Real Shadows

by M. E. Clayton

  I pulled out of the motel parking lot and merged onto the road, ready to move on. Since this was the first time I’ve ever left California, my only hope was that my idea to drive to Indiana would work.

  I couldn’t say how long it took him to find me, but I’d usually be settled in for a few months before the oddities begin. For all I know, he might know where I’m at the day I move into a new place, and he just bides his time because he’s a sick fuck. Who knows?

  I drove the rest of the way to North Dakota going back and forth between lip-syncing to different varieties of music or listening to an audiobook. It wasn’t until I checked my phone that I saw a text from Karla giving me something else to consider. I texted her back letting her know I was going to keep driving until my eyes couldn’t stay open anymore. I didn’t mention stopping in Brant at all.

  I made it ten more hours before I pulled into the next motel.

  Chapter 4

  Xander~

  I stared at my best friend’s beautiful wife, with her strawberry blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail and her face free of bangs, showing off her sweet face. Those beautiful hazel eyes giving no hint to the crazy lurking inside her mind.

  How could Karla be crazy, and I not have picked up on it until now?

  And worse?

  Trevor was sitting next to her, completely unfazed by the fact that his wife was crazy. I mean, looking at the guy, you could see that her insanity really wasn’t fazing him in the least.

  “I’m sorry, come again?” I asked as politely as I could. It always helps to deal with crazy people as politely as possible. I mean…granted, I haven’t dealt with a lot of certifiable crazy people in my life before now, but it felt like sound advice anyway. Karla let out a soft sigh and her smile was timid, but I didn’t think my reaction was unwarranted after sitting here listening to a story that had Hollywood written all over it.

  No wonder she had made all my favorites.

  “I know it’s a lot to ask, Xander, but…you are the only person I could think of to ask,” she sighed.

  Karla and Trevor had refused to discuss the favor until after we had eaten, and now, I suspect it was because I’d be too stuffed and fat to make a run for it. “You want me to purchase a house in my name, utilities included, for a friend of yours who’s driving all the way over here from California, because she’s being stalked?”

  “She would put up the money and pay the mortgage. She just can’t have the house and stuff in her name,” Karla clarified. “We don’t know how he finds her and, for all we know, he could be a cop or someone good with computers. Fallon has no social media accounts and keeps to herself. The only way he can find her-after moving six times, might I add-is through her work or rental information.”

  I ran my hands through my brown hair, making it stand on end no doubt, while I leaned back in the kitchen chair. Resting my arms back on the table I looked at Trevor. “Have you ever met this woman?”

  He shook his head. “No,” he answered. “She’s a childhood friend of Karla’s.”

  I gave him an understanding nod. I knew Karla was a foster kid, and she moved to Brant after graduating from college, where she met Trevor. His home was Brant, and this is where she followed him. Her only family was an uncle who lived in South Dakota. Trevor was all she had here in Brant, but she seemed perfectly happy with that. This Fallon woman must really mean a lot to her.

  I looked back at Karla and hated the words that were going to come out of my mouth because they were going to make it sound as if I didn’t trust Karla, and that wasn’t true. I trusted her almost as much as I trusted Trevor. Only difference was Trevor had childhood friendship seniority on her. “So, you’re asking me to take on a debt of hundreds of thousands of dollars on a…promise that she’ll pay it? Are you really asking me to...risk my credit and financial reputation to…help out a stranger?”

  Karla’s back snapped and I could see her bristle a bit. “No,” she contended. “I’m asking you to do me a favor, Xander.”

  My eye flicked towards Trevor before landing on Karla again. “If she’s putting up all the money, why can’t you guys purchase the home in your names?” I asked.

  Karla let out another quiet sigh and her shoulders drooped, all offense evaporating. “The only thing Fallon’s certain of is that it’s someone from our childhood. She thinks it’s someone who grew up with us in foster care.”

  “Because of the rabbit,” I deduced.

