*Amir*

Speeding quickly down the long road that lead to that damn place, we raced against time for freedom and shelter.

We were out.

But we weren't free, or alone.

Not all the vehicles were blown to shreds or weren't working properly. We could see them after us, on land and in the sky. Sitting in the backseat with Luna, I tried to keep her eyes open, but they were constantly closing because of the tranq that got her. I tried to throw myself in the way of it. I could see the man aiming from the top floor with a loaded tranquilizer gun. I just couldn't move quick enough. And now this tranq could do some real damage to her. It can put people to sleep for hours, if not days. 

"They have a spotlight over us!" Decker yelled from the driver's seat. "What are we going to do?"

We were about fifteen more miles out until we reached to the main highway and a few blocks away from the motel Faisal and I rented.

Decker was right. They were right on our tail.

"I have an idea!" I yelled over the loud helicopter blades that were quickly approaching nearby. "We need to ditch the truck!" 

"What? No!" Faisal yelled beside me. I could hear you. So could the rest of the group. 

"We have no choice."

"Amir?" That was Darren sitting in the front seat gazing back at me. "You guys aren't that far from the main highway. Ditch it there. Luna can't run. It's best to get close to the highway first." 

"Okay."

I was just trying to figure out what we will do now. They were getting closer and closer by the minute. And it was pitch-black out here. They somehow had turned off the street lights that were always on at night, but I guess they needed a way to spot us.

"This vehicle is almost out of gas," Decker said over the loud sounds of sirens in the distance. "Who the hell comes out here for work and keeps their truck low on gas? Stupid."

"Just reach the end of the road, and we'll make a run for it." He nodded back and slammed down on the gas pedal. 

Decker finally reached the end of the road ten minutes later, and we all hopped out. I picked my girl up and scooped her into my arms. She felt so light—lighter than a teddy bear. My God, she hadn't eaten in a while either. Neither have I, but I wanted her to eat and take care of her. She will be reunited with her baby girl, and she needed all her strength. 

Steadily holding her in my arms, I kissed her forehead. "Luna and I will run to my motel room," I say to Decker as he turned off the truck. "You two run the opposite direction toward the campground. I'll connect to Cami when Luna and I are safe." 

Cami nodded and hugged Luna. Then they kissed each other's cheeks, and we took off running in different directions. The helicopters suddenly slowed down, aiming their bright light over the truck we rode in as Luna and I took cover in a set of woods out here. I saw men diving to the ground who were now on foot searching for us. 

Not even two seconds passed, and I heard gunshots in the distance and worried about Cami and Decker getting to safety. I didn't even think about what would happen if he were caught. We wouldn't be where we are if he didn't step up to help. The few days I was around him, he was keeping his secret. He was at the facility to extract his wife's partner. I hope whoever they are that they were okay. I can't even think about what would happen if I lost Luna. I wouldn't be alive anymore, mentally and emotionally. I couldn't afford to worry about anything other than getting Luna and I away from this location. 

We raced across two train tracks, both leading from New Orleans to nearby cities. When we reached a small vacant building, I slowed down and laid her down on a set of long wooden piles. We had to catch our breath for a moment. I knew that stopping was a huge risk, but I needed to check on her. Her heart rate sped up so much, I was scared that something could happen to her. 

We scrunched as low as we could and hid ourselves below the rooftop, praying that no one noticed us. A trickle of fear ran deep in my veins at the possibility of our next move. Her heart was beating so fast, it was scaring me. 

I spared a quick glance at the sky and didn't see any movement. Only a few stars were out, and the moon was in the shape of a crescent; I loved crescent moons. Holding her body close to my chest, I kept an arm around her waist as I ran a finger up and down her face. She had soft skin, soft as a pillow. She took a short glance up at me while breathing heavily, her eyes fluttering. 

"Why... why did you stop?"

"We had to. You needed a rest." 

She shook her head as her hair stayed stuck to her face. "We-we need to go. They'll catch us." 

"We will in a few moments, Moon. You need to relax." 

