{Thursday, September 9th.}

   My thoughts all scramble together, running in one constant motion as images from only five minutes ago flash across the front of my mind.

   There's a loud crash as I stumble into a large tin trash can that's sitting next to a brick wall, my upper body falling over it as I practically collapse against it.

  I've been aimlessly stumbling along in a fast jog these past five or so minutes, my mind only trying to get as far away from there as possible.

  My mouth feels sandpaper dry, my lungs drawing the heavy air in quick and unsteady.  The brand on my shoulder feels extra tight, moving with each quick breath I take. There's a throbbing on my right side where a bullet scraped me, my left hand firmly pressed against the wound.

  The wound that was caused by a bullet that went through Felix before slicing me.

  I let a shuddering breath out, carefully lowering myself to the cement ground next to the tin can. I wince with the movement, a uncomfortable stinging sensation zapping through my right side.

   Leaning my back against the can, I look up at the sky, trying to regain any rational thoughts that seem to be alluding me right now.

  A pale blue sky meets my eyes, a few white clouds hanging around within it. The atmosphere feeling much too calm after what's just happened.

Where....am I?

  I slowly look around, only just now realizing I'm in a alley between brick buildings. I turn my head to the left, my eyes slightly widening as I spot something way off in the distance, not a building in the way.

  There's a decent sized area without any buildings up where I must've come from, a drop off at the end where water sits.

  A bay area of water.

  I swallow, hardly able to due to the decrease of liquids in my mouth.

And there, sitting proudly off in the bay, is a large green, unmistakable statue that towers up to the sky.

  The Statue of Liberty.

  I'm....I'm in New York?

  I'm suddenly aware of blaring noises off in the distance, a hub of activity going on even in the early hours of morning.

  I calculate the distance, a shard of relief spreading throughout me as I find Ohio isn't too far away.

  Sorta.

  I look down, my stomach immediately clinching as I spot smudges of blood across the front of my hoodie, a significantly larger blotch on my left sleeve where I used it to wipe the blood off my face.

  Felix's blood.

A shudder wracks my body, the urge to rip the hoodie off and wash myself clean taking hold of me.

  I blow a uneven breath out, trying to ease the tension that's slowly growing larger in my chest.

  What now? What am I supposed to do?

  Helplessness grips my lungs, uncertain thoughts returning.

  "Don't trust...anyone."

  Felix's words wash over me like a whisper, gently touching my mind before disappearing.

  I reach inside my pocket with my right hand, feeling both the letter and the computer drive inside.

  A dead weight seems to come from the letter, weighing me down.

  "Letter....she needs to...know."

  I swallow another sudden clump in my throat, my mind transporting me back to the evening Felix opened up to me about his past.

  She.

  He was talking about his....sister.

  I bring my attention down to my side, carefully pealing my left hand up from its death grip against it.

  A dark red stains the skin of my hand, a darker circle growing around where two holes now sit in the fabric between my hips and where my ribs start.

  I immediately place my hand back over it, still feeling the tremble that's now prominent in my hand.

Taking another deep breath, I go over my options.

  I could simply stay in this spot, which would most likely lead to someone in Ben's gang finding me, or I'd possibly bleed to death.

  I can't go to the police, not after what Felix said. They probably have men on the inside.

  Calling the Browns is a no go, they more than likely have them monitored. Meaning they could probably listen to any conversations.

  Mrs. Jones never gave me a number. Confidential reasons I suppose.

  No, if I'm going to do anything. It'll have to be all on my own. No contact, no nothing.

  First step: acquire clean clothes.

  I grimace, already knowing there's only one option for that.

  I'm going to have to get some money. And not in the honest way.

  I look back down at myself, my stomach acting up again just at the sight of blood. Knowing I can't exactly walk out in a populated area with noticeable blood all over me, I quickly glance around before carefully lift my arms up, pulling the hoodie over my head in one movement.

  A shiver runs up my back as cool, soon-to-be-autumn air makes contact with my bare skin, the cut on my side spazzing.

  I quickly look the cut over.

  It's about a inch below where my ribs start, a four-ish inch long thin line of red stretching along my side. Seeming a bit deeper in the middle where it dipped down during entry.

