Never Going Back Again

2. Eve

Eve's legs burned from the exertion and she wanted to rip her lungs from her chest because they felt like they would explode at any minute but as the train station came into sight she plowed forward. She knew she must look strange. A mix of clothing, bedraggled hair and a duffle bag. But she didn't have time to worry.
Although it was still early, the train station was busy. She slowed as she came to the entrance and began to weave through the early commuters who were thankfully paying her little attention.

'When's your next departing train?'
Sat behind the Perspex window, the ticket officer gave Eve a puzzled look. With a quick glance at her screen she replied 'London Euston, 7 minutes'

'A single there, please' Eve nodded with unconvincing conviction.

As Eve found herself on platform 7 the panic finally set in. The buzz of the early morning commuters put her on edge. She frantically glanced over her shoulder. She couldn't see Jake but what if he was hiding in the crowd, following her? What if the police were coming for her? What if she didn't make it to freedom?

The train doors finally closed behind her as she weaved her way up the train. Finding an empty two seats, she sat her duffle bag beside her hoping no one would need the seat. She felt some of the tension leave her shoulders as the train pulled out of the station. She looked through the crowd of people waiting for their trains in the station. Frantically searching for his face. She let out a breath as she didn't see it. Instead the faces became blurred as the train built up speed and the faces transformed into a dark tunnel which eventually transformed into lush green country side. Her heart finally slowed as the train raced out of her town and away from everything the town held.

As Eve stepped from the train onto the dirty, concrete platform the dread returned. What the hell was she doing? She had just committed a crime then jumped onto a train, with very little clothing and next to no money, to a city she'd rarely even been to before. Flinching as a lady in a business suit pushed past her she slowly made her way up the platform, hoping to find an exit. She was carried up the ramp by the crowds of commuters paying her zero attention, too wrapped up in their own little worlds.

London was busy. It made her feel sick. Since being with Jake she very rarely frequented places like this. She spent most of her time at home with Jake or at work which was only a part time waitressing gig at the cafe across from Jake's garage. Big crowds were not Eve's thing. Loud noises were not Eve's thing. Strange people were not Eve's thing. She felt a flood of embarrassment as a tear stroked down her cheek. She had ran away from the only safe thing she knew; home. She had nowhere to go, she knew no one. At least at home she had Jake, right now she had no one and no clue what the hell she was going to do.

She clutched her stomach as it let out a growl. She had left Euston station with no idea of where to go. So she walked, and walked and kept walking. She had been walking for what felt like hours in no discernible direction. If she was not careful she would end up seriously lost. Not that Eve really knew much about London. She had visited once before when she was young with her mum and her sister. Despite only living a few hours from London it was somewhere she never visited.

Her legs felt weary from lack of sleep and the adrenaline rush had long since subsided. She looked at the buildings that lined the street she was on. Most were businesses. Estate agents, florists and trendy wine bars. If she had to guess, Eve would think she was in a relatively affluent area. She spotted a cafe up ahead. Feeling in her pocket Eve pulled out a ten pound note. Hopefully this would get something to stop her stomach growling.
A bell dinged as she opened the heavy black door. With her head bent low Eve made her way to the counter.

"What can I get for you, love?" A friendly female voice asked

Eve looked up and was met with a beaming smile. Behind the beaming smile was a pair of kind blue eyes.