“Thank you.” Their kindness is consuming. These people have no idea who I am, or where I came from, and yet they found it in their hearts to help me—to continue to help me. But my pessimist side is waiting for the other shoe to drop, knowing this is all too good to be true.
“I’ll finish up here, if you want to get Licorice ready,” Harvey tells his wife, and she nods in understanding, something unspoken between the two.
Winnie leads the way to one of the pastures, carrying the leftovers and a canteen filled with water. “Have you ever ridden before?” she asks.
“I have, but it’s been a while,” I lie. I’ve ridden Voraxis for Goddess’ sake; a horse should be a cake walk.
“Good, he’s pretty easy to ride anyway. He was my daughter’s horse and hasn’t really been the same since she’s been gone.”I didn’t look closely at the pictures in the house. It felt too personal, an invasion for a stranger to come in and start looking at their things.
“Where is she?” I’m not sure what possessed me to ask the question. It spewed from my mouth without a second thought.
“I’m afraid I don’t know.” Her words come out longingly, like she’s been wondering where her daughter could have gone for a very long time. She offers me a half smile, and I don’t push for any further answers.
Winnie gets Licorice saddled up, placing the leftovers and canteen in one of the pouches. She also gave me boots to wear after finding them in the barn and noting my lack of footwear.
“I can’t thank you enough,” I tell her because I truly can’t.
Maybe there is still good left in the world.
Her eyes turn glossy as she stares up at me from where I sit atop the horse. Quickly, she turns her head and lets out a lighthearted chuckle while pinching the bridge of her nose. Unease washes over me becausewhy is this lady crying?I’ve known her for two hours.
“Sorry about that.” She swipes a hand through the air. “Have a safe trip.” Turning back toward the house, she retreats with rushed steps.
Kicking my feet against Licorice’s sides, he starts trotting down the dirt road. I’m not sure why I do it, but I steal a look over my shoulder and admire the property. My eyes travel over the animals, the barn, and finally the house where I see Harvey and Winnie on the porch. Winnie’s head is buried into Harvey’s chest, and it looks like he’s consoling her with an arm wrapped around her shoulders, his hand rubbing the side of her arm.
“How strange,” I comment aloud. Licorice shakes his head, and I wonder to myself if this horse is more than what meets the eye.
The trees were dense on the ride to town. Licorice and I got well-acquainted when I had tourgentlyuse the bathroom and didn’t think about it before we left. The canteen is empty, and the leftovers are long gone. I couldn’t help myself, even knowing it wasn’t the most responsible thing to do, considering there’s no guarantee when I’ll eat again. But alas, I’m only so strong.
True to Harvey’s word, the trail spit us out between two buildings in the middle of town. I tied Licorice to one of the posts and made my way over to a stall near the market.
The worker was busy helping another customer, and although I felt guilty, I snagged a couple apples from their bin and hurried away.
I offer them both to the horse, and he takes them greedily. I feel bad leaving him here, but I can’t exactly trot him around, no doubt he would get recognized. Then I’d probably get arrested for horse-napping, and that would behilarious.
Running my hand down his mane, I assure him Winnie and Harvey will be back soon to get him and try to ignore the sinking feeling in my gut as I leave him there.
Weaving myself in and out of the sea of people, there are a few bumps here and there, but everyone seems very polite. Shops line either side of the walkway that’s not even big enough for a car to drive on. Perusing the different carts stationed around, a woman lets out a scream, and I immediately drop to the ground.
Hands covering my ears, someone trips over my curled form, but I don’t have it in me to care.
I have to get out of here,I think to myself, but the next second, someone is pulling on my arm, and I lash out, burning their flesh.
“Son of a hag!” the woman yells. I’m hit with recognition when I look at her face.
“Odeyssa?” Her face is laced with pain, and I can already see the blisters forming on her arm.
“Obviously. What the hell was that for?” she questions.
“Sorry, I didn’t know it was you,” I admit, my eyes searching around for an escape. Nerves coarse through me as questions play in my mind.
Was she in on it? My abduction?
Slowly backing away, I make a run for it. Sidestepping others, I think about going back to Licorice, but I can’t bring him into this mess—or the sweet couple that found it in their hearts to help me.
Unfortunately for me, I end up turned around and going down a dead-end alleyway. Getting double-fucked, Odeyssa was right on my tail, along with a guy I’ve never seen before.
“Kallie, what’s going on?” She holds her hands up in surrender, but the guy behind her doesn’t make any moves, standing stiff as a board.