  I wince as I prod the injury, feeling a stab of relief as I find it doesn't appear to need stitches. Only pressure to stem the bleeding.

  Pulling the hoodie inside out, I then slide it back on over my head, slowly pulling my arms through in hopes I don't irritate the cut or my still sore muscles more than they already are.

  I look back down, satisfied to find the blood isn't nearly as noticeable as it was on the outside. Only darker spots left in their specific areas.

  Though now I look like some hobo who likes to wear clothes inside-out just for the fun of it.

  But I guess for New York that won't be too alarming for them.

  I pat the pocket through the hoodie, feeling both the computer drive and the letter still securely tucked inside.

  Alright, get a move on Alex. Block everything off. You've done things like this before, you can do it.

  Don't let those thought and emotions cloud your mind.

Blowing another long breath out, I unsteadily rise to my feet, using the brick wall to help support my weight.

  I lean against the wall, eyes focused down the opposite way than where the water is; the way to the population.

  Pushing off, I place my hand back over the wound, applying pressure to help stem the slight flow of blood.

  Come on.

  I walk forward, avoiding the trash that litters the ground like a second skin, my destination ahead towards the noises.

  Walking through a couple other dingy alleys I suddenly step out onto a sidewalk, crowds of people walking each way completely absorbed in their own thing.

  I watch the passing crowds a few seconds, preparing myself before I step into the mob of people.

  The best way to blend in is to mix yourself up with a crowd. Like a needle in a haystack.

  Inhaling a long breath, I look down, stepping into the continuously moving sea of people. Not one soul taking a second look at my ragged form.

Skyscrapers stretch up to the sky everywhere you look, the roads a mass of yellow taxi cabs. Noises blare from every corner, making my head throb in union with each one.

  New York's like a continues heartbeat, always alive and moving.

  I keep my shoulders scrunched together in hopes it helps avoid the bustling people that seem to bump into you every minute, head angled down.

  I work on keeping my breathing steady, trying to ignore all the distractions around me.

  First step: find some money.......Well, I wouldn't exactly say 'find.'

  I stop next to a small florist shop, leaning my tense back up against the brick wall as I look up from underneath my hair. Eyes scanning the ever moving crowd.

  People walk undauntedly by, no one bothering to even glance at the bedraggled teenager. Like it's a everyday site for them.

  Which it probably is.

My eyes land on a what looks like a well dressed businessman. He's rapidly barking into a cellphone he has up to his ear, footsteps fast as he expertly weaves in and out from around people, a briefcase in his left hand. His attention completely distracted.

  He'll do.

  I notice the slight bulge in the outer pocket of his black suit, the obvious shape and size of a wallet.

  Usually wallets are kept on the inside of suits, which means his obvious haste this morning grants me easier access than what I was expecting.

  Wiping my slightly bloodied left hand on my hoodie, I brace myself, heart picking back up in expectation.

  I wait for just the right second, stepping forward as he passes within three feet of me. I collide into his side, my left hand coming up to clap his back like I'm catching myself from this 'unexpected' collusion when I'm actually using it as a distraction.

  Make a more noticeable point of contact, and that should distract them from any other light touch just long enough to get the job done.

  He bounces slightly from my momentum, his face scrunching in irritation as his eyes swing over to me.

  My right hand slips smoothly inside his large pocket as I keep him close to me, only one simple button in the way.

  "Hey! Watch it you bozo!" He yells as he jerks his shoulder away from my touch, immediately going back to talking on his phone, feet restarting their movements.

  Though now he might have a slight bloodstain on his suit....

  I step back from his space, keeping my head down as I turn to head the way he came from.

  My right hand comes up, a light brown wallet firmly clutched in my palm.

  A pang of guilt hits my chest, my hand falling back down to my waist as I navigate myself through the crowd.

  You only did it because you had to. Besides, he looked pretty well off anyway.....

  I walk a few more blocks, street names not meaning a thing to me at the moment as they all pass by in a colorful blur. The sun glares harshly down from the sky, bouncing off from every reflective object in the city.

  My stomach growls in hunger, reminding me I haven't eaten in over twelve hours.

  I frown as an odd feeling grows inside along with the emptiness, my face growing unexpectedly warm as a bout of nausea suddenly hits me.

