Chapter Five

Freya glanced casually through the immaculate painting art works inside the bedroom where she'd been lying all day, for the past few weeks, receiving both treatment and at the same time enjoying a nice hospitality from some strangers. Just next to her bed, besides the small cupboard was a beautiful flower vase; that she'd often got attracted to during the sunny days. In the unfamiliar territory where she found herself because of Bob Joker who was after her life. Then she heaved a sigh of relief as though she has been over burdenend these whole time. Already it was two o'clock on the dot, she'd soon realized from the beautiful rolex on her wrist. A special memorial gift from the old couples, that they've always cherish since the beginning of their marital journey together. After Beatrice heaved a sigh, then she went close to her in such a pensive pace, breaking free from her husband's embrace. She gently took her hands in hers and let out a narrow smile, while they continued staring at each other in silence for a while without saying anything about their sweet memories for the short time which she'd stayed up until the day off today. The corners of her lips broaden more with a beam before she finally began to speak.

"Freya... It's really hard to say goodbye now. All night long as I lay down in the quietness of each passing day, I nearly seem to have asked God why didn't He give me Freya as my own child? You're such a sweetheart and I hope that's quite fair enough."she told her. While her thumbs were gently rubbing the back of Freya's palms.

"I promise to always cherish every piece of memories that we have all spent together till my dying day." She swallowed hard a lumps of saliva as tears stung her eyes gradually. She continued. "I hate to see myself departing from here. But all the same, thank you very much for preserving my life. God bless you all till I see you again." she added, while she soon broke down in tears. Then quickly rushed into her arms. She allowed the flowering linen blouse of many colours, to soak up the tender tears that was trekking down her cheeks; as she rested her head upon the feeble shoulders of Mrs Beatrice.

Marcus slowly walked up to them and embraced them together in his broad arms. While they all stood there for a while without saying a word. The silence lasted for a few more minutes, not because a lack what to say for now. But because they felt like words are just too few to express how much of love it takes to convey those rare gentle feelings from within.

"I'd love to call you Ivana, when I shall see your beautiful face again. Yeah Freya. That's one of my dreams and favorite name that we've keep for our first daughter. Though the gracious God might have forgotten to give us one, while we waited until this very moment. Well, it's still ok. Kindly take good care of yourself for all of us please." Marcus resolved, as he dipped his left hand inside his coat breast pocket, and brought out a little white shit paper with a handwritten notes on it. Then continued. "Here you go, that's you seat ticket for the St Fransco train to Herbiscus Island. We actually ordered it online, so that you don't have to bother yourself. Always remember to keep it safe on the way." he added.

She quickly took it from him and glanced over it in a surprise. She just couldn't help smiling like a little girl in disbelief.

"Thank you very much, Mr and Mrs Marcus. I'm so humbled in your love." she said, running back into their arms again.

"You're welcome here, anytime." they replied.

Without further hesitation, she got the phone and her ticket tucked inside her jeans pocket for a safe keeping. Later she turned around and slowly walked towards the exit door, with her right hand on the doorknob, she spontaneously pushed the door wide open then looked back a second time; and there she saw them hugging each other and their eyes met with hers. She nodded her head, heaved another sigh and stepped out of the room. She slammed the door behind her gently as if not wanting to distract them and began to walk away. She turned leftward down the street towards the highway. From there she carefully gazed on the costly rolex watch she was wearing around her waist. But she didn't bother to look back again just as she kept on walking downtown. In fact, it was one of the best gift that she'd ever had from anyone outside a family bond. It seems she'd deliberately flashback to where the whole nightmare started. That particular rolex looked exactly like the one that was bought by her father for her on the day of her birthday when she turned eighteen. Precisely seven summers back. It even glitters the more as the sun ray made it looked like it was manufactured yesterday. So admirable to every eye that cares to catch a glimpse. What a beautiful gift that will keep reminding her of the nice old couples and even her father too. Yeah they always say that time travel, perhaps good memories do most definitely.

Meanwhile, it nearly caused her another tears drop, just as she keeps moving forward but still looking back staring at the door which she'd just shot early on, barely few seconds ago. As though hope to see their faces inside through the wooden close door that is not transparent. Immediately she beamed a spontaneous smile, such as she'd usually wore to mask up her face because of the hidden pains in her heart. When ever she realized that Bob had tore her family apart and even robbed them of the free happiness giving by nature, and there is this tendency to fight back some day. It seems like there is an obvious reason for the less privileged citizens to start thinking otherwise for a self defense. Not to mention her innocence yet it still appeared like she was a victim and a vanquish despite all her loss. But he that fights and run away will definitely live to fight another day.

