Mrs. Jinx

Claire 

1 year later 

Now, this was getting better and better, I thought inwardly as I pulled my backpack tightly and began walking outside the bus station. After a three hour trip and with no sugar my nerves were cranky and just my luck it was raining again. The last city was good, I had the chance to get enough money from working as a waitress and a mechanic, but my almost run in with the police was enough to get me on the bus and get the hell out of there.

I knew that I would never be able to have a home. But my skills were enough to give me three different IDs, a fake driving license, and I was a good driver. These were my weapons and my few possessions were safely tucked into the bag.

The town was small, rested somewhere between Virginia and North Carolina and luckily no one would ever notice me.There was no need. After dying my hair and having them cut short, I was unrecognizable. So here I was, trying to find yet another sanctuary before having to leave again.

I could mop and cry about my life one year ago, but I had already done that. Only survival mattered and as Mr. Jones, my gym teacher, would say: “Shit happens. We wipe them and move on.”

Yup, a clever man.

The rain continued to fall as I passed the street, heading towards the closest dry place. Luckily it was the roof of a small café. The café had a nice view over the big park, the orange leaves of October already fallen. The park would look nice at spring. Too bad I wouldn’t be here to see it. Pulling over my hood and zipping up my jacket I ran towards the hotel at the end of the street.

It was of the cheap ones but it would do. There was no reason to waste money on flashy beds and wallpapers. Showing one of my fake IDs, the one who said “Eve Hastings” on the reception, I grabbed the key and made my way to the stairs. I never took the elevator. That way I would know all the possible escape routes.

The room smelled of chlorine and something that suggested lavender and at least I was grateful to at least find a decent shower. There were cases in the past when I had only wet hankies for moisture. I really didn’t miss those days.

After I placed the bag on the bed, I pulled out the small plastic bag from the hidden pocket of my jacket and counted my cash. Three hundred bucks weren’t enough but they could last if I was really careful. Letting them back into my jacket, I pulled out my clothes and took a hot shower. Few minutes later, I was on the bed, with my side towards the door, holding tightly my bag and with my shoes just in front of the bed, in case I had to run.

When the morning came, I checked out and headed towards the town’s liveliest center, looking for a job. The humidity was agonizing. If I was back at Chicago, the cold would be much better. Tugging my hoodie, I walked through busy streets, where families were strolling, it was Sunday after all, businessmen were busy talking to phones, while some of the stores were either closed or open. It felt alien to know that while life was still continuing I was left behind running away from the darkness, having left everyone I knew and cared about behind.

Maybe it would be better not to know what had happened to me; I would be the one to take the blame and carry it on. I lowered my head and entered the familiar Starbucks. Thank God for small mercies. They had saved me more than once and I knew that I would be able to spend some time into the warmth with a cup of hot coffee.

I found a seat close to the window with my back to the wall, staring at the entrance. I scanned people as they entered and left noting that in this part of the States people preferred more macchiato rather than espresso. Seriously, I never understood the fascination with coffee.

The notebook in my bag is a little heavy, a constant reminder of the places I went and the days I passed away from the nightmare. Pulling it out, I took a look at the cities and States I passed within a year: Nashville, Richmond, Tulsa, New Orleans (voodoo really gave me the creeps there), even Phoenix and New York. These were some of the cities I traveled. I tried to avoid the bigger ones. He could have spies on there.

I spent three hours thinking of my next steps on this town and when I finally got out from Starbucks I was sure that spending Christmas on Grand Canyon wasn’t such a bad idea. Technically I didn’t even exist thanks to his work, so for the moment it felt good to pretend that I could still move freely around.

“STOP!” someone yelled behind me.

Suddenly, I was crashed down to the wet pavement as a man ran ahead.

“Oh shit!” I got up and with quick strides, I tackled him down and punched his side. The man grunted in pain and covered his face.

“Oh my!” a woman’s voice was heard behind me and horrified I noticed that I had gathered attention to myself. I got up quickly and picked up the small bag with colorful flower patterns. He had stole it then. Too bad he was an amateur.

“I believe that’s mine.” I turned and looked at the old lady, who walked towards me.

She looked really old, around seventy and she was using a cane to steady her footing. On her right hand she held three plastic bags, which looked really heavy. I gave her quickly the bag back.

