Boats, custody and Tio

 We kept going until the boat ran out of fuel. When we reached shore, I handed my brother the paperwork and told him he had temporary custody of Anthony. I’d explained it to Anthony days ago—he understood some of it.

“I trust only you and Kay with him,” I said. “Talk to her—she’s already set things up for you. She’s waiting up the way.”

My brother nodded. He and Anthony hugged me before they left. I told them I was waiting for someone, and I was.

Tío had been waiting at the landing site for days. Once the coast was clear, he climbed onto the boat and found me asleep on the bed. He nudged me to wake me up.

"What the actual fuck?" I asked. "Didn't anyone tell you to knock before entering? Weren't you supposed to get paperwork that prevents you from being near me?"

Tío smirked, unbothered.

“Didn’t get the memo,” he said, stepping further inside. “Besides, I figured you’d be expecting me.”

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, sitting up. “Expecting you? No. Expecting some peace and quiet? Maybe.”

He chuckled, leaning against the doorway.  “You always did have a mouth on you.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “And you always had a habit of showing up when I least wanted you to.”

Tío shrugged. “What can I say? Some things never change. Kay can't keep an eye on you when she's already watching your brother and Anthony. She sticks close to the office and home.”

“And you know this how?” I asked.

“I’ve been trying to get her to talk to me in person, but she keeps telling me to book an appointment through her secretary. I know she’s been busy with you,” he said. “She was my attorney!”

“She pretended to be your attorney so she could help you,” I shot back. “Do you even realize how many laws she broke just to keep both of us alive? A lot. She had a whole ethical crisis because you just had to drag her into your mess.”

"What happens if someone finds out she represented both of us—even if one of us was presumed dead?"

"She’d be suspended. And if they found out she benefited from representing both clients, she’d be permanently disbarred. She wouldn’t be allowed to practice law again in the country. No law office would touch someone with a record like that."

"I'll leave her be then," he said. "And I’ll stay away from you too—most people think you’re dead anyway."

"Thanks," I said. Then, after a beat, "You know, I really did love you, Tío."

He shrugged. "I still love you, Lee. I know that's not your real name, but it's the name I know you by—the person I love." He paused, his expression unreadable. "Take care of yourself."

I nodded as he left, waiting until he was out of sight before finally getting out of bed. Gathering the few clothes I had, I tossed them into the boat’s sink, rinsing away the layers of dirt, grime, and sweat. The process felt endless—the water darkened with filth each time I wrung them out.

Luckily, I’d found some biodegradable, reef-safe soap, which made washing them easier. As they hung to dry, I grabbed the soap and waded into the water to bathe.

The cool water against my skin was pure relief. After weeks on the road, I must have reeked, but for the first time in a long while, I finally felt clean.

I climbed aboard, used what little deodorant that I had, brushed my hair and teeth. I was just waiting on my clothes to dry. While waiting for my clothes to dry, I decided to explore the boat a little bit. I found some paper and a pen. Figured that I'd write a letter to the owners and apologize.

"To Whom It May Concern,

My sincerest apologies for taking your boat without permission. I understand that without your consent, it is considered theft. Before involving the authorities, please know that I was running for my life—and for my son’s. He’s just over a year old.

To keep it brief, I believed I was working for the right side of the government, but I wasn’t. I imprisoned the wrong people and protected those who should have been behind bars. Three people helped me escape that splinter group, and together, we brought them down.

Since then, I’ve lied, faked a marriage, staged my own death multiple times, and even altered my handwriting—all to protect myself and my son. Now, I’m turning to some of the very people I once imprisoned, asking for their help. Many refuse, and I don’t blame them. But a few are willing.

Attached to this note is the business card of my attorney. If you’ve found your boat, please contact her. I left her funds to cover the cost of any damages, as well as fuel for the vehicles I used. She knows who I am, but please don’t ask her any questions—she is legally bound not to disclose my identity or that of those assisting me.

I know that my circumstances don’t justify taking what isn’t mine, and I don’t expect forgiveness. But I hope you can understand why I did it.

My deepest apologies."

