When I awoke we were pulling in to the Raleigh, North Carolina station.

I got off the bus and went to the counter inside before purchasing another ticket to Atlanta, Georgia.

I switched buses and found a seat in the middle again.

This bus was more crowded but thankfully
no one sat next to me.

We would stop every couple hours for people to use the restroom and stretch their legs.

Finally we crossed into Georgia and and I stared out at the pretty scenery.

A couple hours later we pulled into a little town. The bus parked on a street with shops lining both sides.

This town looked like something out of a postcard.

I got off the bus along with everyone else and watched them go into the different shops around the street.

Finding a store that sold snacks, I walked inside.

"Welcome to Dahlonega, can I help you with anything?" A voice piped up from behind me and I jumped before turning around. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

A young girl with brown hair and eyes stood before me with blue jeans and a black tee shirt on that had Connie's printed in pink letters in the corner.

"It's okay." I gave her a smile. "And I'm good."

"Well if you need any help let me know, my name is Kate."

I gave her a nod and watched as she walked away.

The store was cute, very picturesque with its antique displays, white furniture and picture covered walls.

I began to look at the photographs of different places in the town and of people who lived here.

It looked like a nice place to live, quiet, peaceful, and safe.

Finding a chocolate candy bar I walked up to the counter where the girl Kate was.

I set the candy on the counter and as she began to ring it up I looked over to my left, noticing a 'Help Wanted' sign.

"Are you guys hiring?" I asked Kate.

"We are. Did you just move here?" She asked me with a bright smile, she couldn't have been older than twenty.

"Not exactly, but this looks like a nice town and I think I'm going to stay for a while." I answered.

"Cool! And yeah, Dahlonega is a great town, I know you'll love it. I can get you an application if you'd like?"

"That'd be great." I smiled at her and she fumbled below the counter before handing me a form and a pen.

I moved to the side while she checked out an older couple who was on my bus so I could fill out the information.

I had to correct myself several times after I almost wrote my old name and address.

"Is there a hotel or something in town?"

"There's an inn just down the street. I'll fill in the address for you."

I wrote the number to one of my burner phones before handing it back to her.

"Nessa, wow that's such a pretty name. Is it short for Vanessa?" Kate asked.

"No." I laughed. "And thank you."

"Well we'll give you a call and let you know. I hope to see you around Nessa."

"Thanks, you too." I took my candy bar.

Leaving the shop I walked in the direction the inn was in, watching the bus I used to be on drive away without me.

I guess if I ended up hating it here I could always get another bus.

Reaching the inn I walked inside and got myself a room before pulling out my laptop from my back pack and getting on a private browser before searching up properties for sale in Dahlonega, Georgia.

I found a couple that looked promising and then found the address for the real estate office and decided I should make myself look a little more presentable. I only had one extra change of clothes in my back pack which was a black jean skirt with silver buttons down the front and a light blue tee that I tucked in.

I fixed my hair and then left, following the directions my computer gave me until I arrived at the office.

"Hello, how may I help you?" A perky blonde receptionist asked me as I walked in the door.

"I was interested in the house on Elm Grove Lane." I said and she smiled.

"Okay, I will get a realtor with you right away."

She had me sit in a waiting area and then another woman came out. She was older with short blonde hair and introduced herself as Marlene.

Marlene took me to her car and drove me to the property on Elm Grove Lane.

As we pulled up in the drive I studied the house carefully.

It was a small house. Four steps led up to a front porch and there was a white painted door.

The property was covered in trees and made it more shady and cool which I liked.

She led me into the house where there was a living on the right when you walked in and a kitchen on the left.

Past the living room was a hallway that led to two bedrooms, both an average size.

Back behind the kitchen was a laundry room and a side door to the house.

"How much does it cost?" I asked Marlene.

"$50,000 in cash."

"I'll take it." I said and she looked surprised by my sudden intrigue and decision.

"Don't you have any questions? It comes fully furnished."

"No." I shook my head.

She seemed taken aback still but drove us back to the realestate office where she called the seller and told them.

They accepted by bid and since they were living somewhere else in town the guy drove down to the office where he signed the forms and I did too.

I now had a home.

I got the keys and then asked where the closest coffee shop was.

Using their wifi I pulled out my laptop and pulled up the secure browser that Dawson had created so we could talk and (hopefully) not be infiltrated by the black fox.

