Inescapable Escapism

My heart started pounding in my chest as the guy’s smile grew even wider. His dark green eyes never left my face as he slowly pushed away from the table and he started to weave sinuously through the crowd towards me. There was no point in waiting, I needed to leave now.

I put my drink down on the counter and slipped off the stool I’d been perched on. I needed to get out before he could reach me. I ducked behind a group of people who were talking loudly, squeezing up against the wall so that I could pass without them noticing.

I managed to make it into the corridor without attracting too much attention but I had to force myself not to break into a run. If I didn’t hurry up, not only would that old guy not wait for me but the guy following me would catch up and I didn’t know what would happen then. But, running felt too obvious. People would stare.

Just as I reached the door to the garden, I heard the other door open behind me, but I couldn’t risk looking back. I pushed the surprisingly heavy door, barely noticing the biting wind as I burst into the garden.

The band were still playing a punishingly loud song and the garden was dark except for the stage but that was better. It meant that I could slip into the crowd unnoticed as I surveyed the wall, trying to work out how to climb it.

I needed a way to get over it but I was too short to just pull myself up and there were no bins on this side for me to climb onto.

Wait, no. There was one. A small open-topped trash can, overflowing with clear plastic cups, lay near the back corner. If I could climb onto there, I could probably pull myself up onto the wall.

I’d need to be careful though, I really didn’t want to fall into that bin.

My heart echoed in my ears as I edged closer, trying not to be obvious about it in case the guy who was following me saw and tried to cut me off. People surrounded me on all sides, most of them taller than me and swaying to the music. Normally, it would have been overwhelming but, for once, I appreciated being short. It meant that I was essentially hidden.

I reached the edge of the crowd, the acrid stench of cigarette smoke filling my nose, and stared at the bin. If I moved quickly and perched just on the edges, I’d be able to get up onto the wall before I was seen. I just needed to get there quickly before I was seen.

Taking a deep breath, I dashed towards the bin and threw myself onto it. Scrabbling to avoid slipping into the rubbish, I barely managed to climb up before a shout from the crowd grabbed my attention. I couldn’t stop myself that time. I glanced behind me, seeing the guy force his way through the people, his eyes still fixed on me.

Panic raced through me and I managed to throw my arms over the wall, stretching one leg up onto it before gloved fingers found my other ankle. My eyes widened in fear and I kicked my leg furiously, trying to escape his grasp but he was too strong. He was trying to drag me back.

I glanced over the wall, hoping that somehow, the old guy would be there to help me but I could see him disappearing around the corner at the end of the alley next to the wall.

The people in black were following him.

I didn’t have a chance to worry about him though because a shout came from behind me.

“Hey! What’s going on there?”

Hope fluttered in my chest as the commotion behind me grew.

“Help! He won’t let go!” I cried, making my voice as shrill and panicked as possible.

It wasn’t hard.

“What the hell, man?” someone shouted and I risked another look backwards.

A few people were huddled around the guy, grabbing at him and trying to pull him off me. I grasped the wall even tighter, my slippery hands making it difficult, and kicked out.

My leg finally slipped free and I hauled myself up onto the wall but the momentum sent me tumbling off the other side, landing heavily on the plastic bins before crashing to the floor.

The air was knocked out of me but luckily, pain couldn’t reach me in the fantasy. I rolled to my feet, sucking in air and looked up.

“Crap,” slipped out of my mouth.

The people who had been chasing after the old guy must have heard me because they’d turned and were slowly advancing towards me. I wasn’t sure why they’d left the other person and decided to chase me but they had.

I turned, my hands shaking with nervousness, and started sprinting towards the road that was somewhere behind me. Their footsteps pounded against the tarmac behind me, spurring me on.

I emerged from the alley and raced along the street, glancing at the houses that I passed. I could have easily banged on the doors and hoped that someone came out and helped but I knew it was pointless. I needed to find a way to find the old guy but I didn’t know where he’d gone. He’d said that he would find me but I wasn’t sure how he planned on doing that.

