***Read Part 4 HERE

This part is deemed a bit more mature.

 

Sage looks around her motel room, as she grabs some food and drinks left over from the night before and throws them into a plastic bag. Despite its unlivable conditions; of mold, heating problems, shag carpet, and a mattress that feels like the springs are about to poke through any second, this gritty place has been her safe haven.

Her fear of leaving instantly strikes.

*****************************************************************************

She gets halted by the same familiar scream ringing in her ear.

“Help! Help me! Please.”

Sage is left still- in silence. The image of her looking at her own reflection in a modern sleek mirror, her hands and clothes covered in blood- flashes through her mind. Yet another vivid memory from that horrific night.

“What did you do?” a shaky female voice says as Sage turns toward it, her whole body shaking in fear and adrenaline.

*****************************************************************************

Sage’s heart begins to pound, as her face turns a pale shade.

Charlie appears in the motel doorway.

“Hey, you okay?”

Sage instantly breaks from her trance at the sound of his soothing and newly familiar voice. The effect this man has on her after such a short amount of time, both excites and frightens her.

She looks up at him, her eyes instantly locking onto his.

Charlie smirks her way.

“Yea, I um- I’m ok. I just um, I was just grabbing the extra snacks. Figured they shouldn’t go to waste, right? We may get hungry on the road.”

“Yea, sure.”

Sage bites her lip, and looks away trying to cover her fear.

Charlie notices and eyes her with a deeper look, but knowing it’s not his place to pry he let’s it slide.

“I’ll be in the car, you come out when you’re ready.”

“Ok, I’ll just be a minute,” Sage says with a faint smile.

Charlie smiles and starts to walk away, just as he’s about through the door, he turns back around.

“Oh, I forgot-I found these in the back of my car, thought it might help you disguise yourself until we can get you some clothes and a new hair style.”

Charlie hands her a baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses.

Sage sighs of relief, as she smiles up at him.

“Thank you. You are my lifesaver.”

Charlie smiles as he looks at her, his eyes look her over and land back where they started- in their usual intense glance with this mystery girl’s eyes.

Sage fidgets under his gaze.

“What?” she says looking down at herself. Clad in Charlie’s oversized t-shirt and flannel button down and sweatpants, Sage suddenly feels insecure.

Charlie smiles and looks away.

“Nothing. I’ll be in the car,” He says walking off.

“Ok,” She says not knowing what to make of the tension between them.

Sage walks over to the motel mirror, she places the hat on, followed by the sunglasses and looks at her reflection.

“Who are you?” She whispers to herself.

With a sigh full of pain and dressed in fear, Sage grabs the bag of snacks and heads out of the motel room.

Sage looks out into the sunlight, the motel is vacant, no one in sight, and still she keeps her head down and walks swiftly to the car.

Charlie sees her and leans over unlocking the door.

Sage swiftly sits, closing the door quickly, she reaches for her seat belt.

“You got everything you need?” Charlie asks looking over at her.

“Yup. Didn’t really have much on me,” She says looking down at her hands as they shake.

Charlie reaches over and grabs her hands in his.

“We’re gonna get you through this. I know it’s scary but, you’re gonna be ok. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”

Sage looks at him and instinctively entangles her hand into his, giving him a small smile.

Her heart pounding, from the feeling of the physical contact.

Charlie smiles back and pulls his hand away to start the car.

“We should probably get some gas, just to be on the safe side. I don’t know how long we’ll be driving, before we make our next stop.”

“Yea sure. That sounds like a plan. In fact, maybe I can get to an ATM, so I can pull out some money.”

Charlie pulls out of the motel parking lot and onto the highway.

“No, stop worrying, I’ve got this. Besides pulling money out of your bank account could raise a red flag. It could lead to a trail and pin point your location. They know what you look like, if somehow you’re name gets known, that trail will be your worst nightmare.”

“Really? Funny I thought I was already living one.”

“Oh what you mean being on the run with a stranger? Am I really that bad of company?”

Sage looks over at him.

“No, not at all. You’re the only thing keeping me sane.”

Charlie looks over at her sympathetically.

After a few miles, Charlie pulls into a gas station.

“Stay in the car. Don’t talk to anyone. I’ll handle this. I’ll make it quick.”

Charlie gets out of the car.

**********************************************************************

The sleek black car whizzes by- on the road once again, looking for a place to ransack for a new look, and a new identity.