  Karla nodded. “Because of the rabbit,” she confirmed. “It would be too easy to link my name to hers. Again, we don’t know who it is, but it wasn’t a secret I was her best friend back then. And it’s not a secret that I’m her only friend now.”

  I grabbed for the beer next to my empty dinner plate and took a good, long drink. It was hard to wrap my mind around her words. I mean, I knew people got stalked all the time. I wasn’t a complete moron. But to stalk someone for years without making a move? That seemed…odd.

  “Then why move here if she can be connected to you? Why not move to…Florida or New York? Hell, if a person really wanted to get lost, New York would be the place to do it.”

  Karla shrugged a shoulder. “She said she’s tired of running,” she replied. “She wants to try her hand at a normal life for once. She said if he comes for her here in Brant, then he comes for her. Plus, I think she might just be tired of being alone.” I saw her reach for Trevor’s hand, and he automatically linked his fingers through hers.

  I was having difficulty buying into the desperation of the story. I knew Karla was telling me the truth as she knew it, but some of the story had holes in it. Not calling Karla a liar, but I knew some of the questions I had could only be answered by the woman in question.

  I had uncharitable images of a theatrical damsel in distress and I wasn’t comfortable with that. I wasn’t an asshole. I did my best not to judge people or their situations, but then, this situation was calling to involve me. And since it did, I deserved answers, right?

  “And the police can’t help her?” I asked. “Maybe a gun or self-defense?” Karla lifted her chin a bit, and I could tell she was getting offended at having to defend her friend, but this wasn’t a ride to the store she was asking for. She wanted me to tie myself to a complete stranger financially for hundreds of thousands of dollars. “What about security cameras?”

  “She knows some self-defense but isn’t comfortable with guns,” she replied. “In the current state her mind is in, she’s afraid she’d accidentally shoot someone out of paranoid fear.”

  “And cameras?” Security cameras were always the first line of defense against intruders.

  I could tell Karla was getting frustrated with me. “Of course, she’s set up cameras before,” she huffed. “It’s another reason she thinks he might be a cop or into computers because the feed is always messed up or erased. She’s even tried old fashion recording cameras, but those always come up missing. It’s like…” Karla let out a soft, sad chuckle. “It’s like he’s got a camera in her apartment and knows what to look for.”

  “Maybe he has a tracker on her car,” I suggested. “How do you know he’s not just going to follow her here?”

  “I don’t even think she’s thought of that,” she mumbled quietly. I watched as she jumped out of the chair and ran into the living room. When she came back in, her phone was in her hands, and her fingers were flying across the screen. “That would explain why he can find her no matter where she goes,” she continued to mumble.

  I waited until she was done firing off her text before saying, “I’m not saying I’m going to do this, Karla, but I’d have to meet her first. Talk to her.”

  She rolled those pretty hazel orbs at me. “Well, of course, Xander,” she muttered exasperated. “You know, you’re not the only person who would be taking a gamble here.”

  I leaned forwards with my arms on the table. “How so?”

  “Fallon would be trusting you with everything she has,” she replied. “She would have to trust
that you won’t just sell her house out from under her. Or rent it out. Hell, you could even take out a second mortgage on it or suck out all the equity.” Karla mimicked my position. “You could literally walk away with every cent she has and leave her with nothing.”

  Now it was my turn to bristle and get offended. “I would never do that to someone,” I stressed though clenched teeth. “Ever.”

  Her eyes rounded and her head reared back. “You don’t think I know that?” she gawked. “Why do you think I’m asking you for this, Xander?” She leaned back in towards me. “Next to Trevor, you are the most honorable man I know in this town. You were the first person I thought of when the subject came up.”

  I felt like a fool and calmed myself. “I’m sorry,” I rushed out. “I know you weren’t trying to insult me, Karla.”