  My medicine.....Which I usually would've taken by now.

  I grimace, pushing my hair from my sweaty forehead as I step onto a different street, this one full of markets and stores.

  I'll be fine. I've just got to hold on a little while. I can do that.

  Technically it would take less then a day to get from New York to Ohio by car. Which means maybe only a couple days for me. Depending on how I figure out my type of transportation.

  I take a left, entering another alley. Checking to be sure it is in fact empty, I lean up against the wall, laying my head back as I take a few measured breaths to help still the nausea.

  Looking back down, I flip the wallet open, completely bypassing the personal information as I look through the bill compartment.

  A few crisp hundred dollar bills sit neatly together, a couple twenties along with a fifty there also.

  Well that should...help.

  Pulling the money out, I close the wallet, stuffing the bills in the pocket of my sweatpants while simultaneously tossing the wallet over my shoulder as I step away from the wall.

  It lands in the garbage disposal six feet away, only a soft thump heard before it disappears most likely: forever.

  Eh, he'll cancel the credit cards once he realizes they're missing. And he'll just get a new drivers license - if he even had one.

  Yeah, just keep telling yourself that Alex.

  I mentally roll my eyes at myself, squaring my shoulders as I step back into the mob of people.

  Walking a hundred yards more, I stop in front of a Old Navy thrift shop.

  They'll be cheaper, and anything is better than this.

  I look down at my side, rechecking it to make sure there isn't blood spewing everywhere.

  A dark spot sits in that area, having grown only a little since the last time I checked.

  Grabbing the cool iron door handle, I pull it open, walking inside the partly crowded store before stopping a few feet inside.

  Good - I turn to my right - that means the employees most likely will be busy-

  My thoughts are abruptly cut off and I force myself not to show any surprise as I find myself face to face with some brunette that looks to be in her early twenties, a pair of smart glasses on the bridge of her nose.

   My eyes land on the name tag clipped to her solid blue shirt.

  Of course.

  "Hello! Welcome to Old Navy." Rachel - a Old Navy employee, ecstatically greets, moving so she stands only a few feet away from me.

  Where'd she even come from?

  She quickly looks my attire over, her large smile fading slightly as she takes in how messy my hoodie must look. Her eyes come back to my face, the smile regrowing to its original size as she ignores the state I'm in.

  "Can I help you find anything?" She clasped her hands together, looking like she's preparing to go through every article of clothing here just for me.

  I stare at her a whole five seconds, the actual 'normal' human interaction feeling more foreign to me than if you put a giraffe on mars.

  "Uh," I clear my throat as it comes out scratchy, shuffling my feet as I lean away from her.

  "No. I'm...fine...." I look away from her sudden disappointed expression, taking a step away from her. "Thank you." I remember to add, beginning my walk down a isle of clothing.

  "Oh, alright." She giggles, making me raise an eyebrow. Is she always like this? "Find me if you do need anything though!" She calls up at me, sounding way too hopeful for some reason.

  Okay.

  Skimming through a few racks of clothes for almost five minutes, I grab a few suitable pieces, heading to the door with the sign marked: restroom.

  Locking the door to the single restroom, I lay the clothes on a bench, gently pulling the hoodie up off my head once again.

  Stepping up to the mirror - I avoid looking at, that's in front of the sink, I grab a few paper towels out of the dispenser. Turning the cold water on, I run them under the faucet, completely dampening them.

  Turning the faucet off, I then squeeze the excess amount of water out before bringing them over to my side, awkwardly bending my upper body to see what I'm doing.

  I hiss a low breath out as I dab the cut across my side, ever so gently pulling the edges apart as I thoroughly - very unpleasantly, clean it.

  Five bloody towels later, I lean over the sink, dipping my head down low as I cup some running water in my hands before splashing it over my face.

  The burning sensation in my face calms with the contact of the freezing water, my hands rubbing over my skin to get any last remains of blood off.

  I pat my face dry with a few towels, turning the tap off. My eyes accidentally land on my reflection in the mirror, the air turning tense as they stop on my left shoulder.

  A sudden urge to look at the brand - I've yet to see, hits me out of nowhere, hands grabbing hold of the sink as I force my head down.

