The Getaway

A moment later, I could hear the van pull up and stop only 30 yards away. I cringed in fear, grabbed Nicky, and let out a guttural squeal.

"Shhhhh," Nicky said, putting her index finger to my lips.

They were so close that I could hear the slavers talking.

"They've got to be right here somewhere," Mr. Davis said.

"There's an amphitheater just up a head," Mr. Rodriguez said, "maybe they went there."

"Dammit, those are some seriously valuable bitches. We're about to lose out on one hell of a payday."

Slavers made their money by bounties, a percentage of whatever Ultra made off our sale. Young and beautiful women such as ourselves brought the highest prices. It was the type of collar slavers dreamed of. Better still, we were two high-dollar renegades. We'd be a huge score for the slavers if they could bag us. But, if Mr. Davis and Mr. Rodriguez failed to deliver us, they wouldn't be paid a dime for all their efforts.

"I can't hear their motorcycle anymore; they must be on foot," Mr. Rodriguez said.

"Launch another drone and get some altitude. We'll see them when they try to cross the road. And call Bill and tell him to bring the dog."

Nicky held me down for 20 seconds after we heard the van drive on before we dared look at the road. The van was gone. Nicky took out her phone and made a call.

"Where are you?"

"Sixty seconds," Kurt replied.

"Make it fast. The slavers are about to launch another drone and the police are looking around the park in a hover-car."

Nicky stood and then grabbed me and pulled me to my feet.

"We're going to fall in with those joggers," Nicky said. "Just follow my lead and act like you're one of them."

I looked and saw group of joggers approaching. There were seven of them, four men and three women. Luckily, the guy we hit wasn't one of them. I started to protest that it'll never work but it was too late. Nicky made for the sidewalk and I followed as best I could in my bare feet carrying my shoes. As the runners passed, we plunged into the middle of the group and started jogging in their midst.

"Hi," I smiled and tried to act natural while jogging barefoot in a tropical wool skirt suit and blazer but the joggers stared at us incredulously and started looking around. A couple of the women observed at my suit and appeared concerned. It was obvious that they knew we were up to something but didn't know what. I looked down. To my horror, my favorite navy blue suit was covered with dirt and debris.

"What the hell are you doing?" One of the joggers asked.

Before I could answer, Kurt's car pulled to the curb just in front of us and Nicky and I piled in the back seat.

"Get in the trunk," Kurt said as we drove away.

Flipping down the back seat, we rolled into the trunk and shut it.

"Do you see a gray van anywhere?" Nicky asked.

"No," Kurt replied.

I could hear the sounds of police sirens in the distance and they sounded like they were coming our way. The further we drove, the closer the sirens got until they were almost upon us. In fear, I grabbed Nicky and hugged her tight.

"Friends of yours?" Kurt called back.

"Not really," Nicky answered. "What are they doing?"

"Coming right at us."

"Shit! Don't look at them; just drive and don't act suspicious."

"Are they looking for you?" Kurt asked.

"Let's just say I'm not looking for them."

"Do you think the made us when we got in the car?" I whispered to Nicky.

"Ask me again in half a minute," Nicky said.

We held our breath. One of the police cars passed by and continued on towards the park, then another, and then another but none tried to pull us over. We just kept driving.

"It's alright," Nicky said in her calmest of voices. "They're gone. You can let go now."