Chapter 281 - 281 Secrets and Concerns

281 Secrets and Concerns

I turned around to see a TSA car still following us. I knew we had to come up with a plan fast, so I quickly searched for any side roads or exits that we could take to lose them. As the TSA car continued to follow us, I realized that this was far from over and we were in for a wild ride. The pursuer, on the other hand, gradually began to tap the car’s bumper, causing the stability to move left and right.

“Could you maybe drive a bit faster?!” I shouted, my heart racing as they continued to collide with the bumper.

But then, as we entered another intersection that was less populated with vehicles, they dispersed like birds.

My mind was clouded with confusion, which spread to Brie and Hans as well. Why would they just leave? If the TSA wants us so bad for those briefcases, why chase us for a few minutes then leave to go on your lunch break?

It was so confusing to the fact it was almost disturbing. I shook my head, as we headed on through the street.

“I don’t know what thugs you guys dealt with, but they are not as diligent as they usually are. Did you forget to give kids some money for their lemonade or something, and now their parents are coming after you?” he asked.

“I wish it was that,” Brie said.

Hans sighed. “Look, now that they’re off our tail, we can find a grocery store nearby and get some snacks. Perhaps we can still salvage this road trip.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I said, throwing up a smile that was trembling under my fear.

.....

What if they came back again, and even more prepared? They’ve been with us these past few days. They sent men after us at that diner, which then they chased us from the hotel into the crowded streets. They sent some random person after us in a furniture store, searched for us in the airport, chased us while we were in the process of take-off, sent assassins after us in an elevator, and now decided to chase us for thirty seconds, and then call it a break.

We drove along until the night began to cloud the sky. We found a grocery store—a gas station, in fact—that was on the right, in the middle of a large field which spanned all the way to the mountains.

“Ahead is Fredricksburg, where we can find a place to stay. It would be hard to find us if there aren’t many people at a certain place,” Hans said.

I was a bit confused about his reasoning, but it was probably the best idea. He drove into the station holding the gas tanks, parking there. “We’ll stay here,” Brie said.

I quickly turned my head towards her, looking at her in shock. What do you mean, stay here?

“What—how does that make any sense?” Hans asked. In response, Brie said, “If they see the car here, they’ll think we’re inside, so you can come out and drive off while they keep wasting their time in there.”

“Well, let’s hope they’re that dumb—or smart for not assuming we’re in the car in the first place,” I said, narrowing my eyes. She ignored me like usual.

“Alright, stay safe,” he said, as he closed the door, going over to the gas tank which was decorated with yellow and red stripes.

The sound of the gas pump entering the hole managed to parallel into the interior of the vehicle. But, in a muffled quality.

“So, fun few days, am I right?” Brie asked. I shook my head unquestionably. “Nope, completely terrifying,” I said. But there was a voice that was whispering in my ear, convincing me that these past few days were pretty wild. I couldn’t lie to myself, it was a bit exciting.

I eventually revealed that which Brie nodded, as if she knew I was going to fall into temptation.

“Yeah, but it’s been a fun time. To be honest, I have never seen Hans so concerned in the past few hours I’ve known him,” she said.

“Known him?” I quoted, questioning her choice of words.

“Seen him, how about that?” she corrected, which I was more receptive to. I looked outside the window, seeing if any more black cars were coming. I was wrong however—which was a good thing.

I turned to face Brie, who seemed almost trapped, trembling to say something that she felt like she wasn’t ready to.

She sighed, and laid back, which wasn’t too far from her seating position. “You know, a few days ago, that one time I told you that story?”

“Story?”

“How my parents kicked me out, and didn’t want me anymore?” she said. I nodded slowly, a bit anxious of what’s going to be said next.

“Well, that was kind of true…mostly true…all of it true. It was their way of punishing me,” she continued, her voice shaking with emotion. “My parents never wanted me to be who I am, and I guess when I started to act a certain way, they decided to just…cut the last strings between us.”

I could feel her pain, although I didn’t quite know what to say. I just wanted to make her feel better, to tell her that everything would be alright in the end.

“It’s alright,” I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Everything will work out fine. We’ll be out of this situation soon, and you’ll be able to move on with your life—with your goals and dreams.”

Brie looked up, her eyes meeting mine. “Do you really believe that?” she asked, her voice a fragile whisper.

“Yes, I do,” I said with a nod, my voice confident.

For a moment, neither of us said anything, and then Brie spoke. “Thanks,” she said quietly.

I smiled in response, but before I could say anything else, a loud noise outside interrupted our conversation. “Remember when I said that, I was lost, and I wanted to see my friends and family?” I asked her, which she nodded.

“I’m guessing you can already guess that’s true,” I said which she nodded. “I thought so too,” she admitted, following with a chuckle that eventually caused me to chuckle as well.

I sighed, a wave of nostalgia washing over me. Despite the difficult situation we were in, I was still reminded of the happy times with my friends and family back at the YMPA academy.

Malachi, September, Nikki, and Tisiah were my closest companions there. They were always my first thought when times were tough. I was so lucky to have such supportive and loyal friends from the day I started.

But there was one person who was more important to me than anyone else: my mother. She was always my guiding light, the one unifying force that kept me going and allowed me to be my best. She was the one who had been there since day one, and she was the one I knew I could always rely on.

The thought of her brought tears to my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away, taking a deep breath to calm myself. I had to stay strong; I couldn’t let her down. I had to grasp on to the hope that one day I’d be reunited with her and all my friends and family.

Looking back at Brie, I could see the understanding in her eyes, as if she sensed my emotions without me having to say a word. She gave me a gentle smile, and I felt almost immediately comforted.

“I know it’s hard,” she said. “But never forget that wherever you go, your mom and your friends are always with you in your heart.”

I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. “You’re right,” I said, my voice stronger than before. “No matter what happens, I’ll always carry them with me.”

We sat in silence for a moment, each lost in our thoughts. Then, the sound of the gas pump clicking off brought us back to reality. Hans had finished filling up the tank, and it was time to continue our journey.

As Hans opened the driver’s side door, he glanced around nervously. “I don’t think we’ve been followed,” he said, but his voice was uncertain. “But let’s get out of here quickly, just in case.”

We agreed, and Hans started the car, pulling away from the gas station and back onto the open road. The sun had completely set by now, and the darkness enveloped us as we drove towards Fredericksburg.

The road ahead was uncertain, and danger seemed to lurk around every corner. But with Brie by my side and the memories of my loved ones in my heart, I felt a sense of courage and determination that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. And somehow, I knew that everything would be alright in the end.