AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The next night, Carol entered the room
quietly. "Rose, we have to hurry. Mr. Buff has gone into the parlor to
have his nightly brandy. We have about fifteen minutes," Carol whispered.
"But we have to be careful not to run into any of the staff," she
added as they left the room.
This was Rose’s first time out of the room in
three weeks. She knew that her face must have been pale. She hadn't been
outside to see the sun in weeks. They crept slowly down the staircase, trying
to make as little noise as possible. Rose’s heart was pounding hard. She was
sure that it would pound right out of her chest.
When they reached the first floor, they
stopped to listen for sounds. It sounded as if the coast was clear. Almost
holding their breaths, they finally made their way out of the mansion. To Rose,
it felt like pure heaven to be outside again. She breathed in the cool spring
air, gratefully. A moment later, they were sprinting down the street. The
mansion faded away behind them like a bad dream.
Luckily, Mrs. Strouter’s house wasn’t too
far. It was about a twenty minute walk. Carol accompanied Rose to the house.
Once they reached the house, Carol turned to Rose. "Good luck, Rose, and
be careful. Get out of New York as soon as possible."
Rose had tears in her eyes. "You be
careful, too. I’m going to miss you."
They hugged for a few moments. But both of them
knew that time was running out. Mr. Buff most likely had already found them to
be missing. Carol left a moment later, once again wishing her luck one last
time. Rose took a deep breath, then entered the house.
When Mrs. Strouter saw her, she almost fainted.
"Oh, my gosh! We have been worried sick about you, dear. Are you all
right? What happened?"
Renee entered the sitting room before Rose
could respond. "Oh, Rose! I thought I’d never see you again. What
happened?"
Rose sat down on the couch. "I don’t have
much time. I have to get out of New York before Cal finds me again." At
hearing Rose’s words, Renee’s eyes widened in shock. She remembered Rose
telling her about Cal after she had first moved in.
Mrs. Strouter looked confused. "Who’s
Cal?" she asked.
Rose took a deep breath. She didn’t have time
to explain everything. "Renee, after I leave, you can tell everyone what I
told you that night. But right now I have to get out of here. Cal’s manservant
knows where this place is. He’s the man that showed up here the night I
disappeared." Renee nodded in understanding. "And thank you for
holding the necklace for me, but I’m going to be needing it back now." The
two of them went upstairs. Renee went to get the necklace, while Rose went into
her room to grab some clothes and money. Renee had been holding the necklace
for safekeeping.
When they arrived back downstairs, Rose
noticed that the whole household was gathered to say good-bye. "I’m sorry
that I worried all of you. I just want to say that I appreciate your kindness.
After I leave, Renee will explain everything," she told them after
noticing their confused expressions. She turned to Renee. "Thanks for
being there for me. I’ll miss you," she whispered as they hugged.
Next, she turned to Mrs. Strouter. The older
woman had tears in her kind eyes. She hugged Rose tightly. "I’m so glad
that you’re okay. You take care, now."
Rose had tears in her eyes, too. "I have
to be going now. Just know that I’ll miss you all." She took one last look
before leaving the house.
She headed to the train station. She now knew
where she was going. She would go to Chippewa Falls and see the place where
Jack grew up. She wanted to see the things that he had seen. She just wanted to
feel close to him again. After all, she might be carrying his child. And she
had to admit that she was very curious about his family.
She continued on to the train station,
checking over her shoulder every now and then to make sure that she wasn’t
being followed. Once she reached the train station, she sighed in relief. She
had made it. She was almost free.
A moment later she was on a train…going to
Chippewa Falls. Rose Dawson had become a free woman once again!