Some special few people might dare to want to ask why would she be running and hiding like a rogue, while Bob Joker is out there living and enjoying just like every other free man is doing out there. Of course, everyone else actually thought that she had it all to prove her innocence, maybe or not, all the evidence beyond every reasonable doubt; but Bob on the borderline between her and the security of Los Bahamas have all the necessary influence. Little did anyone else cares to see the opposite. She soon took off the rolex watch and put it in her jeans pocket for some reason best known to only herself.

Hiking the distance, walking up and down the street from the inn downtown in the outskirts of the county to the highway wasn't really funny. Its all a lonely walk and for the past thirty minutes ago no vehicle had passed her. She was now exhausted but after she noticed a sign post by the road side indicating a restaurant ahead. Just a kilometer from where she was. She summoned courage to take few more steps. Apparently she wasn't used to a life like this. Okay, perhaps that should be an awful headache to begin another weird daydreaming. The neighbourhood weren't busy that day probably because of the cold weather.

There was actually no doubt about the fact that the cold was already affecting her despite the jacket she was wearing after recovering from the after effects of that fatal accident. It's time to get started with the next outdoors adventure while she tried to escape through the rough route to the train station. Already winter had barely begun in most part of the city. Trees and beautiful flowers had lost their splendour to the heavy snow. Snowmen are all outside doing their job. Shoveling out some heaps of snowflake from various walkways and parking lot around town. Its so cold that people have to brewed coffee every now and then to get warm. Now that she had found herself in this unfamiliar town where she could rarely get acquainted with the different streets road. She stopped abruptly standing motionless in the winter clothes facing a T-junction. It seem very unusual of her to anyone who cares to notice. Actually one might think she was marinated from the coffee she'd brewed early on.

It was really fun to also noticed that she had never taxied anywhere in her whole life in a public cab before she'd become of age. Perhaps she'd loved to give it a try for the very first time, and since the idea was really driving her nut. Even though this weren't how she wants it, but she hope to get the best part of this experience today. Half of her was nervous about it because of those hunting parties, who are out there looking for her; but the other half was keen to give it a try.

But at the same time, Freya could recall back then at the hospital where she was working, how one of her colleague tried to persuade her to get used to public taxi during a discussion, and she liked that sense of humour as a matter of fact. Matt is one big fat yank who would never bothered to put his gluttony under control. Especially back then when he was nearly obese. The dude easily get pissed off when adviced to consider some simple exercise. Perhaps hiking short distances to nearby blocks up and down town on a weekly basis. Nope! Shove it off. Someone needs to put the young physician under supervision on a daily routine before he explode.

Soon she was suddenly jolted out of those sweet memories abruptly by a car horn coming behind her back. It's sometimes complicating to taxi during winter, due to snowflakes covering most of the driveway. There could be lot of cars on the street including police vehicles during this period because of emergency; because during the winter in Los Bahamas, parking can be very difficult. Cops are even pissed off on the street, trying to take note of different series of complaints from people in all the neighborhood. Most times people get in fights when they found out that someone else's has occupied the space they shoveled out for their vehicles.

It seems funny, really funny when she saw a particular car at the lawn of another building, its windshield was almost covered up with snowflakes. And the wipers could barely do their job to wipe them off. Even its tyres were likewise buried beneath the snowflakes too. It's freezing outside and there are few pedestrians on the street that her eyes could see, walking in the shelter of their winter coats. Nothing looked familiar. Freya wasn't sure if she could taxi down town to catch up with the four o'clock train at the train station that day. . Winter season is most likely full of chaos every single day and it's easier to get into trouble with hoodlums. Moreover, rush hour driving has even made street crossing a whole lot harder.

Fortunately, a car halted few metres away from where she stood almost frozen, then it reversed backwards right in front of her and the driver applied the brakes.

"Hey...hi pretty!" the youngster said, smiling at her almost immediately.

Freya retreated a little backwards for safety purposes, still silent with her bright eyes widely opened; scanning all over the city cab that was parked right in front of her. As though she was looking for some sentimental excuse to avoid the gentleman and his old corolla sport, even when she supposed its engine was in good condition. But she doesn't really like the car. Freya could aptly termed to be a car fanatic and she loves the flashy brand new Toyota products.

"It looks stupid right?" he quickly added, then chuckled shyly at the same time. But still there wasn't any response possibly coming from her. Puzzled. He continued, "Common, stop staring at it like that, ma'am. Its for my grandpa." he explained innocently.

