78 New People
Charlene
I don't think I slept at all the first night I was alone. The following day, when the sun was far out in the sky, I dared to open my front door. Scared of someone coming out of the bushes or a creature attacking me. I was such a coward. Like a door could stop any of them. One thing of Juliet's that I didn't have was her courage. It must be a creature thing. Even that day at the cages, I was so scared. She just lifted her hands and fought. Earlier that morning, I got a text… Anonymous said that I was still being watched. Strangely, it helped. And when it was light, I wasn't that scared. I packed up all our stuff and moved to the main house. Being in Louis's room would make me feel better. I needed to be with Katty anyway. I didn't want to be down there. Even if the whole house was boarded up. It was only, so I didn't have to do it… If I ever decided to leave.
I also wanted to be near a car. Katty and I were playing with Miné. She would need to see a vet soon. There was so much to do. I kept watching my phone for any news, but nothing. I couldn't wait around forever for this "hang tight" that came out of nowhere. So, after another night alone, I packed up everything I needed and started to load the car. The battery was flat, and it needed a jump. All I had was a portable pack that Louis had. What did I know about jumping a car… nothing?
I watched Marcus on TV. Day after day. Resolved to hit the road. I was in the garage watching all kinds of videos on how to jump a car. Louis's A-Z was lacking. In the end, I think I got it. All I needed was to wait ten minutes. So I had Miné in my arms, just looking down the lane, waiting. I saw the familiar black clothes. I was used to white with the other watchers. Kubra never wore white. He was in a hurry and didn't even glance at the main house. He was banging hard on the door, calling for me. What was he doing? Edgy and nervous, he came back into the street with hands on his hips, thinking.
"Hey!" I thought I should say something. Hearing me, his hands fell. Shoulders dropped a little, eyes closing. I was just glad it wasn't his father. I've heard of his dad and him dressing the same. Slowly, he walked up to the garage, skeptically eyeing the packed car.
"You going somewhere?"
"As you can see. I'm all alone." His eyebrows raised. "I can't stay here."
His eyes drifted to the car's open bonnet, and he slowly moved around to the front, pressing his lips together. His nostrils flaring. I followed his gaze and could see nothing wrong. He unclamped the two colors and switched them. There was a buzz from the battery. I groaned. I sighed dramatically, rubbing my already red eyes. "Thanks."
"So, where are you going?"
"Paris for now… I need to be somewhere closer to shops… I can't be out here all alone with a baby."
"Marcus and I heard from Carl about…Ben." His eyes cast down. "I'm sorry."
"It's better this way. At least I know what I'm dealing with." I yawned, covering my mouth.
Kubra's eyes scrutinized me. "Are you almost done? Is there something I can help you with?"
"No, I would let the car run for about ten minutes… While I locked up and then hit the road."
"I'll do that. You get Miné settled and get in the back with her. I'll do the first drive."
***
Kubra
Charlene seemed confused. "I don't think you should do this alone, Charlene. Juliet would never forgive me if something happened to you. Marcus asked me specifically. You'll have to drive all the way to Paris… You really want to do that alone?"
I wasn't going to confess right there. I had just been waiting for an opportunity to play the hero. Or that I was watching her. She shook her head. Opened the door and strapped Miné in her baby seat. With a bounce in my step, finishing up took me less than five minutes. She allowed me to stay. I couldn't believe it.
"Katty," Charlene said loudly when I came down the few steps into the garage. "She is in her carrier at the door." I turned to pick up the cat. I had never tasted cat. But she was kinda cute.
***
It wasn't five minutes, or Charlene was sleeping. Her head rested on the baby seat. I stopped the car, opened her door, and pulled her down onto the seat. Putting one of Miné's blankets under her head, bending her legs so she could lie on her side. When she was comfortable, I went to Miné's side and pulled up the car seat so that she was tilted back and could also take a nap. Right at that moment, I didn't understand what Ben was thinking. Or why Carl was being so stupid.
***
It was a good two hours before Mine was awake, and after another half hour, she became fussy. She had lasted longer than I anticipated. I pulled into a gas station and parked close to the convenience store entrance, locking it as I went inside to get some hot water for her bottle.
I rummaged through her bag inside the car and got everything while Charlene snored away. Had she slept at all? I just watched her when I could. Make sure she was fine… I saw her packing her bags. I would have come anyway… Thanx to Carl. I had an excuse… The bottle was made, and I took Miné to the bathroom to change her.
When I got back, Charlene was still sleeping. I sat in the front passenger seat and gave Miné her bottle. Got a few stares about the clothes. It was uncomfortable for traveling. I wasn't always dressed like that. We were having important meetings in Washington, and they needed to know who was who. I yawned as well, staring at Miné. "When last did I sleep?" I asked myself.
