Possess (2 page)

New in Town

By the time I came to, it was some time in the early evening and the bus was rolling into another station.  I rubbed my eyes and stretched as I peered out of the window.  The sign over the bus station read “Midtown Central.” I glanced at the parked cars noticing the Rhode Island tags.
Hmm, seems as good as any other place.
It was a good distance away from Jackson, at least.  Besides, I was feeling cramped from sleeping on the bus.

The bus pulled to a stop. I grabbed my duffel bag, headed to the front, and climbed off. The air was crisp and cool, with the smell of coming winter. For now, it seemed that Midtown would be a good place to start over. Somewhere Jackson would not be likely to look.

As I stepped onto the platform, a dense crowd of college students unloaded from another bus. They were laughing and carrying on, not a care in the world.
Must be nice
.

Pushing past the college kids, I headed toward the main downtown strip. I had a good estimate of the amount of money I had grabbed and it would be more than enough to hole myself up at a hotel for a couple of nights until I figured out my next steps. A few blocks away I found one wedged between two storefronts.

“Welcome to Admiral Hotel, how can I help you?” An overly cheerful blonde concierge greeted me as I walked toward the front desk.

“I need a room for the night.”

“Great!  We can certainly accommodate you! Is there anything special you require during your stay?” She beamed, two large brown eyes blinking up at me from her computer.

“Nope, just a bed.” I answered with a tired smile.

“Oh, well...I have a room on the fifth floor for $150 a night. Does that work?”

“Sounds good to me. I only have cash, but I can put down a deposit for the night.”

“That should be fine. Can I have your name, miss?”

“Um, Faye. Faye Martin.” I quickly answered with my middle name. Jackson had never bothered knowing it and it was a lot less conspicuous than “Harley.”

“Perfect, Ms. Martin.” She flashed me a friendly grin as she typed on her computer. “I’ve given you room 506. Did you need any baggage carried up to your room?”

“Nope, I’m good.” I took the key card from her perky little hand and adjusted the bag on my shoulder before turning for the elevators.  After a couple of steps, I spun back toward her.

“Is there a place nearby where I can get a drink and something good to eat?” After such an eventful forty-eight hours, I could use a drink to unwind a little. She nodded then grabbed a notepad and scribbled directions before handing me the paper.

“Finley’s Pub is a good place to get some great local fare, and they have strong drinks.” She winked. Obviously, she knew from experience.

I dropped my bag off in my room, did a quick assessment in the mirror, ensuring my hair still covered my injured cheek, and made my way back to the hotel lobby. I was still wearing the same outfit I had left Louisiana in and I looked a bit disheveled from the bus ride, but I was hungry and I needed to stretch my legs. This far away, I doubted I needed to be on the lookout around any corner, and I knew from experience a pub was something Jackson wouldn’t be caught dead in. That fact alone gave me even more reason to go.

I followed blondie's directions and ten minutes later I spotted a pub sitting on the corner at the edge of downtown. A wooden sign with a red, white, and blue coat of arms painted on it hung above the front door. Scrolling filigree wrapped around a knight's helmet at the top. On a banner below the filigree there were two red flowers, two swords facing each other, and what looked to be two back-to-back Eagles. At the very bottom of the sign, in blue letters, was “Finley's.” I smiled a little as I admired it. I'd never actually visited a real pub before. There weren’t any near my hometown, just dive bars and the like. I was a few feet from the door when it flung open and a drunken frat boy type came barreling towards me before I could dodge him. I tumbled backwards over the curb as I lost my balance and landed flat on my ass in the street. The idiot grumbled, stumbling away.

“Oh Christ, I'm sorry. I didn't see ya there, miss.” A low gravelly voice with an Irish brogue rumbled above me. I looked up to see a masculine hand outstretched in front of me. I grabbed it as he pulled me up.

“It's fine, I wasn't really paying attention.” I laughed as I pushed my mass of black wavy hair out of my face.  Two deep-set cobalt eyes met mine as I steadied myself. They studied me for a moment with an odd look of recognition before darting to the bruise on my cheek.  All too conscious of it, I turned my head and let my hair fall back to cover it.

“I'll tell ya what, ta make up for throwin’ a drunk at ya, why don't ya go inside and grab yerself a pint on me.”  He nodded towards the door as he rubbed an angular jawline covered in light stubble. As handsome as this guy was, I didn't feel like being hit on in my current state.

“No, that's fine, I can pay for my own drink.” I tried to decline but he waved his hand in dismissal of the thought before pushing back a few stray tawny-colored curls from his face.

“It's my pub, I insist.” He offered a benign smile, “go ta the redhead at the bar and let her know Nolan sent ya over.”

“Oh,” I blinked at him. He looked rather young to be the owner, late twenties at the oldest. “Um, thanks.”

 I nodded politely and headed inside. As I neared the bar, I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see that same familiar yet faraway look in his eyes as he watched me. I raised an eyebrow at him, but he quickly looked away then disappeared into the crowd toward the back of the pub.
What the hell was that about?

“New in town?” The redhead asked as I pulled myself up onto a barstool.