"Your grandpa? Gees, I seriously doubt your car can barely even travel half a mile. Hmm, then how am I supposed to know if the papers are still Intact, since it belongs to your..." she stammered, as if struggling to get the word out of her mouth.

"Grandpa." he interrupted.

"Yeah, so you said." she noted.

"Of course, you won't believe this, ma'am. This car can travel anywhere around the world. It's cool trust me."

"Wow! So interesting but I'm afraid I don't trust people this days. Yeah, like seriously, because I've had more than a enough trouble in my jacket already. So I doubt if I would really have time for more."

"Yeah, that's more like it. Maybe you needn't have to say a word because I'm one of the coolest person you've never seen before I bet. But wait a sec, let me get this straight, does it mean you wanna call 911 because of my car or something?"

"Apparently."

"O common, don't judge it by its look. Listen up, I totally understand what you're thinking about but I bet it can take you anywhere around town. The engine is perfectly in good condition save for the head lights only. They really suck when driving during the summer nights. Okay, don't tell me you're nervous." he told her, maintaining a cute smile.

"Perhaps, you still haven't answered my question yet. I mean the vehicle papers. Gees, it's my first time boarding a city cab, and I'm ain't gonna allow you or anyone else to convey me inside that vehicle without you having your papers correct." she exhaled.

"Gosh, why should you bother about that when you're not even a cop in the first place? Okay fine, the papers are genuine and correct." he explained.

"Good and fine." she replied.

"I'm Broderick Murphy from Boxiton, western Los Bahamas. Pleased to meet your acquaintance." he said, with such a reassuring smile. Likewise extending his right hand to shake hers which she reluctantly gave.

"Ok, I'm Freya Harvey. I think that's quite fair enough to know because I'm ain't gonna tell you where I came from; no, no, no. By the way, I'm heading out to St Fransco rail station as you might want to know. I've got a train to catch and my ticket is ready with me." she explained.

"Whoa! That's quite a distance to be honest with you. And I'm afraid to tell that it will cost you a lot of money. And believe me when I told you that I can always be your chauffeur for the rest of the day, unless you wanna change your mind." he told her, and while he maintained a casual smile.

Now that she already knew how frustrating and dangerous it might be should anything prevented her from boarding the train, she didn't bother to negotiate with him. It is nothing compared to the joy of being taxied in a city cab and with such a nice gentleman as a chauffeur. She got out the money from her pocket then gave it to him.

"Here you go. You can have them all. But one more question for you, Broderick, I suppose you should know better than me that there are lots of check points on the way?" she questioned rhetorically, probably trying to tease her newly hired chauffeur.

"Just relax yourself and enjoy the drive. Trust me, Freya, no cop can stop us till I take you to your final destination. Consider it as part of our deal.

"O boy! It's awesome. Yeah, that's cool with me."

"Done deal. But I guess this is much more than you're supposed to pay for my service, ma'am." he resolved.

"Never mind. It's all yours now."

"Then what are you waiting for? Hop in let's get the hell out of here. I'm gonna love this trip. Cause it's gonna be fast and furious and I don't give a damn piece of shit about those cops."

"Hold on a second, I thought you said that you're the coolest guy? Please I don't want any trouble. Just take it easy with the wheel drive and that's cool with me. Absolutely."

"Yeah, but not all the time. I'm tested and trusted big time."

He chuckled. On noticing that she was a neophyte and wasn't conversant with the route. Anybody hiring a chauffeur would want to have them Interviewed, maybe to have a little knowledge about their occupational experiences. But here Broderick doesn't even have much to say because he was not doing it more often except during his leisure time. He'd skipped a lot of lectures at the driving academy, and maybe that's why he'd got himself into much trouble with the cop often times he'd broken the traffic laws.

"Never mind. Just do your job and its all yours for the taking. However, I've got something to procure at the shopping mall down the road okay. If you don't mind, I'm gonna stop by and get it please." she added.

"Alright, you've got no problem at all. Besides, you've paid for the service and I'm all yours, at your will for the driving."

She struggled with the door for little while, until he came out of the car and yanked it open for her. She kept quiet for a while, wondering what kind of a gentleman he was, who doesn't seem to care about anything else instead want to risk his own life for her. She could barely think about herself now even when her stomach hurts so bad because of the cold, she just said a short prayer in her half doubting and half believing mind. While the door was still opened for her. Then she got in on the back seat and he closed the door gently.

