The garage door buzzes and creaks as it slowly rolls back into place. It is old and rusted and Lisa had insisted that Adam replace it; the replacement would have been in next week. Lisa quickly pulls Carrie’s car into the driveway and rushes into the house telling Ryan to grab anything he thinks they might need. She scurries throughout the house, packing first-aid kits, flashlights, and water... your basic hurricane survival kit. She grabs any money she can find and everything that might be sold for a good profit.
Ryan, however, is a little less speedy in his packing; he still believes that they are going on vacation so most of what he picks up includes some shirts, socks, pants, and of course, his portable media player. When he finishes loading his black duffel bag into the back of the car, he turns to his mom and asks a difficult question.
Ryan
So are you going to tell me where dad is anytime soon?
LisaShe drives out of the driveway as she fights back the tears that are trying to escape her eyes.
Not yet, sweetie. I promise I’ll tell you everything soon but not right now; just please do what I say and trust me. For now we need to go see grandpa
LisaLisa turns on the radio hoping to distract herself as she turns onto Delaware Blvd. Thoughts are flowing through her mind and beginning to make her head hurt. She is barely able to focus on the road as she passes the several signs to her right; namely the 30 miles per hour sign.
Play radio.
The sound of sirens suddenly begins to outmatch the radio as a parked police car pulls out from its hiding place and speeds after Lisa’s car with its nearly blinding blue and red lights flaring. The only thought that passes her mind is, “Damn it, this must be about the hospital...what do I do?” She floors the pedal in an attempt to escape the officers but doesn’t get very far; she forgot about the remote shut down feature. Her car slips to the side of the road and slows to a stop. Oh no! She thinks as she looks into her rear-view-mirror and sees the officers approaching, guns in hand.
Ryan
Mom, why didn’t you just pull over?
Lisa
Listen to me: just stay calm, don’t yell, and do as the officers say.
Ryan
What’s going on?
OfficerLisa follows the officer’s instructions, slowly opening the door and stepping out of her vehicle.
Get out of the car, slowly!
OfficerLisa, feeling a lot like she is playing Simon Says, obeys the officer as he begins to search her for weapons. Meanwhile the second officer makes his way to the passenger side door.
Now put your hands on the car!
OfficerAs Ryan opens his door, the first officer places handcuffs on Lisa.
Son, could you please step out of the car for me?
Officer
What’s the hurry ma’am?
LisaLisa answers without hesitation, but there is a nervousness in her voice which is clear and the officer picks up on it.
We’re just running a little late for our flight for our vacation.
Officer
The airport is the other way, ma’am.
Lisa
Well… yes, but my husband is at my father’s place and we need to pick him up.
OfficerLisa doesn’t have an intelligent answer for that. She takes a moment to think.
Why did you speed up when we put on our sirens?
Lisa
I guess I just panicked. I haven’t been pulled over in a long time. My husband usually drives.
OfficerBy this point the officer isn’t really listening to her replies; he has made up his mind about what will happen.
Do you mind if we check the trunk?
LisaThe second officer motions Ryan to go to his mom as he walks to the trunk. Each officer takes a bag and looks inside.
Not at all. Go ahead and take a look.
Officer
You know there’s a lot of stuff packed in here for just a vacation. Kind of looks like you’re moving.
LisaLisa laughs nervously and her heart begins to race.
I tend to pack too much.
OfficerHe takes Lisa by the shoulder and directs her to the back seat of the cop car as Ryan follows sheepishly. The back of the car is a mess; there is junk scattered all over the place and even what looks like vomit stains covering the seats. Ryan looks up at his mom with a pleading look as he leans in close and whispers.
I’m sorry, ma’am, your story just doesn’t add up. You’re going to have to come with us.
RyanHis mother just looks back at him silently, head hung low. She slowly turns to the window as tears once again roll down her cheeks; this time she can’t hold them back. The first officer pulls away in the cop car as his partner follows in Lisa’s car behind them. They drive for what seems to Lisa like forever before the officer pulls to a sudden stop.