"No. Not here. It's too... too close." 

"Baby, please." My voice croaked on the last word. Her eyes shot open, and she placed a hand over her chest. "I want you to rest. I don't want you to have a seizure. We should rest for a moment longer. You were hit by a tranq." 

She brought her back up and breathed slowly as she wiped her sweat-soaked hair off her skin. Her cute little lips curved into a soft smile, and she cuddled my waist. "We shouldn't stay here long." 

I ran my hands up and down her limbs, securing her in my embrace, and blew softly into her hair. I wanted to try to fan her in this humidity. I reached for her gun and slipped it behind me in my pants pocket. "When we get up, I can officially give you a piggy-back ride. You can... ride me." 

She stared at me in her cute, devious look.

"What?" I asked, chuckling as she glanced around us and back at me. "I wish you could see yourself right now. Your aura is brighter than the moon. You are my moonlight." 

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You want to flirt with me instead of saving your energy." 

"Party pooper." 

"I'm not a party pooper." Luna hopped up and surprisingly pulled me up with all her strength. "I think we should focus on what the next step is, then play around. Especially since we are away from Purgatory and together in the outside world." 

"That, I agree." 

She placed her arms around my shoulders and brought her legs around my hips. "You feel up to running some more?" She nodded. 

Crouching, I hooked both of my arms around her knees and took a step forward. Her legs like this made me feel something: she was finally safe. 

"I'm ready when you are," she murmured, breathing next to my right ear. She knew that was my turn-on spot. "I am quite used to being in this position." 

"I know you are." I tightened my grip around her, and then breathed slowly before I let my adrenaline kick in, allowing me to run quickly through a set of tall trees. "Hold on tight."

"I am. I'm a pro at holding on. You should know that." 

I grinned. "I sure do, Moon."

She laid her head on my shoulder and patted my back. "I love you."

"And I love you, Luna Carlyle." 

Then she whispered. "Luna Khan."

I suddenly felt much better after hearing her say that and kicked off the ground. I picked up a different speed I didn't know I had. I wasn't even this fast when I was doing my military training back in the day. I guess it was the thought of being caught and exposed that caused my body to jump into overdrive. Her weight was nothing, which still concerned me. I wanted to run to a fast-food joint and get her some steak, burgers, and probably pizza, STAT.

When I spotted the motel lights close by, I slowed down and stood beside a large abandoned building to take a breath. I glanced back at her and leaned over to kiss her chin. "We're close, baby." 

She wiggled herself free and flopped down. "I can go the rest of the way."

I wanted to argue, but I kept my mouth closed so we wouldn't waste anymore time. She also made it clear that she was strong enough to run herself. I think she wanted to prove to me and maybe herself that she would not be a hindrance. That need to show that she could still move, even after a tranquilizer shot, motivated her enough to stay awake. And because of that, I wasn't going to stop her. I gave her a quick hug and kiss, then gazed into her eyes. "I am ready when you are." 

She reached her arms around mine and held onto me tightly. "Wherever my prince goes, I follow." 

Slipping her tiny hand in mine, we hauled ass through the many ditches, drainage systems, and high grass all the way to the motel. The whole trip took us about fifteen minutes, and those minutes felt like an eternity. Depending on if Chase or those bastards at the hospital were still searching for their escapees, we had a good hour lead on them, more if they kept their eyes on the truck we ditched back there. That was a nice truck, too.

Once we saw the outside of a few houses, we slowed to walk and stayed behind in the backyards of different homes. We were keeping away from street lamps, porch lights, and anything to do with light. But our quiet-as-a-mouse routine was short lived when we heard dogs barking in the distance. 

"I bet I stink like one of those animals. Probably of day-old funk." Luna stopped for a moment and stared longingly at a window of a big house with their bathroom light on, nothing covering the glass. "I can't wait to bathe and clean myself up. I bet I smell like sewage. Probably worse." 

Both of us were covered in dirt, mud, and dust from being on the run. "I thought I smelled something back there." 

