Rectify

Eva tossed her keys into the ceramic bowl near the door along with her hospital badge. Pulling her hair tie from her messy bun, her long black waves cascaded in a chaotic mess down her back. She slipped off her teal scrub top and tossed it into the chair beside her bed just before she flopped face first onto her comforter. Her twelve hour shift had turned into a sixteen after her floor came up short staffed, again. She kicked her shoes off before crawling up to her pillow, cuddling it close. She didn't even have to try to get her mind to shut off. Blissful sleep overtook her immediately....

And then her phone rang.

She would've ignored it but the damn thing was vibrating against her leg, still inside her scrub pants pocket. With a dramatic groan she dug it out. She was about to silence it and throw it on her nightstand when a name flashed on her screen that she hadn't seen in awhile.

Ethan

The last time she'd spoken to her twin brother was 8 months ago on their birthday. It had been a five minute call.

She cleared her throat, hopefully from evident exhaustion and pressed answer, "Hello?"

"Where are you right now?"

"In bed. I just got off shift," She replied, miffed he hadn't bothered with pleasantries.

"Get up. Now."

The urgency in his tone made her sit up instantly, "Ethan what's--"

"Do you have a go bag?"

"Tell me what's going on!" She said firmly.

"Go bag, Eva, do you have one?"

Of course she did. It had only been ingrained in her by their father since she was old enough to pack a suitcase on her own. She eyed the messy closet where she knew the go bag was buried in, "Of course I do."

"Grab it and be at the airport in 30 minutes."

Her heart skipped a beat, "What? Ethan that's ridiculous! I'm exhausted! I need to sleep!"

"Damn it Evangeline! Fucking listen to me!"

Ethan never called her by her full name, nor did he raise his voice to her. He had her full attention now.

"Ok," she squeaked. "Getting the bag now."

"Good. Sending you the flight itinerary now. Call me immediately if something seems off, you hear me?"

"Off? Off how Ethan?" She shrieked nervously as she tossed clothes to get to the go bag in the back of her closet.

"They know where you are, Eva. The Albanians. You'll know if you see one of them. If you do, call me."

Eva struggled to catch her breath. The Albanians were known for being merciless, especially to women. She had been told nightmares of their atrocities since she was a child. She slipped her shoes back on, slinging the duffel bag over her shoulder.

"Breathe Eva," Ethan said gently. "I love you. I'll see you soon."

"Ok. Love you," Eva hung up and practically ran out of her apartment. She struggled to get the key into the lock of her apartment door she was so rattled. She opted for the stairs instead of the elevator, not wanting to risk being stuck inside a moving box with a known human trafficker.

The bright morning sun greeted her strained eyes as she rushed to flag down a taxi, "LAX," she instructed her driver.

Eva pulled her phone out and fired a text to her brother telling him she was in the cab. Then she pulled up her itinerary. Ethan hadn't been joking when he'd said she had 30 minutes to get there. She'd be lucky to reach her gate in time for departure.

Inside the bustling airport, she beelined for the concierge. She hadn't used any of her father's connections since leaving six years ago but today she was grateful for it. Flashing her mobile ticket and passport at the employee she averted her eyes from the heated stares of judgement from those passengers stuck in horrendous lines, complete with wailing children and the strain of ill prepared fellow travelers.

"Miss Rovina, right this way. We've been expecting you."

"Thank you," Eva replied, as the concierge offered to take her bag.

Eva fidgeted anxiously as her bag passed through security. She scanned the mass of people nearby, debating if she had time for a bathroom break. She was about to ask the employee who she noticed was named Paul, thanks to his shiny gold badge, when she made eye contact with a man that looked like he just stepped out of a crime movie.

While in a well pressed, daper suit, the well groomed man did not seem dangerous. His double headed serpent tattoo on his neck, did. Eva watched as he pressed his phone to his ear and disappeared into the crowd.

Diverting her eyes to Paul she almost missed her bag being checked, "I'd like to keep my bag with me, thank you," she said quickly.

"Oh, ok," Paul said nervously. "Right this way Miss Rovina. Pre board just started."

Eva stuck to Paul like glue as he escorted her across the jet bridge. Glancing over her shoulder, she didn't see the man with the tattoo. Thanking Paul for his help in safely escorting her to her seat in first class, Eva breathed a sigh of relief. As she turned to take her seat, she heard an unmistakable accent. She peered over her shoulder to see a different man already seated a few rows back. He eyed her over the rim of his glass as he downed his liquor, his serpent tattoo peeking out from the collar of his crisp shirt.

Eva sank into her chair and pulled out her phone, One was in airport, one on plane few rows back, she texted Ethan. She watched the three dots dance as her brother immediately replied.

Shit. Deboard at Chicago as quick as you can. Sending our best to come pick you up.

Eva felt her blood pressure sky rocket, I thought the best was you!

Correct. Second best. But don't tell him I said that. Reece won't let me hear the end of it.

Eva's fingers froze over her screen as she stared at the name in her brother's text, Reece is back?

You've been away a long time. You two aren't teenagers anymore, Eva. Your shit was a long time ago.

Eva felt her cheeks blush just thinking about Reece and her heart raced for a completely different reason, There isn't anyone else you can send?

Sure... If you want me to tell Reece you don't want to see him, I'll do that. Just say the word.

Eva silently cursed her brother, the manipulative asshole, NVM! How will I find him??

He'll find you.

Eva locked her screen and rubbed her face with her hands. Of all the things she expected to do today, running for her life and facing her ex boyfriend were not on the list. But Reece was more than just an ex. He had been her best friend growing up. Her confidant. The missing piece to her heart that she'd been left with due to no one's fault but her own.

"Champagne?" The bubbly flight attendant asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She knew it wasn't wise to indulge in alcohol at a time like this, but she needed the liquid courage knowing she would see Reece in a few short hours. After downing the expensive champagne, she leaned back in her seat. She watched through the window as the city that had become her home, disappeared as she rose into the clouds wondering when she would see it again.