"HOT!!"
She jumped out of bed sweating like a pig. In the coldness of her austere room the only living sound was that of her panting heavily. It took a moment for her vitals to return to normal and even longer for her mind.
My room.
She examined her semi messy living space. There wasn't much besides some maps, mystery books and textbooks on criminal physiology and investigations. To the right was her nightstand. There was where she found her train tickets.
"Oh shoot, shoot, shoot!!"
Stumbling out of bed she went to go on with her morning routine on hard mode. In no time she had thrown on a thin dark green turtleneck, black jeans and black overcoat. Hurriedly she decided to scrummage a quick breakfast and a little something for a friend of hers.
Once she was finish her daily hygiene and checking to make sure she look presentable she threw on a pair of low riding boots and made for the door.
Her apartment was on the second floor of the complex. The building wasn't in too much of a good shape but is was cheap. The same could be said about the neighborhood. The one upside was that it was mostly quiet. She made her way to her usual gangway to meet up with a friend.
"Meow~"
It was a sound most familiar. In a flash she was kneeling, petting the body of a silver tabby, her baby and love, "Watson". Name after the great sidekick himself. Watson would listen to her every word and when they went on adventures, he would follow her wherever.
"Aww. How you been baby~"
She handed a piece of sliced turkey.
"Wanna piece of my sammich? Here ya go Watson."
"Meow~"
She could feel the whiskers and wet rough tongue nibble at her fingers. Once finished, she lifted the cat with ease and give quick pecs before leaving.
"Sorry baby. I have to go catch a train but I'll be back later." She waved goodbye.
A longing meow what she got in return but she solidify her will to not turn back.
Now back on the street she removed all trace of the previous action off her face. She had to make it to the the L in time for take off. Even though it was early on a spring morning it was very chilly. The main street was busy with people as always. She didn't have time to register interesting characters today. The only thing on her mind was her train.
She made her way to a nearby bus station. Taking a seat on the bench she anxiously tried to find for the tickets. Thankfully it was in her coat pockets. She pulled it out to take a look.
Dang it.
The time read 12:30 A.M. It was way past that. Defeated she slowly stood up and left.
What a waste!!
It wasn't only money she was flushing down the drain but also time. Time she decided to take off because of a reoccurring nightmare. It was not that the dream was scary. Heck, she never remembers them but the lingering feelings was what gets her. She had done something horrible and it was only a matter of time before she gets caught.
No matter what she do, the feelings persist. However, one day she remembered something. A town and a house stuck in some dream like fantasy. With that she went on those things and decided to go there. At least she felt like in her dreams but now she can't.
Making her way back to her apartment she kept her head high. Since the ticket was now nothing but a throw away the least she could do was to return to work. It was a Moms and Pops not too far from where she was. The pay was not that great but she found ways to make ends meet.
Unconsciously she began to take snapshots of her environment. It wasn't crowded. There was a group of three hanging across the street from her and some children could be seen with book bags waiting at the bus stops. Car honking could be heard down the road. The morning rush hour had started.
Up ahead was the restaurant where she work at. It was also where she did some studying because the WiFi was free.
"Aren't ya suppose to be off today?" A quizzical voice greeted her.
It was her coworker Jenna. She was taking over her shift for a couple of days.
"I overslept."
"Ha!! You just wanna veg out." She snarled jokingly.
Jenna was a short but sturdy brunette who always had her hair in a bun and long sleeves to cover her butterfly tattoo down her left arm. She had gotten it at fifteen in secret.
"Now that you here I can nap. Also, you should've stayed home. You ain't getting pay for a couple of days." Jenna leaned across the counter concerned.
"I know."
Soon Eliza found herself in the back, changing into the word uniform she left in her locker. The establishment was not big in size. It had some tables in the front and then the waiting counters where people order. The kitchen was behind the counters and the employees break room to the side.
Today was particularly slow but it did't bother her much for before she knows it the sun was near setting and it was time for her to leave.
