Morning came, as it does. The world doesn't just stop spinning, certainly not for me. I got to my feet, doing my morning routine. I am on my way out the door to get to work, without allowing myself to get distracted. As soon as I open the door I am greeted by Ambrose? Shocked, I came to an abrupt stop to avoid running into him as he had his hand raised mid knock. We were both shocked at the abrupt appearance of one another. "Ambrose!" I gasped, half-laughing, half-terrified, heart doing acrobatics. "Hi! Uh…" My eyes going back and forth looking him over. "What's going on? Is everything alright?"
I could tell that he was just as surprised as I based on the look on his face, and the way his breath had quickened. "No, I'm fine." He said, right hand to his chest in an attempt to slow his heartrate. "Do you always open your door so violently? You could give an old man a heart attack." He was also laughing nervously.
To this point I had been standing in the door frame. I stepped out into the hall closing the door behind me before continuing. "Maybe if old men wouldn't be standing right behind the door of my room, they wouldn't have to worry about possibly being scared to death." I said with a giggle.
At this Ambrose chuckled a little, just as quickly, a look of dread washed over his face. "Actually Anna, there is a reason I came by so early. We need to talk. May I come in?"
Seeing his face shift so quickly told me there was something very wrong. "Oh. Yeah.. Sure…"
My hand hadn't left the doorknob, a simple twist and the door was open again. I pushed it open all the way and stepped aside so he had plenty of room to get past me. I followed close behind him pulling the door closed behind me once more.
My room was just that. A living space. A small room on the second floor of the local inn. I have a single bed, a dresser, nightstand, and a small couch in the corner of the room next to the window, which was covered by exterior shutters, interior, fine sheer curtains. So old they were hardly there anymore. This is the reason I never open my shutters. Being on the second floor it wasn't likely that anyone would see much. But I didn't want to take the chance. But this was all just a distraction. He had taken a seat on the couch by the window.
"Long story short Anna… You need to go." He said in a somber tone.
Slowly, and with a look of complete confusion on my face, I sat on the edge of my bed across from him. I shook my head. "What? What do you mean Ambrose?"
Frustration and worry took him over as he rubbed his eyes. "I can't tell you everything Anna. But Crowe's got some devious plans made, and they center around you, starting with you being fired. So, pack up your things and you will leave tonight. I have money to pay your way."
He was going to continue, but I cut him off. I had questions I had a feeling he wasn't going to answer. "Wait- Wait just one minute… You're firing me?... I mean, he is making you fire me?"
He nodded.
"But, he knows that I need to work to make the rest of the money I need." I said, the room was suddenly spinning, and I felt like the world was crashing down around me.
"I expect that's part of his plan girl."
I shook my head, somehow in disbelief. "But… We had a deal."
This time It was Ambrose's turn to be in disbelief. "And exactly what makes you think that a deal means a damn thing to someone like him?" It was then that he pulled a small hunk of cash from his pocket. He handed it to me. "It's not enough to pay off the rest of your debt, but it should definitely be enough to get you out of Crowes reach. Take this. Run. Go into hiding. Get to safety. Even when you think you are safe don't reach out to me. No contact from here on out girl. If anything happens to you then all of my sacrifice over these last three years will be for nothing.
Reluctantly, I took the money from him. "What will happen to you Ambrose? He is going to know that you warned me. He is going to know you helped me to escape."
"Don't worry about me Anna, I have my own plan. Were both going to escape this situation, I promise."
In silence, I nodded. But there was lingering doubt. I just had to trust that Ambrose was going to do what was best for both of us.
"Good, I can't stay any longer." With that he placed a stage coach ticket in my hand. "This is for the last coach out of here. It will leave at 11. Be at the station under cover then." With that he stood and started for the door. "I love you Anna. I have always been proud of you. Don't let me down…"
I nodded. "I love you too Ambrose… I'll make it. I promise."
He got up and went over to the door, I followed, opening the door for him and allowing him to leave. I had a feeling it was going to be extra cold tonight. He left, and I closed and locked the door behind him. It looked like my next chapter was about to begin.