  “Look,” she said, suddenly sounding tired, “Fallon won’t be here until tomorrow evening, or so. I’m sure she’ll be exhausted and just want to rest. Why don’t I set up something for the next day when you guys can meet? It’ll be Saturday, so maybe you guys can meet for coffee at Beth’s or you can come here.”

  I glanced at Trevor who’s been quiet this entire time. “No thoughts?” I asked him, putting him on the spot.

  Trevor shook his head. “I don’t have enough experience with what Fallon’s dealing with to have any helpful ones,” he replied.

  I looked back at Karla and thought about what she said. It made me feel marginally better thinking about Fallon taking on a big risk herself. It made me feel as if this could be legitimate. But I would still have to meet her first; get a feel for her. “How about I just come by here?” I suggested. “That way she’s where she’s comfortable and not surrounded by a bunch of strangers in an unfamiliar town.”

  Karla nodded. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.”

  The rest of the evening felt strained and I hated it. Trevor and Karla were my safe place. I trusted them with my life and I’ve always felt welcomed in their home. But tonight was uncomfortable.

  And I had a feeling it was only going to get worse.

  Chapter 5

  Fallon~

  The cab driver pulled up to the curbside and I let out the breath I felt like I’d been holding in since I left Indiana, where the car salesman assured me I was purchasing a perfectly reliable Toyota, but he was a car salesman; he couldn’t very well tell me he was selling me a lemon.

  The second I got that text asking me if I’ve ever checked my car for a tracker, my heart had sunk to the soles of my feet. For all my paranoid ways, that thought had never occurred to me. That was one way to explain how he always found me, that’s for sure. I suppose I could have just taken it to a mechanic and had them check it, but it made more sense to get a new car since I was determined to get a new life. So, I traded in my car for a cheap, barely functioning car, and let the car salesman keep the profit.

  I also left the car in an abandoned car garage that looked two days away from being demolished. The car was in my name, and if he was tracking me through my financial footprints, he’ll know I bought a different car, and he’ll know I bought it in Indiana.

  After ditching the car, I met a woman at the bus depot, and pleaded with her to buy me a ticket west to Missouri, and from there, I had caught a bus back north towards North Dakota. Both stops I had managed to find a sympathetic woman and I lied, making up a story about how I was fleeing from an abusive husband. Once I had told them that, they had been more than willing to help me out. I had felt bad about lying, but the more I thought about it, the more I figured I wasn’t really lying.

  I was fleeing from someone I felt was dangerous.

  I had also sent Karla one last text from my phone telling her he’ll never find me in Indiana. Even though I used a throwaway phone, I was careful with my texts. Any conversations Karla and I had that included details were done over the phone. Our texts didn’t give off any information about where I was going ever. They were mostly checking in and asking if I was okay. If he were able to get to my texts, he would just think Karla was checking on me.

  I left the phone in the car in Indiana and didn’t bother to purchase a new one. I was lucky enough that the last bus I caught went through Brant, and while it didn’t normally stop in such a small town, the driver had made an exception for me. I quickly discovered that, with Brant being such a small town, there were still functioning phone booths scattered around the town. I had called a cab and given him Karla’s address. I figured if Karla’s plan worked out, I could throw a car and phone into the deal and live off the grid, but still be able to live.

  And now, it was Friday evening, and I was paying and tipping the driver as I looked up at the lovely cottage looking home that Karla lived in. After the cab driver took my money, he got out of the car at the same time I did and went around to grab my bags from out of the trunk. I had two suitcases, one duffle bag, and a carryall bag. I didn’t own much and the carryall I had strapped across my body had all the money I had in it.

  I reached for the suitcases, but the driver slapped my hands away. “Don’t you dare, Miss Fallon,” he scolded. “That’s not how we do things here in Brant.” When he had pulled up to pick me up, he had gotten out and opened the door for me. He had also introduced himself as Jacob, as he took his hat off and actually dipped his head. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen manners like that.

  I smiled because he was just so sweet. “It’s not?” I teased.

