Escaping Parker - F.T. Zele Page 0,12
days?” he asks me.
“Um . . . I’m doing ok. Still very unsure, but hopeful. I wasn’t given time to think or anything. I just went, and I’m frightened of the future. I hope he will never be able to find me.”
“I can guarantee that you’re going to be safe with me; this is my life here as well. At some point, I had to stop thinking of the fear that came along with hiding families away from these monsters.” He shudders.
I can’t even imagine what these families have been through. I mean I can, sort of. To think these women are trying to save not only their lives, but their children, makes me really appreciate what these people are doing for me, for all of us.
“Is Rig your real name, or people just call you that?”
“It’s a name I have acquired over the years.”
“How long have you been doing this, if you don’t mind my asking?” He looks no older than I am. Also, I hope it gives me the opening I need to ask more questions, get to know his reasoning behind this. I do believe there are good people out there—that there really are do-gooders—but this is something I am realizing is brought on by events that have happened personally, perhaps to an already good person.
“Only about five years now, but I’ve been involved in this for almost fifteen. We used to have safe houses while I was a teenager, where families could stay for a couple days before their next move.”
“That must’ve been very different. Can I ask how you and your family got involved?”
He doesn’t answer immediately, so I figure he is done talking about this. I let it go for now, hoping in time he will fill me in. We drive for a while, and I keep my mouth closed, there’s never an answer to where we are going. I’ll know once we get there.
“My sister, my sister is why I am here,” Rig suddenly says about fifteen minutes later. “She was older than me by ten years. I didn’t fully understand why my parents jumped into this lifestyle; I always thought they were holding out some sort of hope that it would bring her back. It ripped my family apart for a while, but after time, it brought us all back together and we knew we were making my sister proud.”
“That must’ve been really hard for you and your family. I can’t even imagine. Do you enjoy what you do now?” I push for a little more.
“I do, yes. I like being able to help. I also never saw myself working a nine to five in a stuffy office all day. This gets me out, always finding new places to go that most people would never travel to unless they are visiting family. It’s a win-win for me.”
“Well, thank you, again, for meeting up with us and taking over with me. I don’t think Mark liked me very much.” I keep looking out the side window, watching cars passing by.
“I’m sure that’s not the case. He has just had a lot going on recently. We’re all like one huge family.”
“If you say so. This situation is new to me; I had no clue about this whole operation until I was actually meeting Andrew. I was really taken aback for a moment. It’s hard getting used to.”
“We’re all very familiar with uprooting families in a split second, and how they react to it. Mostly thankful, but that’s usually after the shock factor wears off. So we understand. In a certain way, this hits close to home for us.”
“Thank you for sharing your story. It makes me feel not so alone.”
“You aren’t alone, don’t ever think that,” he firmly expresses.
I let the conversation die down, thinking there has been enough seriousness in the last couple days for me, and I’m feeling extremely worn out. I’d think sitting in a car for days on end, I would be bouncing off the walls with pent up energy. But I just want a semi-cozy bed to sleep in and get some much needed rest, but I don’t see that one coming any time soon.
We continue to drive, and during that time I fall asleep, proving I’m the worst company ever, until I am woken up. It’s dark outside, and this time we are in a lit up city. Lights from buildings illuminate the streets, where I watch a couple walk hand in hand. I can definitely see just