Hide And Seek No Evil

The same coffee shop, in the same sleepy town, in the same sad state as I have been for over two years now. Livingston, Colorado, where the summers aren't all that hot, but the winters are brutal. A town of 1,000 people, everyone knows everyone and everyone else's business. Town gossip is epic here; no one gets away with anything, and the crime rate is virtually non-existent.

I've worked at The Roasted Bean for a year and a half now and know that Mrs. Primket likes a caramel macchiato at six in the morning every morning, old man Tripen drinks his black coffee at the little table by the window, just so he can keep an eye on Jasmine, who he thinks will steal his pickup truck. Newsflash, she won't, she hates the old rust bucket and the man that drives it, drives her insane with his little antics.

"Thanks, Jess, see you at the carnival later?" Shay calls out to me before she heads out the door.

"Be there soon as I close up for the day." I called back since she still had the door propped open, waiting for my response.

Shay has been my best friend since I moved here. She and I may gossip more about everyone else than they do about each other. It's almost closing time, and the Livingston cornfest carnival is calling my name. More than ready for my next couple of days off to enjoy more of the town's festivities, there is a pie-baking competition that I won last year and intend to win this year.

The bell chimes above the door to my small brick cafe on Seventh Street, a beautiful man with broad shoulders and expensive clothes, comes striding through the glass doors. Looking at me, he smiles, and while he is trying to decide on the too many options I have listed, I realize he looks familiar.

Familiar.

Too familiar.

Like someone from my past.

Someone from California.

The place I ran from.

I look up at him and give him a bright smile, trying to mask the uncertainty and unease that lingers just beneath the surface.

California was filled with love and friends.

And family.

And Jeremy.

And ..... Death.

If they've found me, I'll lose everything I've worked so hard for these last two years. Not to mention the danger I've put this small town in.

"Good afternoon, sir, what can I get for you?" praying my voice doesn't sound shaky. I wait for his reply.

"I'll have a vanilla chai latte. Extra hot," he responds, smiling back at me.

I can see the spark in his eye that says, "I know something you don't." But does he, really? He continues to smile, watching me make his latte. It's unnerving, really. I jumped through so many hoops when I ran from California and Jeremy. Never had I thought someone would find me in Colorado, of all places. I finish up his drink, hoping he walks right back out the door after he pays. He hands me a fifty-dollar bill.

"Keep the change beautiful." I sigh with relief as he turns to head out, and I mutter a quiet thank you. Suddenly, he turns back to me.

"Have we met before?" The words come with a knowing smile, the secret between strangers.

"I don't think so, I think I would remember you. What did you say your name was?" I ask, trying for nonchalance.

"I didn't. It's Alejandro," He says, rolling the R ever so beautifully.

He strides out the door, one more glance back at me through the window. I let go of the breath I was holding onto for dear life. It's now five and time to close up, thankfully.

Suddenly, I'm not really feeling up to the carnival. I'll need to text Shay and let her down easily, tell her I'm not feeling well.

I twist the lock above the door handle, switch the sign off, and start wiping down the cute little wrought iron tables. Going through the familiar motions of closing up brings me a sense of normalcy. I needed that. I make it to the back room to wash up the dishes that I dirtyed today.

Stepping through the door and locking it up once I'm out, I take a quick glance around just in case. Today rattled me, and I still need to walk the two blocks to my small cottage rental. Two blocks, a five-minute walk, I can manage that.

I start at a fast walk; the faster I walk, the quicker I'll make it there. Looking left and right, left and right, before I know it, I'm at my front door. It had to be just a coincidence, someone just passing through, and I'm trying to put a face somewhere it doesn't belong, and this poor man is the victim of my overactive imagination.

Heart racing, feeling like someone is watching, while fumbling with my keys before finding the correct one and sliding it home. Finally, I step through the threshold to this little place I call home. I go from room to room cautiously, checking every window lock and pulling the curtains shut. You just never know, and the life I've lived before this has taught me to be wary. Everything looks to be in order, nothing out of place, but I can't seem to shake this feeling of dread that has pooled and is churning in the pit of my stomach.

I pause once I'm back at the door again and lean against it, letting my body slide down until I feel my butt hit the floor. Pulling my knees up, I hug them against my body like a shield, and let the tears flow. Better to let it out now and come up with a plan than feel helpless and hopeless. Running is what I've been doing, what made me think I could put roots down here now?

Breathing gets more difficult with every inhale as the memories flood my brain.

Invading.

Infesting.

Infiltrating.

The break in. The torture. The murder. The threats.

My need to purge every memory of him grows stronger.

My need to be free of him is stronger yet.

Sarah Mason no longer exists, Jess, the new me doesn't give up. Doesn't give in.

