New York isn't usually this quiet at the time of day.

Whenever I walk home from school, I could hear people screaming, car honking, loud music, or pigeons sitting on the concrete.

But now that I am riding with Austin, I felt as though I am wearing headphones.

No toxic sound can penetrate through my eardrums—just sweet bliss and serenity. However, as minutes fly by, the gentle silence suddenly became a poison cloud, suffocating me with guilt and unconsciousness.

My nervous feet continued dancing on the floor as droplets of sweat became embedded on my cinnamon brown skin.

I didn't know if the sweat was caused by the shitty air conditioning or my guilt, but ever since I had listened to that damn announcement, I still couldn't believe Warren Cole is actually looking for me.  

Jesus Christ!   I cursed to myself.

If Joseph finds out that I have stolen Elle Jones' ashes, then he will throw me behind bars without a trial or bail.

And as for Austin, Joseph might indict him as my accomplice, destroying his dreams of becoming an artist. 

Looking at the side view mirror, I kept imagining him chasing after us with his fearless police car.

Its bright red and blue lights danced behind us, the smell of burning gasoline mixing in with the gloomy skies. Black marks streaked across the road, as Joseph's malicious eyes hunted me like a defenseless animal.

Sensing my fear, Austin had advised me to stay under the radar and be calm.

"Everything is going to be fine, " he insisted. "As soon as we get to the airport, we can finally be free of him."

I glanced in Austin's direction, shaking my head in doubt.

"Don't underestimate him, Austin," I said quietly, aware of Erykah sitting in the back. "Joseph is a lot smarter than you think."

Austin bobbed his head, tightening his hand against the steering wheel. Despite Joseph's large ego, he is good at closing cases.

New York Times has been calling Joseph one of the 'greatest policemen Brooklyn has ever known'. On the outside, he was popular with his colleagues, the mayor, and the judge.

But on the inside, he became the monster that haunted my existence.

Giving me concerned eyes, Austin said to me: "I know your dad is a cop and all, but he scares the living hell out of me. Even you."

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Because of my fear towards Joseph, I had already forgotten what I was going to say. Reproachful, but gentle, Austin promptly removes his right hand from the steering wheel then squeezed my left-hand tight.

"We'll get through this, " he vowed. "I promise."

Even though I didn't have the courage to smile, I squeezed his hand back then watch as the road unfolds before us. Like the ridges of a snail's shell, oil black wheels traced around the sturdy surface of the ribbon-like concrete. Above us, dark clouds pulled away from their long embrace, allowing the sun to eventually appear.

And although the air conditioning suddenly came back on, warm hamburger meat smells continued to skulk underneath our nose.

Before we continued our journey, Austin drove to a nearby gas station to replenish the dying fuel, while Erykah manages to toss away her garbage and ripped blanket into a nearby trash bin.

Gathering Austin's blue quilt, I tried giving it to him, but Austin politely shakes his head.

"Give it to Erykah," he insisted. "she needs it more than me."

Surprised by his act of kindness, I folded the quilt neatly and offered it to Erykah.

"Here you go," I say. "it's a lot softer than your old one."

Taken by my kindness, Erykah thanked Austin and me dearly and took the blanket. 

"It's no problem," I say. "Toby likes helping the poor. It's his superpower."

Austin blushes at my compliment as he parks an empty gas booth and unstraps his seatbelt. Next, he reaches into his backpack, gathers his bills, and after flashing me a calm smile, Austin left the car to go pay the fuel.

"I'll be quick, " he said in a promising tone. "Keep Erykah company."

"Sure." I nodded.

He smiled, adjusted his dark sunglasses, then disappeared into the gas station. 

Taking note of Austin, Erykah looked at me and asked: "Are you sure that you and Toby are not a couple?"

I turned and give her a look. "What?"

"Are you guys a thing?"

Laughing, I shake my head no.

"He looks like a comic book nerd, " Erykah observed.

"He is," I agreed.

"Does he like manga or something?" she asked.

"Well, Toby is into both Marvel and DC," I explain. "but his favorite comic book character is Spider-Man because he can shoot webs with his fingers."

"What about you?"

"I only loved reading Marvel because Thor is in them."

Erykah smirked. "You love Chris Hemsworth, too?"

I nodded dreamily then pressed my hands against my chest. "He has the abs of steel."

"I know," she sighed dreamily. "I love him out of all the Avengers."

I laughed some more. "Toby always says that Thor looks like a crossover of Game of Thrones and He-Man, but damn, he is husband material."

Laughing Erykah asks: "So, what's your style of music?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Usually indie pop or rock. You?"

"Neo-soul," Erykah explained. "My mom used to play it in the car with my twin sister and me."

"What about your dad?" I ask. "Do you know where he is?"

"No, Mom never talks about him that much."

"Oh, " I say, feeling sorry for the girl.

Somehow, I can almost relate to Erykah.

For one thing, we are both running away from law enforcement, we have loving siblings, and a loving mother who became nothing but a distant memory.

Not to mention we love Thor's enormous muscles.

Somehow, I wanted to tell Erykah everything about what happened to me.

About how I retrieved Elle Jones' ashes in the middle of a park, why I really ran away from my father, and why I got Austin involved.

But even if I did like Erykah, I was afraid that she might tell Joseph or any other cop in this fucked up city.

As soon as Austin walks out of the gas station, fills the tank, and steps inside the SUV.

"Hey guys, " Austin greeted. "What did I miss?"

"Nothing much, " I said, smirking. "Just comic books."

"You? Interested in comic books?" Austin scoffed.

