Page 95An old fear

Anka took the phone but didn't say a word. Instead she gave me what I really needed now, a hug. It was a simple hug, spoiled only slighty by the phone in her hand, but a nice hug nevertheless. She released me with a small kiss on my cheeks and a smile.

I smiled at her. "It went well, I think."

She smiled back. "I could almost feel you glow, and I'll bet he was just as happy to hear you. Well, that takes care of his birthday gift this year."

Anka sat down on the sofa, caressing Grace's sleeping head. "You know, you could stay here for a while if you like. My parents aren't back for another two weeks."

I smiled. "Tempting, but no. I really want to sleep at home tonight. This is all a little overwhelming. I like you very much, but I need time for this."

Anka smiled, still caressing Grace. "Take your time, Amy."

I leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Thanks Anka. Shall I let myself out?"

She nodded. "I'll keep Grace company."

"Bye Anka."

She waved a little with her other hand. "Bye Amy, be safe."

I nodded. "I will."

After I left the house, I spend an hour just walking around town a little. Mostly because it was a long walk back but also because I'd never seen this part of town. Not that it was very special, or anything. It reminded me a little of when I just woke up, a little over a month ago. These houses were less expensive looking, but more used. I hoped the women that gave me the clothes was doing alright. She'd been terrified but helpful. Probably never talked to the police.

Something I was destined for tonight, apperently.

I'd spend the last bit on roofs, to feel a little more free, when I saw there were two police officers outside of my appartment building. Female, bit buff. They were talking together as no one was responding to the doorbell. I was terrified they were there to pick me up for anything. They weren't even supposed to know I was here. But lucky enough, I overheard their conversation from just far enough away.

"We got an anonymous tip she lived here, but I really don't want to be the one to tell her her father is dead."

"Hey, you're better at it than me. People just get shocked if I tell 'm."

The other smiled. "Well, yeah you do have an interesting way with words."

"It's helped me often enough."

"Do you think we should check here again?"

"Naw, this is the third tip we've had around the whole thing tonight. It's probably just someone seeking attention again. It's been in the news and a little bit of internet searching would be plenty of source for gossip."

"I didn't know you were into computers."

She laughed. "I'm not, but Rick downstairs has a thing for me. Keeps yapping my head off when I need anything down there. Cute guy really."

They started walking away again, still talking. The tougher one lit a sigarette, the other one talked. "It's a pity you're taken, you would have made a great couple with him."

"Hah, not really, he's got a cute side to him, sure enough, but he wouldn't last."

The ground dissaproved of my shoes when I landed, it was a little awkward and tougher than normal, but doable. Still, no sound as I watched them walk away around the corner. I heard a car starting and soon I saw them, or a police car, driving away. No siren, nothing important. Just a routine check?

They wouldn't be back here. Not that it would matter int he afternoon. I still wouldn't answer. And as they were just checking in on tips, I was fairly sure they weren't allowed to kick in doors or something unless they really had something. And this didn't sound like that.

A little disconcerted but calming down after a while, I let myself in and started writing for the night. I had some trouble describing the weird thing I saw with Isabel, but I think I did alright. Did she know?

Of course she knew.

But not something that was mine to ponder about. She was dangerous and had no game but her own, but she'd also treated me with some sort of respect. Maybe I still was part of her plans, maybe something compeltely else. I wondered if she would have interfered with my self-discovery here if she wanted to. Again, probably.

But now, time to sleep, to let go of worries and to let the world fade away.

The end of another day.