by Emma Knight
CHAPTER 16
Rachel ran at lightning speed down the streets of her neighborhood and into her town. She could already hear the chatter and the buzz around her about what had just happened. She pulled the hood of her hooded sweatshirt over her head and pulled the strings tightly around her neck in an attempt to hide her face from passersby. She knew it would only be a matter of time until people knew that she was the one who committed this crime, and she knew she had to get out of their quickly to avoid what she had coming to her. She was no longer safe in her town, or in her house. She couldn’t go back at this point. She knew her father; Dr. Goldman and probably the police at this point were all looking for her.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, she heard loud sirens coming down the street. It was the sirens of both the fire trucks and the police cars. The sound was louder than she’d ever heard before. It almost sounded to her like all the firemen and police of the surrounding counties were alerted to this event. She plugged her ears with her fingers as the cars started zooming by towards the scene of the crime. She had to think quickly and get out of their fast.
Then, it dawned on her that the only place she could escape to was to the swamps to find her grandmother. She knew she’d be safe down there since it was so far away from Pennsylvania, and she was sure this news wouldn’t travel down to that part of the country, at least for a while. She knew she had a few days until the FBI, police and others would be searching for her. She quickly reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. She knew she’d be able to be tracked by it and quickly turned off the power. She knew she could only use it in serious emergencies or else, she’d be found.
She went into a local store and asked to use their phone. She dialed a cab company and then waited behind the store until they came. She couldn’t escape the loud sounds of the fire and police cars and they flew down the streets with their sirens and lights blaring. She stood there, with her back against the wall of the building, trying to hide from everyone and everything. Waiting for this cab felt like it was taking years, even though she knew it had only been three minutes since she called.
Then, as she stood there, watching the people walk by in confusion with all the chaos around them, the cab drove up and rolled down its window.
“You call a cab?” the cabbie said.
“Yes!” Rachel said. She was so grateful that the cab was here and she was finally going to make her big escape. She knew she was cutting it close as people started flocking into town to hear about what had happened. It was like a scene from a movie.
“Where to?” the cab driver asked.
“The train station,” Rachel said, hiding her head still to ensure the cabbie wouldn’t be able to track her down once the news broke. She didn’t want him to remember that he drove the criminal to the train station to make her get away.
The car started driving along towards the train station and as she rode in the back seat she couldn’t help but feel ashamed of what she just did. She didn’t know what had come over her to do such a thing. She realized it was a strength she never knew she had before and it was almost uncontrollable. Her mind was telling her body to do things she didn’t even know were possible.
“So, where you headed?” The cab driver asked.
Rachel looked up at him and saw that he was staring at her through the rearview mirror. His large brown eyes looking back at her made her feel a bit nervous. She didn’t know how to answer that question, after all she was a fugitive and she didn’t want anyone to know who she was or where she was going. Not even the most unassuming of people, like her cab driver.
“I’m going to visit my grandmother,” Rachel said. That was the truth, after all.
“That’s nice of you. No school today?” he asked.
“I’m taking the day off!” Rachel answered.
“Oh, well then. Do your parents know what you’re doing?” he asked, in a concerned tone. “They might punish you for skipping school.”
“Don’t worry about me, please, Sir. I am fine. My parents don’t care. Everything is just fine!” Rachel replied, getting upset at his nosiness.
“Maybe I should be driving you to school instead of the train station!” the cab driver said.
“Sir, please just take me to the station,” Rachel yelled. “I don’t have time for this.”
“You know cutting school is an offense!” the cab driver said.
Rachel couldn’t help but think that killing two people was a bigger offense and she’d better get out of there quickly before they found her. She figured the police didn’t care if she was cutting school.
“Listen. I don’t really want to talk anymore. Can you please just drive?” Rachel asked. “I’m not trying to be rude, I’m just not in the mood.”
“I can, but people call me Dr. Billy. I’m not really a doctor but my friends like to talk to me about anything. They say I can cure people of anything. So if there something you need help with my child?” the cab driver asked.
Rachel didn’t quite know what to make of this conversation. It was getting weirder and weirder by the minute and they were still a far ride from the train station. She wished at that moment she had called a different cab company, or gotten a different cab driver. The last thing she needed was a therapy session from this cabbie. She knew she was in for it though, since she wouldn’t let him turn around and drive her to school.
“I’m ok!” Rachel said. “Thanks, though.”
“I have a girl your age, you know. She’s going through a lot now with her friends and boys. I help her though everything. Trust me, there’s not a situation I can’t help someone with. So, try me! I’m all ears,” the cab driver insisted.
Rachel didn’t know what to say to this guy. He was clearly not taking no for an answer and desperately wanted to talk to her. She thought this was little creepy but decided she’d indulge him in some of her problems. Why not? She had nothing to lose.
