Two weeks later. Around six in the morning.
I decided to move to New York City from Chicago. I didn't consider the cost. I just wanted to get as far away as I could from Vincent and my past to protect my baby and myself.
I packed up the necessary things I needed. I didn't own much anyway. I'd buy the things my baby needed once I got settled in New York City.
After packing, the driver helps me load my things into his minivan. We both get into the van and zoom off. New York, here we come!
************
Six hours later.
We make a stopping point in Youngstown, Ohio. Stretch our limbs, use the restroom, eat, and take a break from the journey. After resting for about thirty minutes, we hit the road again. It was a long and stressful ride, especially now that I was pregnant, but this was the best I could afford. I couldn't afford a plane ticket. It's too damn expensive for me.
Almost seven hours later, around 6 p.m., we arrived in New York City. I rented a cheap apartment in Inwood, Manhattan. The driver helps me carry my things up to my apartment. I thanked him and gave him a tip before he drove off.
I let out of breath of relief and exhaustion and smiled to myself. I gently rub my belly.
"We did it, my little angel. We're finally far away from my past. Let's start afresh in New York. Together."
I start unpacking my things. The apartment is small but cosy and clean enough for my baby and me to live in. The apartment's small living space consists of a small living room, a kitchen, one bedroom with an inbuilt bathroom, and a little balcony with a beautiful view.
The apartment wasn't empty when I moved in. There was a single-person bed in the bedroom, a two-seater couch in the living room, and a wooden chair in the kitchen. Honestly, these items weren't mentioned in the housing description, so I'm very surprised to find them here. Maybe they were left here by the previous occupants.
The apartment was last used two months ago. So I don't think the previous occupant(s) would come back to get them. I hope that they won't. But if they do, I will make good use of them until they do. What can I say? I can't say no to some free items that will help cut down some expenses for me.
I'm not rich, you know. Now, I'm back as a 21-year-old woman striving to make ends meet for me and my unborn child. I can't go back to the university with a growing belly. Besides, I also need to work so I won't be able to focus on school while taking care of my baby and working all at the same time. So I'm just going to pick my baby and work to keep us both alive. Anyway, to make a long story short, I need to find a new job ASAP.
The exhaustion of the long journey finally starts to get to me. I lay on the couch and immediately drifted off to dreamland. As I drifted off to sleep, I had a dream. I was standing by the side of the road, on my way to pick up my little angel from his daily play date with my friend's kids. I looked up at the pedestrian traffic lights, waiting for the perfect time to cross the road. The lights turn green, signalling all pedestrians that it's safe to cross the road. So I quickly get on the zebra crossing and make my way to the other side of the road. Out of nowhere, a white truck speeds up and comes running towards me. I couldn't even think before it came crashing at me wiping me off the road.
I lay on the cold, coal-tarred ground of the road, pooling in my own blood.
"No... no... This can't be happening... My baby... My little angel... Help... Please help me..."
I try calling out, the words playing in my head but refusing to leave my mouth. My eyes darted around my surroundings desperately, looking for someone who noticed me. Someone who noticed my dying form. My vision becomes blurry, blood clotting in my eyes as everything around me falls into darkness.
"No, please... Somebody help... Anyone... Please... help me..."
My arms reached up, desperately searching for something to grab onto. To keep me alive. To keep me rooted in the living world. To keep me close to my precious little angel.
I feel the ground sinking beneath me, sucking me in. My desperation to hold on to something intensifies as fear begins to sink in. The ground sinks in deeper, pulling me in with it, as if mocking my will and desperation to live. I'm pulled in completely, utterly consumed by the void.
I jolt awake, panting and drenched in sweat. I clutch my chest tightly, my ears ringing. A piercing, deafening sound echoes loudly in my ears. I try taking deep breaths to calm myself. I slowly start to calm down as I become aware of my surroundings again, the darkness being overshadowed by the light of the morning sun.
This suffocating nightmare. That was the last thing that happened in my past life. That was how I had died.
I look around me, taking in my surroundings. It was morning again. Some rays of sunlight seeped through the slightly opened curtains, illuminating the dark room. The darkness of the previous night transitioned into this bright and sunny day. The terror of my nightmare momentarily forgotten.
I sit up on the couch and sigh deeply. I look for my phone, picking it up from the rug where it had fallen last night due to my tossing and turning on the couch solely because of that hideous nightmare. I look at the time. On the screen of my phone is boldly written 7 a.m., right on the dot. I fly off the couch and head straight to the bathroom. I needed to get ready and start the job hunt. Hopefully, today wouldn't be as dreadful as my horrible nightmare.