Hello miss"

I could hear faint murmurs in the distance, but brushed them off as voices in my dreams.

"Miss?"

I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder and jolted straight up, terrified that Antonio and his men had found me already. Shit I was so close. I regretted the quick movement that I made as soon as the sharp stabbing sensation in my side reminded me of my ribs. I looked up and saw an elderly woman and man in front of me.

"Do you need help dear?"

I nodded my head frantically as she helped me to my feet. I assumed they were a couple and I trusted them. They didn't seem threatening at all and didn't give off a negative vibe. I walked over, with a slight limp to their car. The woman helped me into the small, dusty blue car that was parked to the side of the road whilst her husband picked up my backpack and closely followed behind us.

I sat in the back of the car along with the woman, I assumed this was so I didn't feel as isolated and I appreciated that she had sat in the back with me instead of the front. Once the man had begun to drive they started a conversation with me.

I found out that there names were Gloria and Jack. They were out driving to there daughter's house because she was getting married soon. Turns out I had slept for a few hours because it was currently about 6:00 am, that didn't really surprise me though. I was exhausted after being on the run and needed a break, especially with my ribs in their current state. When the couple asked me what my name was I told them that it was Julia. I didn't want Antonio to have any way of tracing me to them so gave the first name that came to mind.

They asked what had happened, obviously a concern for anyone who picked up a strange, injured girl who was sleeping at the road side. It took me a while to get a believable story together but eventually I told them that I went on a hike and got lost....that didn't really explain the injuries and my ribs but they bought it either way.

When they asked me where I wanted to go I just told them the airport. I couldn't believe these sweet old people's kindness, they could've just driven past me - like many others had or would of - yet instead they offered me help. All in all, this was just a huge change in dynamic from how I was treated by Antonio.

"Dear, you look exhausted...why don't you have a nap and we will wake you up once we get to the airport."

She smiled sweetly at me and I nodded my head before pressing it against the window. I trusted them. Of course the thought that they secretly worked for Antonio but if that were the case, then I was sure that by now I'd either be dead or drugged and passed out somewhere. So I let myself fall into a long awaited nap to the low hum of the car engine.

Gloria had woken me up about an hour later to announce that we had arrived at the air port. Jack got out of the car and helped me with my bag. The two of them kept telling me how they could give me money or let me use there phone, they even offered to take me home to their daughter's house! However I assured them that I was fine and perfectly capable of getting on a plane and promised that I would soon be safe at home.

I thanked them again for their kindness and generosity before swiftly moving on. I didn't have time to linger if I wanted to get on a flight as soon as possible. I was still limping slightly because of the pain in my ribs however I was starting to get used to it. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing though because I really shouldn't be getting used to pain as it should never have happened in the first place!

Soon I found an bank that was conveniently located outside of the security gate of the airport, so I could get my money out and then pay for my ticket.

The lady who was serving me at the bank gave me some odd looks, of course it was understandable but I still wished she would mind her own business. These people who were judging me had no right, they didn't know what I had been through these last few days. They didn't know that I was abducted and everything else that happened to me in that bloody mansion that had been my prison recently.

She looked at me questionably for a few moments, as if she was assessing whether or not to give me the money. But I had all the information they needed so legally, she had to. I decided not to get a new card out. I didn't know much about the mafia world and to what extent I could be followed by them, but a credit card was more likely to attract Antonio's attention as opposed to cash because then there would be some sort of digital record, or so I presumed.

I waited in line for over 30 minutes to buy my ticket and that's only because today was fairly quiet (oddly enough). Usually, in any other situation, I would be absolutely fine with that, probably would even make friends with somebody in the que but now.... I was not so calm. Every single minute that was being wasted in this line, Antonio could be getting closer and closer to finding me. Then, after the wait, I was ushered over to the front desk by a woman wearing WAY too much bubblegum pink lipstick.

"Hello there miss, how can I help you today?"

I instantly asked how much a ticket back to my home was, luckily one of the next flights leaving was back to an airport near my actual apartment. Then from there I could get a taxi. The ticket cost me $200. I could have gotten a first class ticket, but decided against it partially so I didn't stand out as much but mostly because the prices were ridiculous.