“Well, if you insist,” Rachel said, as she took a deep breath to begin her story. “I am a senior in high school, and have been away for two years, but the thing is, I completely forgot what happened the past two years. I’m suffering from amnesia, I completely ruined my relationship with Brian, there’s a guy named Rob who’s come back from my unknown past saying that he is my boyfriend, my mom is in the hospital because of the stress I caused her, my sister is away at college, my brother is acting a bit strange, I have supernatural strength that I didn’t know I had. Oh, and my friends all ganged up on me last night. I think that pretty much sums up what I’m going through right now. No wait, there’s one more thing! My dad is making me see a shrink because I’m so crazy.” Rachel stopped talking, and looked at the driver’s eyes in the rear view mirror. She could see his eyes growing big and bright as if he’d just heard the craziest story of his life. “So, now that you know my story. What advice do you have for me?”
Rachel waited for the cabbie to answer her, but he was dumbfounded. It seemed as if he didn’t know what to say back. She waited for a minute and then said, “Well, Dr. Billy, it looks like I’ve stumped you!” Rachel said.
“I’m not stumped, I’m just trying to process everything you said. Boy, you really are going through a lot. Now, I see why you took the day off of school. It must be hard for you to wake up and face each day with all of this going on. I wish I could help you, but I’m afraid you need a real professional to help you with these issues. These stretch far beyond any problems my children have had and anything I’ve heard of for that matter. I’m sorry, really I am,” the cab driver said.
Rachel slunk back into her seat as she heard him speak. She knew she was in way over her head now. As if the problems she was facing weren’t enough now she was a criminal, a true criminal running from the law. She carefully omitted those details in her list of problems to the cabbie. She couldn’t imagine his response if she’d added that one in. He would probably have crashed the car.
“Do you mind if I turned on the radio?” the cab driver
asked.
“Nope,” Rachel replied.
The cab driver turned on the radio and started tuning to different stations.
Breaking news, two are found dead after beating by a young girl in Pennsylvania. Girl said to be…
“PLEASE TURN THAT OFF!” Rachel yelled, trying to stop the driver from listening to the news.
“Do you hear this?” the cab driver said.
“What?” Rachel asked.
“The news! Apparently there was a killing. Right in our town!” the cab driver yelled. “I can’t believe this. Who would do such a thing?”
Rachel couldn’t bear it anymore. “Are we almost there yet?” she yelled from the back seat.
“Be quiet for a minute girl!” the cabbie yelled. “This is very important!”
Police are on the look out for a girl, age eighteen, brown hair, brown eyes, 130lbs. If you have seen her, please contact your local law enforcement station.
The news blared through the speakers. She couldn’t escape it. She just hoped this cab driver wasn’t smart enough to put two and two together and hoped that even if he were that smart that he wouldn’t realize it until after he dropped her off at the train station.
The car ride felt like it was taking forever. She wished the train station were in walking distance because she would have definitely walked, or ran, instead of this. This ride was torture to her and getting worse by the minute. Finally, the cab driver put on his blinker and got off at the exit for the train station.
“We’re just about here,” the cab driver said. “This will be twelve dollars.”
At that moment, Rachel realized that she didn’t have any money with her. All she had were the clothes on her back, shoes, and her powered down cell phone. Everything else was still in her house.
“Sir, I’m so sorry, I just realized I forgot my purse. I don’t have my wallet on me,” Rachel said, in sorrow. “I don’t have the money.”
“You don’t have the money?” the cab driver questioned. “Why would you leave without your wallet?”
“I completely forgot. I guess I was too scatterbrained when I left this morning,” Rachel said.
“Well, because you are going through a lot right now, I’ll let it slide this time. You don’t have to pay me. It’s on the house!” the cab driver said with a smile.
“Thank you so much! You have no idea what this means to me!” Rachel said.
“Well, here you are my dear. We have arrived. Now, you be safe out there. We don’t want you to get hurt. There are crazy people out there!” the cab driver said as he opened her door and let her out of the back seat.
“Well, thanks again, I gotta run!” Rachel said, putting her head down so that the cabbie wouldn’t be able to see her full face. “Bye now!”
Rachel ran into the train station and looked up at the big board of arrival and departure trains. She knew there was no direct train to Mississippi, but she knew she could get a connecting train through Wasthington DC; all she had to do was sneak onto the next train to DC since she didn’t have any money for a ticket. The next train going her way didn’t arrive for another twenty minutes, which was actually lucky timing for her because she didn’t even check the schedule before she arrived. She was glad it was only twenty minutes and not hours.
She looked around the big train station and saw police with guard dogs walking up and down the platform. She feared the worst and assumed they were out to get her. She quickly ran to the bathroom and into one of the stalls, and waited there, hiding from everyone and everything. She couldn’t believe her life had come down to this. As if things weren’t bad before, now they were exponentially worse. She actually thought for a moment that she’d be better off dead than in this scenario. She knew she had it coming for her, she just didn’t know how long she had until she was caught.
Train number 192 to Washington DC now arriving on platform number 2. Again, train number 192 to Washington DC now arriving on platform number 2.
Rachel quickly opened the stall door and headed down to the platform. She quickly breezed by one of the security guards at the station who was busy looking down at his cell phone. She knew she had just narrowly escaped her fait, now all she had to do was get onto the train and she’d be able to escape, for now anyway.