I checked on my clothes—finally, they were dry. I put on the least-worn set and packed the rest. Before leaving, I did a final sweep of the boat, making sure I had everything I’d brought with me. Satisfied that nothing was left behind, I set off on the next leg of my journey.

I knew my brother, Anthony, Kay, and I would find each other again—we always did. But for now, my priority was finding safety for the night. Donny, Alessia, and their child had disappeared, and I tried to avoid relying on the same people more than once. Brief assistance was safer than repeated favors.

Not long into my trek, I entered a small town. A sign at the entrance read Population: 3,000. That meant my stay here would be short.

As I moved closer to the town center, more shops, restaurants, and homes lined the streets. I passed by a restaurant where the owner was on his phone. The moment his eyes landed on me, something flashed across his face—recognition. And not the good kind.

He hung up quickly.

“HEY!” he shouted. “Hey, stranger!”

I picked up my pace, hoping to avoid unwanted attention, but he was faster. Within seconds, he caught up to me.

"Lee? I knew that was you," he said.

I sighed. "I was halfway through town, hoping to get through the rest without drawing attention. Thanks for ruining that. Now, every nearby town is going to hear that a stranger passed through, and guess who they'll be watching for?" I whispered sharply.

He smirked. “Stranger was your code name.” He placed a firm hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

I tensed. “Let go of me,” I hissed. “If I scream or make a sudden move, this whole town will be on us—and they’ll take your side. My son’s life is in danger. I’m trying to protect him.”

His expression shifted slightly. “Where is your son?”

"He’s safe," I repeated. "Look, I know we don’t trust each other, but if you let me pass through quietly, no one will know you’re here. And no one will know I saw you."

"Fine," he said. "But come inside first. I'll feed you, let you rest, and when you head out, I'll pack some non-perishable food for you. I’ll throw in plenty of water, electrolyte powder, and some filters for fresh water. I know we don’t trust each other, but I get it—keeping your family safe comes first. Three years ago, I faked my own death."

I narrowed my eyes. "Prove it."

"What?"

"Show me your obituary. It should still be online. I’m not going anywhere with you until you do," I said. "And when you show me, you’ll loudly give me directions to some other place—somewhere we both know I won’t actually go."

"Sorry, ma’am," he said loudly, making sure the small crowd nearby could hear as he scrolled through his phone, searching for his obituary. "I thought you were someone I knew. After you eat, you’ll keep going just like before I stopped you. Head north at the end of town, and keep going until you reach a small dock. One of the boaters will take you to your next destination. See how the town looks on this map?"

He handed me his phone as I scanned through the obituary. I double-checked with other newspapers, making sure the story held up. Eventually, I was satisfied. It was enough to trust him—at least enough to accept a meal and supplies.

I returned his phone and followed him into the restaurant. As I stepped inside, I glanced over my shoulder. The small crowd had grown, more curious eyes watching us than before.

"Just grab whatever nonperishable food you can for me," I murmured. "And if there’s a back door, I’ll leave through it a few hours before dawn."

"I'll feed you a real meal first, ok?" he said.

I sat on a stool at the counter, keeping my bag on the stool beside me—close enough to grab if I needed to run. As I drank water, I watched him carefully, studying every movement as he prepared my meal. He served me a massive plate of pasta with meatballs and sausage in marinara sauce—enough for three people. But hunger made quick work of it. I ate everything.

When I finished, I noticed the disposable plate, utensils, and paper cup he’d given me. It wasn’t just convenience—it was a way to ensure I left no trace of DNA behind. Smart.

I asked where the bathroom was, and he gestured upstairs to his living quarters. My expression must have given me away because he quickly offered the staff restroom instead. I nodded, grabbing my bag and placing the disposable items in a plastic bag before heading off.

When I returned to the counter, he was gone. In his place was a neatly stacked pile of supplies—nonperishable food, three four-liter bottles of water, several empty three-liter bottles, packets of electrolyte mix, and multiple travel water filters used by hikers. I packed everything into my bag, then found a hidden corner in the back of the restaurant where I could wait until it was safe to leave.