Later he after he'd entered into the car and started the engine, he pondered a few more minutes before he finally got a clue what to say for a safer suggestion. St Fransco is about an hour and thirty minutes drive from where they were talking, and the last train is usually scheduled at 4pm. By the time he'd peeped at the time in the dashboard inside the car, he realized it was already two thirty on the dot. His countenance suddenly went sour as he turned off the car ignition.

"Hmm, I guess there is a little problem here. I'm sorry I've got to decline because we will never gonna make it right on time for the last train." he said sadly, then continued talking after a brief pause and while they both stared at each other in surprise. He continued.

"Here, take back your money." he added, then gave her back her money immediately.

"Gees, don't tell me you're turning down my offer. What kind of a chauffeur are you, by the way?"

"One of a kind."

"Are you kidding me or something? Listen here, I'm not taking back the money whether you like it or not, I believe is your job so drive this car now; and stop wasting more time already. I suppose you should know of a shorter route down town to get us there quick." she told him.

"Perhaps, there's no way to the train station without a check point. Now, what do you think?"

"I...i don't know. Just suit yourself, okay."

After a brief moment of a solemn contemplation, it seemed she'd cajoled him to give in otherwise she doesn't want to waste another moment of waiting on the road side. Later, they soon set out but without talking to each other for some few minutes. She sat down quietly staring at the unfamiliar location through the window, just as he turned the car faster to follow a shorter troute. It never took long enough before they soon got pissed off with the long silence after many arguments. He tried a gesture which made it pretty much ridiculous. She isn't blending. Maybe there are so much on her mind to think about than to talk about with a common stranger like him. When they eventually arrived at the shopping mall, he applied the brake and then the car halted in a small space that has been shoveled out just by the entrance next to the walkway. It was obviously not quite far away from the U-turn that led out of the parking lot into the street.

Freya raced out from the car into the building where she soon procured some costly imported beverage. The beverage which were well packaged inside a beautiful customized bag with its registered logo on it. While he sat down inside the car waiting and frowning slightly, another car drove by and held an emergency brake few metres away from the cab, that was probably obstructing the way.

"Hey dude, pull your ass out of the way before I call the cops." yelled an old lady, from inside a truck, grabbing the steering wheel in rage.

The sound of the old lady's voice soon sent a shock into his spine. Maybe this could be considered as one of the contingency he'd never anticipated when he was over duely paid for the service. Though it's a kinda familiar circumstances as usual. He geared up the car immediately and pulled over to park in front of the next block, where he could wait conveniently till she gets back as a slight change of plans.

Nothing seems the same by the time she came back and couldn't find the car outside right on the particular place it was before she left. She was surprised. She quickly began to scan the parking lot whether the cab was there waiting. Yet pissed off another time. A frantic feeling soon ran through her already shivering body. Even though it was so cold, she didn't bother to pull on the jacket hood because it always messed up her hair. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a ponytail that trailed down her back and partly on her shoulders too. It suddenly dawn on her instantaneously, that she was left with just a little bit of hope to either catch the train or lose the money. Another beautiful moment of her life was now at the verge of ruin. She'd thought within herself because there weren't much time left, yet her cab is nowhere to be found. There was a big wall clock at the entrance of the shopping mall, and it was even making the situation a whole lot cumbersome. Every tick tack it made seemed to pissed her off more and more.

Little wonder she could barely noticed anything besides the few cars that she could see moving in and out of the parking lot. Pissed off. Even the phone battery was dead, Freya began pacing around in a suppressed rancour. Wringing her hands with the bag of beverage she'd bought earlier, switching between outright bawling and pitiful whimpering at a time. She was almost petrified by the sound of the masculine voice from behind. Which was probably not too familiar. So ridiculous. He has been waiting right in front of the next storey block. He was actually guarding the vacant space he'd found over there. But at the same time, he was probably protecting his ass from getting into another trouble again.

Although he'd been standing in the cold yet he appeared very warm in a dark blue pea coat, on a white turtleneck sweater, also she could bet they are quite old but still very neat and tidy. No doubt that the fabric of his coat was now obviously due for a rag. Sooner or later this winter it might have finished serving it's purpose for him.

"Over there." he said gently, pointing towards the next storey.

"Gosh, you nearly scared a life out of me."

"My apologies, please."

Looking up and down the block and noticed the walkways were clear, with periodic spaces open so people could possibly get across the street without necessarily looking for zebra crossing lines. Snowflakes actually pelted his face making it somehow difficult for her to quickly recognize him at first. Holding out his hand in hers then picked up the stuff with the other hand, as they hurried up to the car like a gang of robbers. As soon as they realized that time was seriously running against them, he knew immediately that she was pissed off and nervous that instant.