Annoyance at myself washed through me despite my panic. I’d screwed it up and I was half tempted to try again. I controlled the fantasy. I could go back and start over, spot the bad guys before it got that far and insist that we escape together.

I reached the end of the street and ran out into the road without looking, my heart almost stopping when a screech of tires erupted behind me. I leapt to the side, hoping that it wouldn’t hit me or, if it did, that I wouldn’t feel it, and span around.

An old-looking cream car had come to a stop not far from where I’d been standing just moments before and, behind the wheel, the old man’s face was pale.

Relief washed through me.

“What are you standing around for, kid?” the man demanded. “Get in!”

I didn’t even hesitate.

I threw myself over the bonnet of the car and ripped the door open, diving inside. I slipped on the leather seat as the wheels spun into motion and we sped along the street.

“Get that seatbelt on, kid. I’ve almost killed you once today, I ain’t doing it again,” he growled, glancing in his mirrors to watch the people standing in the road behind us.

I reached blindly for the belt, not wanting to take my eyes off the people behind me, but we turned a corner before long and they were lost from sight. I was finally able to breathe properly as we sped past the church, the road still empty behind us.

“Who the hell were those people and why were they chasing us?” I asked, my voice wavering with anxiety.

It was just a fantasy, I tried to remind myself but it was difficult. It felt real. I could feel the cold leather seat under me and my body swayed in time with the car's movements. Even when that guy had grabbed me earlier, it had felt real. I had felt his leather glove wrap so tightly around my bare ankle that, even now, it still throbbed slightly.

“Assholes,” the guy growled. “They’ve been following me since I crossed the channel. I’ve switched cars three times and yet they still keep finding me. I thought I’d be safe in this backwater town but they even managed to find me here.”

My head swam from the information but I forced myself to repeat the question.

“Who are they and what did they want?”

He took his eyes away from the road for a second to glance at me before he cleared his throat.

“That’s a complicated question with an even more complicated answer,” he answered finally.

“We got time,” I said as my hands tightened on the edges of the seat.

“No, we don’t. I need to find a safe place to stash you. Do you live near here?” he asked, his eyes flicking to the mirrors often.

“Kinda,” the answer slipped out of my mouth. “Got a foster home nearby.”

His eyes narrowed and he glanced at me again.

“You like it there?” he asked carefully.

I scrunched up my nose, a little unsure how to answer.

“Not really,” I said finally, thinking of my real home. “I mean, it’s not too bad. Lot of arguments though.”

The guy was silent as we slipped through the streets.

“Do they treat you right? Look after you properly? Make sure you got food and all?” he asked after a while.

I swallowed as a wave of unexpected sorrow washed over me but I couldn’t shake the lump in my throat so I just shook my head.

Tears threatened my eyes as I stared at the darkened dashboard. I could feel his eyes on me but I couldn’t look up. I couldn’t do anything as hopelessness washed over me.

The answer was no. My parents didn’t treat me right. They didn’t look after me properly or make sure I had food.

My dad tried but he worked too much, he was barely home. But Mom… She didn’t even try.

“Alright, kid. I’m not going to force you to go back if you don’t want to. I know what it’s like to grow up in a place where you’re not wanted,” he said so gently that it made a tear slip from my eyes.

“I have nowhere else to go,” I admitted quietly.

I didn’t. What was I meant to do? Run away and hope that someone takes me in? Maybe some of my family would but not if it meant risking my mom’s wrath. Plus, they believed that any issues should be settled within our family so they wouldn’t get involved with what was going on with her, no matter how miserable I was.

I sniffed and stared out the window at the shadowy world slipping by. I could tell that the guy was struggling with something but I was too trapped within my own sorrow to say anything.

My stomach ached with sadness, leaving me hollow.

“What if you did?” he asked finally.

I shook my head.

“It doesn’t matter, I don’t.”

“But what if you did?” he pressed.

“Where?” I asked flatly.

He glanced up at the mirror again.

