To my right, I can see a cross street and cars moving, so I decide that’s a better option. The first thing I need to do is get on a bus. I don’t care where it’s going, as long as it’s away from this town.
I keep looking over my shoulder, terrified the guards will realize I’m gone and come after me. But I make it to a busier area, with other people walking around, without incident.
I ask a couple of people to direct me to the bus station and am pleased I only have to walk two blocks to get there.
Stepping up to the ticket counter, I tell the man, “Good evening, sir. One ticket, please.”
“Where to?” he asks without looking at me.
“What are my options?”
He frowns, finally looking up at me. He takes a second to look over before he asks, “If you’re looking to get out of here quickly, that bus there leaves in five minutes and is heading to Albuquerque.”
“New Mexico? Do I need an ID to go to another state?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Okay, one ticket to Albuquerque, please.”
“That’ll be one eighty-seven.”
I dig into my bag for two of the hundred-dollar bills and hand them over. After pocketing the change and taking the ticket, I thank the nice man, then turn to leave the building. A small white van catches my eye, and I readUnited States Postal Serviceon the side.
My heart beats excitedly as I pull out my letter and rush over to the older man currently pulling a bag of mail from the mailbox.
“Excuse me, sir?” I ask tentatively as I approach him, stopping to give him a small curtsy.
Frowning at me, he drops the bag. “Yes?”
“Are you able to deliver this letter for me?” I ask, holding up the envelope.
He gives me a quick once-over before taking the envelope and looking at the front. He smiles at me and nods. “Sure, I’ll make sure it gets there.” He tosses it into the collection bag in front of him. “Have a nice day, miss.”
“You as well,” I give him another quick curtsy before turning and heading for the bus.
I find an empty seat near the backand settle in. I probably should have asked how long the ride is, but it doesn’t matter; I’m just happy to get away from Ivan, from Robert, and from the threat of being sold.
“Excuse me, miss?”
I bolt upright from my seat and look around, finding an older man looking at me from across the aisle.
“I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just thought you might want to know we’re about to arrive at Albuquerque.”
I glance outside, but it doesn’t look too different from Arizona. I look up front and see that the interior sign does, in fact, say Albuquerque is the next stop.
“Thanks, Matthew,” I say, rubbing my lower back that’s sore and stiff. I’ve been on this bus for over fifteen hours, but the journey has taken much longer. Who knew buses had so many layovers?
Matthew boarded at a stop in Flagstaff and started telling me he was going to visit his son in a small town near Albuquerque. When he asked where I was going, I told him I hadn’t decided yet.
He told me about a few places he’d visited in the States, and I was debating where to go next. I was really intrigued by snow, but since it was August, I’d have to wait quite a few months to see it anywhere.
Colorado sounded beautiful, but moving further away from Stoney Creek made me pause. It doesn’t matter, though, I just need to get as far from home as possible.
When I get off the bus, I let the timetable decide forme and buy the first scheduled departure out of there that isn’t heading west.
“Colorado Springs, here I come!”
By the time I arrive, it’s seven p.m., and I’m exhausted and starving. I’ve only eaten a couple of chocolate bars since I left, however many days ago, and that was only by luck, as I saw a man stick a dollar bill into a machine and pull out a candy bar.
