Back to the City
Back to the City
By the time they reached the outskirts, the city was alive with noise.
Buses groaned, vendors shouted, pedestrians darted across cracked streets. Cars roared past, neon lights buzzed in the distance, and the air smelled of grease and rain.
Sophie tugged her scarf higher over her face, while Talia adjusted the plain mask from their small bag they brought along . To anyone watching, they were just two tired people heading to work.
But Talia’s eyes never rested.
Every alley, every shadow, every parked car she catalogued them all.
They slipped into a narrow alley leading toward LBH. That was when Talia froze. A black SUV idled too long by the curb. A man leaned against a wall, cigarette unlit, scanning the crowd.
“They’re already here.” she whispered
She pulled Sophie closer, and whispered to her “They’re here but don't panic I don't think they recognize us yet Walking straight to LBH will get our cover blowned . The station’s no safer also they might erase us there. We need somewhere to hide.”
Sophie shivered, panic bubbling up. She masked it by grabbing Talia’s arm and hissing like they were quarreling. “What about a hotel?”
“No ID,” Talia muttered.
“Then someone reliable someone we can trust,” Sophie pressed.
Talia shook her head. “We don’t know who’s who anymore.”
“My father’s old friend,” Sophie blurted. “Mr. Richard. A shareholder in Langford Group. He lives nearby. He’s practically family and I'm sure he will help .”
Talia hesitated. “Sophie… no. That’s too risky...”
“Trust me, just this once,” Sophie snapped, her voice breaking. Her ankle was swollen inside her shoe, her lips cracked from thirst, her body trembling with exhaustion.
Everything in Talia’s gut screamed no. But one look at Sophie’s desperate eyes, and she gave a sharp nod. “…Lead the way.”
….,
The house was modest but refined, tucked on a quiet street. The kind of place that whispered wealth without flaunting it.
A housekeeper opened the door.
“Please, tell Mr. Richard his goddaughter is here,” Sophie said with a trembling smile beneath her scarf.
The woman blinked, then hurried inside. Moments later, a man in his early fifties stepped out, confusion etched deep on his face.
Sophie lowered her scarf.
“Sophie?” His voice cracked. Disbelief and happiness flooded his features. “Everyone thought you were dead!” He pulled her into a trembling embrace.
Sophie’s relief broke like sunlight. “I’m alive. I was never dead and I came to you so I won't end up dieing .”
He ushered them inside, shutting the door quickly. The air smelled of polish and old books. For the first time in almost 24 hours , Sophie tasted clean water and changed into soft, fresh clothes. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to believe they were safe.
“Then what is with the disappearance and appearance are you okay? “ mr Richard said as he inspects Sophie
Slowly Sophie drifted into narrating all that happened to him when she was done his mouth wad left half open
Richard stood up from his sit tears flowing fro his eyes he hugged her tighhtly and said “ I'm glad you survived “ he said crying as he gently tapped her on her back
“Don’t worry. I’ll get changed and we’ll go to the company together.” He said as he use his hand to Wipe his tears and excused himself, and slipped away with his phone.
Sophie leaned back, eyes shining with relief.
But Talia’s instincts wouldn’t quiet.
“I need the bathroom,” she whispered, then slipped out silently.
She stopped at the kitchen doorway.
“…Yes, she’s here,” Richard’s voice hissed into the phone. “Both of them…..ok I’ll stall them for some minutes . Just Get here fast.”
Talia’s blood went ice cold.
She didn’t wait to hear more. She moved quickly back to Sophie, who was sipping water, finally at ease. She said as she sees Talia approaching
“I told you he was my father’s childhood frien.…”
“We’re leaving. Now.” Talia’s voice cut like steel.
Sophie blinked, startled. “What? Why?”
“No questions. Move.”
The door creaked. Richard reentered, smiling too wide. “What’s this? Leaving so soon?”
“Not at all,” Talia said smoothly, a smile painted on her face. “She was just about to show me the bathroom.”
Sophie began to raise her hand to point, but Talia seized it instead. Her grip was firm, urgent.
Before Richard could react, she yanked Sophie toward the door. In the next heartbeat, they were gone bolting into the street, the man’s shouts echoing behind them.