Chapter 6 - The Rendezvous
The quiet suburban streets slowly gave way to the busy interstate.
Clara kept her speed exactly at the posted limit.
She could not risk getting pulled over by the police today.
Every time a dark-colored sedan pulled up behind her, her breath caught sharply in her throat.
Her eyes constantly darted up to the rearview mirror.
She imagined David suddenly realizing she was gone, turning his car around, and hunting her down.
But mile after agonizing mile, the passing cars simply went on their way.
The morning traffic was just ordinary people living their ordinary lives.
None of them knew a terrified pregnant woman was escaping a nightmare right beside them.
She pressed her palm firmly against her stomach, offering a soft reassurance to her unborn child.
"We are almost there," she murmured gently.
The burner phone chimed softly from the deep pocket of her dress.
It was the text message from Diane containing the rendezvous address.
It was a sprawling, busy supermarket on the far outskirts of the next county.
Clara followed the digital map's instructions with unwavering focus.
After forty-five long minutes of driving, the giant grocery store sign finally appeared on the horizon.
She pulled her old car into the massive, crowded parking lot.
Following Diane's strict instructions, she bypassed the convenient spots near the front doors.
She drove all the way to the deserted back corner of the sprawling lot.
She parked her faded vehicle carefully in the shadow of a large delivery truck.
She turned off the engine and pulled the keys from the ignition.
The sudden silence inside the car felt heavy and strange.
Clara pulled the cheap burner phone out and dialed the shelter's number once more.
"Safe Haven, this is Diane," the familiar, comforting voice answered on the very first ring.
"It is Clara," she said, her voice shaking slightly with the fading adrenaline.
"I am parked exactly where you told me to be."
"Excellent work, Clara," Diane praised warmly.
"I am going to give you the final address to the safe house now."
"It is only three short miles from your current location."
"When you pull up, you will see a tall wooden privacy fence and a heavy green gate."
"Honk your horn twice, and our security team will open it for you immediately."
Clara listened intently, etching the street name and number into her memory.
She repeated the directions back perfectly to ensure there were no mistakes.
"I have it," Clara confirmed.
"Drive safe, sweetie, we are ready to welcome you," Diane said before ending the call.
Clara took one last deep breath to calm her racing heart.
May you like
She turned the key, shifted the car back into drive, and pulled out of the cold shadows.
True freedom was only three miles away.
