Chapter 44
The look in his eyes stays with me. Hard as I try, I can’t shake it off.
Raven has known pain in his life. Too much of it, and I never wanted to add to it.
I’m running scared, and I know that. But even a kind man can’t do a three sixty on the drop of a dime.
My now dead husband wasn’t always violent with me.
He never laid a hand on me before our wedding night.
Sullivan was controlling, but never violent, and that’s why I have to get far away from Raven.
I’m not ignoring red flags anymore. He put a tracker inside my body.
If that isn’t a red flag, I’m not sure what is.
As I’m walking, I spot a salon with a sign that says, ‘Walk-ins Welcome’.
I was going to buy hair dye, but this might be better if I have enough money.
Opening the door, I walk in, and am greeted by an older woman. She points to a plate of cookies.
“Help yourself, sugar.”
I quickly take a chocolate chip cookie.
“How much would it be to get my hair dyed?”
She steps around the counter and touches my hair gently.
“Why would you change this color? It’s such a rich and beautiful chestnut color.”
The door opens, and I jump at the sound of heavy footsteps, but am relieved that it’s just an old man. She says, “I get it. Changing your look to avoid a man. One hundred twenty-five dollars.”
Motioning to the chair, she smiles softly. “Sit.”
I take a seat, but know I can’t afford the dye job, if I want this money to last.
I should’ve taken more of the money we got from Dr. Martin, but it’s too late now.
“Maybe just a cut then.”
Taking a hairbrush from her work station, she brushes my hair.
“How about a bob? Maybe with bangs? Surely he won’t be looking for that.”
“Okay,” I breathe, wondering if I’m really so transparent, that she knows that I’m running.
She sprays my hair with a squirt bottle, and starts cutting my long style.
It’s just hair. No big deal.
Sensing my anxiety, she smiles at me in the mirror.
“It’ll grow back if you don’t like it.”
When she puts her scissors down, and says, “All done,” I stare at my reflection with a smile.
It’s cute and light. The best part is, he’ll be looking for long hair, not this chin length style I have now.
“Thank you. How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing. It’s on the house, sugar. Grab some cookies and take them with you.”
Raven has been trying to get me to eat frequently since we left the asylum, but I still haven’t put all the weight on I lost.
Raven.
The pang in my chest when I think of him surprises me, but I try to push it away.
I nod my thanks, take a few cookies, and leave.
As I turn to close the door behind me, I watch the old man scoop her into his arms. Once again it makes me think of Raven, but I shut it down instantly.
Stop thinking about him, Bianca. He’s a killer. Leave him in the past where he belongs.
I wonder how Heather is, as I spot a blonde woman close to her age, talking on her cell phone as I pass her. Raven has the phone he bought, so I don’t have a way to contact her, but I hope she’s okay.
Stopping on the sidewalk, I take a deep breath and tilt my head to the sky. Feeling the warmth from the sun, I smile to myself.
It’s going to be okay.
I keep wandering around, not knowing where I’m going, or where I am, when I notice a sign that reads, ‘Rochester City Hall’.
I’m in Rochester, New York, and outside city hall, which means police, so I immediately need to get out of this area.
If I’m found by authorities, I know I’ll end up back at Wellard Asylum.
I head towards a grassy area with trees, and plan to lie low for a while, as I try to figure out what to do, and where to go.
Rolling my eyes at myself, I sit on the bench with a raven painted on it.
I watch two birds flying circles around a tree, when the sound of whistling steals all the air from my lungs. I’m immobile. As much as I should, I can’t turn to see who it’s coming from. The sound gets closer, until it’s right behind me, and breath hits the back of my neck.
“I was always going to find you. If you really thought I wouldn’t, you might actually be crazy.
Whatever you need to be happy, I’ll fucking provide it to you.
Ask me for anything and it’s yours. Except for one thing.
I’ll never let you go, pretty girl. I can’t.
It’s the one thing I’m not capable of. That would be the equivalent of ripping my own fucking heart out.
Run and I will catch you. Hide and I will find you.
Cut your hair. Remove the tracker. It doesn’t matter, because I’m a hunter by nature.
Your scent is embedded in my soul. Don’t you see it, baby?
They broke you, so I could put you back together.
The same way you heal every damaged piece of me. ”