Luna smirked my way. "I'm glad you like it." 

Laughing under my breath and holding her nervous hand, I smiled back. "You could smell like a garbage truck, and it would still fascinate me. I love your smell." 

"Yeah, well, you can forget about having dessert later. That's out of the question." 

I laughed and led us around a set of large hedges. The street lights were barely shining. One hedge was in the shape... Hell, I had no idea what it was supposed to be. Maybe a huge dinosaur crossed with a dog? "What are you looking forward to the most when you finally take a bath?" We followed a long iron fence of someone's yard, and I helped her duck under some long branches. "Trimming your hedges?" 

"And here I thought that you'll be in your right mind instead of wanting to have a perverted conversation." 

"What? You know I would never do such a thing. I'm glad I can tap into your head. Many alluring things roam around in there." I wiggled my eyebrows at her. 

She laughed and kept her gaze at our surroundings. "Yeah, like I'm the only one who has salacious thoughts flowing through their mind." 

I smiled back and bit my lip as we got to a four-way street corner; a few blocks away were several glowing signs of businesses and some hotels. The streets were quiet and almost empty, and I wondered how long we had been running for. I didn't even know the time. Only one or two motorist passed by, but other than that it was just the two of us. 

"I can't wait until we're settled," Luna said as we crossed the road. "I need a shower badly." 

I laughed and smacked her behind with my right hand. "My baby loves being wet. It's very amusing." 

"Do not insult my need to get this nastiness off me. I can make you sleep-Wait." She stopped and pointed to a bright light far away. "Is that where you and Faisal are staying?" 

I squinted my eyes so I could see the sign in the distance. The C was a dim white, which said Crescent Motel, the place Faisal is. "Yeah. I believe so." 

We took off on the side street and cross in front of dark storefronts, then we hurried along a sidewalk. The trip to New Orleans might have been hectic, but it was so worth it. Having my soulmate out of her prison was...

"Crap," Luna said, letting go of my hand. "I didn't even think about this. They could have people sitting in the parking lot in their cars, scoping your room." 

She had a point. They knew that I was one of the few people who helped her and Cami escape, and all Chase or Dr. Kim had to do was look up my information I had given them when I started volunteering there. The receptionist typed it into the computer.

But I shook my head and didn't care about that anymore. My only focus was to grab my belongings, then rush Luna and I quickly to the nearest convenience store to call for a cab. I wondered how Decker and Cami were. 

"I could connect to Faisal to see where he is. If he is in our room, he could check in the window before we walk over there." 

"I wish I could, but the tranq is flowing through my body." She shifted from one foot to the other. "I'm feeling light-headed." 

"You are?" 

She nodded her head. 

"Damn, I wish it didn't get you. I knew it was coming, and I wasn't fast enough." I sniffed and felt sad for her. "Do you want me to hold you?" 

"I'm okay, Prince." I grinned as she called me that. She knew it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. "There wasn't anything you could have done." 

"I would've taken that tranq for you. Hell, I'll take a bullet for you. As long as you are safe." 

A moment of silence passed, and we stayed standing beside a column, pondering what to do now. I didn't really know what else to say as we headed across the parking lot toward the motel. There really weren't many words that fit how far her life was derailed because of me. I came into her life when I could have backed away, and none of the pain she had been through would have happened. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing, and I didn't want to seem like I undervalued the mess she had gone through. It's like telling someone you know who lost their loved one, that the deceased is in a better place. Let's be honest. Nobody likes to hear that. Not a lot, anyway. And hearing that wouldn't change the pain and sadness someone feels. The grief was not an easy thing to go away, and the crap my Luna had endured will live with her forever.

The tranquilizer she felt running inside her happened because she was outside... for me. Ironically, I barely feel it myself. It's there, inside my blood. But I was keeping myself sane enough so we could continue our journey.

***

WE STOPPED UNDER a dim light near the edge of the motel. A small park was settled on the side with several benches and picnic tables. Patches of dirt cover Luna's face and dried blood was on her shoes and ankles. 