"Going to your side job, er what?" Jenna called back.
"Well I said on my blog that I wouldn't be able for some days but you'd never know, so..." She shrugged as she put on her coat and straighten her hair.
"Alright, just be careful. Byee!!"
"Au Revoir"
The setting sun greeted her as she exited the building. The streets was still crowded. It was rush hour again and honking could be heard not too far down. Soon her feet were on their usual route to the park and next to the usual bench.
Her side job was a sort of private detective. The only thing she really did was find missing objects. She met with all sorts of people, thankfully most of them were genuine. There was once incident where some shut-in tried to get her in a drug fuel. Immediately she called the police and they jailed the guy. For a couple of weeks they monitored her and from time to time they would check in on her.
She sighs.
Breathing in the crispy air vacuum all the accumulated stress of the day. She found herself zoning out, her senses faltering as the sun disappear into the horizon.
Then a dark cloud rolled over her which snapped her back to reality. Several suited men casted their shadow where she sat. They looked serious and increase their distance to her.
Deja Vu
Her reactions was strong and before she knew it she inconspicuously tried to walk away. At first she didn't run because she didn't want to alert them or make her presence obvious. Instead she took out the quick disposable phone she use for her side work. It was a way to keep her doings private and with no trials. As well, to keep herself safe in case of bad customers. She flipped to the camera and tried to spy behind her.
They were still following her.
Picking up the pace she tested her various method of evasion. Even still, they were still on her tail.
Was I bugged? No.
Never in her life had she even met these people. How could they bugged her? Had she offended anyone lately? Who knows? Numerous questions hijacked her thinking as she swerved in and out of crowds and corners. Surveying the area, she could no longer find the weird men.
I should stay by a hotel.
It was the safest thing to do. All she needed was a few quick things from her apartment and that would be it.
Safely making her way back home she took time to destroy the phone. It had the number she used for her lost and find job. The number would change every week for good measure. There was another in her dresser drawer just in case.
Once that was over she reach in her closet for a few cloths and shoes. Then she took her laptop and ravish the rest of the apartment for anything else. When she felt prepared enough she went to open the door to leave but was met with the same familiar faces.
Howbeit all the turns and twist they were still able to find her.
She hurried to slam the door but they were too strong and pushed their way in. Cornered and afraid she tried to dash for the window. Although it was the second floor, there was a way to fall without much injury.
However, she was pulled back and pin to the floor.
One of them lifted her enough for her to see their faces. Another shorter one took out a very glittering stone. He approached her snatched her right hand to put the shining jewel on. The rock began to give out a blast of light.
Surprise she shook it off her hand but it was caught but the shorter guy. Again she was pinned and bound. There seemed to be a collective agreement with the men and they all draw closer to Eliza.
A cover was pulled over her eyes and a cloth around her mouth. She tried kicking and fighting back but warrant a punched in her stomach that black her out.
Waking up she found herself siting on something soft. Finding her hands tied and blind, she tried to stand up but a hand pushed her back down.
Panic engulf her whole being. She was gag and at the mercy of these strong men. Who knows where they would take her and what they would do. It felt like they were moving but since she can't see she would never be able to retrace her steps.
A low sound brushed her ears. It was an all familiar sound of the chugging of a train. It gave her hope and despair. If it was a public train that would mean many people would've noticed her and called for help but not knowing how long she been knocked out or when they board the train left room for concern.
Like clockwork her brain started to piece together information to clear the problem.
Firstly, they haven't killed her, so they needed something from her. Secondly, they only used force when she resisted but other than that nothing. At least nothing she consciously know of. Lastly, they were on a train heading somewhere.
The last part made no sense. Did her offended live out of city? Why use a public space for her transportation? They definitely wasn't lacking in money. Maybe her culprit was new to this and most likely young enough to make mistakes.
Either ways she wasn't sure how she was going to get out of this one. All she could do was wait for her end. One thing for sure is that she will never take trains again.