  Breath. Keep breathing.

  My lungs loosen just a fraction, hands tightening their hold.

  You don't need to look right now. It's not important.

  I shake my head, lifting it back up. My eyes once again land on my reflection, this time stopping on the newest scar that sits prominently along my right jawline. The one along my neck complementing it.

  A permanent reminder.....Along with everything else.

  I suck in a breath, releasing my hold on the sink as I step away. Pushing the thoughts away I know want to reappear, I concentrate on the clothes.

~~~
*Six minutes later*

  After trying a few different articles of clothing and attempting to finger comb my hair out, I now stand before the mirror once more, completely clothed.

  A white button up shirt - though I don't know why I picked white, a pair of dark jeans that fit snugly yet not too snugly, and a white belt. Finishing with a dark brown leather jacket.

    Eh, it could be worse.

   Picking up the dirty hoodie I hadn't even realized looked so bad until I looked in the mirror, I pull the computer drive out along with the letter.

  A dead weight instantly settles in my chest at the sight of it, and I quickly stuff both items in the front right pocket of the jacket.

  Don't dwell on it. Don't even think about it.

  Closing my eyes, I draw in a deep breath. Reopening them, I toss my useless pieces of clothes in the garbage can by the door, feeling the weight lessen slightly.

  I'm actually.....free.

  That one thought brings me from my stump, and I tuck the dollar bills in my back pocket as I step out the door. The tags for the clothes in my hand.

  My side gives a annoying stab of pain, my hand automatically going back to press against it to apply pressure to the now bandaged wound.

  Yeah, they might be missing a few bandages from their 'emergency' stash in the bathroom.

  A  rack of used watches catches my eye as I pass, and I stop, looking them over as I recall the one I used to wear before I was....recaptured.

   I pick up one of the twenty or so, quickly looking it over before moving forward once again. The watch firmly clutched in my hand.

  My new leather boots softly scuff the ground as I walk towards the register, a small grimace unconsciously growing on my lips as I notice Rachel's the one manning it at the moment.

  I quickly mask it as her gaze lands on my approaching form, her eyes noticeably looking me over before a renewed spark of interest lights in her eyes.

  "Hey again!" She greets once more. "Did you find everything you were looking for?" She questions, twirling a piece of medium length hair around her pointy finger as she leans forward on the counter.

  I give her a curt nod, placing the tags and watch on the counter. She picks them up, individually scanning each one.

  My eyes land on a small rack of sunglasses next to me on the left.

"I will find you!'

  Ben's words come unbidden to the front of my mind, making another cold shiver race down my back.

  Undoubtedly he has men out looking for me - even in such a big city like New York, men that probably have a picture of me or something.

  I pick up one of the sunglasses, quickly trying them on before placing them on the counter also.
 
  She scans the black square rimmed Ray-Ban's, placing them back in front of me as she rings up the total.

  I count out the correct payment, handing it over to her before snatching the sunglasses and watch up off the counter.

  "Bye! Come back soon." She waves at me, a smile spread across her lips as she looks me over once again before leaning back against the wall.

  I slide the sunglasses on over my eyes without a word, simultaneously turning around. Her gaze burning my back as I head towards the door.

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A/N

  Ahhhh! I actually updated! Oh yeah, go me! 😆 Though I'm sorry if it was crappy or anything, I was having a difficult time with it for some reason.

  Umm, so I don't really have any questions. Soooo, yeah. 🤗 But Comment anyway! Definitely VOTE!!

Next update: Okay, so I will most likely not be updating anymore of my books this week. (Though I only updated this book twice, I've completely neglected my others this week. 😭)Our uncle that we hardly ever see (he's in the Air Force and lives in Hawaii.) is here from two days ago until tomorrow. Then I'm getting my wisdom teeth out tomorrow morning. (ugh, so not looking forward to it. 😫) And I literally have no idea how that's going to affect me. I could either be completely fine, or I might be dying on the couch for a week. That's how it works for me. 😪

  So yeah, wish me luck and have a good rest of the day! Hope this update didn't totally ruin everything or something. 😬 (I think I must be nervous or something.)

Ttfn,
Maggy

P.S. Get ready, something (hopefully) interesting is going to happen very soon. 😉