Chapter 6 Alone

VERA Lorna's voice snapped me out of my haze, and I jolted upright, blinking at the window, trying to remember where I was. I’d been dozing off, and I realized we had arrived at the halfway point where she said she would drop me. But the car didn’t stop or slow down. I apologized for not hearing her words and asked her to repeat herself. “You didn’t say where downtown you wanted to go,” she said and panic hit me. I hadn't planned that far in advance. I couldn’t tell her the harbor, I didn’t know if that would raise more questions, and I sure as hell couldn’t say I was running for my life and smuggling my baby out of the city. My mind scrambled. "The factory," I blurted, referring to an old textile factory near the harbor. My voice cracked at the end, and I winced because I sounded so unsure. “The one by the dock?” Lorna repeated, doubt thick in her tone. “That place hasn’t been in operation for years.” I swallowed hard. I could feel her suspicion growing like fog in the car. She could already tell something was not right, and I needed to say something, anything, to shut it down. "I'm meeting my child's father there," I said, sounding ridiculous. Who meets someone with a newborn at an abandoned factory in the middle of the night? I would have laughed if I were not scared. There was a tense, suspicious silence, and desperate to prove something, anything, I opened the top of my pajamas, cradling Noa against me and encouraging him to latch on. He suckled quietly as if he knew it was time to perform, and I hoped that the image of me breastfeeding would be enough to dispel any dark conclusions she had drawn. A pause passed; then my stomach growled so loudly that I didn’t need to see her face to know she heard it. Her eyes met mine in the mirror again. But rather than asking questions, she reached over to the passenger seat, grabbed something, and raised her hand. It was a small thermal bag. She held it back to me. “It’s my lunch,” she said simply. “Didn’t eat it. You can have anything you want. I learned from my cousin that breastfeeding can make you hungry." I looked at her for a second, taken aback by her kindness, and my fingers trembled as I took the bag from her. “Thank you,” I whispered, still in disbelief. She said I was welcome, and I scrambled for the zipper and took out the sandwich, relieved to see an energy drink alongside the two apples. I was not sure if it was suitable for a breastfeeding mother, but I needed the energy. Lorna didn’t say anything after that, and lady manners flew out the window as I shoved down the food, seeming to be getting even hungrier as I ate. I was still shoving the food down my throat when I felt a vibration in my pocket and froze. My heart stopped for a second before slamming against my chest as I slowly reached for the phone, knowing exactly what I was going to see. Logan. The name glared up at me and my breath caught in my throat; he knew I was gone. My hands tightened around the phone, but I didn’t answer. I simply stared at the screen until it stopped buzzing. But barely a breath had passed before it lit up again with another call, this time from my father. Tears welled up instantly, blurring the screen until it was only a shapeless glow in my hand. He wasn’t supposed to be in the city. He was supposed to be out of town. But he was calling me now as well, indicating that he was aware that I had given birth. They both knew. My hands shook violently as I turned off the phone, and I sat there for a moment, my heart pounding against my ears. I needed to get rid of it. It was the only way to keep from being tracked. So I moved closer to the window and cracked it open. The sudden movement caught Lorna’s attention, and she looked up at me through the mirror. “Are you sure you want to open the window?” she asked. “With the baby and all? I can turn the AC on.” I shook my head quickly. “I won’t keep it open long,” I said. “I’m just having… hot flushes.” She gave a slight nod and returned her gaze to the road as she took a turn. That’s when it hit me that despite saying she’d drop me halfway, she was taking me all the way to the factory. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and relief, but I couldn't dwell on it. While she concentrated on the turn, I removed the phone from my lap, leaned toward the open window, and let it go. It landed on the pavement with a sharp clatter. I prayed she didn’t hear as I quickly coughed, covering the sound, and then shut the window in one swift motion. Lorna glanced at me again, then handed me a bottle of water from the front seat. I took it with a grateful nod, unscrewing the cap and taking a small sip. The cool water relieved my dry throat, and for a brief moment, I felt my body relax. Even though my mind was still racing in all directions, the food in my stomach and the absence of the phone provided me with a sliver of peace. I took out the energy drink and set it aside. I would drink it later when I needed another boost. Soon, just after one final turn, the massive, rust-stained outline of the old factory became visible. My breath caught as it drew closer, its cracked windows and weathered walls somehow providing more comfort than the luxury I had just left. Lorna slowed the car, her gaze drawn to me in the mirror. “Where exactly do you want me to drop you?” I pointed to a space near the building's entrance. “Right there’s fine,” I said. She obeyed, gently guiding the car to a stop, and I looked down at Noa, who was sleeping peacefully in my arms, unaware of the chaos he had been born into. "Thank you," I said quietly, reaching for the door handle. But before I could step out, Lorna’s voice stopped me. “How old are you?” My heart skipped. "Twenty," I lied, hoping it would suffice, and she nodded, eyes softening. “I hope your baby’s father shows up soon. I’d wait with you, but… I’ve gotta meet my boyfriend on the other side of town.” I nodded, forcing a grateful smile while my stomach tightened with guilt. “That’s okay. There’s no need. He should be here any minute.” “Alright then.” “Thank you again,” I muttered, stepping out of the car with Noa tucked securely in my arms and she didn’t say anything else—just gave me one last look before driving off, her taillights fading as she disappeared down the road. And then I was alone. I was alone in front of the cold, hollow building with my baby, and my only plan was to sneak into the boat leaving in the morning. However, the harbor was closed, so I had to find a place to hide until morning. Looking around, I wondered if the building was locked, as a cold wind blew against my pajamas. Noa also stirred, and I tried to secure him with the small blanket, being careful not to suffocate him. I was still looking down at him when I heard voices to the south of my position. I looked up to see three men approaching me, one of whom I recognized. It was Laurent, my father’s head of security, and my eyes widened. “Oh No!”