Chapter 63

*Olga*

Today was going to be the worst day of my life but little did I know it. I listened as Jayden prepared himself to go to work. Dave had pulled up the car and waited for Jayden to come down. I heard the almost imperceptible hum of the engine outside. I could hear the sound of water running in the shower from my position.

I was on the ground floor balcony taking a quick smoke. To hide my guilty pleasure from everyone I had switched to those disgusting flavored vapes. My cravings had woken me up at four am and I sat outside in the still dark and cold morning sky feeling the cold wisps of air in my face.

I smelt Jayden first as his scent wafted ahead of him. Hefinally entered the vehicle and it pulled down the driveway before disappearing from view amongst the hedges. I went back indoors and tried to close my eyes but sleep had fled from me. I was forced to shower and prepare myself. By seven I was already done and ready to go.

My plan initially had been to drive all the way to the town but seeing as I was ready and having a lot of time, I decided to use the slower route of the train. I ordered a taxi that took me to the station. The earliest train was to leave in an hour so I wandered around the station and popped into a café where I had myself breakfast.

I took a small walk and went to the smoking section after buying some good old fashioned tobacco cigarettes. I lit the cigarette and sucked in the hot relaxing air into my lungs. I don't care what people say, I know the baby will be fine.

I smoked the whole packet and then bought another two packets and put them in my handbag. I was traveling light since I knew I would be coming back today. I looked at the time on my phone and went back to the platform where I boarded the train. I had bought tickets to first-class knowing very well there was a smoking zone.

A crew member asked if I wanted anything as soon as the train started its silent journey. I nodded and asked for a small bottle of water and a small quarter liter bottle of vodka. I then leaned back and closed my eyes. The journey by train would take three hours to the town but had I used a bullet train it would take less than thirty minutes.

That was another funny quirk and eccentricity of Selspur City. Since it was the residential area of quite a number of wealthy and influential people, one would have expected it to be ultra-modern. Yes the infrastructure was top notch, rail, road, water and sanitation as well as electricity. However, the city still stuck to some old technology, like using steam trains instead of maglev bullet trains.

The trains themselves were old steam trains that had the insides stripped and remodeled to modern safety standards yet keeping the old feel and vibes. Well at least they weren't powered by coal. I looked around slowly wondering when the other passengers would enter the carriage. Sleep slowly crept over me and I slowly slept.

"Excuse me ma'am," I woke up to a female voice in my ear, "Your stop is coming up next."

I groggily opened my eyes and looked outside. Yes we had left the sunny open fields and were on the outskirts of the town. Ugly warehouses dotted the landscape in the distance and now that I could see clearly, the weather was cold and gray.

"Thank you," I muttered and downed the last of the vodka. It looks like I was asleep for over two hours. It helped that I was the only passenger in first class, otherwise I would have missed my spot. I took out my phone and texted Mark to let him know I had arrived.

"How did you find yourself here?" I asked, turning up my nose in disgust and jumped over a broken sewer line. The air here was rancid and horrible. The streets were filthy with dirt everywhere. There was litter all over from plastic trash to broken glass, and graffiti. The buildings were mixed and juxtaposed with some being fairly new while others were old and crumbling, with boarded-up windows and leaking pipes.

"I boarded the wrong train," Mark told me. He had arrived at the station just as I disembarked from the train. "But I am going back this evening to Seasbury. So how was the reaction?"

"It looks like they think you went back to Seasbury," I told him and then started coughing. "Can we get off the streets first?"

He nodded and led me down the road until we came to a cleaner road. He walked to a tall building and we went to the second floor where I saw a little café. We sat down and he ordered a slice of cake and black coffee. I settled for a cocktail making Mark raise an eyebrow but he prudently refrained from commenting.

I then went on to tell him about what had happened after he had left. I also let him know that Sierra was still missing and her whereabouts not known. I had been snooping around during the week trying to get friendly with Amanda and Nala. However I had given them both a bad first impression at the party and they were very wary around me.

Mark wanted to know exactly what had transpired at the party. So I gave him my version of the events. He later told me that Lisa had told him a little of what had happened.

"Are you still going to look for her?" I asked him.

"For now I have to get my shit together first."

"Finances?" I inquired.

He shook his head, "I have enough money for now. I need to get your boyfriend off my back first and foremost."

"You could fake your death," I suggested crazily, not expecting him to take me seriously. However he looked at me and nodded his thoughts far away.

"Why didn't I think of that? That's wickedly brilliant and I know just the place and time for that to happen."

We spent the day at the café and only went to the hotel where Mark had slept to eat some proper food. It was more of a two star hotel but the environment was way better and secure. I had seen no harm in spending some more time rather than go back immediately to Selspur City.

It was now a dark and rainy evening. I was walking alone on the almost deserted street, clutching my purse tightly. The rain wasn't much to deter me from walking nor was it a lot more of like a fine mist spray. Mark had volunteered to take me back to the station but I declined and told him I was a big girl who could take care of myself.

After a while of walking I sensed a pursuer and my first thought was to turn around. However, I forced myself not to do so and continued walking. I took the turn up ahead and quickened my pace.

I heard the footsteps behind me, getting closer and closer. I hastened my pace even more, hoping to reach the main road soon.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my bare shoulder and spun me around. I saw a masked man wearing a hoodie and sunglasses. He looked suspicious and menacing and he put his hand in his hoodie pocket as if pulling out a weapon.

Without thinking straight, I turned around and walked away as fast as my feet could carry me. I turned around and saw the man. He was walking fast, trying to catch up with me. I now felt a surge of fear and started to run. The streets were deserted now and except for the oddly flickering street lamp, it was dark and cold. The rain had increased in intensity and the wind had picked up speed. All shops were closed so there was nowhere I could seek refuge. I started feeling trapped and helpless.

The man finally caught up with me and grabbed my arm pulling me into a dark alley. He pulled out a gun and pointed it at my head. He said in a gruff voice, "Give me your bag and your phone, or I'll shoot you!"

I was terrified, but I was also very angry. I was angry because I had been running and was out of breath only to be caught this easily. He didn't even seem out of breath and I stupidly decided to fight back.

"Don't try anything funny ma'am," he warned. "Give me your money and your phone, or I'll certainly shoot you!"

Again that wave of fear washed over me and I tried to stay calm. I nodded and reached for my purse, pretending to comply. But instead of handing it over, I threw it at his face and ran as fast as I could. He was caught off guard and almost dropped the weapon.

Unfortunately instead of running back how we had come I went down the alleyway only to realize that it was a dead-end. I heard pained breathing behind me and I swung around but my cheeks connected with his fist.

I saw stars as the pain shot across my face. I staggered backwards and managed to dodge another fist. He grabbed my hand again but I kicked him in the shin and elbowed him in the face. He groaned and loosened his grip on my arm.

I took advantage of his momentary distraction and tried to snatch his gun from his hand. However, he had a very firm hold on it and the rain made it hard for me to even get a proper grip. We struggled over the gun until he hit the back of my nape and I stumbled forward.

I fell down and he started kicking hard, aiming for my stomach. The pain was terrible and I started screaming for help. The loud pitter-patter of the rain as well as the howling winds stifled my screams.

The last thing I remember was a hot searing pain in my ankle before I lost consciousness.