Escaping Parker, page 3
“You’re right. Ok. Thank you.”
“No problem. If you need anything, just let me know.” He looks at me in the rearview mirror.
“I think I’m just going to rest. Thanks, though.”
“Very well.” He nods.
I try and get comfortable, staring out the window and watching cars go by on the freeway leading out of the city.
Instinctively, I keep looking back to make sure we aren’t being followed. Even though I believe they have taken all the necessary steps to ensure we’re not being tracked, I still can’t let my guard down.
“Clarissa.”
My eyes flutter open. I jump up, trying to remember where I am. It starts coming back to me as I look out the car window. It’s dark outside, and I don’t know what time it is.
“Clarissa. We are at our location for the night,” Mark says. “We won’t be here too long. Just enough time to get a little rest before we move on.”
“Ok.” I open the door to get out.
Mark goes to the back of the car, pops the trunk, and grabs a couple of bags. We walk to a room at a small hole-in-the-wall motel, in the middle of nowhere land.
He removes a key card from his back pocket and opens the door. We’re greeted by one of the dingiest rooms I have ever seen. The smell of stale cigarettes and musty air fill my nose as I look around at the small quarters. The burnt orange comforters on each bed match the carpet, and I feel like I just stepped into another world here.
Curiosity gets the best of me. “Where are we?”
“We’re in New Mexico, Belen to be exact. I know it’s not the nicest place, but we won’t be here long. You have first pick of which bed you want.”
“It doesn’t matter to me. I’ll take this one.” I shrug, pulling back the comforter before I sit down.
“You can open that envelope now. It has some important information in there that you’ll need to go over.”
I peel back the lip of the envelope, peeking inside before I take everything out. Whatever’s in this envelope is going to be life changing, so I take a moment before I read the stuff. Inside is a bunch of papers containing a new identity. New name, social security, and a stack of cash.
I read on, letting my new name sink in for a minute: Parker Lynn Daniels. I’ve never been anything other than a Clarissa, and I don’t know how I’m going to get used to it. But it’s what needs to be done in order to disappear. I barely remember my old social security number as it is, so having to learn a whole new one is going to take some time.
“I have to get a picture of you so I can get a new ID made, but we have to change your appearance first. You can either wear a wig, or we can dye your hair. It’s up to you; I have both here.”
I take a moment to think about it. My hair is a small part of me, yet such a big step. Once I change it permanently, I’ll lose every bit of me, the only me I’ve ever known. I decide on using a wig for now, knowing if I ever decide to dye my hair, it can be done easily. I need to take baby steps in this whole process, fearing it might get too overwhelming and have me running back to everything I’m familiar with.
“Mark, I’ll just use a wig, if that’s ok.”
“Of course it is. Here, in this bag there is a bunch of different ones you can choose from,” he says, opening up one of the bags.
“I’m sorry.” My cheeks flush hot. “This is all just very hard for me to understand at the moment. I’m not usually this indecisive.”
“I know it’s a lot to grasp right now. It’s a big decision to up and change your life like you did. I’ve seen it, and I’ve also seen what happens when they can’t handle it and go running back. That’s not something I want to see happen to you.” Sympathy’s written all over his face.
“How long have you been doing this?”
“Almost twenty-five years now. I know what it takes to get someone to run from their life. It’s going to be hard, but it will get easier as time goes on. I promise,” he assures me.
I start looking through the wigs, trying them on, seeing which one looks least like me. After ten minutes, I finally find the one—something I would never do to my hair. It’s a dark brown, straight bob-type style. I look in the mirror, repeating the name Parker over and over in my head, begging for it to stick.
“I’m ready to take the picture,” I say sadly.
“You look fine, let me get the camera. Stand against this wall here and stay still.”
He looks through the camera and snaps some pictures, blinding me in the process. “Ok, got it. I have to email this to someone real quick so they can get the ID to us at our next stop. I’ll be right back, ok?”
“Sure, is there anything to eat? I’m starving.”
“Of course. Just keep the door locked and I’ll bring back something.”
I nod and he walks out the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts, and it’s terrifying. I sit back on my bed, trying to not be scared of being alone in this foreign place. Even though I have been alone for a while, this is different.
I don’t quite understand how my heart can be dead, but beating at the same time. It breaks for the loss of my family, and what they are going to think when they hear I’m gone. The pain that will follow with them thinking I’m dead and never hearing from me again. Then I think of how they would feel if they knew what I was living with, They would be proud of me for taking a stance, and getting away to save my life.
I distract myself by pulling the bag of wigs closer to me, trying them on again. The instinct hits to check my phone, and I keep looking around for it, all the while knowing I had to give that to Andrew. I feel useless.
The door handle shakes, and I panic thinking Steven has found me. I roll off the side of the bed, crouching down trying to hide, grabbing my chest as it tightens up in fear.
The door opens and closes fast.
“Clarissa?” Mark calls out.
“I’m here.” Relief floods me while I slowly creep up from my hiding space.
“Are you ok?”
