Page 15 of Shadowing You

“Where is she?” the angry man asked.

“I haven’t seen her since last night.”

Mei Lin appreciated the man’s careful answer—not a lie, though definitely meant to deceive.

She stepped into the hall, but her foot bumped into something.

A canvas duffel had been placed right outside her door, a folded note tucked under the handle. She crouched and read it in the thin light.

For you. The rest is outside. Be safe.

She unzipped the bag and found a yellow jacket, a yellow helmet, and black pants. A food delivery company’s logo was emblazoned across the chest in bold characters. The uniform was complete, down to a black face mask folded neatly at the bottom.

God sees you. He knows what you need.

Somehow, the pastor had known too.

She vacillated. Change into the uniform first, or run?

Change.

She ducked back into the room, pulled on the garish uniform, including the mask and helmet, and then stuffed her clothes and the water bottles into the duffel bag.

Hearing only distant voices, she moved into the hallway and away from the sanctuary. There was a closed door at the end of the hall next to a narrow window. She pressed near the glass and looked into an alley, gray with early morning light.

She didn’t see anybody, but it was a small window.

Hide me, Lord.

Behind her, the voices grew louder.

She opened the door and peeked out, taking in the sight of a small courtyard with a raised flower garden in the center. A yellow scooter was propped against one side, an insulated delivery box strapped to the back. The logos on both matched the one on the jacket she wore.

That must be “the rest” the pastor had mentioned in his note.

Thank You.

She settled the helmet on her head and swung onto the seat. The key was snug in the keyhole, so she started the engine, kicked up the stand, and rolled into the alley, aiming away from the front of the church.

She immediately regretted that decision.

A man was standing on the sidewalk in front of her, his back to her as he scanned the road that intersected the alley. Though she couldn’t see his face, she guessed it was Lu Feng. If she didn’t change course, she would pass within a few feet of him.

Her stomach dropped through the seat of the scooter. Her every instinct screamed at her to brake, to turn, to do anything but continue straight toward him. But if he had more men at the other end of the alley, they’d have time to trap her. At least this way, she had a shot at escaping.

She pressed the throttle and held her speed and made herself breathe.

He turned as she approached, his eyes moving over her quickly. Her uniform made her irrelevant, just one of hordes of delivery drivers.

He looked away before she passed and turned onto the cross street.

She kept her pace even and her hands steady for one block, two, three. At the fourth corner, she turned, and then let herself exhale.

You rescued me again. Thank You.

But the uniform only solved one problem.

She considered the issue as she rode. The food the night before and the few hours of sleep had kicked her brain into gear.