  He shook his head. “Absolutely not,” he emphasized. “My momma would come clean out of the grave and whoop my ass if a woman ever carried anything around me.” I smiled because he looked to be in his late fifties, but the respect he had for his mother long passed was sweet. “And I don’t need that mean, old woman coming back from the dead.” He looked up towards the Heavens. “Lord help little Black babies everywhere because there’s nothing like a pissed off Black woman who takes her child rearing seriously.”

  I laughed and I couldn’t recall the last time I expressed such a genuine laugh. “Well, then, by all means, Jacob,” I said with flourish. “The last thing I want to do is get you in trouble with your momma.”

  “Amen,” he muttered before we made our way up the path and to the front door.

  Jacob set the suitcases down and turned towards me as I knocked on Karla’s front door. “I’m not the only cab driver in Brant, but if you need anything, you just give me a call, Fallon,” he offered, handing me his card. “It’d be my pleasure to get you around town.”

  I wanted to hug this man.

  This complete stranger, who was doing nothing but being a kind, decent human being, I wanted to hug. The only reason I hadn’t was because I didn’t want him reporting me to the police on my first day in Brant. But mostly, because I feared if I did, I’d fall apart in his arms.

  So, instead, I smiled up at him and said, “Thank you, Jacob. You will definitely be on my speed dial as soon as I get a phone.” He tipped his hat and turned back down the walkway as the front door opened.

  “Fallon!” Karla squealed as he wrapped me up in her arms. And-right in my left ear-she yelled, “Hi, Mr. Jacob!”

  “Hi, Miss Karla!” he yelled back right before I heard the motor of his cab rumble.

  Karla pulled back, and with her hands gripping my shoulders, her eyes ran the length of me. When her pretty hazel eyes moved back up to mine, they were shiny with unshed tears. “It’s so good to see you, Fal,” she breathed out softly. “I missed you.”

  I wanted to bask in this moment, but the underlining fear that shadowed my life was still there. “I missed you, too,” I told her. “Why don’t we…” I jerked my chin towards her front door.

  Her face softened and understanding dawned in her eyes. “Of course, Fallon,” she said before reaching for one of my suitcases. I grabbed the other one and followed her inside.

  We headed inside and I stepped into the living room, looking around at Karla’s home. You could tell right off that it was a home and not a house. It had
personal touches everywhere.

  “You have a lovely home, Karla,” I told her.

  She smiled and it reached her hazel eyes. “Thank you, Fallon,” she replied as she glanced around the room. “It’s…I’m happy here.” I nodded and the moment passed. “Let me show you to your room.” I followed behind her, and she led me down a short hallway that was lined with photos of Karla and her husband. There were pictures of vacations, outings, etc.

  We got to the first door on the left and Karla opened the door. We walked in and it was a cute set up. It looked exactly like a guest room should look. “Here it is,” she beamed as she placed my suitcase on the floor next to the full-size bed.

  I placed the suitcase I was carrying next to the foot of the bed and dropped my purse, duffle bag, and carryall on top of the bed. I turned to face Karla. “Thanks, Karla.” I shook my head. “You don’t have any idea how much this means to me.”

  She threw her hand up to stop me. “Fallon, I know you feel guilty for coming here. I know you think that you’ll somehow bring drama to my life, but I don’t care. You’re my friend and you’ve been handling this on your own for way too long.” Her words caused a pang in my heart. “I can’t count how many times you saved my life and my sanity growing up. Let me do this for you.”

  I took a deep breath and nodded my head. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I saved her life growing up, but when you grow up in a world where no one wants you, it’s easy to contemplate ending it all. I imagined that’s what she meant.

  I smiled for my friend. “Thanks, Karla,” I replied. “Hopefully, your plan works, and we’ll all be drama-free.”

  “Well, I’ll let you get settled, and then we can catch up on everything we’ve missed.” She smiled again as she said, “I already spoke with Xander, and he’s agreed to come over tomorrow afternoon, so you guys can meet.”