What’s going on?
OfficerThere is a small pause before anything happens and he gets out of the car. Curiously, Lisa and Ryan glance out of the front of the car to see a man standing in the middle of the road. He is wearing dark clothing and a hood, his face completely hidden in shadows. Even when the cars stop in front of him, he remains as still as a statue. As the second officer sees his colleague exit his vehicle, he does the same.
What the hell?
Officer
What’s going on?
Officer
This guy is just standing there.
Officer
He’s probably just drunk.
OfficerHe cautiously marches his way closer to the hooded man. With each step that the officer takes, the wind seems to die down more and more until he is standing less than two feet away and the breeze stops entirely.
Yeah, you’re probably right.
OfficerThere is a long silence in which neither the man nor the officers move or say anything.
Sir, are you alright?
OfficerThere is still no response so the officers move closer to check up on the man. As the first officer reaches forward to remove the hood, as if by reflex, the hooded man grabs his arm and quickly knocks him out. The second officer rushes to his partner’s aid as he pulls out his gun. By the time the gun is taken from the holster and pointed at the hooded man, he kicks the gun into the air. The officer watches his gun fly above his head as the man quickly plants his elbow in the officer’s face, spins around his foot once more, and kicks the officer to the ground. As the officer hits the floor, the man sticks out his hand without looking and grabs the falling gun.
Sir, are you aware of where you are right now?
The man turns to Lisa and Ryan as he bends over to pick up a set of keys from the officer. He marches to the doors of the car and swings them open.
GabrielLisa and Ryan slowly get out of the car.
Get out of the car, and don’t even think about running.
Gabriel
Turn around.
LisaLisa cries as she slowly turns and her eyes water up. The man snatches her arm and begins unlocking her handcuffs.
Oh, God!
LisaShe turns her head to look at the man and sees he is taking down his hood. He looks oddly familiar to her; his blue eyes and short brown hair make him look like someone, but she can’t put her finger on it. His shaggy beard is making it take longer for Lisa to make a connection, but her thoughts are interrupted when the stranger speaks.
Wh-what are you doing?
Gabriel
Saving your lives.
Lisa
Do...Do I know you?
GabrielThe man’s words sent a shiver up Lisa’s spine.
No, but I know you.
Lisa
How do you know me?
Gabriel
That’s not important right now. Instead of talking, you should be helping me put these cops back into their cars before they wake up.
LisaThe hooded man starts walking towards the officers. She quickly follows him.
What?
LisaHe leans down to grab the police officer’s shoulders.
Wait a minute, why are you helping us?
Gabriel
Legs.
LisaLisa is beyond confused by this man and can’t seem to keep up with him. He looks up at her, then down to the officer’s feet.
What?
LisaHer face is turning red because she has already forgotten what he had just asked her to do a moment ago. She grabs the officer’s legs and helps the man lift the officer into the car. As they walk back for the second officer, Lisa turns to the man.
Oh. Oh, uh...right.
Lisa
…So?
Gabriel
So what?
Lisa
So why are you helping us?
GabrielThe man snickers sarcastically as they put the second officer into the back seat. He turns to look at an upcoming car closing in on them.
Well, unless I’m mistaken, it seemed like you didn’t really have the situation under control.
GabrielBefore leaving the officers, the man takes out the radio, locks the doors, and throws the keys far from the side of the road. He smashes the radio on the ground and shoots it three times with one of the officer’s guns.
I imagine you can see why we should be saving this interview for a later time.
LisaLisa screams since she wasn’t expecting gun shots.
Jesus!
GabrielLisa makes her way to the driver’s seat and ushers Ryan into the back.
Watch it! Quick, get in the car!
Gabriel
No, I’m driving.
Lisa
But it’s my car.