“Thank you child.”

“No problem.” I eyed at the bags. “Do you need help?”

Her wrinkled face lightened and her green eyes looked brighter. She must have been a beauty at her time. “Thank you. Here.” She gave me the bags and after giving the thief to the closest police officer who luckily was at the spot, we walked away from the town’s center, heading north towards the quiet neighborhood.

The houses looked well made and cared, the gardens were clean of leaves and weeds. While the sky was still clouded the road luckily was clean. The old woman was walking slowly and I strolled near her, hoping that she wouldn’t fall. But she held her height, as if she was an aristocrat with her brown long skirt and white blouse giving a serious look at her face. Her white hair was pinned back in a bun and she also wore a brown coat.

She turned at me abruptly and I took a step back. “Oh forgive my manners.” She offered her hand. “My name is Mrs. Jinx.”

I pulled the bags back and shook her hand. She looked like a kind person; her eyes told so. After years on the run I had grown the ability to read people easily. “Claire.” I said.

She studied me for a moment. “Just Claire?”

I nodded.

“Well then Claire, let’s get out of this blasted weather and have some tea.” She continued to walk, while I tried to think a way out of this. I didn’t want to get to know people. It was dangerous and hurtful.

Mrs. Jinx’s house was a small with rose bushes on the left and right of her door. On the inside the living room was joined with the kitchen while two more doors on the far end, probably led to her rooms. She also had a fireplace and on the top of it, small black and white pictures, maybe her family, were decorating it.

“Come on, sit. I am going to put on the teapot.”

“Where do you want the bags?”

The old woman showed me the table. “Just put them on there.” I placed the bags on and that was when I noticed them. One bag contained candies and raw steaks, while the other two had, oh God was that the ‘Playboy’? Just what the heck was this granny doing?

Before she could realize that I was spying on her shopping I sat down on the couch and took off my jacket. It really was peaceful in here and for a moment I savored the warmth. It was one more thing I could treasure before leaving again.

Mrs. Jinx came quickly with a tray, full of all delicacies; silver ware, china for the cups and two plates full of biscuits and scones. The flavors made my stomach crumble and that didn’t go unnoticed. “Sorry.” I muttered and she smiled.

“Please dig in. I am glad for the help Claire.” She poured tea and offered me the sugar cures and the lemon.

The tea warmed me and the sweet taste of the scones made me moan. It had been so long since the last time I had eaten something, anything homemade. “So, tell me Claire,” Mrs. Jinx sipped her tea, “how long have you been running?”

I froze. Slowly, I place the teacup on the table and grabbed my bag. “Thank you for the tea.”

“Sit down Claire.” Her stern voice made me look at her. She looked ancient suddenly with her green eyes staring at me. It made me uncomfortable, and I was never uncomfortable.

“Are you going to give me in?”

“Have you done anything illegal?”

“No.” I lied.

She was silent for a moment. “Please sit down.”

I sat, but I felt unsettled.

“I can see that you are wary of me and I understand that. I know nothing of your past, yet you got in the way of helping me today. For that I am grateful.” She smiled and placed her teacup to the table, picking a scone from the plate.

“There’s no need to be thankful. You got your bag, so I can be on my way now.”

She sighed and ate the scone. I really couldn’t understand her fascination with me. I was no one.

“It seems that life hadn’t treated you well Claire. You seem to be such a good child.”

She had no idea how bad I had been. Not that there was a need to pinpoint that.

“I want to offer you a job.” She said and I frowned.

“Why?”

“Because you are witty and strong. I can tell when a girl has some backbone and,” she leaned and stared at me straight in the eyes, “you are pretty.”

Many thoughts circled my mind. I knew that even dyed and cut my hair looked like a boy’s; short pixie cut and blond with my brown eyes, I was nothing like the girl who lived a year ago. She had gone AWOL for quite a while. But if the old lady wanted me for a job, that could mean anything.

“Please do not be alarmed.” She said hastily, “I just need a doorkeeper.”

“A doorkeeper? For what?”

“For the flats which are currently occupied. The building is at the outskirts of the town and it’s really quiet.”

Yeah right. Not a chance.

“Of course you’ll get paid. A thousand per month.”

I laughed. “Yeah right. Who gives a thousand for a doorkeeper?”

