Chapter 35. Escape Plan
"Riley? What are you doing in my room so early?”
"Oh, Kaella!"
Riley was really happy that she had knocked on the right door. She reflexively jumped to hug Kaella tightly and cried on her shoulder for no apparent reason. She just wanted to cry and spill out all the sadness that had filled her heart since yesterday.
“What happened to you, Riley? Why are you crying? How was last night's party?"
"Very bad," Riley muttered hoarsely. She was still reluctant to let Kaella go because she needed her shoulder to cry.
"Mr. Hatcher carried you out of the car when you came home. He said that you fainted from exhaustion. Is it true?"
Kaella's eyes scanned the entire backyard. She was worried that someone from Logan's bodyguard had seen her with Riley. She then pulled Riley's hand into her room.
"Tell me everything inside," whispered Kaella quietly.
She limped a little as she followed Kaella into her room. Her tears were still running down her cheeks. She sobbed as Kaella offered her to sit on a wooden bench.
"What's wrong with your leg?" she asked suspiciously.
“Sprained. I tripped over an oak root."
Kaella crouched down to look at Riley's swollen legs. She then took oil from her cupboard and rubbed it on Riley's swollen leg.
“This is the oil I bought from the gypsies. Great for burns and leg sprains like this.”
"Really? Thank you."
Riley looked at the movement of Kaella's hand that spread the oil to her feet. The aroma was very strong, like a mixture of cinnamon root and spices.
“It can also be used for aromatherapy. I often put it on my hands or feet or my shoulders when I feel exhausted.”
"Thanks very much. I feel better.”
Kaella smiled gently and stood up to put the bottle of oil back into her cupboard.
"Tissue."
She dabbed at her wet eyes with a tissue, then crumpled the tissue into a ball in her palm.
"Better? You want a drink?"
"Much better. Thanks. You have a drink?"
“I have a few bottles of water in stock to drink if I wake up in the middle of the night.”
Riley nodded slowly. She scanned the interior of Kaella's room, which was quite spacious and comfortable. A single bed large enough to fit one person was in the center of the room. There was a wardrobe on the right, a small window overlooking the garden, covered by tiny red curtains. Riley wasn't worried that her reflection would be seen from outside because the room was dimly lit. Riley felt comfortable that way and didn't ask Kaella to turn on the white light because she seemed to be able to hide her tears under the yellow light.
“Drink it. Take a deep breath and exhale slowly."
Riley followed all she said. She really needed to calm down and relax. Since waking up from the nightmare, her heart was pounding and her body was covered in cold sweat. Gradually her tension loosened and she began to relax.
"Thanks very much. Am I bothering you?"
Kaella studied Riley's pale face for a few seconds then shook her head slowly.
"I'm awake. It's just that I didn't expect you to come to my room so early. You okay? Your face is very pale."
"I'm not fine, Kaella. I'm scared! Last night, Logan just killed four men. One of them was Alan. You know him, right?”
Kaella shook her head slowly. She looked shocked and worried.
"I only know Jacob. Mr. Hatcher's bodyguards don't step foot in this house every day. I've never had any contact with them."
"Okay, no problem. Alan... he was Logan's bodyguard who betrayed him. Alan worked for someone. I think he worked for Logan's enemy because Logan was furious when he found out that Alan was a spy."
"He is the man you told me about yesterday?"
"Exactly. I thought Logan didn't know about Alan's betrayal, but he did. He knew everything accurately."
The hairs on Kaella's neck bristled. She rubbed the back of her neck, feeling uncomfortable after hearing Riley's story.
"Didn't you go to the party last night? Why did you see Mr. Hatcher killed Alan?”
The memory of when she shot Alan flashed through her mind. Fear and guilt crept into her heart again. She cupped her face with her palms and cried.
“I killed Alan. I shot him."
Kaella rolled her eyes in surprise. She tried to calm Riley, who was hysterical by holding her shoulder and trying to rub it gently.
"Riley, calm down. Tell me slowly. There must be a reason why you shot him.”
"Logan forced me. Logan forced me to grip the gun, then he pushed my finger to pull the trigger. I don't want to kill anyone, Kaella. I don't want to be a monster."
The sound of Riley's crying wails in Kaella's quiet room. Kaella was concerned to see Riley's sad condition. She was clearly under pressure and fear. Everything she got was new to her.
“Tell me everything, Riley. All the things that happened to you last night.”
With a hoarse voice and a stuffy nose, Riley recounted all the things she had experienced last night with Logan. She told her story in detail and didn't let a single word slip out of her story. She spoke haltingly because she remembered Alan's last moments before he died horribly.
"I didn't expect Mr. Hatcher to involve you that far into his life. When he was at home, he would act as normal as possible. Just eat, sleep, and go to his study. But I guess that's because you've seen his dark side."
"I didn't know if Logan was there and executed those people. I thought it was just the backyard. I was tired of waiting for Logan then. He left me alone."
"I'm sorry about what happened to you, Riley," Kaella squeezed Riley's icy palm.
“I want to get out of here, Kaella. I want to get away from that monster.”
Kaella was stunned for a few seconds.
"Are you sure?" Kaella's face formed a frown of concern.
“I have to get out of here. Help me to get out of here.”
"How can I help you?"
Riley gaped, surprised at Kaella's reaction to remain calm, and she even immediately agreed to help her.
"Are you sure? You want to help me out of here?”
"Why not? I don't want you to suffer for the rest of your life."
"But that would mean dragging you into danger. Are you sure? Logan would be furious if he found out you helped me escape from him."
"Then don't let him know. We'll do it quietly. Ini akan menjadi rahasia diantara kita berdua.”
Riley was so grateful that she had Kaella in this house.
