She reads the note, and her eyes move to the bruise on the side of my face. Obviously, she thinks there’s more to the story, but she takes pity on me and accepts the cash from my hand.
“Of course, dear. Don’t you worry. I’ll get the tickets and bring them right back here.”
Thank you so much, I write. You don’t know how much this means.
She nods and disappears, and I tap on the stall Nino’s in. He opens the door for me, and I make quick work of slipping on a pair of jeans, some sneakers, and a different coat. When we exit together, I direct him to wash his hands and wait for her to return. To my relief, she does, handing over the two tickets with a gracious smile.
“I hope you feel better, young man.”
Nino gives her a confused glance, and I smile at her, typing out one last message. Thank you again. You’re a lifesaver.
She checks her watch and sighs. “I have to be going myself. Safe travels, you two.”
She leaves, and I hand Nino a winter hat and secure my hair in my coat before putting mine on as well.
Okay, ready? I ask.
He nods.
Let’s play a game, I sign. I want you to look for any cracks on the floor. Whoever spots the most wins.
“Cool,” he says.
I take his hand, guilt eating at me as we step out of the bathrooms, both of our gazes on the floor. I don’t know how many cameras are around here, and I don’t think I’ll be able to fool Alessio completely, but right now, I just need to buy time.
We board the Bremerton ferry with only a few minutes to spare, and Nino proudly declares that he won the game before his excitement turns to the ferry.
“Can we go look around?” he asks.
Yes.
He leads the way, weaving through people as the ferry glides out into the water. The journey is only a little over thirty minutes, but it feels much longer. I find myself scanning the passengers for anyone who looks like they might be associated with IVI, but realistically, I don’t know.
When we arrive, Nino and I exit with the first wave of passengers, blending into the crowd before it disperses. We walk down the street, and I flag a taxi before they pull away from the curb. The driver, a woman with pink hair, gives me a curious glance as I approach her window.
I write out a quick note, playing it out for her.
Could you drive us to Port Angeles?
“Do you have any idea how much that’s gonna cost?” She snaps the gum in her mouth. “That’s an hour and a half each way.”
I pull out a thousand dollars and show it to her.
She whistles and gestures for us to get in. I help Nino into the back, buckling him first.
“Cash first.” The driver holds her palm up through the divider.
I hand it to her through the slot, and she counts it before she takes off. Once we’re on the interstate, I take a deep breath and try to relax.
“I’m hungry,” Nino says. “When are we going to eat dinner?”
I reach into my bag and grab two granola bars, handing them both to him. Eat those for now, and when we stop again, I’ll buy you dinner, okay?
He nods and chomps through his granola bars, then promptly falls asleep. The ride is long, and I can’t use my phone to distract myself or figure out the next steps. I know there’s a bus station in Port Angeles because I checked when I was planning my escape route before. It will take time for Alessio to track me at each location, and the safest thing I can do is change routes and transportation methods often.
We arrive just before seven, and the driver drops us off. The first bus scheduled to leave is going to Moses Lake, so those are the tickets I buy. I grab Nino a burger and a few snacks for the road, and we board the bus. The journey is long, and I don’t get much sleep, but Nino does.
From Moses Lake, we take a taxi into Spokane and then board an Amtrak to Portland. In Portland, I pay a woman five thousand dollars for a van that’s probably only worth about five hundred, and we drive. We keep driving until I’m so lost myself that I’m certain Alessio won’t find us.
32
Alessio
“Remove the hood.” I nod to Thomas.
He does as I ask, skirting around the chair he used to secure Enzo. When Thomas unveils his bloodied face, I can see that he didn’t go gently.
His eyes find mine, and there’s a split second when his reality sinks in. It’s only a moment, but at that moment, I see him for the coward he is.
“I take it you have been getting my messages then,” he spits. “Fucking traitor. After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you thank me.”