My stomach lurched. "Did you get shot too?" 

She shook her head. "Not by a gun. Only by that tranquilizer. The blood is from stepping around different soldier's bodies. I... I shot a few." 

A bit of relief flowed through me but was quickly overshadowed by all that she had to go through just to escape from that prison. It was like my military days; it was something I never wanted her to experience. I handed back her gun and cupped her cheeks. "Okay. Listen," I whispered, caressing her softly. "Stay here. I will go around the corner and connect to Faisal. Find out what's going on. If you get scared, use the gun. Don't be afraid. Just channel some of my military training, okay? I shouldn't be long." 

She nodded, but her hands felt shaky and fidgety. Adrenaline was pumping through her, just enough to keep her on her feet. She will need a hot bath and some rest. Soon. "I'll sit over there," she said, strolling toward a bench. 

"Perfect." I leaned down and kissed her beautiful lips, even though they had soot over them. I wanted to linger here awhile longer, but I knew we needed to get somewhere more comfortable. And this area was sketchy. "I'll see you in a moment. Just connect to me, should you need me?" 

"I will."

My feet didn't want to move. My eyes wandered over her weary ones, and my heart pounded. I had to touch her lips once more before departing from her grace. I walked to the edge of a room near ours and tuned into Faisal. He wasn't at the motel; he was at the park with Cami and Decker. Somehow he got out here. 

"Amir?" Cami said, spotting me. She tossed some long branches she had in her arms. 

"Hey," I said, and Faisal turned around. 

"Oh my God, we've been so worried about you and Luna," he said, rushing up to me.

"How did you get out here?" I asked.

"By me," Decker said, emerging from a forest with some firewood in his arms. "Where's Luna?" 

"She's sitting on a bench waiting for me. We are at Crescent Motel." I looked around and noticed many families were out here and shooting more fireworks in the sky. 

I've had enough firework displays to last a lifetime. "How did you guys get out here?" 

"Well, Liberty and Ahmed are with Sarah at their cabin over there," Faisal explained, pointing to several small buildings near a bayou. "So they came by and got me from the motel while things were going crazy at the hospital. We picked up Darren at the airport, and then I connected to Cami after you guys fled. She and Colin—that's Sergeant Decker's first name—were running through some cornfields. I couldn't connect to you at all for some reason. No one could. Neither to Luna."

"The medicine and the tranq messed her up. It's affecting me a little." 

"Oh." 

"You haven't been at the motel?" He shook his head. "Damn. I hope no one is watching our room." 

"They aren't, Amir," Colin said a few feet away from us. "They don't know you stay there. Darren set you up at a hotel outside of Metairie. They don't know about Faisal either." 

Wow. Darren was handy. 

"Well, I've got to get back to my girl." 

"Ah. I was hoping to see Luna," Cami pouted. And Faisal cuddled her waist. Nice to see the two of them actually together. And she must have cleaned up already. He looked happy, which made me smile.

"She is tired and shaken up." 

"Yeah, everyone needs some rest and we can reconvene in the morning," Faisal said. "We'll come by tomorrow." 

"What time is it now?" 

He pulled out his phone and showed me the time. It was after one am. We were in the truck shortly after eleven. People were still up and partying nearby. I talked to Faisal and the others for a few minutes and then brought myself back to the motel. Faisal won't be there, so she and I can have the room to ourselves. We could clean up in peace. I stepped away from the column and walked to the front lobby. I didn't have my key to the room, so I guess I should inquire about getting a new one. 

A jovial little ding sounded as I opened the door. The air smelled like fresh linen and pine trees. A tiny gift shop sat to the right beside several old chairs that were positioned around a few vending machines. And to the other side was the desk clerk. 

An older man walked around the counter, coming from the ice cooler. His eyes were small and his white hair was almost to his shoulders. He was wearing a white shirt and a pair of blue jeans with a cowboy hat on. He didn't look as bad as me. I must look horrible right now.

"Good evening," said the man. "What can I help you with, sir? 