I typed in my password and then pulled up a video chat with him.

"Abby! Hey! Where are you?!" He answered right away. His face close to the camera like he could see me better that way.

"I'm in a small town in Georgia called Dahlonega. Look I need you to work some of your Dawnson magic for me."

"What do you need?"

"Honestly...I need you to get a message to Jess and tell her i'm okay."

"I can do that."

"Thanks."

"Wait, Abby, have you talked to your dad?"

"I called him last night on the bus."

"Okay. Well let him know you're safe and I'll let you know when I hear back from Jess."

"Okay. Bye Dawson."

I left the coffee shop and then began the walk to my new home.

I didn't realise how far away it was until I had walked two miles and was about to die in the Georgia heat.

The sputtering sound of a truck was heard behind me and I ignored it until the old red and beat down truck pulled up beside me.

I looked to my left to see a guy in his twenties with sandy curls and hazel eyes looking at me through his rolled down window.

"Are you okay?" He asked me.

"Yeah." I nodded.

"Well it's 90 degrees outside and your walking in the heat with no shade. You're going to get a heat stroke."

"I'll be fine."

"Look, I know this is weird, but I'm a fireman, I've responded to three calls of heat stroke this morning. Come on, I'll give you a ride."

"Um... thank but I don't know you and I'm not really comfortable getting in the car with someone I don't know."

"I understand that, and on any other circumstance I would appreciate a young girl not getting in a car with a stranger, but you need to get out of this heat. Look, i've got my badge on me, my gear is in the back off the car if you want proof." He said and I skeptically took a step forward and look as he showed me his badge and the gear.

The name Ashton was in white letters on the black badge.

"Thanks again for the offer Ashton, but I'll be okay." I gave him a smile and began to walk and I heard him let out a noise of frustration.

"I can either give you a ride or I can call the police department and have them forcibly put you in their car, take you to the hospital to make sure you're okay, and then take you home. Now what's it going to be?"

My eyes narrowed as I folded my arms across my chest and he cocked an eyebrow and went to grab a radio that was in his passenger seat and I caved.

"Fine." I sighed and opened the passenger side door, Ashton smirking in victory.

I sat down in the passenger seat and closed the door. I know I had been stubborn, but the air conditioning in his truck felt really good on my hot skin.

He stared at me for several moments until I turned and looked at him.

"What?"

"Seatbelt." He said like it was obvious and I rolled my eyes before putting the strap across my waist and shoulder, clicking it in. "Thank you." He said and then began to drive away.

"Where do you live?" He asked.

I pulled out the papers from my back pack and found my addresss.

"Um, 57 Elm Grove Lane."

He nodded and stopped at a stop sign.

"You know, most people don't have to look at their house title to remember their address."

"I just moved here."

"Oh. How long have you been in town?"

"Today."

"Wow. Does your family live here?"

"No. I just thought it was a nice town." I shrugged.

He nodded and I watched him turn to the left.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Nessa." I said, reminding myself of my new identity.

"Nessa." He repeated. "Where did you move from?"

"Why are you asking me so many questions?" I gave him a strange look.

"I'm just trying to get to know the girl I'm giving a ride home. But if you prefer to sit in silence then fine." He said and I kind of felt bad.

He was being nice giving me a ride.

I needed to remember that not everyone was a Black Wolf.

"New York." I said after a minute and I saw him raise the corners of his lips in a smile.

"I figured you were from somewhere up north."

"Why?"

"Your accent, and the fact that it's summer and you're paler than a white washed fence." He laughed at his own joke and I smiled.

"Hey, you can smile." He grinned at me and I rolled my eyes.

A few seconds later he pulled up in front of my new house, the for sale sign still in the yard.

"Here we are."

"Thanks for keeping me from dying from heat stroke."

"Wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't."

I got out of the car and slung my back pack over my shoulders.

"Hey, Nessa. If you need a ride anywhere then call the fire department and ask for me. Ya know, until you get a car."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks Ashton." I winked at him and then turned to walk up to my house. 

He was cute.

Once inside I closed the door and heard Ashton's truck drive away.

Now to make this house a little bit of my own.

I started in the kitchen, looking at all of the cabinets and realising I had no food, dishes, or anything else.

