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The car was pulled up to a gate she inched to the door and pulled the handle launching herself from the car.
"Oh dear she's a runner."
Was all Petra caught before she was running full pelt in heels faster then she thought possible her lungs started to hurt and still she ran. As the street corner drew closer she could see headlights, if she ran a little faster she could make it. She got to the corner and a pair of arms grabbed her pulling her in to them holding a cloth up to her face.
"No, Valeria just sleep."
It was the last thing she heard before she lost consciousness.
She could hear voices in her dream.
"You did what?"
"I saw her running you know people who go inside don't come out."
"So you thought you'd bring her here!"
"I thought, I hoped maybe she was."
"You know that's not possible."
"What should I do with her?"
"Put her in the park."
"Alone at night?"
"Where she can't be found by undesirable sorts."
Then she was floating the cathedral in the park fading from veiw.
When she woke up she was in a park on a bench under the lights near a fountain in a pile of black feathers, and her head was pounding. She had no idea how she had got here, or where here was for that matter.
Her first thought was just a hazy feeling she knew this place. Her second was a terrifed did she have her purse? She patted herself down. No no no NO! How could this happen where was it. Panic welled up inside her she bent over to cry and there amongst the feathers was her bag. The relief she felt was immediately overwhelming and she burst into tears.
"Don't cry miss, a lady shouldn't cry."
"Oh! I didn't know anyone was there, it's, you see I'm lost I don't remember what just happened."
"Whoa slow down, may I sit down? Let me help you." His voice reminded her of jazz singers.
"Yeah ok."
"If it helps your in Faith park."
"Faith? That little church park? Actually I live not far from here then I could even walk."
"Do you? I could walk with you."
She gave him a studying look, he seemed old and calm and the white in his hair gave her a warm grandpa feel. His chocolatey brown eyes reminded her of a melting heresy's bar and the rest of his warm chocolate color and old navy blue suit made him feel like he just left Sunday service.
"Were you just at church?"
"Weell no I was over visiting a gravesite over near here, they are old ones so old aint got no body to greave for them anymore so I come sometimes to lay flowers say prayers and clean off the vines from the stones."
"That's so kind, do you know where the tall apartment buildings are?"
"I surly do."
"Ok so let's go then."
He slowly got up and offered his elbow to help her up.
"Thank you but I've got it."
They slowly made there way to the street.
"Anything look familiar?" He smiled at her. Her head swiveled around looking. She still had that groggy just waking up feeling.
"Not yet."
They walked a short ways further. She spotted a street sign. "Wait what's that? I know that place it's about 12 blocks from my apartment."
"You would say 12 city blocks is close to your apartment? These old legs may not feel like that's close."
"Oh no its fine you don't have to walk me."
"An let a fine lady wander the streets alone at night? No, I'll just call a cab or somthin to pick me up."
"Oh no you don't need to do that I can manage all by my self."
"It would make me feel better to know your safe." He gave her a stern grandpa look, one she felt she could turn down but would feel guilty.
"Ok, that's fine."
Secretly she started plotting to pay for his ride back and for troubling him. They slowly walked along in comfortable silents it didn't feel heavy or empty. There was a light breeze, crickets, the sounds of traffic and other night life, rattles and clinks of the night.
"We'll need to cross here." She finally spoke up as they neared her building. She could feel her feet starting to hurt in the heels she was in.
"Alright."
They crossed quietly and she walked up to the door she started digging in her bag for her key and her wallet. She found the key right away and kept digging around for her wallet when she finally felt it her stomach dropped it felt thin and flat. She pulled it out and opened it.
"Oh no."
"What's wrong?" His gentle voice raspped.
"It's my wallet someone stole my cash my ID, why would someone leave me an empty wallet, jeez if someone was gonna rob me they should have done it properly."
"Should I stay while you call the police?"
"What no you look tired if I need a statement we could just call you, could I have your number?"
"I don't have a number you could have my address though."
"Yeah ok."
She pulled a notepad out of her bag and small pen.
"I see they left my work notes alone."
She opened to a blank page to let him write, and handed it over to him.
"Here."
He wrote down in very elegant handwriting his address and handed back the pad and paper.
"Let me call a cab."
She dug in her bag again a second.
"The bastard got my phone too."
She tryed not to let her eyes well up.
She felt a light hug embrace her.
"It'll turn around child, it'll turn around tomorrow will be a better day. Don't worry bout me I'll walk."
"I'm so sorry for your trouble."
"It's fine your worth it, don't let anybody tell you differen, ev'y body worth it sometimes." His smile was warm and reassuring.
"Good night, and thank you."
He turned and began walking away. She didn't catch what was said.
She used her key to open the door and walked to the elevator pushed the button and stood waiting. Did he call her Valeria too?
Must be her imagination from the stress, once she got up to the 3rd floor she opened her door to her very quiet apartment. She didn't even flip on a light she just walked across the room kicked off her shoes and flopped on the couch. She should call to check on her sister, she again went to reach in her bag when it hit her, it fully hit her. Her phone was gone her wallet was empty and earlier that night someone tried to kidnap her. She could feel hot tears streaming down her face. How could she have been so stupid, how did she get away?