Charlie points to an old thrift store.

“You wanna give that a shot?”

“Yea sure. I’m not in a position to be picky.”

Charlie makes a quick turn. Parking in front of the store.

Upon getting out of the car, Charlie walks over to Sage’s side.

He opens the door for her.

“Ok look, we have to be quick, grab a few things. In and out. You can’t risk anybody memorizing your face. Take a breath. You can do this. In and out. No eye contact, don’t talk to anybody. Follow my lead and you’ll be fine.”

Sage nods.

Charlie begins to walk toward the storefront as he reaches to grab the door knob, Sage instinctively reaches for his free hand, needing him close by.

Charlie looks at her and tightens his grip on her hand, giving her a small smile, letting her know he’s got her.

He leads Sage into the store.

They are instantly met with a fresh faced, helpful teen girl.

“Hi welcome to Dress Thrifty, how can I help you?”

Sage keeps her head down, ducking slightly behind Charlie’s shoulder.

“Um. No, we’re just browsing. Thanks,” He says flashing her a smile.

“Ok. Well happy hunting. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Sure.” Charlie says walking Sage down into the nearest aisle.

The two of them set into looking through the racks of clothes, pulling anything that looks like it would fit her.

Charlie glances over at Sage, he can tell she’s nervous. He comes up behind her.

“Breathe,” he whispers, “You’re doing great.”

Sage looks up at him with a small smile.

“Find anything good?” He asks, changing the subject.

“Yea. I think I’m good. Got all my bases covered,” She says holding her arms out- full of clothing, shoes, and such.

“Ok good. Should we head to check out?” Charlie asks.

“Yes.”

Charlie looks up and something catches his eye.

“Oh wait-one more thing,” He says walking over to a section full of wigs.

Sage follows, her face puzzled.

“Pick a few,” Charlie says looking at her.

“Um…Okay.”

Sage grabs a short brunette wig and a long red haired wig.

“Ok all set?”

“Guess so,” Sage says with a small laugh.

“Ok let’s go,” Charlie says putting his hand on the small of her back and leading her to the front of the store.

Sage feels chills run up her spine. She smiles internally.

At the counter Charlie turns to Sage to take everything from her arms.

The young teen begins to ring up the wigs first. She looks up at the two and laughs.

“Well, someone must not be able to make up his mind?”

“I’m sorry?” Charlie says confused.

“I’m just surprised you didn’t make her get a blonde one too?”

“I’m not sure I know what you’re getting at,” Charlie says continuing to be puzzled.

Sage pretends to look around at the items near the register, keeping her head down.

“Role play? My boyfriend and I do it all the time. I have to say he does like when I wear the blonde wig the best,” She laughs.

Sage can’t help but look up at this young freckle faced, red haired, teen, in shock.

“Oh. Um. Yea. No she’s actually a hair stylist. They’re for practice,” Charlie says making up an epic excuse on the fly.

“Oh. Whoops,” The girl laughs as she finishes ringing their items up.

Charlie, slightly red faced turns to Sage with wide eyes, Sage laughs slightly, as Charlie smiles at her.

“Hey babe, why don’t you go start the car up, I got this,” He says holding the keys out to Sage as she nods playing along.

“Sure, babe, um by the way grab me a diet coke,” She smiles leaning up and kissing his cheek.

Charlie smiles as Sage heads out of the store.

“You can add on the diet coke too,” He says taking money from his wallet.

**************************************************************************

Sage sits in the car. She turns the radio on to silence her racing mind.

Charlie exits the store and walking up to the back door, he opens it throwing the bags in. Then opening the front door, he joins Sage in the front seat.

“Could you believe that girl? What was she like 16?” Charlie says as he starts the car.

“I know. I was thoroughly uncomfortable.”

Charlie laughs, “I saw,” He says smiling over at her, as he hands her the diet coke.

“Thank you. So where to next?” she asks looking over at him.

“We drive, out of town. Put a good amount of miles in between you and the scene.”

“Ok.”

“No questions? No snarky comments?” Charlie says looking over at her with an arch forming in his eyebrow.

“I am not- snarky,” Sage says with a gasp, hitting him in the shoulder playfully.

“You could be a little snarky.”

“No, I cannot.”

“Yes you can,” he says laughing harder, “Don’t worry, it’s kind of sexy,” Charlie says looking over at her, locking onto her stare.