I took my bag to the bedroom and put the few clothes I had away and then put my laptop on the dresser and my other things in a drawer.

It took me three minutes to "move in".

I decided to take a shower to end my day and was on my way to the bathroom when I heard one of my phones ringing from the drawer.

I jogged over and found the one that was ringing and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi? Nessa? This is Kate. From Connie's Corner Store."

"Oh. Hi." I relaxed.

"I just wanted to let you know that my boss went over your application and the job is yours if you still want it!" She squealed excitedly and I held the phone away from my ear.

"Yeah. That's great. Thank you so much. So when should I come in?"

"We can start your training tomorrow! Come in at around eight?"

"I'll be there."

"Awesome! See you tomorrow Nessa!"

I hung up the phone and shook my head with a laugh. She seemed excited.

I then went back to the bathroom and used my limited amount of toiletries to take my shower and then went to lay down in the bedroom.

It was so quiet here.

I was used to falling asleep with the sounds of the city outside my window.

It was almost too quiet.

There was a television in the bedroom so I decided to turn in on but keep the volume low, just for some back ground noise and I was finally able to close my eyes and sleep.

In the morning I brushed my hair and put it in a ponytail and then brushed my teeth before re-dressing in yesterday's jeans and then a grey tank top, the only clothes I had left.

I definitely had to go clothes and food shopping today.

Once I laced up my shoes I grabbed the house keys and my phone and locked up before beginning my walk to Connie's Corner Store.

I was only halfway down my driveway when I heard the familiar sound of a truck down the street.

Ashton's truck came into view and I stopped walking as he paused in front of my driveway.

"I thought you said you'd call if you needed a ride?" He called out to me.

"I said I would keep it in mind."

"Where are you headed?"

"Connie's."

"I'm going that direction, come on." He waved me over and I rolled my eyes, walking the rest of the way and getting in the passenger seat.

"It's not even hot outside." I muttered as he began to drive.

"You're welcome." He just smirked at me and I rolled my eyes again.

"So what are you heading over to Connie's for?"

"First day training."

"Oh you work there?"

"Well starting today I do."

"Cool. Hey do you wanna stop somewhere and get breakfast?"

"What?"

"Breakfast? Food? Coffee? Protein? Most important meal of the day?"

"Um...."

"There's a good diner I go to every morning and I wouldn't mind the company." He continued.

"I don't really eat breakfast, but thanks for the offer."

"You don't eat breakfast?!" He exclaimed making me jump in my seat. "You New York people are weird."

"People in New York eat breakfast, I just don't." I shrugged.

"Weirdo."

"Excuse you." I scoffed and he let out a bright laugh.

A few minutes later we pulled up in front of the corner store and I got out of the truck.

"Thanks for the ride."

"Sure thing! See you later Nessa!" He waved and I walked into the shop, hearing his truck drive away.

I sighed as the door closed behind me and I was immediately greeted by squealing.

"Nessa, hi!" Kate grinned from behind the counter.

"Hey." I smiled and walked up to her.

"Did Ashton Irwin drop you off here?" She asked like an excited school girl.

"Oh, is that his last name? Yeah."

"Do you know him?"

"No." I shook my head.

I desperately wanted to get off this topic.

"So training? Let's begin?"

"Yes! Here's your name tag!" She handed me a name tag and I clipped it to my shirt.

"Okay so first I'll show you how to work the cash register." She smiled and began to take me through the steps of how to do everything.

Then she showed me the deli counter and where everything was and how to properly clean and sanitise everything.

Next she showed me the back storage room and how everything was organised and then we went back to the front of the store where she showed me how to fold the tee shirts and de-tangle the jewellery.

By then it was lunch time and she said this was their busiest time of day and I saw why because suddenly people flooded into the shop to get sandwiches for lunch.

Kate put me on register duty and I fumbled through my first few checkouts until I kind of got the hang of it.

Finally the rush left and I let out a breath just as the door opened again, the bell chiming.

I wanted to cry.

Looking to the door I saw two police officers, a paramedic, and a fireman, who so happened to be Ashton.

The first guy who walked up to the counter was a tall blonde police officer with bright blue eyes.

The second was the paramedic who had jet black hair and a five-o-clock shadow that went with his green eyes.

Ashton stepped up after him and then came the last guy, the other police officer. His hair was dark brown and so were his eyes. His skin was tan and shoulders broad, giving him the allusion of authority.

