Nestled in the driver's seat, concealed within the woods, I wrapped blankets tightly around my body, and beside me sat the gifts Mark had given me. The brand-new gun, fully loaded and primed for action, lay within reach, while the cash he provided, along with a carving knife, was securely strapped under the seat. The trunk of my car held a carefully packed collection of weapons, including grenades, rifles, shotguns, and tasers, items I had acquired and added over the course of several months.
Knowing my attackers would anticipate my escape, fleeing as far away as possible, I recalled Mark's advice to be daring and unpredictable. Hunger gnawed at me, an aspect I hadn't prepared for. In the past, Mark had always taken charge in situations like this, knowing exactly what to do. Tears blurred my vision, and I wiped them away in frustration.
'This too shall pass,' I repeated silently, trying to find strength amidst the turmoil. My thoughts drifted to my brother, and an ache of longing for him and Archer swept over me.
Exhaustion finally took over, and I fell into a restless sleep, only to be woken by the cheerful chirping of hummingbirds atop the trees. The cold air penetrated through my layers of sweatshirts, causing me to shiver. My stomach grumbled, indicating that hunger was the culprit for my awakening.
Determined to leave my hiding spot, I turned the engine on and drove back to the paved road, heading west. After a while, I spotted a supermarket and decided to stop there for a moment. To conceal my identity, I pulled my hair under a cap the way I used to, ensuring it covered most of my face. With my bulky sweatshirts and sneakers, I stepped out of the car, trying my best to blend in.
Inside the supermarket, I kept my head down, trying not to draw any attention. As I wandered through the aisles, I found myself passing by the sanitary pads section. The sight triggered something in my mind, and my heart began to race. I tried to recall the last time I had needed a sanitary pad, but my memory failed me.
"Holy," I whispered to myself, my mind racing as I tried to recall the last time I needed a sanitary pad. The memory seemed distant, from before Archer came to Duport. Pushing the thought away to avoid attracting attention, I grabbed a basket and began shopping for snacks, desperately craving anything chocolate - ice cream, chocolate bars, and cupcakes. I also added a pack of water and a burner phone to my basket, trying to remain inconspicuous.
After checking out, I hurried back to my car and quickly ate the cupcakes, seeking some comfort in their sweetness. My next stop was a nearby pharmaceutical shop. With trembling hands, I entered the store and purchased five pregnancy test kits. The reality of the situation hit me like a wave - I was scared and excited all at once.
Holding the plastic bags containing the pregnancy tests, I returned to my car and continued driving. The conflicting emotions inside me were overwhelming, but I knew I needed to find a secluded place to take the tests and face the truth about my condition. The uncertainty made my heart race, and I struggled to keep my composure as I drove on, seeking a safe and private spot to confront my newfound reality.
I continued driving until I reached a deserted road, where I veered into the woods and parked my car. My heart pounded in my chest as I rummaged through my belongings, searching for a disposable plastic cup. With trembling hands, I peed into it and used all five pregnancy test kits, laying them on a tree branch to await the results. As I paced back and forth, trying to distract myself, I resorted to eating the rest of my chocolates, consumed by nerves and emotions.
I decided to activate the burner phone and insert a sim card to pass the time. However, my attention kept drifting back to the lined plastic atop the tree branch. With trepidation, I walked back to it, picking up one of the tests with a shaky hand. Tears welled up in my eyes as I saw the two pink lines. One after the other, I picked up each kit, and they all showed the same result - I was pregnant.
A mixture of joy and fear washed over me. I was carrying Archer's baby, and despite the revelations and doubts, my heart still yearned for him. My first instinct was to call him and share the news, to let him know he was going to be a father. But reality hit me hard; I was in danger because of him, and now our baby was too. The conflicting emotions made it hard to breathe as I tried to process the situation I found myself in.