“Yes, yes I’m fine. Sorry, I just heard the door jiggle, and I thought it was him. You don’t know how many times he has found me.” Standing up, I drop my head, feeling ridiculous.
“When he found you before, it was because you did it all by yourself. Well, you aren’t alone this time. We all have discretion in the matter, and nobody knows I am here.” He reaches out a hand to help me up. “You are safe right now. You don’t have to be scared.”
“I know, I guess it’s just kinda normal to expect the worst.”
“I hope you like cheap burgers. I could only find one drive-thru open.”
“I love them, especially when I’m this hungry. Thank you,” I say as he hands me a burger, and I sit on my bed with my legs crossed in front of me like a preschooler. I inhale the food quickly, not realizing how hungry I was with everything going on.
“So, Mark. How did you get into doing this?” I hope I’m not being rude or pushy.
He takes a deep breath before he answers. “My mom. I always knew my dad wasn’t a good man. I just never knew how bad it was. She shielded my brothers and me from the evilness. I was sure that once we were older and moved out, she would leave him. She never did. She now lives in a state prison for the murder of my father. She snapped during one of their fights. Since she never spoke about what was going on, never alerted the police, there was no record of abuse. The jury did not understand what my brothers and I witnessed our entire lives. Just because we didn’t see it, we knew, we heard. The bruises, the big sunglasses to hide her swollen eyes.”
“I’m so sorry, Mark,” I say in a soft voice.
“Don’t be, she may be in a different type of hell now, but she is away from him. She didn’t want him around us. My mom is perfectly content knowing he’s gone, that was enough for her. She’s a strong woman, and she is up for parole in two years. We’ve been working her case non-stop.”
“How do you have time to do this if you’re busy working her case? Do you ever feel it distracts you from . . . I don’t know . . . this?” I say cautiously.
“Absolutely not.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you aren’t good at what you do.” Shit, I can’t believe I just said that. I was just merely making an observation, and it came out so wrong.
“I only do this two times a month, which is about three to four days at a time. I have a normal job I go to when I’m home, and at nights I work on my mother’s case. I’m fully committed to getting you get to the next stop safely, it’s my top priority,” he insists.
“Mark, I really didn’t mean to suggest you weren’t qualified. Not my intention. I just was asking. I’m going to stop talking now.” Feeling horribly, I close my mouth before more stupid comes out.
“It’s ok. I understand your concern. I just wanted you to know why I do this. I hope it makes it easier to trust me a bit more, at least until you get with your new guide. I promise you, this is not the end.”
Not the end. I think about his last statement a bit. Although it feels like an ending, I know this is a beginning.
“What time do we leave tomorrow?”
“Around 6:00am.” He looks at his watch. “That only gives us a couple hours to get some rest. I’m going to turn in; I think it’s best you get some sleep also.”
“Ok. Sorry again,” I say quietly, and try to get comfortable. I lie in the bed and stare at the ceiling, hoping I can actually fall asleep as things run through my mind. I’m worn out and hope sleep finds me soon, knowing tomorrow will be another adventure on the road, learning the new me.
We’ve been on the road for four hours already, and I’m becoming restless. Being confined to this car is driving me crazy. I know I shouldn’t complain; I should accept the fact that freedom is almost in my reach. But I feel useless sitting here, unable to do anything, and continuing to give control to someone else.
I want to be in control.
“Parker,” Mark says.
It takes me a minute to realize he’s calling me. This is the first time he has called me this. “That’s me, for now.” The last part I whisper to myself.
“Whoa! You are Parker from now on, for always. This is your new life. The faster you come to terms with it, the easier it’ll be. We don’t go risking our lives for others who don’t want this.” Mark frowns. “You agreed to come, to save your life. If that has changed, then tell me now. I can take you back.”
He pisses me off, and I know I’m just lashing out as reality hits me. It’s slowly sinking in that I have nothing left of who I was. I am glad to leave behind everything that has to do with Steven, I’m just not happy with the fact that I have to lose my family as well.
“I know! I’m just having an off day.” I give him a bit of attitude. “I didn’t sleep more than thirty minutes last night. Excuse my bitchiness.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll be stopping shortly so you can meet with your new driver.”
I feel terrible that I’m being rude. I really hope this was the plan, and he didn’t call Andrew, asking for someone else to come take over. “What do you mean new driver? I thought you were going to be around for three or four days?”
“No, I said I’m gone usually three to four days. It takes me time to drive home. You’re meeting with someone who will be with you for the rest of the time, till he thinks you are ready to be on your own.”
“I’m sorry if my attitude has caused you to want to get away from me. I’ll try and keep it to myself.” snapping at Mark.
“Do you always apologize like this?”
“I didn’t always, no.” A rush of heat climbs my neck to my face.
“You need to stop saying sorry for being you. That might have been your old life, but you need to be proud of you, as a person. Don’t ever be sorry for that. I understand how unordinary this is for you and others. I’m never offended by what is said, it’s only the fear talking. If you can remember that, then I have no doubt you’ll be fine.”
“I’ll try to remember that. Thank you for everything, Mark.”