“Couple of options. I know a nice family that would take you in, friends pretty high up in social services that could help gloss over the foster placement too. Or…”

He trailed off and I waited for him to continue.

The ache in my stomach subsided for a moment as he thought for a minute.

“You were pretty good back there. You spotted them in the bar before I did, managed to get away from them too. Do you fight?”

I shrugged, not sure why he asked.

“I did karate when I was younger.”

That was true. My mom liked to tell people very loudly that she was making sure I could look after myself if needed.

“You ever been in a real fight? It’s pretty different to karate but that can give you a good basis.”

“Couple of times, nothing big though.”

That one was a lie but in my fantasy, anything could be the truth.

“You’re a pretty fast runner, I saw that much. Can you swim?”

“Yeah,” I said.

I wasn’t sure where he was going but excitement was building within me.

“What about climbing? You ever done rock climbing?”

I shook my head.

When I was in primary school, I’d gone to a rock climbing party but I felt like that didn’t count.

“No? That’s fine, you can pick that up quickly enough. What about heights? You scared of them?”

I considered it.

In real life, they made me a little uneasy. I wasn’t the most graceful person in the world and I was always a little worried that at some point, I’d slip and fall if I went too close to the edge. But, he didn’t need to know that.

“Don’t think so. Why?”

“Are you smart? Do you do well at school?” he asked, ignoring my question.

My face scrunched up at that.

I wasn’t dumb but school wasn’t for me. I did well when I tried or cared about what we were learning about but the rest of the time, I didn’t have it in me to try.

“Kind of but I don’t really like school,” I said awkwardly.

“Why not?”

I considered my answer carefully, feeling like my answer was important.

“It’s boring, I know I’ll never use half the stuff we learn there and even the teachers know that.”

He snorted.

“You sure about that? I mean, I used to feel the same way but being out in the world changed things. I mean, travelling is pretty tough with no knowledge of geography. And, how are you meant to know where to anchor ropes for climbing if you don’t know about the rock types?” he asked gently.

“Umm…” I started but he wasn’t finished talking.

“And with no knowledge of chemistry, how are you meant to know how to mix explosive substances? Do you know how often that comes in handy out there?”

I shook my head but didn’t speak.

“Exactly! And if you’ve never studied biology, how would you deal with a bullet wound or an infection? Do you know what to look out for? How would you deal with a snake bite? Damn, if you don’t pay attention in school, you’re screwed out there.” He sighed and shook his head.

I was aware that I was gaping at him and finally managed to make my mouth form words.

“I don’t think we’ve ever learnt anything like that in school,” I said finally.

He snorted again.

“Then, your school has failed you,” he said with a heavy sigh. “Maybe it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you were to drop out…”

“Why would I drop out?” I asked quickly.

I was unsure whether to be scared or excited by where the conversation was going. It was mostly excitement though. I knew I was still back in my bed, in the early hours of the morning. I couldn’t be hurt.

He sighed heavily.

“I have an offer,” he said, his tone almost regretful. “You were useful back there and I think you’ll continue to be useful. You can come with me. We’ll travel and you’ll essentially be homeschooled. You’ll still have to have lessons and learn but I guarantee that it’ll be a lot more interesting than you sitting in a classroom bored out of your wits. I’m not a teacher but I’ll try to make sure you learn and stay safe.”

My tongue darted out to wet my lips. It was a terrible idea and I knew it. If it were in real life, I would never have agreed to it. I wouldn’t have gotten in the car with that strange man who still hadn’t told me his name but… it wasn’t real life. There was no real risk to me.

Still, I wanted to know.

“Why?” I asked. “Why would you do this for me?”

There was a pause and I examined what I could see of his face, searching for answers.

“Hell, I don’t even know why I’m doing this but I’ve been in your shoes before and you deserve better than what you have. Every kid deserves to be happy and treated properly. I’ll do my best to make sure that you’re protected and have more chances than you would have here,” he said softly.

I reminded him of himself, I realised slowly.

