Chapter Twenty One

Peter had helped me escape. First he used an oversized cuff, then he tricked my father away from the car, lastly, he distracted him from seeing me. Ahead of me, I could see the hotel. I had two options. Run into that hotel, and go with Sandy, or run away from everyone, with no phone, no credit card, no means of survival, no friends, nothing!
I will probably run until I am tired of running, run until I get kidnapped again. Run until I got to another city that was slightly safer. Run until my father recovered me. Run until I learnt self defense. Well, I wasn't going to live with a "lesbian hoe" in Keddy's own words. So instead, I limped to the greenish grass near the place my father's car was securely packed and hid. They would be unable to see me, unless they came there. And it was impossible for them to come there, they wouldn't imagine I would be hiding so closely. I in contrast could hear all they discussed.
While there, I was looking for possible ways to free myself from the cuffs on my legs. It was already cutting deep into my skin and leaving deep marks on it.
I tried using my earring again, and this time, it worked. Phew! I exhaled with excitement, my legs were finally free. It was sweaty, red, bruised and painful. I was about to leave my position, when I saw my father and Peter Mack approaching. I bent even lower, pledging allegiance to the grass if it would keep me safe.
"I had such a good time there." My father said merrily. He smelt heavily of gulder, which was his favorite brand of alcohol.
"I knew you would." Peter slapped his back. Peter was the first to get into the car. He used the remote control to unlock it, and then got into the driver's seat. "Come on mate! We need rest, you know we have an operation tonight."
"Right!" My father climbed in. The windows to the car were tinted, so I couldn't see anything going on inside. I waited for a scream, for my father to raise an alarm, for him to order sporadic shooting. All I heard was the sound of the engine revving, all I saw was smoke coming out from the exhaust pipe, and the car vanished from sight.
Run! My brain got the signal the moment the car was out of sight. I responded to the impulse. I skipped down the hill, following the lonely path that I had never been to since I stepped foot in Tramun city. Twist after twist, day after day, I couldn't guess what would be next. I kept my feet trudging ahead, left and then right. Left and then right. The pattern was repeated. I wasn't stopping anytime soon. Than goodness I was descending the hill, my energy was conserved.
Thirty minutes passed, and I found myself in a lonely area with a little deserted building. Long overdue grasses were the only neighbors it had. I was tired of running. I felt the little shrine was calling out to me, asking me to come into it. I could hear it promise me peace and solace, something no one else ever gave to me. I sighed, I was hoping they'd be water to drink or food in there. I answered the call, and strode into the house. It was long deserted, the desolate furniture said it all. I could fix something from nothing, I could turn this place into a home. The idea was ringing inside my head.
It wasn't locked, so from the living room of the bungalow, I explored further into the rooms, and I noticed it was completely safe to live in. Finally, luck smiled on me. And I had a good feeling about it.
An old television, although it seemed like it was spoiled. A little radio, extremely dusty sofas, this house was once inhabited. And it seemed like it hadn't been so long since whoever used to stay here left. Only one room had clothes in it and the room was owned by a female. Although the clothings in it was equally dusty and dirty. Nothing a good laundry couldn't fix. I didn't expect to find a place as convenient as this for no price. So I was expecting anything from anyone at any time.
But at least, I had a place to lay my head for the night. I wasn't expecting the cops to walk into the house and charge me for whatever crime this is. Infact, that was the last thing that could happen in this city. As crazy as it was, I was beginning to wonder if they actually had any security personnels. Everyone that had crossed my path was a mafia gangster. Either a drug lord, a pedophile, a kidnapper, a murderer or something insane. Were there no government personnels? Where were the cops? My father said not even the government dared get in his way… I was still lost in everything going on, but one thing was certain. I was very good at surviving.
Maybe this was some hideout for gangsters, maybe they used to hide kidnapped people here, maybe they raped girls in here, or maybe luck had just smiled on me. I got to work. It was almost six pm, and I needed at least one part of the house to look organized enough for me to sleep in.
I chose the living room. It was large with scanty properties in it. Just the sofas, abstract paintings on the wall, a concrete floor with a rug on it, and a center table. Using one of the clothes I retrieved from the room, I set out dusting the sofas. Then the rug, the table and the painting. There was electricity in the house, which meant someone was paying for it. Or was it different in Tramun city? Does the government give electricity, water supply and other things which I found inside the house for free? I was too desperate to overthink it. At least, I had a shower, and a place to sleep.
What more could I ask for?
I woke up the next day, to a sunny day and a great day. The refrigerator was empty but in good shape. The television wasn't working, neither was the laundry machine. The oven was spoiled too, but the stove was in good shape, for me to make a meal from the supplies I found in the kitchen. At the back of my heart, I kept wondering who owned the house. I was yet to find any document, portrait, or anything that gave me clues.
Whatever!
I enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner, changed into clean clothes, and busied myself with music from the radio. Nothing loud enough to attract people. The day ended with no drama, and I was beyond grateful to fate for making me find this place.
Another sunny day came and went. The routine was the same, I didn't dare step out of the house. Anyone could see me, and then tell the Sherlock Head Mafia Gangsters. I was yet to understand why Peter had helped me escape, and I tried to imagine the reaction of my father when he finally found out what was going on.
But I had more things to do than think about my miserable life. I could practice using the gun I found in the wardrobe this morning.