by Sophia Sharp
I blink. “Excuse me?”
“To give up everything you have for my brother—to leave everything behind—takes real devotion.” She smiles. “He’s so lucky to have you. I’m lucky to call you my friend, too. But Rich? I don’t think he even realizes the extent of your love.”
“Well, we’re going to have to make him see things clearly then,” I say. “Right after I kill him for leaving us the way he did.”
Min laughs. “You’re not the only one who wants to wring his neck.”
“We’ll do it together,” I tell her. “But only after we rescue him from the biggest mistake of his life.”
She looks at the door. “Shall we get this over with, then?”
I nod and lead the way inside. The landlord lives on the ground floor. His apartment has the only set of double doors in the building.
I set my feet before them, take a deep breath, and knock.
Bang-bang-bang.
There’s no answer. I look at Min, and raise my fist again. Just as my knuckles are about to strike the wood, the door opens.
A sleepy-eyed Abby appears in the doorway. For a second, I’m too shocked for words. Her golden hair is in a mess, and she’s wearing a huge, grey t-shirt that falls past her knees.
“Abby?” I stutter.
“Penelope?” Her eyes go wide in recognition. Without warning, she launches herself at me. I’m enveloped in a monstrous hug. She holds me so tight I can barely breathe. After a second, I notice she’s crying.
Gently, I ease her off. She dabs at her eyes to wipe away the trailing mascara.
“Never do that again!” she scolds. “Never disappear like that again, Penn! You hear me? Never!”
I’m taken aback by the intensity of her words. I never knew she cared so much. She certainly didn’t show it before.
“Abby, what are you doing here?” I ask.
“What am I doing here? What are you doing here, Penn? When I didn’t see you again after you left that night with the stranger, I thought you were mad at me at first. But then when you didn’t come back the next day, or the day after, I started to worry. You didn’t respond to my texts or my calls. I thought—I thought something bad had happened to you. Half the campus police force is out looking for you!”
“They are?”
“Of course they are, you idiot! I was the last person to see you, and I saw you leave with that guy. I told them everything I remembered when they came to ask me questions. They didn’t say it. But, I could tell: They thought you’d gotten yourself kidnapped—or worse!”
I give a weak smile. “Actually, that’s not so far from the truth.”
Abby shakes her head in disbelief. “Penn, I’ve been up day and night fretting about you. I know I pissed you off that night. I kept thinking, ‘If it wasn’t for me, she would have never left with that stranger…’ Oh my God!” she gasps, “And when they broke into our apartment and nearly torched the entire building, I didn’t know what to think!”
“What?” I exclaim. “Abby, slow down. Somebody almost burned down the building?”
“They started a fire in our apartment,” Abby says. “If it wasn’t for the new sprinklers they installed last summer, the whole building would be gone. Holy shit, but I can’t believe you’re actually here!” She wraps her arms around me in a second hug. When she lets go, she notices Min for the first time. “Who’s that?” she asks.
“This is Min,” I say. “The sister of the guy I left with that night.”
“Hi,” Min offers.
“His sister?” Abby asks, incredulous. “Jesus Christ, Penn. So he’s not a serial killer, then? I knew you were kidding when you said my suspicion wasn’t far from the truth. Where’s that hunk now?”
“I wasn’t kidding, Abby. His name is Richard. He’s the reason we’re here.”
Abby narrows her eyes. “This doesn’t make any sense,” she says. Then she hurries Min and me inside. “Come on, get in. Dave’s gone for another hour. I don’t like standing out here when there’ve been so many sketchy people around lately.”
--
I look around the living room of my former landlord’s apartment. I don’t need to ask Abby why she’s here. Not when she’s dressed the way she is. It’s obvious enough that she has followed through on the advice she’d given me last time we saw each other.
“You want a drink?” Abby asks.
“No,” Min and I answer in unison. We pause to look at each other. “We’re not staying long,” I finish.
Abby nods, then hops onto the futon. She curls her legs up under her. Min takes the armchair across from her, and I remain standing.
