Chapter 9 - The Meeting Point
I instinctively raised my heavy wooden cane like a club, ready to aggressively fight whoever had just kicked the door open.
A bright, blinding flashlight beam cut through the darkness of the ruined motel room, temporarily blinding me.
"Lucy," a frantic, familiar female voice called out from behind the brilliant light.
The person lowered the flashlight, revealing the terrified, tear-stained face of Lucy's older sister, Sarah.
Lucy completely collapsed into her sister's arms, sobbing uncontrollably as they embraced on the dusty floorboards.
I let out a massive, shuddering breath, completely lowering my cane as the intense adrenaline finally left my aching body.
We had actually done it, we had survived the absolute nightmare and reached the extraction point.
"I brought everything you asked for," Sarah said rapidly, pulling a heavy duffel bag from her shoulder.
She unzipped the bag, revealing thick stacks of cash, fresh winter clothes, and a brand new prepaid cell phone.
"I parked my SUV behind the trees on the other side of the highway, we need to leave immediately," Sarah urged.
We quickly packed our meager belongings and followed Sarah silently through the dense, freezing woods.
The massive black SUV was parked completely off the dirt road, entirely hidden from the passing highway patrol vehicles.
I climbed into the passenger seat, sighing heavily as the warm air from the vehicle's heater blasted across my freezing face.
Lucy strapped Emiliano safely into the luxury car seat installed in the back, sitting right next to him with a peaceful smile.
Sarah climbed into the driver's seat, locked the doors, and aggressively pulled the heavy vehicle out onto the rural highway.
"We are going straight to a safe house I rented in Chicago," Sarah promised, keeping her eyes firmly on the dark road.
"Adrian and his corrupt brother will never be able to find you across state lines."
I looked out the window, watching the dark trees blur past, feeling like an incredibly proud protector.
I was just a seventy-two-year-old woman, but I had successfully outsmarted a violent monster and his entire corrupt empire.
The state line border crossing sign finally appeared in the distance, a brilliant green beacon of absolute freedom.
We just needed to drive exactly one more mile, and Lucy would finally be completely safe forever.
"Could you hand me a napkin from the glovebox, Mrs. Carmen," Sarah asked politely, pointing toward the dashboard.
I pressed the button, and the heavy plastic door of the glovebox dropped completely open.
May you like
I reached inside, but my hand brushed against a thick, legally binding document instead of a napkin.
I pulled the paperwork out into the dim dashboard light, and my heart completely stopped beating in my chest.
