FIRST GLANCE

Neither the darkness of the night nor the freezing rain would stop me.

I couldn't see anything because of how late it was and the clothes I was wearing, the only thing I had with me besides from the small bag my sister had given me, started to get soaked and make my body shiver from the ice water falling on me at that moment.

Then my tears couldn’t be contained any longer, and I started to cry for the fear drowning me, but it was too late to go back, because if I did, I knew what awaited me in that place.

Suddenly I stopped as the lights of a car shone on my faces, which made my breathing stop.

The car lowered its lights and when it was close to me, I realized that it was a cargo truck and that it was driven by a woman.

“Are you lost, girl?” the lady shouted from the other side of the road to be heard above the rain.

"I'm going to New York,” I answered back, afraid to get closer.

What I said must have been funny as the lady started to laugh louder.

"I'm going there too,” she said smiling at me. "And unless you have a lot of money, you're never going to get there, girl. We are somewhat far from your destination.”

"I only have a hundred dollars.” the only thing my sister had managed to steal.

“Why don't you get in, girl?” the woman tapped the side of the truck in invitation form “You can buy me breakfast in the morning.”

Without much thinking, since I had no other options, I ran to the truck and got in it, grateful that the interior was warm and dry.

"My name is Silvie, girl. What about you?” The lady asked starting quickly.

"Evangeline,” I murmured feeling myself relax for the first time in days.

"That’s a very long name for someone so small. Eva is easier.”

I said nothing. This woman was helping me, so she could call me whatever she wanted.

“How old are you, Eva?

“Thirteen.”

“And what are you looking for in New York?

“My brother Michael.”

“Do you have an address? Maybe I can leave you where he lives.”  Silvie insisted.

"My sister gave me a paper with something written on it,” I explained feeling that fear came back to me, "But the rain damaged it and I don't know what it said."

Contrary to everything I thought she would say, Silvie simply nodded.

"Well, I'm not a fortune teller, Eva. But you look like someone running from something ugly, so I won't leave you on your own, girl. But I can't have you with me either, my sister has a bar in town though, you can stay with her while you find your brother, okay? She will help you however she can... you won't need to run away anymore.

"Thanks,” I mumbled before breaking down in tears.

I would no longer need to run away.

I would find Michael and for the first time, I would be safe.