“All right, where are we headed?” When he didn’t get an answer, Jesse Lawson twisted in his seat. He was shocked by how much fear he saw in the woman’s eyes. Correction, young girl. Maybe a teenager.

“I – I don’t know,” she whispered. She flinched and hid behind her scarlet hair.

Jesse eased his vehicle away from the curb. He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel as he drove through the city. Although, city might be a tad generous.

Jesse glanced in his rearview mirror. The poor thing looked like she was ready to bolt out of his car. He refocused on the road in front of him. The young woman reminded him of Leslie, his granddaughter.

Jesse spoke softly, trying his best to not spook the girl. “If you need help, I know someone who can protect you,” he said quietly. He peeked in the mirror in time to see the girl jerk. Jesse pulled over. The girl immediately reached for the door. “Wait,” Jesse said, “I don’t want to let you out if something is wrong. I have a friend, a young woman I’ve mentored. I know she has a business with some of her friends that offers protection services.”

The mystery girl froze. Her hand tightened on the handle of the car door until her knuckles were white. She slowly released it and sat back.

Jesse kept his focus on the girl despite the ache starting to form in his back from twisting in his seat for so long. He could tell that the girl’s hands were shaking even though she tried to sit on them in an obvious attempt to hide it.

The girl finally looked Jesse in the eyes. “Can you take me to her?” she asked quietly.

Jesse nodded slowly. “Of course,” he answered. He once again pulled away from the curb and started driving, this time with a purpose. He took a meandering route though, just in case someone was following them. He wasn’t an expert by any means, but he knew enough to spot a tail. He hoped.

Jesse glanced in his rearview mirror again. “Can I know your name?” he asked gently.

The girl glanced out the window before slouching in her seat. She didn’t answer so Jesse didn’t press.

“Tiana,” she abruptly said. “Tiana Starr.”

*****

Tiana slid as far down her seat as her seatbelt would allow her. She really hoped she wasn’t making a mistake. But her driver seemed like a harmless, kind man. He reminded her of her sweet neighbor, Karl, who would always proudly show off pictures of his grandkids to her.

Tiana glanced at her driver again. She really hoped that he was telling the truth about his friend. She didn’t really know what to do and she needed all the help she could get staying alive. Staying one step ahead of the man hunting her down.