"Sorry for how I look. I need to get another key to my room. Please." 

"Sure. Which room?" 

"Bottom floor. Room nine." 

"Okay. Let me get that for ya." He stepped away, and I dug into my pocket to see how much money Colin handed me. That was generous-holy crap! What was Sergeant Decker doing with several hundred dollars with him today? Well, he wouldn't be easy to mug if someone tried. The man was a fighter like me. "Okay, partner. I have a key here for you. Just to be sure you are who you say you are, what name is under the room again?"

"Amir Ibrahim Khan, sir." 

"Okay. That's all I need." He handed me the key. "Say, where are you from?" 

"Pakistan. Islamabad, specifically." 

"Oh, wonderful place. It's beautiful over there." 

I wasn't really in the mood to make small talk, but what the hell. He had probably visited my homeland before. "Have you ever visited my country?" 

He nodded and tilted his head. "Sure have. A few years back. I was a tourist and had the money to travel to many parts of the Middle East and Southeast Asia. I enjoyed India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Pakistani people are generous folks." 

"Thank you. That's very kind of you," I said, giving him a slight nod with my chin. "I will look around and grab a few things." 

"Sure! Go ahead. Take anything you need. We can charge it to the room, if you'd like." 

Nodding, I walked over to the unisex shirts with words like I Vacationed In New Orleans, Louisiana emblazoned in bold gold across the front. I grabbed a large one for myself and a small for Luna. It would be cute to wear a shirt from here. I may have clothes from home in my room, but I wanted a few items from here, too. I saw a few pairs of jogging pants with New Orleans Saints logos printed on them that would fit the both of us, so I grabbed two. Then I turned to scan for food items. 

But my eyes landed on a stuffed baby doll with tanned skin and dark hair. I smiled and picked it up for her. I couldn't help but imagine having a daughter with Luna. Our little Aluna. 

The man chuckled as he saw me holding the shirts. "I have more Louisiana merchandise over by the window. You may see many other souvenirs you'd like." 

I smiled. I wasn't looking for souvenirs, but a few things Luna and I needed. "Thanks." 

"Yeah, the fourth of July is a busy time of year around here. We have many visitors from out-of-town." He slid his glasses on and sat in his chair behind the desk. "You should definitely try out many attractions we have, if you have the time. Haunted houses are a fun treat." 

"I'm not going to be here for very long." I held onto a basket with my stuff and gazed at the snack section. "Do you believe in ghosts and haunted houses? That sort of stuff?" 

"I've lived in this area my whole life, brother, and I've seen some unexplainable things. Either its spirits or ghosts, or possibly people making claims, I'm not a big fan of the idea of it being real. Now, I will say I believe in people who have special gifts." 

"Yeah," I retorted. Fascinating. 
I grabbed a New Orleans Saints tote bag, a crappy prepaid phone and minutes to call home, and several other items that caught my attention at the counter. But before I laid my things out to purchase them, I wheeled around and grabbed another doll. A male. That way Luna could have both genders, because when we do have our first child together, we wouldn't know their gender straight away. 

Yes, it was a little silly thinking that far ahead, but I had faith that things would work out for us. We were destined for one another and having a family with her and Sarah would make my life complete. Plus, I know Sarah would love to play with these dolls. I am also thinking of her. 

As I checked out, I kept my eyes on the parking lot. I haven't seen any movement, but I was itching to get back to my woman. 

"The icebox is outside. It used to be in the lobby, but the damn thing kept leaking." He finished with counting my things and handed me the bags. "If you need anything else, just come on back." 

"All right. Thanks." I'm glad they were opened twenty-four seven. I turned around and spotted the clock above the door. It was now a little after one-fifteen in the morning, but it felt later than that. 

Back outside, I held my key in one hand, and my bags in the other. Luna was waiting for me where I left her, sitting on the picnic table with her head hanging down. She must be so wore out, and that damn tranquilizer wasn't helping. She saw me approaching her and lifted her head up. "How did it go?" 

