I turn to switch directions when a soft voice stops me. She’s at the edge of the house, and I’m surprised she can even see me from that far. I must stick out more than I thought. Her voice carries in the wind. “Hey, are you okay?”
Alarmed, I turn around and step back from her. “Yes, yes, I’m sorry, I’m just a little lost, but I’m leaving.”
She holds her hands up to stop me, walking toward me. “Wait, you don’t have to leave. I can help you.”
I eye her up and down, watching as she looks at me earnestly. If I shift, I know I could take her, but I don’t want to spill blood for no reason. I’ve heard many stories of the New Law and from all the things I’ve heard, I know they are nowhere as evil as the Eaters. However, I’m sure it will be a different story if they find out I’m one of them, one of their enemies. So I just won’t tell her.
I pull my pack off my back and start to unzip it. “I will give you money if you can give me help. I’m running from someone… someone that will do horrible things to me if he finds me. I just need help getting through the New Law territory.”
I wait for her answer or for her to ask me more questions, but she doesn’t. She holds her hand out and I place the bills into her open palm. She fists it as soon as I put the crumpled bills there. “Sure, yes, I’ll help you. I mean, us women have to stick together, right?”
I nod my head, smiling at her. Thank goodness.
She holds her hand out. “I’m Lisa.”
“Penny. My name’s Penny,” I tell her and shake her hand. She moves beside me and where we are standing, I can see what looks like a fire on the other side of the clubhouse. I just stand there, waiting on Lisa to tell me our next move.
She tugs on my hand. “There’s too many club members outside. If we have any chance of avoiding them, you’ll have to be hidden inside the clubhouse until I can help you slip out.”
My first instinct is to say no and I jerk my hand back to stop. She turns around to look at me and innocently says, “I can sneak you out when everybody crashes. It will probably be three or four in the morning, but that will be the safest.”
I look at her, straight into her eyes, looking for any signs that she’s being dishonest, but her eyes are wide and clear and doesn’t blink as she looks back at me. Finally, I nod my head and let her take my hand again.
We get to the back of the clubhouse and the closer we get, I can hear the people talking. But I swear my heart is beating just as loud.
I stay close to Lisa and follow her inside. Once in, I can’t help but look around. It’s nothing like the Eaters’ clubhouse. This one is clean and doesn’t even smell bad. It’s a big room with tables and chairs. This has to be the main part of the club and I have to admit I’m glad that it’s a nice night and everyone is outside.
I don’t get to look long because she’s pulling me down a hallway and the first door we come to, she opens it and pushes me inside. “Okay, Penny. Get in the closet and stay there. Don’t come out. If I’m gone too long, they’ll come looking for me. But I promise, I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
I step into the closet and before Lisa starts to shut the French doors, I stop her, knowing that she’s put herself in danger by helping me. “Thank you, Lisa.”
She just shrugs her shoulders. “It’s okay, you know, us girls—”
“We have to stick together.” We both answer at the same time. She giggles and even after the day I’ve had, I laugh with her.
She shuts the door and I hear her walk out of the bedroom. Taking off my pack, I set it down on the floor of the closet and sit down on top of it. I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart so that I won’t be discovered. Tired, I lay my head down on my arms that are resting on my knees, still waiting for that sense of freedom. I did it. I made it out of Eater territory. That alone is a feat. Now, just one more step. I just have to get out of New Law territory and I’m free.
No more than three minutes pass when the bedroom door opens and a man and woman enter the room. The slats are angled and I can make out the two people. I freeze in my position and try not to make a sound. She’s laughing and I can hear him grumbling.