almost three weeks nonstop. Only stopping for gas, toilet breaks, sleep or food. Although I have made it a habit to take snacks and food with me in the car, so that won’t be a factor in delaying my arrival at Marigold. 

I keep being on the lookout for Bane or his men, but so far it seems I escaped him. I can’t believe it worked. I actually got away! 

As I am nearing my end goal, I need to do some personal shopping, and here I feel like I’ll be safe going into stores etc. I plot in the nearest mall, making my purchase with a racing heart as I have to interact with people for the first time since I fled. Everything goes smoothly though, after the first store, and I get everything I need from bags, to clothes, underwear and electronics. 

After everything I get some late lunch/early dinner, and ask the waiter if they know of a good motel? He gives me the address, and I’m again on my way. The motel indeed seems very nice, and the man at the reception is very friendly. He takes my name and gives me a key to room 104. 

“You can park right in front of it, miss.” He says with a kind smile and I thank him. 

In front of the room I walk up and unlock it, and I was right. The room is spacious and clean.I carry all my things from the car, which takes a few trips back and forth, before locking the car and closing the door to my room. I lock that door as well, looking at everything I got. I even remembered having the man in the electronics store give me a new number for the phone. 

After unpacking everything and folding clothes etc, I decide to take a shower, which is amazing! Just what I needed after three weeks on the road with the occasional wash in a gas station bathroom.

After the bath I examine myself in the bathroom mirror. I am still way too skinny, unhealthy skinny. But I can also see I have gained weight since my departure from hell on earth. My eyes are not dimmed with hopelessness anymore, and my skin has gotten its glow back. As has my hair, especially with the products I just used. The bruises on my ribs, stomach and thighs are not so visible anymore, although still very present. I rub moisturizing cream all over my body before jumping into my new underwear and PJs. Then I brush my teeth before brushing my hair and putting it into a french braid. I put on a face mask, sit down on the bed and sort out all my new things. I opened my new phone and set that up with my new number and everything. I text Mr. Felton my new number saying it’s from Allie. He doesn’t reply, which I didn’t think he would anyway. 

I set up an email with my new identity, making it possible for me to set up a music app and other apps like that. Now I can enjoy my own music in the car. I use the remainder of the time with the mask on making playlists and listening to certain songs. I love music and find it soothing listening to it while working on my things. 

That night I lay in a bed with peace in my heart. I am far away from Banes' grasp and finally truly free. It’s exhilarating and frightening at the same time. My phone is charging on the bedside table, and I have an alarm for early in the morning so I can get a good start on the day. I still have almost a week to go, and that is if I drive straight through. I won’t though. I will drive for two days, and then stop to sleep in a bed, get a shower and take care of myself. I think the most important thing I can do now is to take care of myself. I also need to start making a list of what I’ll need for the cottage. I don’t know what state it’s in, so I won't know for sure before I am there, but it’s a start at least.