"But where are you going? And what are you going to do after you get out of this place?”
"Dunno. I have no money. I was kicked out of my house by my mother. And if I want to disappear forever from Logan, I have to get out of this city. I have to… hide.”
“Hiding won't be fun. You will be tormented and anxious wherever you are.”
"But it's the only way to escape Logan's grip. I will change my identity. I think it’ll work," Riley said as she twirled her fingers in her lap.
"Then I will help you. I have money, my savings while working here. Mr. Hatcher was a generous man. He pays quite a lot."
Kaella stood up and pulled out a wooden box from the bottom of her wardrobe. She handed it to Riley.
"You can use my money, Riley."
"No. It's your money. I won't take your money."
"I'm fine. I will get more money from my salary next month.”
"No. I'm not using your money for this escape. Just lend me your phone. I need to call Wren."
"Who is he? Are you sure he'll help you?"
"Wren is the doctor who treated me when Logan first found me in the hospital. He's one of Logan's best friends. They're currently having a cold war because Wren doesn't like the way Logan treats me. Wren then gave me his number for urgent matters like this. He offered to help me, but I refused because I thought I could complete my deal with Logan. But after what happened last night, I changed my mind and didn't want to continue with the deal. I can't live with all the nightmares that haunt me."
"Then use my cell phone. Call Wren. Maybe he can help you get out of this country.”
"I hope so. I owe you a lot, Kaella.”
Riley gripped Kaella's hand tightly. Her eyes filled with tears seeing the sincerity on Kaella's face. Even though they had just met, she felt like Kaella was like her own sister.
“I'd be happy to help you, Riley. I don't want you to crumble under Mr. Hatcher's dictatorship. Wait a minute, I'll get my phone."
When Kaella got up from her seat to pick up her phone which was charging, Riley stared blankly at the window of Kaella's room, which had a dim view of the garden. The sun is starting to rise outside. Although the light couldn't cut through the thick autumn fog, at least the sky turned bright.
"Quickly call that guy. I have to work in five minutes. And you also have to get back to your bedroom before someone catches you sneaking out of your bedroom."
Riley reached into her pajama pocket and pulled out a small, crumpled piece of paper. She then quickly dialed Wren's number and listened to the dull ringing tone. She almost gave up on calling Wren when she got no answer.
But before Riley hung up, Wren answered the call in a deep, husky voice on the other end.
"Yes? Wren Bristol."
"Wren, it's me, Riley."
"Riley?"
Riley heard Wren's voice like a mixture of surprise and relief.
"How are you? Whose phone did you use to call me?”
“This belongs to one of Logan’s maids. There’s no way he would give me a phone. He doesn’t like me contacting you.”
"I already guessed it. Logan really locked you up in his mansion, didn't he?"
"Wren, help me out of here."
Riley got a signal from Kaella to speak quickly because it was almost five in the morning.
"What happened, Riley? You rejected my offer earlier. And now, why do you suddenly want to run away from Logan?"
"Long story. I can't tell you now. But can you help me? I need to get out of this country and change my identity to hide from Logan.”
Silence. There was no answer from Wren other than the sound of his breath, which sounded soft. Riley bit her lip nervously. She lost all optimism that Wren would help her escape from Logan's clutches. She knew it was nearly impossible. Logan would not let her escape from him that easily.
"Where are you going? Which country are you going to?”
“Mmm… I don't know. I have not thought about it. But I have to get out of here as soon as possible.”
"Okay."
"Okay?" Riley asked doubtfully.
"Ok, I will help you. I have acquaintances in several countries outside of New York. We will think about which country you want to go to later. First, we have to get you out of Logan's house."
“Oh Wren, thank you so much!”
Riley gestured to Kaella if Wren agreed to help her. Kaella sighed in relief. She was happy for Riley.
"Don't be happy just yet, Riley. It won't be as easy as you think. We need a plan to get you out of that house. Logan has a lot of cameras and bugs in that house. You have to find the right moment to get out of there.”
Riley's shining face instantly turned gloomy. She forgot that Logan was very careful in guarding what was his.
"I'm not sure if I can sneak out of here."
"I'll help you," Kaella called.
"How to?" asked Riley wearily.
"The day after tomorrow is the time to buy groceries. I will go to Essex Market and the supermarket with Jacob. You can get in the trunk and hide there until I stop at the supermarket on Essex St. It's very crowded there. You can disguise yourself with the passersby there without getting caught. Then go to see Wren."
"Good idea. I'll tell Wren," Riley exclaimed happily.
“Could you pick me up at Essex St the day after tomorrow? I'll be sneaking out of Logan's house when Kaella is out shopping."
"Okay. I can pick you up there. But stay alert. Logan has a lot of spies in his house."
"I'll be careful. See you the day after tomorrow. Sorry to bother you so early.”
"No problem. Honestly, I'm glad to hear your voice, Riley. I've been worried about you ever since Logan took you out of the hospital that night.”
"Thank you very much, Wren. Sorry for dragging you into my troubles.”
"Don't say that, Riley. I got you in trouble. If I hadn't brought you to Logan, you wouldn't have ended up like this. You can live a normal life and find a job.”
In his heart Riley confirmed Wren's words. If Wren hadn't handed her over to Logan, her life wouldn't be like this. But it was too late to regret everything. She just had to look ahead and carry out all her plans well.
"See you the day after tomorrow, Wren. Bye."
Riley hung up the phone and returned it to Kaella.
“Thank you so much, Kaella. You are so kind to me.”
"You're welcome. I hope our plan goes well. I don't want you to live under the shadow of Mr. Hatcher's cruelty," Kaella patted Riley's shoulder, then she got up to get ready for work.