I still had an hour to spare before I needed to board so went scavenging for something to eat. I walked into taco bell and ordered my usual....plus a few extra things. That consisted of a crunchy taco, cinnamon twists and then a diet coke. I also couldn't resist getting some churros. I deserved to indulge after what had happened recently!

I still had about 40 minutes which I decided to spend buying a few snacks, a book and even a cheap spare change of clothes. Turns out that Antonio had taken me all the way to California. I lived in Wisconsin. So the flight was going to be 4 hours long. That meant I needed something to entertain me and without a phone I consulted to a book.

I ended up buying a book called The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks, it was under best sellers and I needed a good distraction. Then I brought a pair of black sweatpants and white sweatshirt and jacket from target followed by my guilty pleasure trip to the store inside the airport terminal so I could buy a giant Toblerone. You can't go to an airport and not buy a giant piece of confectionery.

I had 20 minutes to spare so huddled myself and all my bags into a bathroom stall so that I could get changed out of my dirty clothes and into my new ones. Upon leaving the restroom though it occurred to me that I should probably ditch the clothes from Antonio's along with his bag I stole....just incase. I know that I was being a little bit over cautious but thanks to all of the spy and thriller movies that I'd watched I had no clue what was realistic and to what extent I should go to in order to prevent me being followed. That's one good thing that media had done to benefit this generation. They had successfully well educated us in how to be over prepared. Thanks to my love of Netflix I knew what to do..... part of me was happy about that. I knew vaguely what would help me get away. My main fear was that that wouldn't be enough to protect me from a mafia Don.

I had been granted the lovely gift of the middle seat (note the sarcasm) but that was what happened when you booked a last minute seat I guess. To my right was a middle aged man who kept to himself but to my left was a man around my age who was getting a bit too touchy for my liking. Before the plane had even taken off he was sending glances to me and had 'accidentally' bushed my arm while doing up his seat belt and then my leg when putting his hand luggage under his seat....twice. I just nodded and ignored him when he did so, muttering an "oh it's fine sir". I had to last for 4 more hours next to this guy and therefore didn't want to get him agitated but also made sure not to give him any indication whatsoever that I was interested. Sure he was good looking but I didn't want a relationship full stop let alone after my current experiences with men. I ended up ignoring him and reading my book before dosing off to sleep.

I awoke to the ruckus of turbulence shaking me out of my hour long nap. Then I realized that I had made a huge, embarrassing mistake. I had fallen asleep with my head on the shoulder of 'Mr. I Accidentally Touched You'. I hurriedly sat up, my face blushing in horror.

"What's the matter Babe?"

He just smirked at me and licked his lips. He then whispered into my ear.

"Meet me in the bathroom in five minutes. Knock three times."

I just stared at him in awe as he climbed out into the isle. What the fuck! Did he seriously think I would follow him to the bathroom? A strange man I literally just met. Hell no! There was no way on this planet that I would ever join The Mile High Club with some fuck boy whilst I was on the run from the leader of the Italian Mafia. He was clearly just a horny dude looking for a quick fuck and I am very sorry, but I wasn't going to be the person to give it to him.

Just in time, the air hostess passed by with her trolley and I jumped at the chance to buy as much alcohol from her as I could. So I sat in my seat gorging on my miniatures I'd brought for a ridiculously overpriced rate.

Once the man had clearly realized I wasn't up for a quick fuck in the bathroom stall, he arrived back and slumped down in his seat. He gave me a angry glare and by this point I was getting tipsy so just laughed in response, from then on he ignored me. I was more than grateful for his lack of attention on me though.

Turns out that when you get drunk, a 4 hour flight goes by a lot quicker than it would if you were sober. I had to admit that by the time I was standing outside, waiting for my Uber to pull up, that I felt great! I had to be sure to add buying a shit ton of alcohol to my list of things to do.

I wasn't even worried anymore! When I climbed into the car I received a disapproving look from the driver, but I didn't give a shit as I gave him my address and waited eagerly to arrive back home so I could put all this crap behind me. Fuck you Antonio!