He looked up at me and smiled and I felt the blood rush to my cheeks.

He was nothing if not handsome.

"Hey Nessa!" Ashton grinned at me.

"Hi." I said and looked down at the register; still blushing from the hot police officer looking at me.

The first officer came up with his sandwich and I read his badge as Hemmings. He smiled and thanked me then stepped aside so the paramedic with the name Michael purchased his lunch, and then came a grinning Ashton.

"So how has your first day gone so far?"

"Good." I said as I punched in the amount of his sandwich after checking the price.

"Are you doing anything tonight?"

"Sleeping." I said and he looked like he didn't know how to respond.

"Well I'll be at Blues Bar if you want to stop by after work. We could get a drink?"

I was about to reply "No" and hope I didn't sound like too much of a bitch when I was interrupted.

"Leave the girl alone Ashton. It's her first day, she doesn't need you pestering her." The last police officer said and I gave him a little smile as he said that, reading his badge to see his last name was Hood.

Ashton frowned but stepped away so Officer Hood could pay for his lunch.

I went to type in the buttons but accidentally hit the one for the cash drawer to open and it punched me in the stomach.

I let out a gasp and huffily shoved the drawer closed.

"Are you okay?" Officer Hood asked me.

"Yeah. Good thing I'm not pregnant, right?" I said below my breath but he apparently heard it and began to laugh.

He paid with cash and once I gave him his change he dropped a few bills in the tip jar and I blushed.

"Have a good day." I smiled at him and tucked a piece of hair that had fallen from my ponytail behind my ear.

"You too, Nessa." He nodded as he read my name tag and then waved with his free hand as he followed the other men out of the shop.

Once the door closed I let out the breath I had been holding in.

"Woah." I breathed and Kate laughed as she walked towards me.

"Yeah. That's Dahlonegas finest right there."

"They are definitely fine." I said as I watched them walk down the street and she laughed again.

"Yeah they come in everyday to get lunch. I noticed you blushing at Officer Hood."

I shrugged.

"I babysit his kids. They're so sweet."

"He's married?"

"No. His wife died a couple years ago, it was really sad. So when he has night shifts I babysit for him. But I don't think he's been on a date since she died."

I nodded.

"That's sad."

"Yeah. It was." She repeated and I didn't know what to say then so I went to wash my hands.

Since this was only a part time job I got to leave at 2 and I then met one of the other girls, Marsha, who worked there as well.

Kate gave me a tee with the store name on it for a uniform and I thanked her for training and said I'd see her tomorrow morning before I left.

I had asked Kate earlier about clothing stores and she gave the names of a few she thought I would like and I walked down a couple blocks until I found one that looked promising.

Dawson was going to kill me when he saw how much I was spending since I purchased almost one of everything in the store.

I bought so much I had to get it delivered to my house (which was sad).

Then I made my way to the grocery store in town where I grabbed a cart and began to poke through the isles.

I started in produce and searched for things I liked and then moved onto meat and dairy, getting a few things there along with some frozen dinners and then went to find plates, cups, and utensils.

I asked for my food to be delivered as well (even though i had to pay extra) and then left, making my way back home.

As I walked along the side walk I saw a bike shop and an idea popped into my head. A bike. Perfect.

Now I had transportation.

The bike was nothing fancy, just something to get me around, and after buying it I rode it home.

Twenty minutes after I got there my food arrived and I began to put all of that away, this house looking more decent.

The clothes came later and I filled my closet.

With my new food and dishes I made myself a grilled cheese for dinner and then sat down on my sofa after changing into cotton shorts and a tank top I had bought.

I turned on the television and put it on the news.

"Police are still looking for the three suspects involved in a New York shooting three nights ago that took place in the middle of a public street." The female news anchor said and I stopped breathing as it went to footage from a security camera that showed my hooded figure pointing my gun at the hooded bodies of Carlos Sanchez and Jake Hale.

"Authorities say it was most likely a gang shooting, although they believe the lone person on the left is a woman. So far they have no leads and hope anyone with information will call police."

I set down my food and turned off the television, all happiness I had acquired today- gone.

I was never going to escape.

--

Sorry it took me so long to write this, I was focusing on HH but hopefully I will try and go back and forth between the two!

Much love xx -M