GabrielLisa is sort of creeped out that he knows this is Carrie’s car and wonders what else he might know, but regardless, she listens. They run into the car and take off just in time to avoid the car they had seen earlier. In their rear view mirror, they manage to see a man getting out of his car and banging on the officer’s window in an attempt to wake them up.
First off, this is Carrie’s car, not yours. Second, I don’t want you to be in another accident. And third, trust me on this, you don’t want this car anymore. And don’t argue with me, there’s no time! Now let’s go!
Lisa
So, where are you taking us?
Gabriel
To a safe place.
LisaThe man chuckles. Lisa was starting to hate that laugh.
I don’t understand
Gabriel
You don’t understand why you need to be in a safe place?
LisaThe man figures it would be a good time to stop her before the game of twenty questions begins.
No, I mean I don’t understand why you’re helping us. How do you know us? What do we have to do with you? How…
Gabriel
Well, as much as I would love to chat and get to know each other, right now we’re short on time, so instead you’re going to just have to listen to what I say. You’re not going to argue and you’re not going to ask any more questions. Understood?
Lisa
But...
GabrielThe man chooses to disregard that she has said anything.
I’m taking you to another car.
Gabriel
You’re going to put all your things in that car. The police are not looking for that car. That car is not stolen. That car is going to be the car you will use from now on so no more little hiccups like you going over the speed limit and trying to evade police that can remotely shut down your car...
Lisa
This car has a GPS. They are probably watching it right now.
Gabriel
Don’t worry about that right now. That’s good thinking though. If you’re going to run, you’re going to have to think smart and quickly. I don’t know exactly what your plan is, but if you were thinking of going to your father’s, that is a big mistake.
Lisa
How do you know my father?
Gabriel
I don’t. Now make a call to your father on this phone and then ditch it when you’re done with it. Right now your father’s phone isn’t being monitored, so tell him the situation, say you’ll meet him at a discrete place, and ask for anything you need from him.
Ryan
Mom, what is this guy talking about?
Lisa
Ryan, just let him speak please.
Gabriel
Thank you. Now listen carefully. You will not meet him at this location and you will likely not be in contact with him for a long while, nor will you try to contact him or anybody else you know. Lay low, dye your hair, change your name, and get used to living this way because you will likely have to for the rest of your life.
Lisa
How do I go about changing my name?
Gabriel
Your father will know. Tell him you need a change of life, and he’ll know what you’re talking about.
Lisa
My father doesn’t know anything about this stuff.
Gabriel
There is a lot about your father you don’t know.
Lisa
I thought you said you don’t know my father.
Gabriel
I don’t. I know a lot about him. Just like I know a lot about you and why you’re on the run.
RyanRyan speaks in a rather shocked voice. The man spins his head to look at Ryan and then at Lisa, surprised to see she has not told him yet.
We’re on the run?
Lisa
I know… I will tell him.
GabrielHe points to a silver sedan sitting in front of a tall building, which seemed to be abandoned. Dented doors and cobwebs littered its exterior. The sedan is a pretty basic car, very typical and common; in fact, Lisa’s best friend has one.
Fair enough. Here’s the car.
Gabriel
Ryan, you can help me grab the bags and put them into the other car. You can call your father and tell him exactly what I told you to.
LisaLisa is unsure if this is real or just a nightmare she will wake up from soon.
Why should I trust you?
GabrielThe man leans on the seat looking at Lisa, giving her a wide smirk when he sees her start dialing. He opens the doors and starts to walk towards the trunk with Ryan.
Well if you have a better idea in your situation, I’d love to hear it.
Lisa
You know, it will be a lot easier to trust you if I know your name.
Gabriel
You can call me Gabriel.
To be continued...
The writers have heard your questions! Read what they have to say in our first ever Q&A!
or listen to our first ever podcast!
The writers have heard your questions! Read what they have to say in our first ever Q&A!
or listen to our first ever podcast!
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