Guilt washed over me. I was manipulating him. I’d made him believe that I was in foster care and treated badly. Maybe I was treated badly but at least I had a dad who cared about me.

“It’s completely your choice kid. I can drop you back with your foster family, take you anywhere you want, find you a better foster family or you can come with me,” he said softly.

“Where would we go?” I asked quietly.

“I mean, firstly we’ll probably have to swing by a buddy of mine who works in child services and child protection so that I don’t get done for kidnapping, then… Scotland. And, don’t worry, when we’re staying in hotels, you’ll get your own room. I meant what I said before, I ain’t looking for anything from you. I’m easily old enough to be your dad.”

My head snapped up and I nodded at the uncomfortable edge to his voice but I chose not to address it any more.

“Why Scotland?” I asked.

I’d been there. My mom took me there to visit family every summer.

“I’m looking for something. Or, at least, information on something,” he answered cagily.

“What is it?”

Interest prickled in my stomach, chasing out all traces of guilt.

He sighed heavily.

“Well, this might influence your decision and probably not in a good way but… treasure.”

My mouth dropped open again even though I had been expecting it.

“Treasure?” I asked, needing to make sure I’d heard him correctly.

“I know it sounds crazy but it ain’t. That’s what I do, I’m a treasure hunter for private clients generally,” he explained.

“You’re a treasure hunter?”

“Yep. Have been since I was pretty young myself. Stumbled onto it by accident and here I am some thirty years later.”

Interest and confusion washed over me.

“How do you stumble onto treasure hunting?” I asked.

He snorted a laugh.

“I ran away. Things were a little different when I was a kid so it was pretty easy to get far enough away from the assholes who’d been looking for me. I heard some people talking in a pub one night, talking about one of their new recruits who didn’t know shit and that they were pretty sure no one even screened them because they just showed up at camp one day and honestly, that sounded interesting so I followed them back to where they were staying and, the next morning, did the exact same thing.”

A wistful smile came over his face and he chuckled.

“What happened? Did they question you or just go along with it?” I asked, fascinated and desperate to know more.

“Oh yeah. I’m not sure if it was their recruitment style or if they were just used to picking up strays but they didn’t even question it. Within the day, I had a new identity, new passport, hell, I even had a new wardrobe. They took care of everything and we flew out that evening. I got a crash course in how to find things no one wants you to find and by the end of my time with them, I was pretty good.”

“Why did you leave?”

I regretted the question as soon as it came out. His face tightened noticeably and his hands clenched around the steering wheel.

“Let’s just say we had some conflicting morals,” he said finally.

I nodded, wanting to know more but I figured I’d find out at some point.

A yawn fought its way out of my mouth and I clenched my hand, digging my nails into my palms in an attempt to stay awake.

“So, kid. What’s your answer?”

“I want to be a treasure hunter,” I said immediately.

I did. In real life and in the fantasy. He made it sound so fascinating.

I knew it would be dangerous to run off with a guy so much older than me and I never would have done it in real life but, in my fantasy, I was safe. He wouldn’t touch me. Plus, he had sounded genuine when he’d said he wouldn’t.

I had nothing to lose.

“Okay, kid. But it won’t be like the video games. It’s a lot of work and you have to train. Mentally and physically. We’ll swing by a friend’s office in the morning and get it all squared up and get you registered for homeschooling. I meant what I said; I’m not a good teacher but I’ll try my best. I’m going to need you to meet me halfway though,” he said, shooting me a look out of the corner of his eye.

I nodded eagerly.

“Okay. Do you need anything from your foster house? We can go back,” he offered.

I shook my head.

“Okay, we’ll switch out the car and then head to London,” he said. “Find Betty and go from there.”

“Who’s Betty?” I asked.

Sleep was pulling at my mind and sapping the colour from my fantasy.

“She’s an old friend,” he said with a slight smile. “Wait, I realised I don’t know your name.”

“Grace,” I said softly.

“Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Grace. I’m Mitch.”