I. WILL. NOT. BE. THE. VICTIM.

No more running, this is where I stand my ground, I will not leave the beautiful town full of beautiful people where I've made my home. With my newfound resolve, I swipe my hand across my face, wiping away the despair along with it. No more crying, no more panic. I hadn't texted Shay yet. I check the time on my phone, not even six yet, perfect.

I head to the back of the cottage to my room and get changed out of my work clothes and into a pair of skinny jeans, my favorite ones, and a cute blue top that shows just a little of my belly. I sit in front of my vanity and let my long brown hair escape the messy bun it's been in all day; it falls to the middle of my back in soft waves of perfection. I add only a little concealer under my hazel eyes, a little powder to my pale complexion, blush, and eyeliner, and I'm ready to go.

Stepping into my favorite sandals and grabbing my phone and keys before locking up behind me, I head out to the town carnival to meet Shay. I loop my arm through hers by the can shooting game. I never play them because it's a waste of money, but I do enjoy the rides. We both have a wristband and hit up as many of them as we can. We make our way to the food vendors for a bite to eat. I've still been more aware of my surroundings, and it doesn't go unnoticed.

"Are you ok tonight, Jess? You seem a little off. Is something bothering you?" Shay asks, her brow furrowed with concern.

"I'm fine, just had an odd customer after you left the cafe earlier, he gave me some strange vibes. That's all." I respond, even if I don't necessarily want to tell her the whole truth, I can give her that little bit. It's not a lie, not entirely.

"Okay, but if you see the guy again, you let me know, and we will take care of it." Thankfully, she doesn't press any further for more details. Shay knows I am a private person, and I rarely talk about feelings, so she leaves it at that.

When we've had enough of the carnival, we call it quits, saying our goodbyes, and we head in opposite directions. Watching my best friend's curly blonde hair bounce with each step, I can't help but think I hope she will always be safe around me. I note that I haven't seen the guy from the coffee shop, and the carnival was relaxing.

I make my own way back towards my quaint little cottage home, pausing just before I get to the front door because something feels off. Looking up at the cottage, I know why. My heart nearly stops when I see my front door ajar. I know I closed and locked it. something I am always meticulous about, safety.

I feel him before I see him, a stony figure stands just inside the door, though I can only see just a sliver of him. That's all I need. Then a voice from behind startles me.

"I think we'd better have this conversation inside, Sarah." He says my name as if it leaves a sour taste in his mouth. Benny. Jeremy's right-hand man, and I know now that I've been caught.

He gets right up behind me, shooing me like a child being hurried along, and into the house we go. Jeremy stands there stoic as ever, and just waiting, like that's all he's done since I ran.

"I told you, mi corazon, I would never let you go, and I don't make idle threats." He says with an evil grin.

"I'll never go back, you're a murderer." I yell at him. Hoping that maybe someone will be walking by and hear me.

"Benny, find some rope. If she won't go willingly, I guess I'll have to force the issue." Jeremy says to Benny while his gaze lingers on me.

I hear a muttered "Okay, boss," and Benny exits the room.

"Darling, I believe we have some unfinished business," Jeremy says as he prowls towards me, and I take a step back. He must see my plan to run written on my face because he makes a tsking sound right before he lunges at me.

I almost don't see him coming in time, but I manage to jump away fast enough to evade him. Jeremy hits the couch instead of me. I make a mad dash for the kitchen, where I have a backup plan. I always knew I'd need something, some kind of protection in case he ever came for me. I have to say I am a little surprised he came himself, though.

Reaching into a hidden drawer under the sink, I pull out my .357 snub-nose revolver and turn it on him as he appears in the doorway. Jeremy raises his hands, trying to placate me, as if he were unarmed. I know better. I've always known better. I never should have even been with him. Every bit the bad boy, but I never suspected him of being a murderer, or in the mafia, no less. I learned those lessons a little too late.

Lost in my own thoughts a little too long, I hadn't realized he'd made his way a little too close to me. Jeremy lunges forward, going for the gun just as my finger squeezes the trigger, and the sound, like an explosion, deafening. Blood trickles down Jeremy's chest as the rest of him slumps to the floor, and I watch as his chest ceases its rise and fall. Jeremy is gone.

I didn't plan for this part, the slight guilt of taking a life, even if it was a battle of life or death. I chose life.

I grab my phone to call 911, but realize I don't need it as someone must have heard the shot, because the lone sheriff in this town is already parking his cruiser in my driveway. Lights blazing a red hue through the darkness, sirens blaring through the quiet. My head a jumbled mess.

I chose to live.

I chose to live.

I CHOSE TO LIVE!

The voice screams through my head.

"What happened, Jess?" Sheriff Charlie asks incredulously, and I know now that I'm safe. Finally, I'm safe.

"I chose to live!"