She wasn’t about to leave Mr. F alone while she was gone—she didn’t know how long it would be.
So far, Mr. Fluffikins was being quiet and laying still in his travel carrier, but she doubted that would last much longer.
When they got off the bus and escorted, surrounded by military security, to the door they were now waiting on, she still searched the surrounding people.
Rationally, she told herself, she knew Phil couldn't be there. And he shouldn’t know where she went.
Even if he did, it’s not like he could get here. He wasn't in the military, and he would not sneak in. All the security would likely catch him before he got even a half-mile to the location.
Still, she couldn't help worrying.
Phil's creepy texts had not stopped.
It seemed the more she ignored him, the worse it got. When she tried to engage and stand up for herself, he would get even more aggressive.
Hardly the guy she'd dated, for sure. What had flipped this switch in him, she didn't know. Honestly, she didn't want to know.
She was just happy to get away from him, and with the number of military police that were surrounding The Bridge, she couldn't imagine anything up there that would be worse than Phil's constant harassment.
She’d done everything she was supposed to. But the restraining order didn’t put her at ease.
A piece of paper wouldn't protect her from an attack.
She needed to get out of his reach.
Completely out of it.
The sight of the security around The Bridge was in a way a welcome relief. At least here, she didn't have to worry that Phil would be able to just show up.
Or take pictures.
Or break in and surprise her while she was in the shower.
Her apartment? She wasn't sure what was going to happen there. She'd told her neighbors and her landlord that she was going to be gone for a few weeks, but she didn't know if that meant they were going to actually monitor things.
She’d requested that the landlord check in from time to time, just to make sure everything was in good order, but she doubted he would. It was a large apartment complex. She would be surprised if security even came around.
She closed her eyes and tried to will the worries away. Though there were just different ones now.
Here, she just had to worry about crazies who wanted to blow up The Bridge, because how it destroyed their general vision of, well, anything and everything. The threats against The Bridge were a part of the news almost daily. It was a political hotbed of discussion, speculation and general controversy for the last few years.
And she was going in it.
"We'll be safe here," she muttered to herself, squeezing the handle of her cat carrier.
Mister Fluffikins growled.
"I can't believe they let you bring a pet," Mitchell muttered.
Jenny glanced at her. "I was told--"
"It's not an emotional support animal, is it? Because that's just stupid," he said.
Jenny blinked, opening her mouth to say something, but one other chimed in before she could.
"And what's wrong with an emotional support animal?" one of the other girls asked. "Support animals can help all kinds of people, from those with disabilities to those who have--"
"Enough!" one of the military men yelled. "Quiet."