“You’re welcome.”
We drive for another hour, and before I know it, we’re pulling into a local burger joint.
“We’re here.”
“What? Where?” I spin in the seat and scan my surroundings, seeing two gas stations, and a couple fast food joints, everything else is open road, and empty.
“This is where you’ll meet up with your new guide. He’ll have your new ID and will make sure you’re where you need to be.” He goes to get my bags out of the trunk and rushes me from the car. “Quickly, I don’t want anybody to see you here. Remember, you can’t be recognized, anywhere. Keep your head down and don’t be noticed. Blend in.”
We get to another SUV with tinted windows. I don’t even get an introduction; the door is opened, and the bags are tossed in.
“Parker, you will be safe! Make the most of the second chance you have been given. It’s been a pleasure helping you.” He extends his hand for a shake.
“Thank you, Mark, I hope everything works out for your mom,” I say honestly.
With that he turns around and jogs to his car, gets in, and drives away.
If I wasn’t nervous before, I am now. After spending time with Mark and finally starting to get used to the way he works, I have someone new to figure out. I quickly climb in the other car. “Hi, I’m Cl . . . Parker. I’m Parker. Thank you for meeting up with us.” I click in my seat belt and catch the profile of the new guy.
I would have to be blind to not notice the firm lines of his jaw, covered in a chestnut stubble. He looks out the side window, giving me a better peek at his face, and it surely doesn’t disappoint. His eyes are blue, which soften the strong, hard features of his face. The longer hair on top is slicked back, and when he looks over his shoulder at me, I notice the little dent in his chin. I quickly shove that to the back of my mind, not needing a distraction from what’s important here.
“You can call me Rig. Here, this is for you.” He reaches back with one hand, eyes still trained on the road in front of him.
I take the envelope and a new ID out of his hand, and his fingers brush mine, making my heart momentarily skip a beat. For some reason, I feel safe, protected. It’s hard trusting someone I don’t even know. I knew Steven for six years, and ended up not being able to trust him.
“So, Parker. How are you doing so far, I mean the last couple of days?” he asks me.
“Um . . . I’m doing ok. Still very unsure, but hopeful. I wasn’t given time to think or anything. I just went, and I’m frightened of the future. I hope he will never be able to find me.”
“I can guarantee that you’re going to be safe with me; this is my life here as well. At some point, I had to stop thinking of the fear that came along with hiding families away from these monsters.” He shudders.
I can’t even imagine what these families have been through. I mean I can, sort of. To think these women are trying to save not only their lives, but their children, makes me really appreciate what these people are doing for me, for all of us.
“Is Rig your real name, or people just call you that?”
“It’s a name I have acquired over the years.”
“How long have you been doing this, if you don’t mind my asking?” He looks no older than I am. Also, I hope it gives me the opening I need to ask more questions, get to know his reasoning behind this. I do believe there are good people out there—that there really are do-gooders—but this is something I am realizing is brought on by events that have happened personally, perhaps to an already good person.
“Only about five years now, but I’ve been involved in this for almost fifteen. We used to have safe houses while I was a teenager, where families could stay for a couple days before their next move.”
“That must’ve been very different. Can I ask how you and your family got involved?”
He doesn’t answer immediately, so I figure he is done talking about this. I let it go for now, hoping in time he will fill me in. We drive for a while, and I keep my mouth closed, there’s never an answer to where we are going. I’ll know once we get there.
“My sister, my sister is why I am here,” Rig suddenly says about fifteen minutes later. “She was older than me by ten years. I didn’t fully understand why my parents jumped into this lifestyle; I always thought they were holding out some sort of hope that it would bring her back. It ripped my family apart for a while, but after time, it brought us all back together and we knew we were making my sister proud.”
“That must’ve been really hard for you and your family. I can’t even imagine. Do you enjoy what you do now?” I push for a little more.
“I do, yes. I like being able to help. I also never saw myself working a nine to five in a stuffy office all day. This gets me out, always finding new places to go that most people would never travel to unless they are visiting family. It’s a win-win for me.”
“Well, thank you, again, for meeting up with us and taking over with me. I don’t think Mark liked me very much.” I keep looking out the side window, watching cars passing by.
“I’m sure that’s not the case. He has just had a lot going on recently. We’re all like one huge family.”
“If you say so. This situation is new to me; I had no clue about this whole operation until I was actually meeting Andrew. I was really taken aback for a moment. It’s hard getting used to.”
“We’re all very familiar with uprooting families in a split second, and how they react to it. Mostly thankful, but that’s usually after the shock factor wears off. So we understand. In a certain way, this hits close to home for us.”
“Thank you for sharing your story. It makes me feel not so alone.”
“You aren’t alone, don’t ever think that,” he firmly expresses.
I let the conversation die down, thinking there has been enough seriousness in the last couple days for me, and I’m feeling extremely worn out. I’d think sitting in a car for days on end, I would be bouncing off the walls with pent up energy. But I just want a semi-cozy bed to sleep in and get some much needed rest, but I don’t see that one coming any time soon.
