Page 12 of River Wild

The day I did that was one of the scariest I’d had, and I’d spent the last seven years being afraid. I was terrified that he was going to find me out, and that would be it for the baby and me.

But he didn’t, and this is happening. I’m going to get the money and get out of here, and everything is going to be okay.

A fear hits me.

What if the money’s gone? What if he took it out for some reason?

I guess there’s only one way to find out.

Well, either way, I’m still going. I’m not spending another day here with him. I’ll just have to figure something else out.

Holding my breath, I unlock the safe.

And exhale.

The money is still here.

I don’t know exactly how much money is in here. Hundreds of thousands, I would guess.

All I need is enough to get me out of here and pay my rent until I can get a job, which I worked out to be about six thousand. I know I’ll probably have to pay at least six months rent up-front because I won’t have a reference to give them.

But … what if no one will hire me because I’m pregnant? What if I run out of money, no one will give me a job, and I can’t pay my rent?

God.

I hate myself for what I’m considering doing. I take a deep breath, holding it in.

It’s not like you aren’t owed, Annie.

I know. But I didn’t want it to be like this. I wanted to be able to take care of the baby myself. Earn my own money.

And you will, but right now, you need money, no matter where it comes from.

I let out the breath I was holding and take ten thousand from the safe.

I’ll donate whatever I don’t use to a women’s shelter.

I shut the safe door, locking it. Put the folders back in front and close the desk door.

I carry the duffel out to the hallway, putting it down. I get my jacket from the coat closet and slip it on. I pick the duffel bag back up and hang the long strap over my shoulder.

My cell is still on the bedside table. It can stay there. I won’t need it anymore. If I took it with me, Neil would put a trace on it to find me.

I walk out the front door, leaving Annie Coombs behind, and become Carrie Ford.