Loving You

Chapter 24 | The escape and the truth

William and Cathy rested at the old lady's chamber for the night. He made sure that Cathy had recovered completely.
As the daylight broke, William and Cathy thanked the lady and paid her six nickel coins. The lady gave them some medicines, just in case she felt nauseous again.

William knocked on Bob's door. He lived in an old shack.
"Bob, we need you to take us to-"
"Hotel Stone," Cathy completed his sentence.

Bob looked at them curiously. "Are you sure you want to go to that place. I mean, I am a local so they won't do anything to me. But since they are after you, they might be already there, waiting for you."

William chuckled. "I do give an applause to your thought. They are after her. But what if she is not there?"

"I don't quite understand you."
"You'll get to see for yourself Bob. Now, let us get going. We need to catch the train. We can't afford to waste our time."

~

William had already gathered all the details about the receptionist and her room number. She gave him the key and waited for him inside the carriage. Bob had parked his carriage behind the thickets of the trees.

He saw an old man sitting in the lobby, looking outside. He passed him without raising his suspicions.
The receptionist was a young boy, as described by Cathy. He waited for an opportunity when he would be gone. After a few minutes, someone called him at the cafeteria. Seeing this as a golden opportunity, he quickly ran upstairs.
"Room 103," he mumbled to himself. And there he was, standing in front of that room. He quickly unlocked the door with the key she had given him. He grabbed the bag which was under the bed, and ran downstairs. Luckily, the boy had not returned to the counter. He walked out calmly, so that the man would not become alert. He took a round trip to the carriage.

"You are here," exclaimed Cathy. He quickly sat and locked the door behind him. Bob drove towards the station as quickly as he could.

"Thank you so much Mr Benwick." She began to cry. "I should have listened to my uncle."

"It is alright." He pulled her closer by placing his arms on her shoulder and, rubbed her arm.

"How did you know I was in trouble? Rather, why are you here?"

"Gretta. Yes. Gretta told me that you shouldn't be in Galaw. That, it is dangerous for you. I didn't waste any time."

She hugged him tightly. She didn't care if it was improper. She was very thankful of him. He was her saviour. She felt safe around his arms. His pats had a soothing effect on her. "Thank you," she said in between her sobs.

"You'll be fine Cathy." He continued patting her back.

Bob knocked on the door causing them to jump back to their seats. William opened the door.
"We have reached the station. The train would be here in a few minutes.
The two got down from the carriage. Cathy bowed to him. "Thank you Bob. Thank you for everything."

"I am a true Galaw after all. Helping people is in my blood. Take care Miss."
With that they bid their farewells. The train came in no time. The two boarded it, as they rejoiced. They would be back in a few hours. Till then, they could rest peacefully.

Throughout the journey, Cathy was looking outside the window and thinking about the conversation the three had the earlier day. Why were they after her? What was their goal? Who was really after her? How did Gretta know that she was in trouble? Her temperature was rising up due to her temper.