It was dusk. The sun had turned it's back on the seemingly quiet suburban neighborhood. Cars were parked in the driveways and on the edge of the street. Families were enjoying their dinner. The sun retreated further into the horizon, yet the pavement still held its heat, unwilling to let go of the sun's presence. While families were enjoying dinner and finishing up with their normal, happy routines, Naomi hurriedly threw clothes in a bag. Her breathing was quick and shallow, panting as she rinsed the blood off her hands. She rushed out of the door, running down the street her bare feet meeting the pavement only briefly.<br/><br/>As Naomi hurried down the street, She checked over her shoulder repeatedly. Hoping. Praying that he wasn't following. She trotted down the street with her grocery bag of clothes in hand. She approached the back door of her neighbor, Ms. Feldman. Panting, she banged on the door, "Hello! Somebody?! Ms. Feldman?! Hello?! Please?!" She begged her words saturated with fear. Tears streaming down her face. She continued to bang on the door, until finally Ms. Feldman came. The older woman trying to calm her, pulled her into the house embracing her warmly. Naomi explaining the events through sobbing huffs. She battled to catch her breath but her fears were crippling.<br/><br/>Naomi quickly changed clothes, she ripped the little black cocktail dress off and slung it into a garbage bag that Ms. Feldman provided her. She pulled on some jeans and tennis shoes, threw on an old t-shirt and a hooded jacket. Naomi tucker her hair into the hood as she pulled up attempting to hide herself a little more. Ms. Feldman drove her to the bus station where Naomi hugged her and thanked her. Ms. Feldman made Naomi promise to call once she was in a safe haven. Naomi smiled and promised. She took a deep breath and hurried into the bus station. She kept her head down as she made her way to the ticket window. She passed the bus station clerk her money in exchange for a ticket. With ticket in hand she whirled around , stuffed her hands in her pockets and hurried to her assigned bus. She pushed through the crowds trying to keep her face down and her identity unknown. A janitor collided with her and as he apologized repeatedly she barely noticed him. Naomi would never intentionally be rude, but in this moment she had to hurry. It was life or death. She shoved through the mass of shuffling bodies. Everyone trying to get to a different destination. As she neared the exit to her bus, the sounds of police sirens filled the streets and leaked into the bus station. She felt her heart sink and her fear elevate. She pushed harder through crowds and finally out to her bus.<br/><br/>A man with short dark hair climbed out of the car, red and blue lights flashing. He ran into the bus station and pushed people away from the ticket window. He slapped a picture of a woman on the window and demanded, "Have you seen this woman?!"The clerk shook his head, "No, sir, I don't believe so." The man, presumably a cop, angrily walked away. Naomi safely boarded the bus, but as she made her way to find a seat the officer came rushing out stopping buses. However, he boarded the wrong one and searched it instead of her bus. She gave a sigh of relief as her bus pulled away into the night. She let her head rest on the back on the seat and the bus made it's way down the road. For now, she was safe. She didn't know for how long, but in this moment she was okay.<br/><br/>As the sun returned once again to provide the earth with it's light and warmth, the bus was winding down rural, mountainous road. Curving it's way across the country. Every now and again stopping to let passengers stretch their legs, get a bite or use the bathroom. For the most part Naomi tried to stay put. Finally Naomi had succumb to her exhaustion and she closed her eyes. She nodded in and out of sleep. As she grew more comfortable she rested her converse clad feet on the seat in front of her and made her self as agreeable with unpleasant bus seats as possible.<br/><br/>As the bus continued on its journey, it would be empty with the exception of Naomi. Then gain a few passengers but soon they would depart. Finally the bus pulled into a small, peaceful town overlooking a beach. Boats lined the docks and the little shops on the coast were open as guests and tourists filled in and out. The bus came to a stop to let passengers out. and Naomi decided to get off. She took a Deep Breath as she walked along the boardwalk and into a small beach front store. She held a pillow case of clothes and money tightly against her. She walked in and got a coffee. She sat it on the counter and gave the man at the register a dollar bill. She told him simply, "Keep the change." She exited the store and looked out over the ocean, leaning on the railing of the boardwalk. As the rest of the passengers began to board the bus, she looked at the ocean and then back to them. Naomi decided to stay here. It was a small town, far far away from where she was. She felt sure<span style="font-style: italic">he</span>wouldn't find her here.<br/><br/>Seagulls crowed over head as she leaned against the railing outside of the ocean front convenient store.