"Yeah?"

Austin chuckled as he started the car.

"What?" I ask, feeling defensive. "It's true. Erykah and I were talking about comic books." 

Austin rolled his eyes.

"Oh, please, " he said. "The only time you read comic books is when you see Thor posing on the front cover."

Erykah laughed out loud, while I crossed my arms and frowned.

"Oh shut up," I snort.

"It's true," Austin went on. " 'Oh My God, Thor is hawt'! 'Oh, Thor, you are so dreamy!' 'Oh, Thor—' "

"Shut up," I scowled, flustered by his imitation of me. "since when I have ever talked like that in front of you?"

"Since first grade."

"Shut up."

Smirking at my disdain, Austin backed out of the gas station and resumed the journey.

As the stoplight had already turned green,  he takes another turn then continues his way from there. His brown hair danced in the breeze, his eyes aimed at the road, but his hands grew tense and fearful as mine.

Shit, I thought. I have seen this look before.  Austin is probably thinking of Joseph's massive hands wringing his neck. To him, Joseph is like the Boogeyman; always terrorizing Austin to point where he doesn't hang around me very often.

Although he would deny it many times, I can easily tell that Austin didn't come into my apartment. I didn't know whether it was the smell of rotting bananas, or the empty bottles of liquor piling on the stove, but I did know that he hated being around Joseph.

In fact, he always becomes worried whenever I come to school with bruises, scars, and tears spilling out of my eyes. I try to tell him that it was nothing, but Austin had insisted on taking me to his apartment, where his moms would stitch my wounds and fixed me an enormous meal.

Several times I have wanted to repay the Hale family for their acts of kindness, but whenever I come over, I felt nervous and afraid of what they might think of me.

Will Olivia, Kristy, and Austin accept someone like me into their lives?

What do they see in me that I don't?

As I look at Austin's pale, freckled face, I wanted to ask him why he would risk his life to save me from Joseph.

Is it because he hated him more than me, or is it that Austin wanted to see my happy face than reproachful?

Whatever it was, it was working. 

Keeping my backpack closer to my legs, I made sure that the jar was safe until further notice. Along with my purse, clothes, money, menstrual pads, and other necessities protected the glass container like a caterpillar in its impenetrable cocoon. But despite its perks, I feel as though my backpack is a young woman toting a nine-month-old baby inside her bloated stomach.

Heavy, difficult, and frustrating, I couldn't imagine myself dragging my bag all the way to Australia.

"I should have left some at home," I thought, scolding at my self.

Why I had brought more supplies than I intended was beyond me.

But the good thing is, I had remembered to bring my camera, films, and other equipment for the trip. As for Austin, he probably packed his clothes, movie equipment, blankets, money, and his art gear—in case if he has free time.

As soon as we left the gas station, Austin switched on the radio for some entertaining music when  Erykah did an astonished gasp.

"Erykah?" I ask, frowning. "Is everything okay?"

I swivel my head to see the homeless girl staring at the window with large eyes. In front of her is an assortment of buildings the size of skyscrapers, angry cars, and concrete roads infested with massive crowds. The more Austin kept driving, the more Erykah gets to see cities, like Chinatown, yellow taxi cabs, and establishments decorated in neon lights.

"Is this Manhattan?" she asked, breathlessly.

Easily, recognizing Cortlandt Street from Austin's side, I nodded.

"Yeah," I say. "I think we are."

Passing the Manhattan Municipal Building, Erykah's bright eyes widened.

"I have never been to Manhattan before," she admitted.

Austin raised his eyebrow at this. "You never been here before?"

"Nope," answered Erykah. "My mom never took me."

Feeling remorseful, Austin says to her: "Do you like it so far?"

Erykah nodded happily. "Yeah."

"Good," I smiled. "since we are almost at the airport, we have a lot of time to spare."

Tilting her head, Erykah asked: what are we going to do when we get there?"

"Simple, " I shrug. "We will get our stuff from out of the SUV."

"In the meantime, I will give you some pads and money, while Austin will purchase the plane tickets."

Erykah looked at me attentively then shrugs her shoulders, as if our plan is a piece of cake.

Meanwhile, Austin, who continued turning the steering wheel, leaned over to my ear and whispered: "Don't you think we need to put on our disguises?"

Raising my eyebrow, I asked what he meant.

"Think about it, " he murmured. "J.F.K. International Airport is a public place. What if someone might recognize us?"

I thought back to the radio announcement then sighed.

"Shit," I grunted. "you are right. Maybe we should change in the bathroom first, then buy the plane tickets."

Austin nodded. "Good idea, Jack. I have some stuff in my backpack that you can use, but make sure you give them to me when you are finished."

"Okay, " I promised. "I will return your bag to you in one peace."

Satisfied by my promise, Austin held my hand tightly then said, "as soon as we get there to Australia, then your dad won't come after you."

"Okay," I say again.

Eventually releasing my hand, Austin gripped his right on the steering wheel then advanced the car's acceleration by going under the speed limit.

But just then, the bright sun finally emerged from the departing clouds as it shone its rays down on Manhattan.

Surveying the city, I can see rain-soaked pavements shrank into puddles; people disposing their umbrellas and raincoats, and the remaining droplets of water falling from telephone wires.

Marveling at the scenery, I try to picture myself being free from Joseph's wrath.

I imagine Joseph's hands being away from my neck, his police car being swarmed by energetic taxicabs, and the disgusting smell of beer wafting back into his hardened face.

But why is it, that whenever I close my eyes, I feel as though Joseph is one step ahead of me?