“The place looks clean,” I point out.
Abby laughs. “Yeah. Dave’s influence. If it weren’t for him, it’d probably look like our old apartment.” She pauses for a second. “Just kidding. Sort of. What you said to me that night really stuck, Penn. I’ve been trying to make myself better since. I got a job, and haven’t been out partying once.”
“And you and Dave…?”
“Stable,” she smiles. “We’ve been together since the night you left. He found me asleep in the hall outside our apartment and felt bad. He said I could crash here until I got myself together. I, um, thanked him that night.” She giggles. “He’s a good guy. Just what I need, in fact. Older, more mature, and definitely more experienced in the sack.” She winks at me. “Just like I told you.”
“That’s good, Abby. I can’t believe you remember our conversation. I thought you were blackout drunk.”
She gives me a significant look. “I know I might seem a little out of control sometimes. But I remember the important things, Penn. I’m not stupid.”
“I’m really happy things are working out for you, Abby,” I say.
“And I’m so relieved you’re alive! I know I’m not good at showing it, but I care about what happens to you. Really. You’re the first person I ever thought understood me. I’m sorry I was such a shitty roommate.”
“Everyone has their flaws,” I smile. “I don’t hold anything against you, Abby.”
Min clears her throat. “You said somebody started a fire?” she reminds us.
“Oh! Oh my God, yeah!” Abby says. “It happened two days ago. Just as the sun was setting. The fire alarms went off. Everybody had to evac. Lucky for me, I was in here with Dave. We ran outside, and I saw smoke coming from our—” she glances at me, “—old window. It wasn’t a large fire, thank God. The sprinklers put most of it out by the time the fire fighters got here. Dave was pissed, though. It took them like ten minutes to arrive.”
“Was anybody hurt?” I ask.
“No. We lucked out there, too. The firefighters told Dave it wasn’t an accident. They said somebody intentionally started the fire in our rooms. It didn’t make any sense to me, though. Dave was the only one who had the keys. I knew it couldn’t have been you.”
“Thanks for thinking so highly of me,” I say dryly.
Abby’s lips form a thin line. “I only considered the possibility for a moment because it meant you were still alive.”
“Did they find out who did it?” Min asks.
“No. But they know somebody kicked the door in. Dave let me look inside after the firefighters left. Whoever broke in didn’t touch any of my stuff. But Penn’s? They tore through everything. They piled all her clothes in the middle of her room and set fire to them. That’s where the smoke was coming from.”
“Holy fuck,” I mutter under my breath. I notice my nails are digging hard into my palm. I force my hand to relax before I draw blood.
“What’s more,” Abby continues, “there were two people asking about you the next day. They didn’t talk to me, but I heard about it from the neighbors. Dave finally called the cops on them. I saw them leave. One was a huge, scary looking man. His face was all busted like he’d just been in a fight.”
My breath catches. “Victor.”
Abby looks at me in surprise. “You know him?”
“It’s a lon
g story.” I shake my head. “But yes. I know who you’re talking about. He’s not a friend. The other guy with him: Was he tall, skinny, and bald?”
Abby scrunches up her nose. “No. It was a woman. I didn’t get a good look at her. But from what I saw, she was beautiful. Her eyes were angry, though. And cold.”
“Amanda?” I wonder out loud, glancing at Min. “Abby, did she have a long, black pony tail?”
“No. Her hair was cut short, right around her face.” Abby motions with her hands to demonstrate. “It was dark, though.”
“What about her skin? What color was it?”
“Umm… dark? Yeah, nothing like yours. She was probably Indian, or had a deep tan—”
“Native,” I correct. “She’s half-native.”
“So you know her, too?”
“I wish I didn’t,” I reply. Breaking into my room, throwing my clothes in a pile, and setting them on fire? Who would do that other than Amanda? I remember what Rich told me she did to his things after their breakup. This was similar, but way more extreme.