“By less than an hour.” I answered, “Nolan told me to come see you.”

“I saw you two chatting,” she grinned. “What kind of drink do you want?”

I eyed the wall that held an expansive list of drinks and beers. “Um…”

“Beer?

“Sure.” I replied.

“Which one?”

“I have no idea. I didn’t know they made so many.” I felt a little embarrassed to admit my knowledge of beer was limited to the few cheap brands you found at the local convenience store.

“Well then, try this one and see if you like it.” She filled a glass with an amber-colored beer and slid it over to me. “My name’s Aggie, by the way.”

“Harley,” I put my hand out and shook hers.

“Like the motorcycle?”

“Yep.” I was used to being asked that question any time I met someone new. She smirked, seeming pleased.

“That sounds more bad-ass than Aggie. It’s actually Agatha, after my late grandmother. But don’t you dare call me that. Just Aggie.” She narrowed her eyes in a mock serious manner.

“Got it. Mmm, this is pretty good.” I looked down at the glass appreciatively then back to her.

“Did you need anything else?”

“Actually, where’s a food menu? I’m a bit hungry.”

“What are you in the mood for? I can have the cook toss a burger and fries on for you.”

“That sounds amazing, actually.” My eyes grew wide and I licked my lips, salivating a little at the thought. Aggie smirked then yelled back into the kitchen. Ten minutes later, a heaping monster of a burger sat in front of me along with a basket of fries. Aggie watched with wonder as I took my first bite.

“Ohhhh. Mmmm, this is delicious.”

Aggie nodded knowingly. “Good stuff, eh?”

So far, I definitely liked Midtown. I had barely been in town an hour and already gotten a free drink and met someone I could see myself being friends with. Aggie and I chatted for a good while after I had finished my food.  She told me about the heavy Irish population in Midtown and suggested some points of interest to check out, but when a large bachelorette party showed up, she had to excuse herself to deal with them, so I decided it was time to head back to the hotel.

It was a surreal feeling waking up completely relaxed. I hadn’t slept well in a long time. The tight knots in my chest I had grown accustomed to  waking up with were nowhere to be felt. They had been commonplace in my life with Jackson. I never knew which days would be good days and which ones I would end paying dearly for.

The realization of my freedom spread a sense of euphoria through me as I lay there in the soft cotton sheets with my head resting on a large plush pillow. I wanted to remain in this cushy cocoon of a bed the entire day but I knew even with the amount of cash I had managed to take from Jackson, I needed to get settled on my own two feet. With a defeated sigh and one long stretch, I willed myself out of bed. I needed to get my butt in gear.

First though, I desperately needed a shower. I fell asleep when I arrived back from the pub and never got a chance to wash the bus stink off of me. As comfortable as that bed was, I wanted to see just how amazing the shower was in this hotel room. It didn’t let me down. When I slid the frosted glass door back, two large chrome showerheads greeted me. I turned on the shower and disrobed, eagerly stepping into the spray of warm water, sighing happily as I let it run through my hair and over my bare skin. I was sure this was as close to heaven as I could get.

I opened the sample bottle of shampoo and squeezed the contents into my palm. A deliciously sweet scent filled the room as I worked it into a rich lather through my hair. It wasn’t as if I didn’t have these same luxuries when I was with Jackson, but being free from him made them much more pleasurable.

I let myself linger under the soothing stream for another minute before begrudgingly turning off the water and sliding the glass door open. Staring back at me from the mirror were the various purpling and yellowing bruises that covered my thighs, my arms, my hips...my whole body. Various cuts, puffy and pink with scabs, each forced my last night with Jackson into the forefront of my mind. I hastily pulled a towel from the rack and wrapped it around myself then snatched the shopping bag from the nightstand by the bed. I’d stopped at the drug store on the way back from Finley's Pub and grabbed a few necessities. I returned to the bathroom mirror and dumped the contents of the bag onto the counter.

I couldn’t erase that night, but at least for now I could camouflage the evidence. Dab away at the marks he left, hide them under a false facade of concealer and foundation in much the same way I tried to bury the memories. Twenty minutes later, the marks on my face were mostly hidden. I put on a little eyeliner and clear lip gloss before pulling my hair into a messy half-ponytail, leaving most my wavy hair free on my shoulders. Satisfied with my improved appearance, I smiled at my reflection before changing into a pair of jeans and a black long-sleeve top from my bag. I was thankful for the cool weather in Midtown, nearly all my marks were now hidden away with my clothing and make up.

Finally, I left ready to accomplish my two goals for the day: a job and a new place to live. As I entered the hotel lobby a different girl smiled at me from the front desk, a brunette with an equally rehearsed perkiness as her blonde predecessor. I noticed a newspaper lying on the counter and motioned toward it.

“Do you mind if I take the classifieds?”

“Oh, take the whole thing. We have several copies for guests.” She slid the newspaper toward me. I thanked her then tucked it under my arm. As I headed for the door my stomach let loose a growl ferocious enough that the brunette looked up at me with concern. My cheeks reddened and I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall behind her. I hadn’t realized I’d slept so late. It was already after noontime.
Stopping for food first couldn’t hurt.