Escaping Parker - F.T. Zele Page 0,41
safe.”
“Oh,” I say, sadly.
“You could get lucky later on. You never know, so it’s something I wouldn’t stew on. All that matters is everyone’s safety. You wouldn’t want to go through all of this, and later on think things are good, only ruin months and years of hiding, right?”
“I guess so.” I leave it at that, but the subject never leaves my mind. I know it’s something I’m going to have to get used to.
We are in the country, but not like Alice and James’s place. A rich man’s land, with amazing properties filled with crops and different types of animals spreads out for miles. Where we’re staying is a breath of fresh air. We have this nice guest house to ourselves, but a family occupies the main house. The family couldn’t be any nicer—two parents and their adult children—and I often watch them out on the property working. We haven’t interacted much since they’re always so busy doing work. I imagine they don’t have time for small talk with all the maintenance they have to do.
Just off the guest house a short walk down, a small lake sits surrounded by tall, swaying grass. With trees all around, giving shade in this humid August heat, it makes a great place to sit back and read a book. I haven’t actually gone in the water yet, even though it’s clear as the day’s sky. Rig mentioned it’s a great place to take a dip and cool off when the heat becomes too much, but I don’t have a bathing suit, and I’m not going to ask him to go buy me one.
I have been spending most of my time outside, just breathing in all this amazingness that surrounds us. Rig comes out and checks on me from time to time.
Since we left the last cabin, there hasn’t been any mention of Steven regarding my disappearance. Rig seems to think that’s a really god sign, and we might be closer to finding a place for me to finally settle in. I’m not entirely convinced, but I try to believe it. I always imagine this is like the calm before the storm, but we’ve been all over the place. I guess it’s really hard to track someone who is, as Rig has explained, zigzagging across the country. Personally, I don’t want to know where I am. It doesn’t make me feel safer. The less I know the better, and if that means being oblivious to what’s going on around me, then so be it. Plus, it keeps me from lashing out about things I don’t agree with. However, I figure we are somewhere in the South with the amount of humidity in the thick air.
“Parker!” Rig yells.
I wave my hand above my head so he sees me through the grass. “Over here.”
He makes his way to where I’m sitting, lying back with his hands behind his head and gazing at the sky. “What have you been doing?”
“Nothing much, just reading a book I found in the house. Was just about to come in since it’s getting hot out here.” I fan myself with the book and adjust my wig. Damn thing makes my head helmet-hot.
Rig shakes his head. “I don’t know why you won’t go in the lake.”
“I don’t have a swimsuit, and it just feels weird. I don’t want these people to think I’m acting like I’m on vacation, having a grand ole time here while they’re working.”
“They don’t think that, and if they needed help, I’m sure they would’ve asked. Besides, they have employees for that. They know why we are here. They even told you it’s ok to use the grounds.”
I shrug. “I know, I just feel awkward.”
“You’re sweating, I can see it glistening on your nose. Get up, we’re going in!” he demands.
All I can do is protest, putting my foot down even though I’m sure it would feel great to cool off. “Nope, not happening. I’m just going to finish my book here.” I pretend to be interested in what I’m reading, when I’m not really into it at all.
He grabs the book out of my hands and tosses it to the ground. He hoists me over his shoulder, all while I’m kicking and telling him no. He doesn’t seem to care. He walks fast to the pond, wading further in with me still on his shoulder.
“Rig! No, I’m in my clothes! Stop!” My protests mingle with laughter.
Once the bottom half of him is in the water, he