"It's good. Faisal is with Cami and Sergeant Decker right now while Ahmed, Liberty, Sarah, and Darren are at the park." I reached inside the bag and sat beside her. "I got you something. Something you may like." 

She tilted her head and narrowed her chin. "Is it a portable shower with fresh clothing?" 

"No, but I do have a key to my room. You can have that shower." I opened the bag and pulled out the two dolls. "Made me think of my girls." 

A small smile spread over her lips as she looked at both dolls, noticing their dark hair and light brown skin. Watching her smile caused my heart to do a funny spasm. It had been a long time since she smiled, truly smiled. "These are so cute. I love them. Thank you," she said, holding them tight to her waist. "I will name them Ibrahim and Aluna. Brother and sister." 

"I like it. Is that our children's names?" I joked. She giggled and smiled.

"Could be. I kind of named our children awhile ago. I know. I know. It's silly. Crazy even-" 

"No. Baby, no. I was planning our future, too." We both laughed, and I laid a hand over her shoulder. "Come on. Your shower is calling you."

She brought the dolls close to her chest, sighing. "Bliss. Finally, bliss." 

Entering the room, I felt happy. She gazed around at Faisal's clothes folded nicely on the dresser, and my stuff neatly organized around the bed I'd been sleeping in. I sat the bags down on the table and stepped over to the bathroom. Then I pulled out several towels, soaps, and hygiene essentials for her I grabbed from the gift shop.

When I walked back around the corner, I found Luna standing near my prayer mat, holding Ibrahim and Aluna. It was ridiculous and strange and a million other thoughts combined with how beautiful she still looked, covered in dirt, mud, sweat, and blood. Just looking at her, my heart pounded. It ached for the love I had for her.

"You okay with me staying in the same room as you?" she inquired. "Because I know with your lifestyle, you don't share a room with someone of the opposite sex. I want to respect your wishes. Maybe I should get my own room. And I know it was different before, we were in our heads and laid in the same space or saw each other naked. It was different. We are in the real world now, together, and things are more serious..." 

"Luna?" I said, walking faster than the energizer bunny towards her. She gasped. "What we have done in our minds was real to me just as much as it was to you. Yes, I've grown up a bachelor, and I'm still new to all of this. I'm about to turn thirty-four-years-old, never had sex before, and I've always been cautious about opening up my life to people. But this incredible woman standing before me gives me a reason to open up again. Please, don't let my faith or how I've lived, ever hinder us. We'll take this process slow." She smiled and nodded. I took her hand and took the dolls from her grip. She was clutching onto them so tight, like she was afraid they'd disappear. "Jump into the shower. I want you feeling better. How you feel matters to me, Moon." 

She slightly grinned and wrinkled her nose at me. I placed the dolls on Faisal's bed so they looked like they were watching TV. She sat her gun down on the nightstand and grinned at me as I passed her the clothes I gathered from earlier. "It'll only take a few minutes." 

"Take as much time as you need." 

She gave me one last glance, looking like she had more to say, but then she closed the door. I heard her removing her clothes from her body and hissed through her teeth from the crack in the doorway. I could feel the pain on her side and around her forehead. The sound of the shower finally came on, and it brought a smile to my face. She was finally taking a shower outside of St. Matthew's.

I glanced over and looked at the dolls. It was cute how she named them. I knew Aluna would be the female one, but she really surprised me by naming the male doll after me. My grandfather's name on my father's side is Ibrahim. Just as often as I thought about her, she thought about me. 

I dashed over to the bags and dug out the disposable phone. As I opened the package, I plugged it up on the charger and read the directions on how to set it up. I wanted to call my brother, Faris, and my workplace, but I thought it would be better to wait. It was daytime over there, but my personal business could wait. 

I walked over to the window and peered outside from the thick burgundy curtains. I wondered if anyone would come here looking for us. She was finally out. And she, nor I, were ever going back. It'll take an army, burning down the whole building and the city, and eventually throw the world into chaos if I had to before they get ahold of her. 

I was keeping her out, and they better not cross me if they knew what was good for them.