I slept for a long time, and I think that if Constantino hadn't woken me, I would have been out for a lot more time. It was seven pm when we ventured out into the world, and our path was short like he wanted. Our victim was an easy find, an opportunistic kill. 

Keeping to my request, we fed upon a man that was a creeper. He was standing in someone's backyard, jerking to the sight of a kid playing with his toy trucks in the glass conservatory. The family inside had no idea; the yard was filled with tall trees that shaded the land from the nearby lights. I felt like leaving them a note that said to put some sensor lights in.

Returning home was done with a lot of trepidation. I went through the routine again, and even though we hadn't been gone long, I noticed that things were wrong. Constantino exchanged looks and searched the unit. Our first search was to ensure that we were alone. Then we searched for anything that was missing. Lastly, we searched for anything that wasn't ours.

When we found a bloody knife in the dishwasher, I knew that I was being framed for something.

"We're leaving now," Constantino grumbled.

We moved everything to the door; I felt a lot of fear creeping into me. The police would be called, and they'd search the place, they'd find the knife. If we couldn't open the gate, then we were trapped. I had to get rid of the knife. I was a murderer, but I was not going to be pinned for a crime I didn't commit.

"I will deal with the knife. You find one of those odd carriages."

"A car?"

"Is that what you call them?"

I nodded and turned to the door. As I opened it, I looked back and saw the fast movements that were like a blur. He'd be back before I knew it, so I stepped outside and searched for a suitable car. It pained me to consider it, but Harold's old Volkswagen was the best choice. We could put the bags into the back, and it wouldn't attract too much attention like his series five BMW would.

Also, he kept the BMW locked into the rear courtyard whereas this little beauty was sitting on the street, waiting for me to borrow it. Never to return. I sighed. Murder and theft, I really have changed. The bonus of living next to Harold was that when he did things that he was proud of, he told anyone that would listen. Or in my case, was forced to listen because I couldn't escape.

If there is ever a need to gain access to the house in an emergency, there's a spare key in that loose brick there, Lucy. Just pull it out and don't forget to put everything back in place so that no one sees it.

"This is an emergency, right? I need to borrow the car, and I don't know how to hotwire it. You don't mind, do you?"

Lifting my leg over the low brick fence, I stepped into his yard and freed the spare key. Slipping into the house, I quietly searched for the car key. I could hear Harold snoring, and for the first time ever, it came as a relief.

"Lucy," Constantino whispered. 

My hand slapped to my mouth to stop the yelp; I turned to see him behind me. Carefully we tiptoed through the house, locked the door and I returned the key to the brick. Unlocking the car, we worked fast while I kept an eye on their windows. No lights went on, and I hoped that they remained asleep. Harold's snoring could wake the dead, so it was highly likely that his wife Patricia took sleeping pills. 

I checked everything and closed the door, feeling a lot of sadness as I said goodbye to the past. To the home that had been mine for a very long time. Slipping in behind the wheel, I put the key into the ignition and turned it over. Watching the house, feeling the anxiety and fear, waiting to get caught.

"Lucy," Constantino grumbled. 

Nodding, I checked the street and began to drive. As I turned the corner, I kept an eye on the area and checked for anyone that was watching or following. There was nothing, but as I slowed to turn the next corner, I watched a cop car turn in front of us. 

I remained calm; it was fine. There were a lot of cars out tonight, and it was only eight pm. Turning the corner, I glanced back and watched as the car slowed for my street.

"Damn it."

When I was out of their sight, I put my foot down and sped through the street. Constantino pushed back into his seat, getting a real look of fear on his face.

"Horses don't go this fast in your world?"

"No."

"Bet you're not seconds away from having the cops breathing down your neck either."

"They turned into the street?"

"Yep."

Tension began to rise as I weaved through the streets. The silence didn't help the mood; I hoped that this would work. Otherwise, we would be faced with a lot of issues. I pushed on and did my best to remain strong and to stop thinking about what might or might not be happening in my unit. Maybe the cop car turned down the street as a pass through and had no intention of stopping. Perhaps they were raiding it right now.

"Tell me your plan for tonight; get my mind off the other thing."

"Okay," Constantino hummed softly. 

"I looked at that map thing that you showed me. The closest point is from the road; we would have to cross a field that has no tree cover."

"Yep, that's what it's like. Did you remember that I said they've got security?"

He nodded.

"There must be a lapse in their watchful eye; otherwise, I would not be here."

"A hundred years ago they didn't have security cameras. Your would-be killers would have strolled into this place, and no one would have seen them."

"There has been that much advancement in one hundred years?"

Constantino sounded truly astonished.

"Well, not entirely. A few amazing minds were working on the things that led to the great things that we have. Don't you have scientists or scholars?"

"Their minds are always elsewhere." He muttered tersely. "I am of two minds about these advancements. You said last night that you hate what humanity has become and I don't want that for my world, but I look at the things around us and wonder if a few things would be okay."

"It's a slippery slope, and you would want to be careful. Start with one thing and the curious become greedy and want more. If you don't give it to them, then they will get angry at you for keeping things from them. You could face another coup or worse, a war. Ignorance could be bliss. So, back to the plan. Cross the field with our armloads of luggage and avoiding the guards and cameras to open a gate that might not be a gate so it won't open, is that right?"

"That sounds about right."

"Okay then. A trip into the impossible it is." 

Constantino smiled, and even though it did seem impossible and that failure was imminent, I smiled back. 

When we reached Amesbury, we detoured to post the parcel. As I slid up next to the box, I tipped my head at it.

"Put the parcel in the slot." 

Constantino got out of the car and did what I said, quickly returning.

"Do you think that it will work out for him?"

"I hope so. He won't know about it, but he deserves a little credit."

I didn't believe in Heaven, but for a moment, I hoped that it was a place where Nelson was watching down on me with a smile on his face and grateful for what I was doing for him. A smile that said he was happy that I was trying to give him that moment of glory that he'd wished for.