“If they come around again, don’t talk to them,” Min says seriously. “Call the cops right away. Both of them are dangerous.”
“Pfft!” Abby flicks her wrist nonchalantly. “I’ve handled dangerous people before,” she says.
“Min’s right,” I emphasize. “If those people are who we think they are, you need to stay away. They might even look for you because you were my roommate. God! I’m so sorry, Abby. I never wanted to involve you.”
“Hey, I’m tough, remember? If they try to do anything to me I’ll give them a taste of their own medicine.” Seeing the serious expression on my face, she sighs. “Oh, all right. I’ll be careful. Just what the hell did you get yourself into while you were away?”
“Made the wrong people angry, got framed as someone else, and fell in love.” I laugh at the absurdity of my explanation.
“You’re in love?” Abby squeals. “With that guy? Richard? Penn, I’m so happy for you! Is he coming here, too?”
“No. He’s in New York.” I gesture at Min. “We’re going after him now.”
“New York? You mean you’re leaving here for good?”
“We’re on our way to the airport. I wanted to find you first. Let you know that I’m all right.” I smile at Abby. “Say good-bye in case we never see each other again.”
“Hold on,” Abby says. “I’m not buying it. Are you pulling my leg, Penn? Because, from what I understand, you’ve got this guy you love—her brother—” she nods at Min, “—who’s left for New York without you? There are people I’ve never seen looking for you who you say are dangerous. You disappear for days without a trace, only to pop up now, and find me here, of all places, before flying across the country to join your new boyfriend?” She shakes her head. “If you invented all that just to get out of rooming with me, at least have the guts to admit it.”
“Trust me,” I say. “All of that is the truth.”
Abby still looks skeptical. I look at Min. She shrugs. I glance at the clock, and see we still have plenty of time left. I sigh, and launch into telling Abby the full version of events.
--
Abby’s eyes are wide by the time I finish my story. Her face has gone white. Now, I’m sure she understands the danger of the people who are looking for me.
“So he left you—both of you—just like that?” Abby asks.
“Just like that,” I agree. I show her the passport Rich had made.
“Shit, Penn,” Abby gapes. “This is like something out of James Bond.” She hands the passport back to me. “How do you know it’s safe for you two to fly?”
“We don’t,” Min says. “But we have to try.”
Abby leans back and chews on her nails in thought. Then she bolts upright. “No. No, I’m not going to let you take a commercial flight. Not if I can help it. I know a guy—” she pulls out her phone, “—a friend. He owns an airfield close by. He has a plane of his own. He flies for hire. He’s got a permit that lets him fly all over the states. He’ll take you.”
I exchange a glance with Min. “Abby…”
“He’s good at keeping things low key, too. It’s essential for his—” she clears her throat, “—profession. He might even be able to help you find Richard in New York. He knows a lot of people in helpful places.” She dials a number and stands up to pace the room as she makes the call.
I look at Min while Abby talks. She gives a tight smile.
“He’ll do it!” Abby exclaims when she ends the call. “He said he’s been meaning to make a trip to the east coast anyway.”
“Um, Abby?” I ask. “What does your friend do, exactly?”
Her eyes twinkle. “Didn’t I say? He’s a smuggler.”
--
Dave returns to his apartment almost the minute Abby gets off the phone. Once he hears our story, he agrees to drive us all to the airfield.
We get there forty minutes later. It’s far from the city, in the middle of nowhere, really. A barn at one end of the lot has been converted into a small hangar. A long, straight, paved road runs out from the main doors.
Abby’s friend has been expecting us. I see him waving our car over from beside the hangar entrance. He looks young. Really young. Only a few years older than Rich, at most.
“He’s the pilot?” I hiss at Abby, incredulous.
“Don’t worry. He’s been doing this for years,” Abby assures me.
“How, exactly, do you two know each other?” Min asks.
“We went to the same high school. He was sort of my first crush.” Dave tenses beside her. Abby pats his thigh. “Relax, babe. That was a long time ago. We’re just friends now.”
