No Escape

Shania was surprised at just how strong Lauren was for her size. She effortlessly ran across the lawn toward the parking lot with her, as if she were as light as a feather. Shania could see a dark van parked to the side of the lot with its sliding door wide open. Shouts could now be heard behind them. Footsteps other than Lauren’s pounded on the ground. When they reached the van, Lauren practically threw herself into it, then hurled herself inside as well. She slid the door shut just as the van lurched forward. “You guys okay?” asked the driver. “Fine, Courtney. Remember where to go?” asked Lauren. “Sure do.” “Ashford Avenue would be a good place to pull over,” Lauren added. “Yes, I think it would be.” “Ashford Avenue?” Shania questioned. “That’s not too far from here.” “I know, but Courtney will need to screw the light bulb back in place that lights up the license plate as soon as possible, so we don’t get pulled over. We just didn’t want anyone to be able to see it as we were pulling away. Damn! If only that nurse hadn’t been in the corridor. We could’ve had at least a five-minute head start before they were on to us, and maybe then they wouldn’t have tied me in with you, but oh well. I can’t say you’re not worth it.” With both guilt and gratefulness, Shania threw her arms around Lauren, who eagerly returned the embrace. Her heart was still pounding when Courtney pulled the van over and jumped out to replace the light bulb. “Think we made it?” Shania asked. “I hope so.” “Now what?” “Now we get out of here.” “And go where?” “Up to Oregon.” “Oregon? Why Oregon?” “There’s a woman just past the California border in a small town called Klamath Falls who’s going to help us. She’s part of an underground organization that helps abused women escape their husbands.” “But we’re not abused women running from abusive husbands. We’d fight back if we were, don’t you think?” “Fighting back isn’t always so easy, Shania. Could you just fight back against Hoffritz and his niece?” “I see your point.” Courtney got back in the driver’s seat and the van moved on. “Anyway, we certainly can’t tell them you’re an escaped mental patient and that I, as your therapist, helped you break out. Instead, I’m escaping my abusive husband, John, and you’re my cousin who was living with us. Got it?” “Yes, but what about our pictures? Aren’t they going to be seen on TV and in the papers?” Shania asked. “Probably. That’s why we’re going to change our looks a bit. You got the wig and dye?” Lauren asked Courtney. “Sure do. Got the bus tickets too, and the money from your account, as well as cash your folks wanted you to have.” “Oh, thanks, Courtney. You’re a real lifesaver. Don’t know what I’d do without you.” “Just don’t get caught,” she replied. “We’ll certainly do our best not to.” “You two ought to be alright for the next year in a small town rather than a big city. The fewer people, the better.” “But if it’s such a small town where everyone knows everyone else, wouldn’t they be curious about any newcomers they may see as outsiders?” Shania asked. “Nah, I don’t think so,” Courtney answered. “We studied the towns and cities really well before settling on Klamath Falls, and it looks like it’s big enough to blend into but small enough to avoid tons and tons of people. Cities like San Diego and Los Angeles are simply too crowded, and that saying about getting lost in the crowd doesn’t always hold up so well.” Once they pulled up at the bus station, they studied their surroundings. “Don’t see a bunch of cop cars,” Courtney said. “But what if there are tons of undercover cars?” Shania asked. “I doubt there are,” Lauren told her. “Besides, you escaped a funny farm, not a prison.” “And you’re in California, not Texas or Arizona,” Courtney added. Lauren chuckled. “Yeah, they’ll hunt you down for decades for not paying a measly speeding ticket in those states.” She then turned to face Courtney in front. Under the bright lights, and with Courtney now facing them, Shania could see that she was plain yet pleasant-looking, with long dark blond hair and hazel eyes. Lauren leaned over and hugged her friend. “Goodbye, buddy. We’ll keep in touch using the mail at first and then various payphones.” “Okay,” Courtney said with a sigh. “It’s going to be a long year. I’ll miss you, pal.” “Me too,” said Lauren. “It was nice meeting you, Courtney, and thanks for helping us out,” Shania told her. “You, too. Take care of each other now.” Lauren hopped out of the van and picked up two suitcases that had been placed between the front and back benches. “Can you manage on your own?” Courtney asked. “I think so,” Lauren said. To Shania, she asked, “Think you can handle slinging the carryall over your shoulder?” “Sure.” Shania placed it over the shoulder of her good arm. They watched Courtney drive away and turned to head into the terminal. “Instead of one long trip, we’re going to make a few smaller ones,” Lauren said. They hurried to the desk and were told that the next bus headed for San Bernardino was to depart in ten minutes. Not wanting to stand around and wait where there were more people milling about, Lauren guided Shania