Amaya's POV

We got back to the house in no time. Mami and I had my little sisters go into Lilia's room while we talked in her room.

Our decision was that we should get out of Freeridge for a while. Not for her or I but for the younger ones. My sisters deserved a chance to life without caution for once.

The entire rest of the day we packed our things taking just what we needed, the valuables, useful things.

I was used to picking up and leaving. I did that for the last few years, my sisters who only knew Freeridge and the surrounding areas didn't know how to do that. They were packing mainly clothing that you could wear in California, not thinking about if we were to head North.

Repacking they had a range of clothing. Lilia packed Katia's stuff in a small box. It wasn't like we were gonna leave without her.

As soon as night fell Mami and I started packing our cars.

Lilia was going to be with me and Sara was with Mami. 

We both decided that if we had to separate it would be best if Sara remain with her because of logistics and Lilia refused to leave me by myself again. I was fine on my own but felt better being with her.

Just was Mami shut the trunk of her car, a motorcycle and a lowrider came down our street.

Uncle Marc had his friends circling our house and saw us packing and called him. Uncle Marc called Sad Eyes to let him know. They both didn't believe we were leaving.

"Where are you going to go?" My Uncle asked.

"Best not to say anything. But AJ has her storage unit in Washington."

"But Abuela and Grandmama live in Florida so who knows."

"Will you call to tell us you're safe?"

"I don't know." Mami said.

"We'll think of some way to tell you. Its just we don't know where we'll end up until we get somewhere."

"What if someone follows you?" Sad Eyes asks.

"Sara's in my car and Lil is riding with AJ. We know how to handle this. Well AJ knows how to handle this."

"How?"

"I ran away from a batshit crazy gang leader. I can run away and not be found. Plus I have an old contact that can help us."

"Ricky? You found Ricky?" My Uncle asks shocking the rest of them.

"I can't say. But he can get us to somewhere safe."

"You have your passports or do you need a contact?"

"We're good."

"AJ can I talk to you?" Sad Eyes asks me.

I nod and follow him down the driveway.

"Do you think its smart to just vanish? What happens when Spooky comes back?"

"Tell him that its not safe for us right now. We're not leaving for me, we're leaving to give my sisters a life without gangs and shootings. It what's best for right now, I can't make that decision for the future."

"But what if I know where Spooky is? Will you stay?"

"He's at a trap house. Just a guess."

"You're too smart to be out of the game. Yes he's at a trap house. I just don't know how to get him. Since you offed Darius I don't know how much security there is."

"Well if I were you I'd move now before people start getting released from jail. And its most likely the same trap house that Cesar was in. Just go get him to tell you where it is."

"Ugh I forgot about Lil Spooky. He's been taking over more duty. He said he wanted out but someone who's out wouldn't be picking up our drops."

"You need to talk to him. Cesar also deserves to get out of here. Hell Sad Eyes you deserve to get out of here."

"Ahhh Apple Jacks you getting soft on me now?"

"No and its Cazadora. Hey I need to ask you a question."

"Go for it, Cazadora."

I rolled my eyes. "Do you think Lupe is being shady?"

"You saw that too? I thought it was just me. Hyna been acting weird, ignoring Frankie plus disappeared for a while after your incident with Darius."

"Do you think? No... I'm being fucking stupid."

"Yes I think that she's dropping intel on you for someone. Lupe has always been shady and it was time everyone knew it. But we're off track. I don't think you should leave."

"Why not?"

"Because we need you to take care of Cesar and get Oscar back. They're my brothers, our familia. Do you need me to remind you of that?"

"No but I need you to talk to her. She won't leave me behind."

"We are going to get Oscar back tomorrow. I'll make the plan, you just need to show up."

"Fine. But by tomorrow we're on the road. Lil Ricky is expecting us."

"I can't believe you found him. Is he as scary as everyone says?"

"No. He's a sweet old man now. Goes to church everyday, takes care of old people, serves the community he's in. He's not the Santo leader you all thought he was."

"Wow. That's bonkers."

"Alright we gotta go to bed. AJ! Inside."

"I'll talk to her." I say to Sad Eyes as I run inside.

From the front door we watch the two of them talk and then leave our street.

"We're not sleeping are we?"

"No." I retort.

"What did Sad Eyes want?"

"We're going to save Oscar tomorrow. Then we're leaving."

"Do you know where he is? Oscar's not gonna change your mind right?"

"I have an idea of where he is and no he's not gonna change my mind. Its time for a new change for our family."

"Okay. Do you have an idea of where you wanna go?"

"Abuela and Grandmama live in Florida. We should make our way there but slowly. All of us have to leave our phones here. We can be tracked that way, better not to be traced. I think we head North to Utah then Wyoming by the end of the week. "

"But why not go to Seattle?"

"I don't have anyone who would be willing to help us. Plus you guys aren't used to the winter that Seattle has. We can send a postcard from Wyoming to Marc just as we're leaving."

"Okay I'm fine with that. Where else do you have us going?" 

"I have a friend that's in Chicago next week. While meet up and she'll take my car since its Papi's. We're going to have to sell your car when we hit Kentucky or Tennessee. Hope you're cool with that."

"Yeah my car probably has a tracker on it."

"Its new, GM started installing them some time ago."

"I'm going to call the place where we ordered the dresses for the quince and have them get delivered to my friend that's taking my car. She's gonna meet us in about a month in Alabama."

"Oh my God! What are you gonna do about Mario's wedding!?"

"There's more important things than being in a wedding. You should get some rest. You're gonna take the lead out of here tomorrow. Sad Eyes will most likely have us getting Oscar right as the Sun is coming up. Lilia can ride with you until I meet up."

"Where are we meeting up?"

"I'll call you when we're done but go as far away as possible. Go to Vegas if I haven't called. If you reach that and I haven't called, call me, if I don't answer keep going. Go straight to Florida, Lil Ricky is staying with Abuela. He'll help you out."

"Great talk. I'm freaked out. I know I shouldn't so Imma going to go shower, you should do the same after me. Oh and AJ?"

"Yeah?"

"The shotgun is in my closet. You're gonna need it."

"Thanks Mami. I love you."

"Don't do that. Don't act like this is it. It's not. And Oscar's not dead, I just feel it in my bones."

"Me too." I started walking away but she stopped me.

"Amaya! One more question."

"What?"

"You have your memories, don't you?"

"Yeah, I've had them for a while now."

"Protecting your heart doesn't mean it won't break. Tell him before we leave. It will kill him if he thinks you don't know him."

"What good is that going to do?"

"Who knows? But maybe it'll be better than just good. Maybe it'll change both of your lives."

"Sure Mami. Go shower. I'll make us some food for the road."

"AJ? If you're gonna be La Cazadora put the jacket back on. You look like Foxy Brown."

"That's weird mom! But I'll be Cazadora. That crazy bitch trained me just for this reason."

"What's that mean?"

"To kill rather than be killed."

Hey all! I have a timeline that this book is on its a 2019-2020 plan. If I get this book into later 2020 I'm not gonna be including anything about Coronavirus (COVID-19). Just a heads up if the characters are up moving around outside. I don't want to hear 'but we're quarantined and inside why isn't it in the book' it's fictional. I'm just saying.