If You Run

The message sat undelivered, idle and useless. It was the sixteenth in a string of increasingly panicked texts, each one questioning Fali’s whereabouts.

Mele stared at her screen, the seventeenth message written but unsent: Please, don’t leave me like this.

She knew deep down it would sit there like the others - another line of data drifting through the infinite void of cyberspace.

She didn’t understand. What had happened?

Her thoughts spun out of control. It took a long drink of lukewarm coffee just to bring her back. She immediately deleted the message, her fingers moving faster than her thoughts, scrolling through contacts until she found her manager’s number.

The phone buzzed as it tried to connect, and then the manager’s cheerful voice came through the speakers.

“Ah! Mele! Cancelling your sabbatical already?”

She wanted to growl, but she kept her tone level.
“No. I need your help.”

“Well, sure! Anything after all the positive publicity you’ve brought us, even if you claim you’re not dating the Airborne Warrior!”

Mele exhaled sharply, forcing her words through clenched teeth.
“I need to find someone.”

She could hear the grin in his voice.
“Ah, I know exactly what you want.”

“Have you been keeping tabs on him?”

The manager’s tone was maddeningly casual.
“Well, of course. We keep track of everyone who’s had a major positive impact on your public image.”

Her fist tightened. Did Fali know he was being watched?

“Okay. So where is he?”

“Out in the wops, a little country town. He’s bought an aircraft there and seems to be settling down for now.”

Suddenly, it made sense. Of course. That must be why he wasn’t answering - he was too far out for reliable signal. Maybe there wasn’t any satellite coverage at all, only landlines and patchy email.

But why hadn’t he told her?

Did he not like her?

Did he really want to disappear from it all, just like she’d told him she wanted to?

Her mind whirled. If that was true, would showing up like this make him hate her? She didn’t know.

But she was determined - and nothing was going to stop her.

She hissed into the phone’s mic, voice sharp with pent-up tension.
“Good. I’m going out to meet him. Send me the details, and once I leave, I forbid you from tracking either of us. Got it?”

Something clicked in the manager’s head; she could almost hear the mock salute.
“Yes, ma’am!”

She hung up before he could say anything else and sighed, though her thoughts were already miles ahead.

She wanted to leave immediately.

Her next movements were automatic - packing her bags, tidying the hotel room until it was spotless. It was something she took pride in. People always assumed she’d leave a mess because of her fame, but she liked leaving things better than she found them.

It wasn’t easy - they always gave her the best rooms, immaculately prepared before she arrived - but she tried anyway. It kept her hands busy, her mind from spiraling.

Time passed quickly. Every thought was another possible scenario: Desperate or laid-back? Needy or calm? Friendly or hurt?

By the time she was finished, her nerves were steel-wired and humming. She gave the room one last glance, confirmed the address the manager had sent, and typed out one final message to Fali.

I’m on my way.

The poor taxi driver, overwhelmed with excitement at having none other than the Reaper’s Songstress herself sitting in the back seat, obeyed instantly when Mele gave him the address.

He didn’t care that it was a two-hour drive, or that he wouldn’t be home in time for dinner with his wife and kids. All he cared about was the fame shimmering faintly in his rear-view mirror.

Maybe, he thought, maybe I’ll get some recognition for this.

Of course, he had no idea that the Songstress was travelling under strict orders to remain untracked - and that his only reward would be a polite smile and a soft thank you.

But for him, that was enough.

When he dropped her off outside a small house half an hour from the nearest supermarket, he left gleeful, already rehearsing the story he’d tell his friends. He didn't know about the email that would arrive in his inbox moments later - the one that would quietly end his bragging rights for good.

Mele stood at the roadside, watching the taxi disappear down the empty stretch of road. Then she turned to face the house.

It was small and cottage-like, a narrow gravel driveway leading up to a tidy verandah. But the driveway was empty. Her heart sank. Was she in the wrong place?

She forced the doubt away and walked up the short, inclined path to the front door.

She knocked - softly at first.

Nothing.

She knocked again, louder this time.

Still nothing.

Panic began to creep in. Had she come to the wrong address? Or was he simply out?

The marks in the gravel looked fresh. That gave her hope.

She slumped gently against the door, setting her guitar case beside her and her two bags neatly by the porch steps. If she had to wait, she’d wait.

Ten minutes later, the familiar hum of a small white car reached her ears. She straightened immediately, brushing herself down and tucking her hair behind her ear.

The car turned into the driveway, gravel crunching beneath the tires. The engine cut. The door opened.

Fali climbed out, his expression a mix of shock and confusion.
“Mele? What are you doing here?”

She smiled, trying not to show that she’d been on the verge of panic moments ago.
“I came to see you. Like I promised.”

He locked the car and walked toward her, still staring.
“You came all this way? It’s a two-hour drive. How did you even find me?”

She pressed a finger to her lips.
“Secret.”

Her giggle was soft but quickly faded.
“Um… I’m sorry. I’m kind of invading your privacy.”

He shook his head immediately.
“No no, you’re fine. It’s nice to see a friendly face. Come inside, it’s getting dark.”

And so it was. The sun was sinking low, painting the hills in shades of gold and shadow. The air had a hint of chill to it.

Fali unlocked the front door and pushed it open, stepping aside with a mock bow.
“After you, ma’am.”

Mele stifled a laugh and gave a dramatic curtsy.
“Why, thank you.”

She stepped inside, carrying her guitar case and one suitcase, while Fali followed with the other.

The house was cozy. A short hallway led into a main dining area, the kitchen just off to the right. A sliding glass door opened onto a small deck that overlooked rolling hills and farmland dotted with white sheep. Warm air filled the space, though Fali switched on the heater anyway as they entered.

To the left, a snug living area held a two-seater couch facing a wall-mounted television. Two doors led off from it - bedrooms. Mele noticed and fought back a small flicker of disappointment before smiling.

“This is a pretty little place,” she said.

Fali set the suitcase down and dropped his keys on the counter.
“Yeah. It was a good price, too.”

“Did you buy it?”

He shook his head.
“Oh, no. Just renting. I bought the plane instead, couldn’t afford both. Well, I could, but my job doesn’t pay enough to maintain both. This is just temporary until I find a better job.”

“Ah, right. Any ideas?”

He shrugged.
“A few. But I’m focusing on flying right now.”

Her face brightened instantly.
“So you didn’t have any trouble getting back in the air?”

He smiled.
“None. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

“You’ll take me up, right?”

“Of course.”

He tilted his head.
“What about you? What’s your plan?”

Her confidence faltered. She twisted one heel against the floor, searching for words.
“Uh… I don’t exactly have one…”

“You came all this way just hoping I wouldn’t turn you away?”

She nodded shyly.
“Yeah…”

He chuckled softly.
“Well, I don’t mind. You can stay here as long as you like, at least until I move out.”

Her face lit up, her smile so bright it made him want to squint.