The train doors opened and throngs of people exited the train. For a moment she felt like she was in a movie, making her great escape. The people all lined up to get onto the train as the conductor greeted everyone at the door, “Tickets please!” he yelled as the passengers started filing in. “Have your tickets ready!”
Rachel had to think quickly. She knew she had to get on this train or else she might not ever see the light of day again. She tried to hide behind the person in front of her, but then realized that was pointless and wouldn’t work. She stood back up and then started rummaging around in her pockets as if she were looking for something.
“Ticket young lady?” the conductor asked.
“I um, I’m trying to find it,” Rachel said.
“You can’t come on this train unless you have a ticket. Please step aside,” the conductor sneered.
Rachel knew this was it for her. She knew there was no way she was ever going to get onto this train with no ticket and no money.
“Excuse me, is this your ticket? I just found it on the floor?” a lady asked her.
“Oh, thank you!” Rachel said.
The lady handed Rachel the ticket and the conductor took it from her and pointed to a set of open seats. “Thank you, you may find a seat.”
Rachel walked towards the back of the train and took the first open seat she could find. She slunk down into her seat with her head hung low and her hood still on her head. All you could see was her mousey brown hair peeking out of the bottom of her hood. As she sat there and waited for the train to move, she couldn’t help but realize that she had just narrowly escaped what was coming for her. She couldn’t wait to get down to the swamp to find her grandmother. She knew she’d be able to help her with everything. And hopefully, she wouldn’t be caught before she made it down there.
Rachel put her head down and said a silent prayer, just as she finished her prayer; the train started pulling out of the station. She was finally on her way.
CHAPTER 17
Benji hovered over Rachel’s house as he watched all the police and fire trucks surround the place. He didn’t know what was going on but knew that it was not good. He hoped and prayed that Rachel was ok and that she wasn’t hurt. He also hoped that Rob hadn’t gotten there before he did. He didn’t want her to fall back in love with him, especially because he knew Rachel still didn’t remember who he was. All he could do was pray that everything was ok, and that these police and fire trucks were here on a false alarm.
He flew a short ways away and then landed in an open field and walked to Rachel’s house. He didn’t want anyone to see him flying or landing. As he approached the house, he saw Rachel’s father and brother standing outside, talking to the policemen. He walked up the walkway and everyone turned and looked at him.
“Mr. Wood?” Benji asked.
“Yes? Who are you?” he asked.
“I’m Benji. I’m here to see Rachel!” he said, smiling.
“Rachel?” her dad questioned. “Your timing is not good young man. I’m afraid you will have to come back another time.”
“But I came all the way to see her,” Benji said. “I can’t leave until I do.”
“I said, you can’t see her now!” he yelled.
“Sir, I have to see her. I love your daughter and I need to tell her that face to face,” Benji said.
“Who are you anyway? And how do you know my daughter?” he asked.
“I met her in Bedford. Don’t you remember?” Benji said.
He watched as the expression changed on her father’s face and then he turned and scowled at him.
“BENJI? The BENJI?” he shrieked.
“Um..I’m not sure exactly what you mean by that, but yes, I am
Benji. I don’t know if I am the Benji.”
“Shut up! I don’t want to hear another peep out of you. This is all your fault!” he said.
“My fault?” Benji questioned. “What are you talking about?”
“Everything that has happened to my little girl is because of you!” he said.
“I’m sorry, maybe you’re thinking of a different person,” Benji retorted.
“No! I am not thinking of anyone else but you!” he said.
“Does the man have anything to do with the crime, Mr. Wood?” a police officer asked.
Benji looked at the policeman, who was reaching back towards his handcuffs, waiting for him to respond. He looked back at Mr. Wood who was turning red with anger.
“No,” he said. “He does not have anything to do with this crime.”
Benji took a deep breath and knew that even though he was saved, there was a big problem going on here.
“What happened?” Benji asked the police officer.
“It’s none of your business!” Mr. Wood said.
“Does it have to do with Rachel?” Benji asked.
“Maybe he can help us find her?” the police officer said. “We can use him.”
“NO! We will NOT be using this buffoon to locate my daughter,” Mr. Wood said angrily.
“I can help! Please let me!” Benji said.
“We are looking for Rachel. She just committed the most heinous crime this town has ever seen. Two people are dead because of her,” the policeman said.
“WHAT?” Benji said. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He knew there must be a reason for this and if he tuned into her and channeled her energy he’d be able to find out what really happened.
“No! I don’t want him to help. Please leave now. You are not welcome on my property any longer,” Mr. Wood said, turning his back to Benji.
“Ok, if you insist,” Benji said. “I’ll be off now!”
Benji didn’t linger around any longer. He knew what had happened and he knew where he could find Rachel. He was so deeply connected to her that he knew where she was headed and that he didn’t have much time to catch her before she boarded the train to DC. He knew he had to get to the station fast if he had any chance of catching her and making her run away with him.