The next morning was more normal than the previous one, the alarm woke her and when she went downstairs Alexander was already parked on the couch.

She smiled and ruffled his hair on her way past him, going into the kitchen she started breakfast.

Jordan was already gone for the day and but she had too much on her mind to worry or care. Her mind kept circling to the mysterious man and his claims that her husband had stolen money, could he be mistaken? Maybe he had Jordan confused with someone else.

After breakfast and cleaning up breakfast she decided to take Alexander for his fish, she needed to get away from the house and clear her head.

She loaded both kids into her minivan, this time she stopped before climbing inside, had this minivan been purchased with stolen money?

She drove downtown to a tiny pet store on main street, helping Alex climb out and tucking Mya into a stroller. They went inside and Alex immediately hurried back to all the fish tanks, there were dozens of fish tanks with different fish in them all over the back wall and the boy was awestruck as he rushed from tank to tank.

"Mommy look at all the colors!" He cried.

"I see."

"Can we get five?"

"Two," she replied.

"Three," he countered.

She smiled the first genuine smile since the day before as she nodded and agreed that three was a good number.

She knelt down next to him to peer into one of the many tanks at the goldfish inside and tried to figure out which one he was pointing at.

She was so wrapped up in enjoying time with her son she almost didn't realize she was being watched until she caught the reflection of black boots and black jeans in the glass.

She stood and spun so quick she got dizzy for a minute and Alex stood too, looking up at the man, she pulled her son tight to her side her other hand gripping on the stroller.

"Picking out fish?" He asked.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat not sure who he was speaking too but knowing that Alex wouldn't' answer him.

"Just looking," She managed.

"A boy needs a dog." He said.

"What would you know about it?" She snapped surprised with the venom in her own voice.

Apparently, he was surprised too because he raised an eyebrow at her tone then smirked just a little.

"You're right, nothing." He said.

He stance was relaxed, comfortable even and she didn't see a gun but had no doubt he had one. His hands were clasped in front of him hanging loosely and even in the black button-up shirt she could see the tattoos on his neck and hands.

"What do you want?" She managed to ask.

"Just checking in making sure you didn't do anything stupid after our last visit."

"No, I didn't tell anyone anything."

"Good girl, you may be of some use after all." He said.

"You told me not to tell," She replied.

"Yeah, but a part of me didn't think you would listen."

She glanced around and saw the other two men that were always with her were in the store as well, they were pretending to look around.

"I'll scream," She threatened.

"Hell, I'll scream too then. You think I care?" He asked.

She pulled Alexander even closer, prepared to shield him with her own body if it was necessary. The man didn't move, didn't even tense or show any hint that he planned to hurt her.

"I want my money," He said, emphasizing each word.

She gave a nod, not at all sure how he expected her to get it for him.

"Take this," He said, handing her an old flip open cell phone.

She reached out with a shaking hand and took it, he watched her. Something about the way his dark eyes stared at her made her uncomfortable.

He watched her as if he knew her every thought as if he knew exactly what she wanted, what she was thinking. It made her uncomfortable.

"I'll be in touch," he said.

She gave a small nod, clutching the phone to her chest. He gave her a once over from head to toe, then looked down at Alexander.

With that one-sided smirk, he gave her a small nod.

"Cute kid," he said.

Then he turned and exited the shop a few minutes later both of his men followed.

She was vaguely aware she was shaking as she watched him leave, his comment about her kid could either be a genuine comment which she doubted or a terrible threat.

"Mom, who was that?" Alex asked.

"Nobody." She said not moving.

"You're shaking," Alex pointed out.

"Hey, come on. I thought we were here to pick out fish," she said.

She smiled down at him, shoving the phone in her coat pocket she turned her son towards the tanks again.

A switch flipping in her mind, the danger was gone and she didn't want Alex to be afraid so she slid back into the role of mom and tried to get him excited about fish instead of a dog.

**********************************************************************************************

Elizabeth sat in her gigantic bathtub, full of her expensive bubble bath. Candles lit and scattered around and a glass of her favorite wine sitting next to her.

She had twisted her long brown hair into a bun so she could sink deeper into the water.