There, I spotted a cot with a blanket. Resting on top was a note:

"I closed the restaurant and left town. There’s a key under your pillow—use it to lock up when you leave. I assume you still have the same lawyer, so I transferred the restaurant’s ownership to her. In six months, it will belong to you, your son, and any future children. By then, the townspeople will have forced me out, and they’ll have moved on, too.

There’s something strange about this town—no resident stays more than six years, and business owners last ten at most. But I’ve only made it four. Someone here knew who I was.

Thank you for getting me out."

I fell asleep quickly after checking to make sure that the doors were locked. I heard noise at the front door so I dressed, grabbed my bag and as I was heading to the back door, I headed back to the cot so I could grab the pillow and blanket for future uses. This time, I hope, I wasn't stealing. I left and locked the door behind me.

I retraced my steps through town, then walked fifteen miles west before turning south, keeping parallel to the strange town I had left behind. Along the way, I stumbled upon a patch of geysers—an unexpected blessing on what turned out to be the coldest night since Anthony and I first went on the run.

Eventually, I found a small hut with a hole in the roof, likely designed to vent smoke. If I lit a fire, it wouldn’t draw suspicion. Settling in, I burned the disposable plate, utensils, and paper cup to erase any trace of my presence.

At sunrise, I packed up and continued my journey. In the next town, I stopped at a gas station and purchased a few prepaid phones. The cashier eyed me strangely before commenting, “You never know when you’ll have cash again—at least this way, you can call a shelter if you need to.”

Little did they know, I wasn’t truly homeless.

From there, I found a quiet corner in the library to charge the phones. Once they were ready, I left. Three hours later, I finally made the call.

“Hi, Kay,” I said.

“Where the hell have you been?” she nearly screeched. “We’ve been looking for you forever!”

"I just saw my brother a few weeks ago!"

"No, you didn’t," she sighed. "That was three months ago. Your brother and I lost track of you until some guy you helped gave us a clue. By the time we got there, the whole town was packing up and moving out."

"Three months? Has it really been that long? How’s Anthony? Is he okay? Healthy?"

"Yes, my friend, it has," she said gently. "Anthony is fine—completely healthy. I took him to my niece’s pediatrician for a full check-up. The doctor was a little concerned because he was three pounds underweight, but I explained everything—losing his mother, the stress, the constant change. He’s doing much better now."

"I’m so relieved. Has he gained the weight back?"

"Yes, and then some!"

"That’s good to hear. This phone’s about to die—the battery’s old. I have another one I’ll call you on since I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to charge this one again."

"Sounds good. When will we see you?"

"As soon as I figure out where I am when I reach the next town, I’ll find the fastest—but safest—way to get to you."

"Ok. Be careful, my friend!"

"I will. Thank you for helping my brother take care of son."

The phone died shortly after I hung up.

It took me three days to reach a town. Thankfully, I didn’t get the same kind of "welcome" I had when I ran into that restaurant owner.

Along the way, I found a stream where I could clean up, wash my clothes, and change into the most threadbare outfit I had left—so worn that one wrong move and it would fall apart. After rinsing out my dirty clothes, I draped them over sunlit branches to dry and took the opportunity to rest while I waited.

"Excuse me? Are these your clothes?" a man’s voice startled me.

"Yes, they are," I replied, sitting up. "I’m sorry. I’m just passing through. My clothes should be dry now—I’ll gather them and move along."

"Not an issue," he said, stepping closer. "I recognized you. You helped get me out of prison. You never gave me your name."

I tensed, choosing my words carefully. "Did I? I haven’t done that kind of work in a long time."

"It was three years ago," he insisted. "Someone was trying to kidnap you—"

"I’m sorry, but I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else," I interrupted, keeping my tone gentle. "People say I have one of those faces." I forced a small smile. "I don’t recognize you, sir, but I should get my things and be on my way."

He studied me for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

I quickly gathered my things and left town, determined to reunite with Kay, my brother, and Anthony. Based on the distance, it would take me five to seven days on foot to reach my son. With help, I could make it in three to five. Crossing my fingers, I silently sent up prayers to every deity I could think of, pleading for a way to get there faster.

For two days, I walked tirelessly, covering over forty kilometers when a car pulled over. A woman stepped out, turning off the engine before approaching me.

"Excuse me, miss?" she called.