Mrs. Jinx smiled, as if she knew that this would be my reaction. “Trust me Claire, the residents do and I believe that you’ll find them quite…interesting.”

“Mrs. Jinx, I don’t stay long on one place. I can’t and I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t ask for more. Thank you for the offer and for the tea.” I got up and wore the jacket and bag. I had already spent too much time here.

Mrs. Jinx got up, steadying herself with the cane. She looked so fragile, I wondered if she could even move anymore. Slowly, she went to her small desk and scribbled something. “This is my phone. If you change your mind please call me.”

I grabbed the paper and headed to the door. Mrs. Jinx walked slowly and stared at me with a soft expression. “You can be safe Claire.”

I closed the door behind me and almost ran. What she didn’t know was that nowhere was I ever going to be safe.

I spent the night on a different hotel. My sleep was unsettled, hovering between dreams of broken glass and blood as also the sweet smell of tea and scones. I woke up, grumpy and with feeling of dread. I never liked that one and trusting my instinct, I grabbed everything I had and left the hotel almost at the middle of the night. The cold was frigid and the streets empty and I looked around me with caution as I walked through the dark streets. A clutter of walking the scent of smoke and trash filled my nostrils but I was accustomed to the foul stench.

It didn’t take long to find out that I was followed. Thugs or spies, I didn’t know but I made a quick turn to my right and sprinted into a run. My training was enough to ensure that I could get the hell out of here, before getting caught. I jumped on the iron fence and climbed to the other side, quickly getting out from the narrow streets into the light. The shops here had still their signs on so I was lucky to be on public street. I knew that there also were cameras everywhere and I could use it to my advantage.

“Hello sweet.” A man’s voice grunted behind me and something sharp pressed on my left, below my ribs.

I froze and an arm  covered my shoulders quickly pulling me back to the shadows. I was thrown back on the brick wall and I bit my lip, trying not to shout. There were three men, all covered in black with shadowed faces and eyes that glowed in the dark of malice. I could take them out.

“You are a bad girl. He is displeased with you.” The one who had grabbed me said.

“I don’t work for him anymore.” I snarled.

The men laughed. “You should know better. After everything he did for you, you are still an immature brat.”

I smirked and straightened my back. “He can’t control me anymore.” And I lunged at them.

I hit the first one on the jaw, snapping his head back, while at the same time my left foot went straight on the groin of the second man. While they moaned from pain I turned and kicked the third on the ribs. He flanked me and soon we were fighting each other, trying to avoid and delivering punches at the same time.

Something silver flashed and in the nick of a time I managed to pull back, before the knife could slash me open. It tore my shirt and I tripped falling on my back. One of the men went to fall on top of me and quickly I rolled; I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.

But before I could regain my footing the other two grabbed me from my ankles and hauled me to the ground. I kicked and swore but they were holding tight. “You should have come in peace. There was no need for that.” The one with the knife licked his bloodied lip. “Now you made me angry.”

The blade hovered close to my cheek and for a moment I was back at that apartment, screams echoing and glass breaking.

“No…” I whimpered and the man laughed.

The growl was heard from above us. The man with the knife stopped and looked up. Suddenly I was thrown on the wall, hitting my head badly. I fell down and clutched my throbbing back, trying not to lose consciousness. The men screamed and wailed into the shadows and after a moment an iron scent filled my nostrils.

Blood.

The growl was heard closer to me and I held my breath, hoping that whoever had killed the men wouldn’t see me as a threat. A warm breath caressed my cheek but I couldn’t see into the shadows. “Thank you.” I croaked in a last attempt and in an instant the warmth was gone.

With shaky legs I got up and crumbled my way out from the street, not daring to look back. My back bag was still on the ground and I lifted up, wearing it with shaky arms. I put my hands on my jeans pockets and began walking, my thoughts straight into the mental map I had made if I had to leave from the town.

Something in my pocket got my attention and slowly I pulled the small piece of paper out. Mrs. Jinx’s phone.

What another choice did I have? How close I had come tonight could only prove that my choices were thin to survive. I pulled my cash phone and dialed the number, not caring if it was the middle of the night.

“Hello?” The tired voice answered.

I took a shaky breath and spoke. “Help me.”

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

Claire on your right!