“There’s room service if you’re hungry.”

I nod, keeping that fake smile. “I appreciate it.”

I take the key and turn, leaving the reception. I let my eyes scan the street before slowly following the directions she gave me.

When I find my room, I unlock it and step inside quickly. My entire body is aching, and my mind is spinning. Axel isn’t the man I remember, and the idea of being caught by him is beginning to scare me.

I flick the light on, and peer around the room. It’s small, but very clean and tidy. It’s one-bedroom, with a bathroom and toilet off to the side. A small two-seater sofa sits in front of a tiny box-television diagonal from the double bed. It’s nice, and it’ll do just fine. I turn and lock the door, before dropping my backpack down and shrugging out of my hoodie.

I head straight for the shower. I don’t hurry it, I just enjoy the feeling of warmth that slides through my body as I stand under the misty spray. I finish up by washing my hair and shaving my legs with the complimentary items, and then I dig through my backpack and find some clean clothes. I am thankful in that moment that I purchased a good, waterproof backpack. It took me a good two months to save for, but it was more than worth it.

I find my brush and drag it through my hair before dropping down onto the sofa and sighing loudly. I need to find a way out of this mess. I believe Raide is still located in Los Angeles, and it’s not cheap to get there. He’s been next to impossible to track down, but the only leads I have are in L.A., so that’s where I need to get to.

I lift my fingers and rub my temples, massaging them to try and ease the throbbing behind my eyes. God, this can’t possibly go on forever. What could be on that USB that Axel wants so badly he’d kill my father for it? I don’t understand. I peer down at the bag, and I lean down, taking hold of it. I zip it open, and find the tiny device. I need to hide this. If I don’t, my life remains in danger. If someone catches me and I don’t have it, they’re likely to keep me alive.

I stare around the room. Maybe I could hide it here? In the roof, perhaps? I look up to the ceiling and glimpse a large hole that leads up into the roof. One they use for repairs. No, it’s too risky. What if someone went up there? I groan loudly, and drop back into the sofa.

That’s when I see it. From this angle, I can see a tiny device in my pack. I sit up quickly and lunge towards it, pulling the tiny silver circle out. It’s no bigger than a twenty-cent piece, in fact, it look remarkably similar.

I know what this is.

My blood runs cold.

It’s a tracker.

I leap to my feet, letting my eyes dart around frantically. All along, Axel was baiting me. That’s why he didn’t just throw himself on me and tackle me to the ground; he wanted to track me. He’s smarter than I thought, and the hunt is getting a whole lot more interesting now.

I need to hide this USB. Having it on me is getting more dangerous. I stare around the room. Maybe I can leave it here? I can’t see any hiding places, until I look up at the hole in the roof again. It looks like it’s going to be my only choice. No one would look there, and it would be safe until I could make a decision about my next step.

I take hold of the sofa, and drag it directly underneath the hole, then I climb on top of it. I wobble a little, but manage to get my footing by reaching up and gripping the handle on the large hole. I tug once, and it doesn’t budge. Come on. I pull hard four times, and finally I hear a creak. Another few pulls later and it swings open. Dust fills my eyes, and I cough and splutter, waving my hand around. I guess people don’t go up there that often.

When the dust has cleared, I reach up and I pop the USB into the large space. It’s warm up there, the heat from the roof trapping itself. I move my hand to the left, and make sure it’s set on the wood of the roof and won’t fall, then I shove the door closed and lower myself down. I hope I’ve made the right choice. Until I can find Raide, I think this is my only option. I can’t be carrying that USB around. If Axel gets hold of me now, he might not hurt me since I don’t have what he wants.

Someone knocks on my door.

I stiffen, and turn, facing it. Has he found me? I swallow, and tilt my head to the side, peering at the windows. They’re not big enough to get out of, and they’re locked. The front door is it. Another knock sounds out. If it were Axel, he’d be yelling at me...wouldn’t he? He never comes unannounced. He’s always loud and boisterous. I can’t risk it, though, not after that tracker. I stare at the window again. Maybe I can get a look.

I tiptoe over, and lower myself to the ground, crawling the remainder of the way. I gently lift the curtain, and I peer out. There he is: Axel, and about ten bikers. My heart leaps into my throat. Shit. Fuck. How the hell am I going to get away? If he knows I’m in here, he won’t let me go. They’re probably surrounding the entire building. I frantically turn and crawl back to the sofa, taking hold of my my pack.

“I know you’re in there, Cricket. The nice lady at reception told me so. Open the fuckin’ door, I’m not playin’ anymore.”

I feel myself begin to shake. There’s no escape. Not here. I can’t. I close my eyes. Think, Meadow. Think. Then I look up at the roof. If I’m quiet enough, I can get in there. I gently crawl over, and climb onto the sofa. I stare at my pack, realizing it’s better to leave it down here. Axel will think I’ve gone out. He will take it, thinking the USB is in there. I dig through and take my cell, and my purse - the rest I leave.