Her children were asleep and obviously her husband was working late again.

This tub was her favorite part of the entire house, she could sink into the hot water and just relax. For a few minutes at least she wasn't a mom who was tired of being the only parent who tried, she wasn't the wife who was a constant let down, she wasn't the girl with no job or talent. For a few minutes at least she was just Elizabeth.

The silver flip phone sat on the edge of the tub, she stared at it a long minute before picking it up.

It was a cheap burner phone that you could buy, load with minutes and then throw away. She browsed the contacts, recent calls and everything else but found nothing. It looked as though he simply turned it on then gave it to her.

She was studying the phone when it vibrated in her palm, jumping she almost dropped it into the water, with slippery fingers she flipped it open.

"Hello?"

"You drive stick shift?" The deep voice asked.

"What?"

"Can you drive a stick shift?" He asked, sounding irritated.

"Yes."

"I'm texting you an address, go tomorrow. There will be a U-haul parked to one side of the lot. I'll text you a second address bring me the truck and all its contents."

"Okay...how do I get the key?"

"It's in the glove box."

"What if I get pulled over? what's in the truck?"

"I ain't got time to hold your hand and walk you through this. If you get pulled over you're on your own."

The line went dead and she sat there for a long minute listening to the dial tone. He always sounded so on edge, so close to snapping. Sometimes when he spoke to her it was clear, plain English so she knew he wasn't stupid, other times when he spoke it was pure gang speak. Slang terms, curse words and a thick accent. She thought maybe he only brought out the bad boy voice when he wanted to scare her.

It was only a few minutes later when the phone vibrated again this time with two short texts, the first one was labeled pick up the second one simply said drop off.

The first address was in the middle of town and everyone would see her pick it up, the second was across town in a shady side that most people tried to avoid.

Run down houses, abandoned warehouses, a breeding pool for the low lives of town, drug dealers, rapists, money laundering, murder, assault, and robberies all were commonplace.

She couldn't take her babies there, she would have to find a babysitter for them, just for the day.

She knew Craig would watch them, he had before when she was in a bind and she trusted him, but she didn't know where she would tell him she was going.

She finished off her wine and climbed from the tub, she pulled on her favorite satin robe and went downstairs tossing the cellphone in her purse.

She lifted the landline from its base and dialed Craig's number, sitting down on the couch.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Craig? It's Elizabeth."

"Hey Liz, how's it going?" He asked, his voice cheerful.

"Good, I was calling with a favor. Could you watch the kids tomorrow?" She asked.

"Of course I can, what's going on?"

"Oh, nothing. Just a doctors appointment," She said lamely.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, of course just a check-up and I don't want to drag them both to town and back for no reason."

"Alright, I'll be here all day just drop them off."

"Thank you."

"Anytime, I gotta go Chet is calling me."

"Yeah, sorry to call so late," She said glancing at the clock and seeing it was after nine.

"No problem, bye."

"Bye."

He hung up and so did she, so tomorrow she would drop her babies off go get that stupid truck and pray she didn't get hurt or arrested.

***********************************************************************************************

The next afternoon she put off leaving as long as she possibly could, she just couldn't seem to gather her nerve.

She was sitting at the kitchen island with Alexander eating lunch when the silver phone went off in her purse, she pulled it out and flipped it open to read the text.

Where are you? Don't keep me waiting!

She flipped it closed with a heavy sigh, she had to go and she knew that but a part of her wanted to pretend her life was normal just a little longer.

She cleaned up the lunch dishes and then packed a bag for Alex and Mya before walking them over to Craigs.

"I like staying with Craig," Alexander said as they approached the house.

"Good."

"He's fun."

"I'm glad."

She knocked on the door, smiling down at her son and hoping this wasn't the last time she would see him.

Craig answered with the beaming smile he always seemed to have and it made her feel a little better, he adored her kids.

"Hello, Craig."

"Lizzie, how're you doing?"

"I'm good, thanks for doing this for me."

"Hey, anytime, I love doing it."

He moved aside and Alexander rushed inside without invitation, hopping onto the luxurious white couch. Elizabeth watched him and then carefully handed over the carrier with Mya sleeping inside.