I eyed her warily. "How can I help you? I'm just trying to get to what's left of my family. I've spent the last three months making my way to them and the last few days walking nonstop."

"I’d like to give you a ride, as far as I can," she offered.

Relief flooded me. "That would be amazing, but fair warning—I haven’t bathed in days."

She smiled. "We’ll drive with the windows up until we find a place for you to shower."

For the next four hours, she drove while I slept in the backseat, using my bag as a pillow. When she stopped, she gently woke me, explaining that she had booked two hotel rooms. Grateful beyond words, I thanked her profusely.

After checking in, I immediately took a long, hot shower, scrubbing away the dirt and exhaustion of the past days. Then, I started washing my clothes in the bathtub. A knock on the door interrupted me. When I opened it, the woman stood there holding a small care bag.

"I figured you could use these," she said, handing it to me. Inside were soap, shampoo, vitamins, food bars, hand sanitizer, and packets of single-use laundry detergent.

"Thank you," I said, touched by her kindness.

She asked if I needed any help, but I assured her I was just going to rewash my clothes properly with the detergent and hang them to dry before getting some much-needed rest. She smiled. 

"No worries about housekeeping. They won’t come until we check out tomorrow." 

Then she left, and I locked the door behind her.

Letting my clothes soak, I headed to the nearest fast-food restaurant, ordering more food than I should have. I ate everything there before returning to my room. After draining the tub, I rinsed both the clothes and the tub, then refilled it with hot water and detergent for a second wash. This time, I scrubbed each item thoroughly before hanging them up in the open closet to dry.

Exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed and slept for twelve straight hours. When I woke, I dressed, packed my bag, and swept the room to make sure I hadn’t left anything behind. Satisfied, I took one last deep breath and prepared to move on. I left the room and knocked on her door but she didn't answer so I waited and knocked again. Still no answer so I went downstairs to reception.

I asked about the woman who rented the rooms we used. I was told that she was at the restaurant next door but hadn't checked out yet. I thanked the staff and then asked which way to get to the main roads. I thanked them again and headed on my way. 

Technically, I was four hours ahead of schedule but because I slept for so long, I was still on schedule. Ugh, it was going to take forever to get to my son but at least I slept. 

I walked eighteen hours that day. Thanks to that exhausting day, I was only six hours ahead. I found a quiet place in the woods and slept until dawn then got moving again. I decided that I'd walk longer days so I could make an attempt to get there faster.

A few times, a few people drove me as far as they could. I took that time to catch up on my much needed sleep. Before letting me go, they fed me and made sure that I had a small care bag. 

My last night, I was at a homeless shelter and had a room with another woman. We didn't talk much as we didn't have anything in common. The only time that we really talked is why I had so many cell phones and asked if I was selling anything illegal. I said that I wasn't selling anything illegal however, I use a phone until I run out of minutes but keep the phones in case I can get the money to purchase more minutes. Little did she know that I wasn't homeless and that I had money. I was trying to keep my profile low. She said that it made sense.

Once the phones were charged, I locked my stuff up in a locker and went to bed. 

In the morning, I gathered my things and signed out of the shelter. As I got closer to Kay’s office—just fifteen minutes away—I called her.

"Take as many detours as you can," she warned. "Head straight to the hospital—you know, the one you own, where Doc works."

Confused, I asked why.

"Vin, Vic, and C are in the elevator on their way up to my office right now," she said urgently.

Apparently, they had called her an hour ago, demanding to meet and question her about me. The moment she got off the phone with them, she had alerted security, explaining the situation. Security assured her they’d be in her office by the time the men arrived.

I barely had time to process her words before everything went black.

I had just stepped into my old office at the hospital when a sharp, searing pain tore through me. I collapsed, unconscious.

I drifted in and out, catching only brief flashes of what was happening. Tío stood over me, a gun in his hand. Doc's white lab coat was soaked in blood—my blood. His voice was frantic, pleading.

“Stay with me. Stay alive.”

"Doc?" I gasped.

"Yes, Lee?" he asked.

"I love you," I said.

"I love you too, Lee," he said. "Stay with me. I need you, darling."

I passed out.