The bus ride was going to take a day and half. The bus slowed down at a large gas station and convenience store. After staying on board for several stops, Billie finally got out to stretch her legs at this one. She walked into the gas station and opened the cooler to pull out a large bottled water. She was starving and saw hot dogs were only two dollars, so she bought three, saving one for later. As the cashier was ringing her, the television on behind him was turned to a news channel.
"A northern Indiana woman has been reported missing by her husband. Billie Rhiannon Conley was last seen Monday morning and never returned home after work. She is five feet, two inches tall and one hundred fifteen pounds, with blonde hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a white blouse with a black blazer. Any information should be directed to the South Bend, Indiana police department... " the anchor explained. She felt panic set in. It was national news? What the fuck? She glanced over and saw various wigs and hair extensions as well as colored contacts. She picked up a pair of blue eye colored ones and added them to be rung up. Gathering her things, she put her head down and headed back to the bus.
What was going on? She had left Sean a letter. She had left her wedding ring and the signed divorce papers, with her attorney having a copy. She had taken the money she had left after paying the attorney's retainer to use to leave town. She had saved for an entire year without Sean knowing. She had agreed to give him everything. The car. The house. The furniture. The bank accounts. Her lawyer called her insane at least five times. But he didn't know what Sean was capable of. No one did. No one but her. She took a deep breath and exhaled. Why had he reported her missing? Did he not read the letter? She wanted to call the authorities and tell them she was safe but she was terrified to. Would they tell him where she was? I mean, they had to if he reported her missing, right? Panic moved all though out her body. It was familiar. She had felt it before. Cold, painful fear. She called her attorney.
"Andrew, this is Billie. What's going on?" She asked.
"I'm not sure. You left the paperwork for him to sign and mail, correct?" He asked.
"Yes. And I will come home for the court date if I have to. I don't want to, but I will. I thought this would be easy?" She asked.
"I am not sure why he reported you missing, unless he wants to find you. That is the only logical reason I can think of." He said.
"I don't want to be found. I don't want him to know anything. Please call the police and tell them I am fine and have left on my own free will." She said.
"I will do that." He said.
"Will they still try to find me?" She asked.
"I don't know. They may want to talk to you." He said.
"Then no, don't tell them. Please. I don't want him to know where I am." She said, still in a panic.
"Ok. But I will alert them if it gets any heavier. If they think you are dead. Agreed?" He asked.
"Ok." She said, but she wasn't sure. "No. Don't tell them. Don't tell them anything." She said.
She hung up and opened the contacts and leaned forward in her seat, turning on her phone camera to face her. She put them in and looked at herself. Her eyes looked blue. It would do for now. Then she thought about her phone. What if she was being tracked? She powered it off and got up, stepping off the bus again and dropping it in the nearest trash can, but first stomping on it and shattering the screen. She got back in the bus just as the doors closed and let out a sigh of relief.