into the ladies’ room. “This way, there won’t be so many people around,” she explained. Fortunately, they found the ladies’ room empty. “We’re not out of the woods yet, I suppose,” said Shania. “Not quite. If we can make it through to tomorrow and get out of San Bernardino without incident, we should be home free as long as we use common sense from there on out. In this place, we really have to be careful because this is one of the first places the authorities may check. It depends on whether they decide to actively pursue us or just hope to nab us if we happen to have any contact with the police before the warrants expire.” “Better not have any contact with the police then,” Shania said. Lauren pulled a long, dark-haired wig out of the carryall bag Shania still had slung over her shoulder. As she placed it on her head, she said, “My hair’s so dark that I really can’t darken it anymore, and I’d look ridiculous as a blonde or a redhead. I can’t magically grow it out overnight either, so I thought this would be my best bet.” Shania laughed as she studied Lauren with her new waist-length hair. “What am I going to do?” “You, my sweet princess,” Lauren said, playfully patting the tip of her nose, “are going to become a little blondie once we get to the motel.” “Should I cut my hair, too?” “Oh, no. I’d hate to see you cut off all that beautiful hair. Must’ve taken years to grow it that long, didn’t it?” Shania nodded. “Yes, but I’m willing to cut it if you think it’ll better our chances of escaping detection. It’s only hair. It’ll grow back.” “No, I don’t think it’s necessary unless you’re sure you want to. The dye job alone should do the trick. I’ve got two boxes to make sure we cover it all.” “But what about my arm?” “The woman will provide us with a doctor who can take care of it. One that’s part of the underground organization.” Lauren inspected herself in the mirror. She then turned to face Shania and said, “Okay, it’s about time now. Try not to look nervous when we go out there to board the bus. Just act natural, okay?” Shania nodded, the two kissed, then headed for the bus. “We’re only going a short distance tonight,” said Lauren. “Just up to San Bernardino.” “How far is that from San Diego?” asked Shania. “About a hundred miles?” “Ninety-seven to be exact. I researched it on the web. Let’s just get on the bus and then I’ll go over the travel plans with you.” “Okay.” They boarded the bus without incident. Due to the late hour, hardly anyone else was traveling. They took seats in the back and Lauren filled Shania in on the route she had mapped out with Courtney’s help, as well as the reluctant help of her parents. “Your folks must be pretty upset with you,” Shania said with a sigh. “Yeah, but it’s okay. They’ll come around in time. So, as I was saying, tomorrow we’ll travel to Sacramento, then the next day we should arrive in Klamath Falls. These will be all-day trips, so be prepared to be riding for many hours.” “It’s better than riding in wheelchairs at Lakeview Funny Farm.” Lauren chuckled, as did Shania. They didn’t talk much during the ride up to San Bernardino. Perhaps this was because they were so exhausted, both physically and mentally. By now, they’d normally be fast asleep. The bus hummed on as they tried to relax, each lost in her own thoughts about the events at hand. Although Shania didn’t feel alone since she had Lauren, she missed her family more than ever and wished they were alive at the moment to give her their input. Her mother had been a judge in the San Diego circuit court, and her father had been a bailiff. Perhaps there was something they could’ve done to help her if they were still alive, so that she wouldn’t have to run like this and so that Lauren could still have a secure job, even if it was among a bunch of corrupt misfits. Now, however, Lauren would never be able to get another job in the mental health field. Two hours later, they got off the bus and took a taxi to a cheap motel called the Townhouse Motel. “Wow,” Shania said when they entered the second-floor room. “This isn’t what I think of when I think of motels.” “Me neither,” Lauren agreed as they surveyed the room. It appeared to be an old apartment that had been converted into a motel. The room seemed more like a living room than anything else, or perhaps a large bedroom. There were two closets off either end. Even the bathroom was more like one you’d find in a residence of some kind. They agreed to get some sleep right away so that they’d have time in the morning to dye Shania’s hair before check-out at 11:00. After the two washed up and climbed into bed, Shania commented on how hard the mattress was. “It is a little firm,” Lauren agreed. “Ready for lights out?” Shania nodded. Lauren clicked off the bedside lamp. The brightly lit parking lot outside wouldn’t allow the room to get too dark. She could clearly see Lauren’s form outlined against the glowing light at the sides of the curtains. “You going to be okay, babe?” Lauren asked. “As long as I’m with you,” Shania answered. “Aw, how sweet.” Lauren reached for Shania. Tightly wrapped in each other’s arms, they fell into a dreamless sleep.