"You seem...different," Craig said, taking the carrier.

"I'm just tired," She said handing him the bag.

"Okay, if you say so."

"There's enough formula in there to get you by at least until tomorrow and, pjs, socks, a few changes of clothes, Alexanders teddy bear..."She started to ramble.

"Woah, Lizzie. You said this was a few hours, is something going on?"

"No, I just like to be prepared."

"Liz, come on. You can tell me."

She shook her head, forcing a smile.

"I'll be back, just give me a few hours."

He gave a small nod but she could tell he didn't completely believe her but respected her enough to let it drop.

He took the carrier and the bag and disappeared inside, closing the door behind him.

She turned and walked down the sidewalk and to the taxi waiting for her near her home, she knew she couldn't take her minivan to pick up the truck.

She gave the cab driver the first address and he drove her to a large parking lot in the middle of town. There were several vehicles dotting the parking lot but to the far left sat the U-haul.

She paid the cab driver and climbed out, hesitantly approaching the truck, she glanced around several times but didn't see anyone else but she found it impossible to believe he didn't have her watched.

She stepped up next to the door, staring at it and wondering if she was really going to go through with it. Thoughts of her kids pushed her up on the step and she pulled the door open, it swung open and she climbed inside.

Closing the door she leaned across the seat and opened the glove box, just like he said a single key fell out.

She picked it up and held it in her hand, studying it. She could use it to unlock the back and see what was in the truck she was driving but she wasn't sure she wanted to know, besides if she did look he would probably know and that was one more reason to kill her.

She put the key in the ignition started the truck and while she still had the nerve she pulled out onto the street heading to the second address.

The drop off site was in the worst part of the city, she had to slow down to make it in and out of the tight alleys and roads. Homeless people stood on nearly every corner, kids ran wild on the street with no supervision, several men and women were passed out on the sidewalks, from drugs or drinking or whatever else.

She saw more than a few women who were obviously hooking, and men selling drugs. Nearly every man she saw had a gun strapped to his side and she knew drive-bys were common.

Some of them stared as she drove past, no doubt wondering what she had in the truck and if they could carjack her.

Finally, she reached the giant maze of warehouses and drove through the parking lots searching for the right one.

When she found the warehouse he instructed it looked no different than the others, no cars could be seen, no lights or guards nothing to suggest there was any kind of activity.

She parked as close as possible, afraid to walk even the short distance alone in this neighborhood.

She sat there a while, staring at the building before deciding she should probably knock at least.

She got out and hurried to the small door, knocking on it but getting no answer, she turned the knob surprised when it opened and she stepped inside.

The giant warehouse was empty other than a few crates here and there, she walked further inside looking for any sign of life.

"Hello?"

Her voice echoed off the walls but there was no reply. She moved further into the building, looking around.

"So you made it," His voice spoke from behind her.

She turned to see an upper room with a metal staircase and he was slowly coming down, he was wearing all black as usual and stared at her as he came down.

"The truck is outside."

"So I see," He walked across the cement until he was just a foot or so away.

Close enough she could smell his aftershave and see the dark colors in his eyes.

"How should I get home?"

"I'll have someone drive you, where are your children?"

"With a friend."

"Smart choice."

"I could have been arrested or carjacked coming here," she said.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked just the slightest, then he gave a slow nod and turned walking for the door she just entered.

She waited a minute then followed him, he walked to the truck stopping beside it and holding out his hand.

"Key," He said.

She handed him the key and he walked around to the back of the truck unlocking the door and sliding up in one smooth motion.

From where she stood she couldn't see what was inside and he motioned her closer, she timidly went to stand next to him and stared into an empty truck.

"It's empty," She said softly.

"I needed to be sure you were going to do what I asked when I asked with no question." He said with a shrug.

"You threatened my children," She pointed out.

"For some women that wouldn't be enough."

He reached up and pulled the door closed and then turned to her and spoke.

"Next time I text you will be the real deal, don't drag your feet this time."

He walked back into the building brushing past her as he did so and she watched him go.

A car pulled up beside her a few seconds later and she climbed in the back, the driver never spoke a word as he took her home.