It was beautiful and big, the sort of place she’d dreamed of living on those long nights when she was huddled up in some back alley, fantasizing of a better life.
For a moment she wondered if that was what was happening now. This all seemed like a dream.
The black iron gate finished rolling open, clearing the way for the van to pull down the perfectly paved driveway. The vehicle rolled slowly until they passed the main house and approached a detached garage in the back of the property. The door raised and the van parked inside.
One of the other women must have known she was afraid, because a reassuring hand landed on her shoulder and squeezed gently. “It’s okay. You’re going to love it here. I promise.”
Annika turned her head to look into Iris’s eyes. Everyone had introduced themselves earlier, when Annika had got in the van, and she’d spent a good portion of the drive silently repeating everyone’s name so she wouldn’t forget them.
The last thing she wanted was to be rude to people who were being so kind to her.
“I don’t want to impose on anyone,” she said meekly.
“Hey, you’re not imposing,” the woman named Cami said. “We have lots of spare rooms in here. And even if we didn’t, you’re always welcome here.”
Annika didn’t know why they were being so nice to her. She then remembered it’s what she would do if she had a big mansion like that.
Sometimes people are just good, she reminded herself. It’s not always “dog eat dog” in the world.
But even though she believed these people were truly being kind, she was still beyond nervous. Not to mention she felt guilty. They had their own lives. They didn’t need some stranger taking up space in their house or eating their food.
“Come on,” Lana said. “Wait until you see the inside. You’re going to love it here.”
“Yeah. And if you see a ghost, don’t worry,” Iris said casually. “That’s just Theda. She’s friendly.”
Annika waited for the other women to laugh. But no one did.
Whoa! Ghost? She wondered what that was all about and made a mental note to ask more about it later—if she stayed around long enough.
She might leave in the morning at the first light.
“Make yourself at home in here,” the handsome Matteo said as he walked beside Annika across the white, paved area that led to the back door.
To her left, Annika could see the grass of the backyard. There was a shed not too far away. And lots of beautiful, colorful flowers. Their scent reached her nostrils and she smiled.
This place was already amazing and she hadn’t even been inside yet!
Stepping in through the back door, the mansion did not disappoint. It was historic and charming and she couldn’t believe she was truly there. Just hours before she’d been in a makeshift shelter hugging Ollie and?—
“Ollie!” she blurted out.
Standing in the kitchen, just inside the backdoor, everyone turned to face her.
“Are you okay?” Matteo asked.
“Yeah. Sorry. I just realized I dropped my stuffie somewhere during the… chase.”
Tears welled in her eyes. She felt foolish. Most people wouldn’t understand why she was getting so sad about a plush doll.
But Ollie was more than just a toy to her.
He’d been with her for so long. He was all she had.
Guilt stabbed at her insides. How had she been so careless? She should have paid more attention to her best friend.
“Don’t worry, honey,” Matteo said. “We’ll find Ollie.”
Now more guilt seized Annika. She didn’t want anyone going back out on her account.