The light changes and Charlie focuses back on the road as Sage looks out her window, trying to steady the butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

**************************************************************************

Sage and Charlie have been driving for about a half an hour, and Sage looks over at Charlie.

“Could we maybe make a pit stop in a few?”

“Sure. You hungry?”

“Starving. I know I have the stuff from the vending machine, but I’m dying for some real food.”

“Ok good. Me too,” He says laughing.

Charlie sees a rest stop sign and pulls into the parking lot.

“We’ll get something to go?”

“Yea I think that’s best,” Sage says.

“You wanna just tell me what you want? I’ll go grab it.”

“Um. Ok. I’ll just have turkey, lettuce and mayo on a roll.”

“No fries? You mean to tell me you’re not a fries girl?”

“Oh I’m totally a fries girl, but you basically just bought me a new wardrobe so…the sandwich is more than enough.”

“Stop it. I don’t mind. In order for this to work, you’re going to have to let me take care of you.”

“I’m not very good at that.”

“Yea I’m getting that.”

They share a moment.

Sage looks away.

“I’ll be quick.”

Charlie gets out of the car and walks off toward the food court.

Sage sits quietly in the car. She looks around at her surroundings. She sees a sign for a restroom, and it sparks something.

“I should go while I can,” she says leaning into the back of the car she pulls out the long red wig and sets to fitting it on her head. She looks into the car mirror and fusses with t, sighing she throws her hat back on and locking both doors from the inside, before stepping out, she heads toward the rest room.

A few minutes later, she emerges as she walks toward the car, she sees Charlie pacing about.

He appears to be nervous.

He spots her and sighs, walking swiftly over to her.

“Where’d you go?”

“I had to use the restroom. I figured I should go while I have the chance.”

“A little heads up would have been nice. I came back and you were done and I got worried that something happened to you.”

“Oh. I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t think.”

“No. You didn’t. Look I know that this is a weird situation, and you barely know me. But I am committed to helping you. So I need you to remember that you’re thinking for two now. We’re a team.”

“Ok. You’re right. I can do that. I’m sorry,” Sage says realizing how nervous Charlie had gotten. His cool calm and collective side was completely thrown.

“It’s ok. Just. Keep me in the loop, please.”

“I will. From now on, you are so in the loop,” She says smiling.

“Thank you,” Charlie says smirking “Let’s get outta here,” he says nodding toward the car.

Climbing into the car, Sage looks over at Charlie and he starts the engine and peels back onto the road.

“So are you a “don’t eat in my car” kinda guy?”

“Yes. Yes I am.”

Sage looks down and puts her sandwich back into its bag.

Charlie laughs.

“Sage. Are you kidding me? Does this car look like I keep it spotless? Go for it.”

Sage smiles and opens her sandwich and fries laying them on her lap.

She takes a fry and holds it up to Charlie’s lips for him to eat.

He looks over at her and smiles, as he bites it, not taking his hands off the wheel.

Sage smiles and resumes eating.

*************************************************************************

The two of them finally find a hotel about 2 hours away. As Charlie pulls into the driveway, Sage notices the grand gold statues and waterfalls throughout the walkway.

“Charlie. This place is going to be so expensive. We can’t stay here.”

“Yes we can. Don’t worry about it,” He says shutting off the car.

“What about me, I look like a bum, I am going to draw attention to myself, and I’ll stick out like a sore thumb.”

“It’ll be for two seconds at check in, I am sure I can make up some excuse. We’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

Sage and Charlie grab their bags and head toward the hotel.

They walk through the sliding doors and up to the counter. They are met with a very chirpy, smiley, overly eccentric young male.

“How can I help you on his fine day?”

“Well my uh, wife (he says pulling Sage by the waist into him) and I would like a room.”

Sage goes along with the role, as she wraps her arm around his back, laying her head on his shoulder not making eye contact with the concierge.

“The dotting wife role, is surprisingly easy to pull off,” she thinks to herself as being with Charlie somehow already feels natural.

“I could get used to this,” she thinks stroking Charlie’s back, as his back tightens up under her sudden touch.

“Ok perfect. Um if you can just supply a credit card. It is $2,000 a night, how long were you planning to stay?”

Sage’s head shoots up and before she can protest, Charlie hands over his credit card.

“We’re not exactly sure, we’re trying to recreate our honeymoon, it was kind of hysterically awful but slightly wonderful, hence the dirty clothes, yet smiling faces.”