"Sir..."

"Please, call me, Broderick."

"OK, Broderick, please I need you to hurry up a little more. Please I'm running out of patience." she cried.

"Sure, why not. My life is in your hands and I love the sound of that. You may fasten your seatbelt cause we're about to take off." he said, watching out for her next reactions through the inner mirror while they waited for a traffic lights to give the green light signal.

"Don't be ridiculous, just keep driving, Broderick. I suppose you have no idea how important this trip means to me. I've got myself a first class ticket and you think it doesn't matters to you." she queried, with a little bit of wrath on her breath as she spoke.

"Listen ma'am, as you can see I'm doing the best I can. And I don't give a damn whether first class or not, I'll definitely get you inside that train. Hang on." he assured.

"Don't be a silly grouch. This car isn't moving fast enough mister. Gosh, I should have known better."

The phone battery was totally dead now. Just as her eyes spotted the car charger in front, she felt a little bit of relief even though it seems okay for her to get vulnerable every now and again. It didn't make any difference to her because her life and family was at risk already. And suppose she wanted to get in touch with him, if she should miss her way home from the inn, she can always confined in him now.

She gestured to him from the inner mirror, but he pretended like he didn't care about her at first. Later she said, "Please may I have my phone battery charger in your car?"

"No problem, if you want to."

After plugging it and immediately they came out of a sharp curve on the road, to saw a check point. But when he noticed that it was just one sheriff officer that was on duty, they didn't feel frightened that much. The car was still rolling up in a slow motion until the sheriff order him to stop and pull over to the other side of the road. He sat down on a chair, and then he gently got up suddenly and drew closer staring at the familiar face at the passenger seat behind.

Casanova jumped out of the cubicle where he'd been keeping up with his duty at the check point, and walked straight to Freya in the back seat. He remembered again, unwillingly drafted, the sudden rush of reality that had come that evening after the call from Bob Joker. He nodded his head thoughtfully over and over again. She was sore afraid now, because she knows who he was and what he does for a living. Not just a sheriff officer but a formidable mafia in Los Bahamas working together with Bob. The quick and certain proof that this was no game they were playing, no treasure hunt. Their eyes caught up with each other steadily now.

The sheriff officer laughed brutally, then ordered them to put their hands up and slowly get out of the car. Pissed off. Broderick was surprised to see him pointing his gun at Freya.

"Is anything wrong, officer?" he asked innocently.

"No," he said. "Nothing's wrong buddy." He forced a pretentious smile. Continued. "She probably couldn't settle an old debt before she ran out of town," he explained further. "I just want to have a quick chat with her."

"It's all lie, don't listen to him, Broderick." she cried in a whisper.

"It's all right now."

"I know." She closed her eyes for a brief moment, opened them again. Still shivering in fear as she bites the side of her lip not knowing how to convey the emergency message to him. "Maybe I should have told you lately. It was the waiting. I thought I was very brave to handle the situation."

"Yeah, you were a little too brave, sweetheart." the officer remarked.

"I don't think so. She's petrified of the gun you're pointing at her. O boy, perhaps, you just have to take everything easy officer."

"Stay out of it if you don't wanna get hurt."

Casanova slowly stepped forward and put the muzzle of his gun against her head inside the back seat. Freya began to whine immediately. "Step out of the car now, or I'll blow your head up." he told her. He forced Freya out of the car and pushed her harder until she fell violently to the ground. He pulled her up and closer, then stuck the gun into her chest just below and between her breasts.

"I hope you have the tape?"

When he never expected, Broderick stepped out and swung at him. He threw a left, hard punch at his face, not thinking, just over reacting. And his mouth started bleeding. Broderick agitated a second time, but he missed his target, and let the punch go over his shoulder. He pushed her down with full force and reversed the gun in his hand and laid the side of the gun butt across Broderick's forehead unfortunately. He took one more little step and staggered, a half-step again, loss balance, and fell to the ground.

His head was really spinning by the time he'd fallen down. He noticed a little trace of blood on the side of his face. Casanova jumped on him with his finger on the trigger, Broderick quickly got up on one knee but was not fighting back very hard. Freya got on her feet and pushed herself up and rushed towards him, as they both struggled with the gun in the air. While Broderick was still groaning in excruciating pain.

By the time she had noticed that the officer was already overpowering her, Freya stuck out a foot and kicked his balls; then he slowly fell down on his two knees. She quickly threw the gun back into the cubicle, supported Broderick back to his feet and they got into the car.

"Don't screw up, Broderick. Let's get out of here."