Dave stops the car and we all get out. From up close, I feel like I should recognize Abby’s friend from somewhere.
Then it hits me. He was one of the first guys she brought home when we moved to Oregon.
I decide not to mention it for Dave’s sake.
Abby runs forward and gives him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. Then she finds Dave again and takes his hand. My former landlord looks displeased at the exchange.
“Howdy,” our pilot greets us. He rocks back on his heels as he looks Min and me over. “You must be the two girls in big trouble. Abby said you need someone who can get you to New York pronto.” He spits out the gum he’s been chewing. “And she said you don’t want anybody to know that you’re making the trip.”
I step forward. “That’s right. That’s why we’re here.”
“Good. Then we’re on the same page. I’m always happy to help a friend, but fuel ain’t free, you know? And my time’s not something I piss away, either.” He taps the outside of the hangar. “If you two need to get on the beauty in here, I’m going to require some sort of compensation.”
I glare at Abby. She didn’t mention anything about that!
Min takes a step forward before I can do anything. “Here,” she says, slinging her bag around and digging inside for her wallet. She counts out fifty hundred-dollar bills. “That’s enough to get us in the air. You’ll get the same again when we land.”
“Deal,” he says, his eyes shining with greed. “Now, since y’all want to be hush-hush about this trip, I don’t think we need to exchange full names. You can call me J.” He turns around and slides the hangar doors open. “And this,” he says, “is my baby bird.”
My jaw drops as soon as I see the plane. It’s barely bigger than a small car. There’s no way it can fly across the country.
J laughs when he notices my expression. “Worried, darling? Don’t be. This is just the plane that gets us to a commercial airfield near Seattle. We’ll switch to a more suitable means of transportation there.”
--
Hours later, we’re flying through the air in a large cargo jet. There’s a FedEx logo on the outside. J sneaked us onboard without anybody noticing. Right now, Min and I are huddled next to stacks and stacks of various sized packages.
“Bet you weren’t
expecting this a week ago,” Min says when our gazes meet. A bit of turbulence shakes the plane.
“When it comes to your brother, I know to expect the unexpected,” I answer. “Everything that’s happened to me still seems so surreal. I can’t decide if I’m in a dream or a nightmare.”
“Maybe a bit of both?” Min comments.
“Yeah. Definitely,” I agree.
I close my eyes as the conversation lulls. Every minute we’ve been in the air, I’ve been worrying about Rich. Dark thoughts swirl inside me.
Min touches my arm gently. “We’ll find him when we get there,” she says, as if she read my mind. “I promise.”
I swallow. “I just hope we won’t be too late.”
Chapter Five
The floor beneath me rocks, jolting me awake. My eyes shoot open. I hear a grinding sound outside. My heart leaps to my throat as the cabin starts to shake.
“We’re here!” J calls out from the cockpit.
I exhale a sigh of relief. We’re landing.
The plane taxis over to a spot away from the landing strip and comes to a stop. J opens the door. Bright morning sunlight streams inside, causing me to blink.
“Well,” he announces, “this might not be JFK, but it’s as close as you’re going to get without flying commercial.” I can see other freighters around us, bearing the logos of their respective delivery companies. J points north. “Thirty minutes that way will get you to the heart of the city.” He looks at Min. “As for the rest of my payment…?”
Min hands him the money. He points us toward the terminal, where he says we’ll be able to get a cab. We walk there with him, say our good-byes, and get into the lone taxi idling outside.
Min gives the driver an address and he takes off. When I see the metropolis rising in the distance, I get a queasy feeling. I’ve never been to this part of the country. If only the circumstances that brought me here were different…
Our plan to find Rich, which we hatched yesterday morning, is simple. Since he used his real name on his flight, we assume that he wants to be found. Therefore, it’s unlikely he’ll go to great lengths to hide in New York. It’s more likely that he won’t hide at all. In fact, we think he’ll go straight to the one place anybody can find him: his father’s house.