“I knew there was an explanation,” He laughs.

“There always is,” Charlies says “Feel free to charge away for as long as we stay.”

“Oh ok. That is great.”

He punches in a few things at the computer and hands Charlie a hotel room key.

“Here is your key, you are in room 504, the honeymoon suite.

“Perfect,” Charlie says smiling as he takes the key.

“Do you need help with your bags?”

“Don’t have any, we lost our luggage on our honeymoon so…”

“Your dedication to realism astounds me, have a great time. This is such a romantic gesture, I could just die.”

Charlie laughs and walks off as he leads Sage toward the elevator.

The two step into the empty elevator, as they make it to the next floor a few people get on.

Two women get on at the third floor, and are in mid conversation.

One of them makes eye contact with Charlie, he looks away down at Sage, as she tightens her grip on his hand.

“So did you see that thing on the news, about the murder in Wakefield? That’s only two hours from here. They say it was committed by a woman. Had a sketch of her on the news and everything.”

“Yea I did see that. Crazy world we live in.”

Charlie’s gaze sticks onto Sage, as he feels the fear run through her body, all her energy being focused on keeping her head down and tightening her grip on his hand.

The elevator reaches the 5^th floor as Charlie pushes past the women he leads Sage to their room.

Opening the door, Sage rushes in, her heart pounding.

Charlie closes the door behind him, dropping their bags to the side as he follows Sage.

“Hey…”

“There’s a sketch out? I can’t do this. I can’t keep this up. I—”

She starts to breathe heavy and break into a sweat.

“Hey…hey….”

Unable to get through to her, Charlie cups her face and looks at her, directly into her eyes. He pulls her to him and kisses her.

Sage wraps her arms around his neck instantaneously, kissing him back. The kiss deepens and goes on for much longer than Charlie thought or intended it to.

Charlie pulls away in need of some air. He looks at her.

“I’ve been wanting to do that since the moment I met you and got a look at these lips,” He says cupping her face as his thumb grazes her lower lip.

“Well that makes two of us,” Sage says her hands running over his chest as she leans up to meet his lips again. Cupping her face with both hands, Charlie then removes her hat and her wig and tosses it to the side.

“I’m glad we didn’t go for anything too permanent, you’re kind of perfect the way you are,” he says pulling her back to him as he kisses her again his hands tightening around her body, gripping her closer into him.

He looks down into her eyes, she smiles up at him and without hesitation she lifts her layers of shirts off, leaving her in her bra.

Charlie looks down at her and sighing nervously, he looks away, slightly flustered.

“Ok,” He laughs. “This is moving really fast, are you sure you want to-”

“I trust you,” Sage says looking at him, just before pulling him into another electrically charged kiss.

Charlie pulls her closer toward him as he reaches to remove his jacket.

***********************************************************************

Moments later Sage and Charlie are tangled up in the silk white sheets, their clothes sprawled about, and their hands exploring new territory.

Charlie hovers above Sage and looks at her.

“You’re beautiful,” He says as he leans down and kisses her.

“Where did you come from?” She says cupping the back of his neck and starring into his eyes.

“I guess I was just in the right place at the right time,” He says continuing to kiss her as he works his way from her lips to her jaw line, her neck, her chest, her stomach and back to her lips again. Sage smiles against Charlie’s lips as she pulls him into her, her legs and arms wrap around his body. He smirks gripping her thighs he seals any left over space between them, as Sage squeals in happy laughter.

***********************************************************************

Sage awakes an hour or so later, her stomach growling. She looks over at the handsome, scantily covered stranger lying beside her and smiles. Not wanting to wake him he slides to the edge of the bed wrapped in part of the sheet, and grabs Charlie’s sweater to throw on.

Wrapping it around herself, she puts her hands into the pockets and feels something. She pulls out a business card. She proceeds to read it, not thinking anything of it-until the words hit her like a ton of bricks.

The card reads- Charlie Steinfeld. Detective. Crime Scene Investigator.

Sage’s heart drops as she looks over at the man she has entrusted with her life, her mind and her body.

 

To Be Continued….

Welcome to Michelle Leigh Writes latest short story, series…I hope you’re enjoying! Please feel free to leave a comment down below. 😀

-<3-

*I do not take credit for any images or gifs used in my edits or otherwise.*