Chapter 11
A Safe Place
Elena
The knock at the door roused me up from sleep and within moments I was up and alert, my body tensed as I stared at the door cautiously.
"Room Service Ma'am," a muffled voice called from outside and I felt my racing heart ease up a little.
I'd picked a small hotel to stay for the night after leaving the hospital. Lily had slept through everything, only waking briefly to use the restroom.
"Your bill," the attendant motioned at a small printout on one side of the tray as he passed it to me and the scent of steaming coffee hit my nostrils.
"Thank you," I whispered, not wanting to disturb Lily, I handed over some dollar bills and even now I could only thank my lucky stars that Mcgregor had given me that cash.
I wouldn't have made it this far otherwise.
"Thank you, ma'am," the attendant smiled and turned to leave.
"Mummy," Lily's voice echoed as she pushed away the sheets, her eyes still groggy from sleep. "Where are we? This isn't my room," she asked, staring around.
"Well," a lump formed in my throat when I met her gaze. "I just wanted to give you a surprise. We're going for a little us time," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just me and you."
"But I'm supposed to be in school," Lily pouted her lips. "I want to go to school," she mumbled, her expression unhappy.
"Yes," I nodded, mentally groaning at her sharp wit. "You'll miss a few days, I've spoken to your teacher," more lies and lies.
"Okay, go and brush your teeth," I added, scared Lily would come up with more questions. "Then we'll eat. I got your favorite," I held up a dish.
"BLUEBERRY PIE!" We both yelled at the same time. Lily jumped down from the bed and rushed into the bathroom quickly.
My smile faded as the door closed behind her, my worries coming to the forefront.
I'd secretly sneaked out of the hospital last night after making sure Lily's hand didn't have lingering trauma. We'd taken the subway as far as it would go, I didn't call Jacinta.
I'd switched off my cellphone even, not trusting myself to not pick if Father or Damien began calling.
I knew what Father would do like the back of my hand. He'd call, and scold me viciously whilst reminding me how much of a disappointment I was. Then he'd snap at me to go back and apologize and that would be it.
The thought made me clench my fists. I wasn't going back there, not after what Damien had done.
I'd thought long and hard about it on the subway and I knew I couldn't go back home either. Father would send me back in a heartbeat.
So I wasn't going home. I'd go somewhere else. I just hoped that person would allow me to stay.
I was going to go stay with Aunt Sarah, she was my mother's junior sister. She lived on the outskirts of town, I remembered last seeing her at my mother's funeral. She'd been so bitter and she'd made a scene there, calling Father all sorts of names.
Her place would be the last place Father would think of looking for me.
I silently checked my purse, counting the money. This should be enough to take us, I'd rent a car and drive me and Lily there.
"Mummy I'm done," Lily yelled as she came out of the bathroom, her face still wet with water. She headed straight for the blueberry pie.
"Wait," I chuckled. I used a knife and fork to cut it into two portions. "Eat this one. You'll eat the remaining later," I promised, keeping the other bit aside.
Lily dived right in and her eyes curved into crescent moons in delight. "Yummy."
I watched her dig into the food, questions on my mind. I wanted to ask Lily what'd happened last night but I couldn't, I didn't think I could handle the answer.
Looking at the happiness on her face, I didn't want to spoil that either. I sighed and sipped my coffee, not saying anything.
After breakfast, we freshened up before leaving the hotel. After asking around we managed to find a car rental company.
The receptionist gave me a strange look when I told her the location I was going to drive to, she didn't say a word. "Sign here," she pushed a document to me.
I quickly signed and paid, before we left quickly.
The drive was uneventful except for Lily's occasional squeals whenever she saw a deer in the woods.
After some twists and turns, we finally arrived. The map read it was a small town of Llano, it had a population of just over 400 people.
I couldn't imagine what could've made Aunt Sarah settle down here, far from the city. I and Lily attracted lots of stares as we drove in, the houses all looked old.
Lily had quietened down. She stared out at the houses in quiet wonder, her eyes wide with curiosity. I slowly ground the car to a halt in front of a building, it had a big signboard that was marked with age.
"Wait here Lily," I muttered, getting out of the car. This was the right town alright, now we needed to find the right house.
"Hello," I approached the woman on the porch, my steps light and careful. "Please I need your help, I'm looking for someone. Sarah Donovan?"
The old woman barely moved as she glanced at me, her hands moved slowly as she knitted with two pins in her hands.
"Who's asking?" she finally spoke, her eyes were cold as she stared at me.
"You…" A lump formed in my throat and for a moment I couldn't speak. The looks were too similar, I could've sworn I was looking at a carbon copy of Mother.
"You're the one," I finally managed to speak, my voice clogged with emotion. "You're Sarah Donovan," I whispered.
I'd found her.