"Do you want to find a motel?" Charlene's voice was soft. She waved at the smiling face, seeing her mother come up in the back. Her little arms moved up and down excitedly. I snickered. She was cute, just like the cat.
"Kubra?"
"Hmmm"
"You want to find a place to sleep… it's getting late."
"If you like." The bottle was almost done. Miné spat out the teat. I picked her up and walked into the store. Bought Charlene food and something to drink. Stepping outside, I heard the barfing in my ear. I felt the liquid and smelled it before registering what was going on. I pushed her away from my body. The milk was everywhere. Not really disgusted but frustrated because I was tired. I walked back into the store, and the cashier ran to help me. Luckily, it was a young girl eager to help the gentleman. She showed me to the back, where I could put her down and clean up.
"Got a clean shirt for me?" She nodded and disappeared.
"Kubra…?"
"Yeah, come in. I'm just getting all her clothes off. Did you bring the bag?"
Charlene walked in and pushed me away, smiling. "I'll take her… You sort yourself out." I scanned my drenched ankle-length coat. It smelled. I took it off and threw it in the corner. Thankful that I had a reason to take it off. My tie went next. I pulled my shirt out of my pants, letting it hang out. I undid some of the buttons, pulling it over my head. The high collar was choking me. I couldn't take it anymore. Charlene was staring at my torso. I peeked down and back at her. "What?"
"Nothing…" She said softly, weirdly pulling her mouth.
I shrugged. The clerk came in and did the same thing, staring at me while she tossed a souvenir shirt. I thanked her and pushed her out, closing the door. The white cloth went over my head. I sighed. Relieved to be free.
"What a bondage," I said.
Charlene frowned, shaking her head.
"What?"
"Says the guy that lives in a place that covers women all day… every day."
"You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Enlighten me." She said sarcastically, taking my hand and putting it on Miné so she didn't roll off the changing station. Charlene bent down to dig in the bag.
"Just because you can't see my scars doesn't mean I don't have any. And men are just as caged in as the women. Told what to do. Where to serve and how to live. If you don't, there is also punishment.
She shook her head.
"What?"
"Why would you stand for that?"
"I don't know. If I find out, I'll tell you." She came back up. I let go, stepping back so that she could finish. I went outside to the cashier, asking about Inns. We were on our way. But literally down the road and soon parked the car. "Stay here. I'll be right back." She nodded. I made all the arrangements at the reception. I took out everything from the car she pointed at. Stuff that she would need. We made our way to our room. It would be nice to just sit down.
"Just one room?" She asked when I pushed the key into the hole and opened the door. I nodded and helped her in yawning again. We got settled. I sat on the chair, taking off my boots and my socks.
She complained, "Do you want Miné to gag again." Puzzled, I smelled my shoes. Never had anyone complained about my shoes before. Shrugging, I put them outside the door. Went into the bathroom to wash my feet. I heard her laughing behind me.
"Better?" I asked, stepping back into the room.
"Yeah, thanks. Much better." I made myself comfy on the one twin bed. Yawning again. It was early evening, but I needed to sleep.
"Do you want to eat again?"
"No, thank you. The massive French loaf you got me is still half-eaten." I turned on my side, intrigued by what she found funny.
"Do you mind if I sleep?"
She shook her head. "No. I'll be fine. How long have you been awake?"
I couldn't answer. I was already gone.
***
Charlene
I felt sorry for Kubra. Service wasn't easy. The hours weren't easy. When He fell asleep, I brought in Katty and sorted out her sandbox. She relieved herself and immediately started complaining. I put some food in her dish, and she ate the kibble, crunching away. She was adorable, and Miné loved her. They played a lot.
I kept staring at Kubra. Sleeping in the bed next to mine. He was a… sudden enigma. That was the first time he had spoken… so much. I didn't really know he had a personality. A bit testy at times, but I couldn't really blame him.
Because Miné and I slept well in the car, we would have a few hours before she would be tired again. If I were alone, I would've tried to reach a town one stop further. Kubra had seemed so tired that I felt guilty asking it of him. He would've had to sleep in the car in those clothes. I couldn't do it. Glad we had stopped. He slept like the dead… My gaze kept drifting to the other bed. Away from my phone screen. Away from the TV screen. Away from playing with Miné. Feeding her, giving her a bottle, putting her down. I couldn't get a hold of anyone anymore. After Marcus's debut into society, the world had gone into a communication shutdown. When Miné eyes finally closed, I was exhausted again. I got into my bed and fell asleep watching Kubra next to me, feeling safe.
He wasn't at all what I thought.
