9. Of Course, I Know I'm Insane For Doing This

                                    

                                          
Chapter 9
                          
Of Course, I Know I’m Insane For Doing This
                          
 
                          
 
                          
There were no second thoughts as I jumped up and grabbed one of my backpacks, throwing in a few t-shirts, shorts, and my still unpacked toiletry bag, knowing I wouldn’t need anything else for a trip to Rio.  I then stripped out of my pajamas and changed into a white t-shirt and jean shorts, slipping on my Converse as I picked up my backpack, the journal, and plane ticket.  Before I left my room, I got my car keys, phone, and my wallet with a little cash, credit cards, ID, and my passport, stuffing them the side pocket of my backpack.  I was running out of my room not five minutes later.
                          
I knew everyone would call me insane, but I did want answers from Drake.  After reading Lorraine Ellis’ journal, I needed them.
                          
I raced down the steps, passing Amy, who asked me where I was off to, but I didn’t answer.  Practically sprinting for the garage, I jumped into my car, backing out before the door was even open, and drove down the driveway. 
                          
Maybe I was going twice the speed limit as I drove down my suburban road toward the interstate.  Maybe I was going thirty miles over as I swerved in and out of traffic, hoping that no cops were on the hunt for speeders like me. 
                          
I made it to the airport two hours before the flight to Rio left.  After finding a spot in the parking deck, I ran inside, my backpack hitting my back with every step. 
                          
For not sleeping in almost forty-eight hours, I was running on pure adrenaline.  No doubt I would crash as soon.  No private jet for me this time.  At least Drake somehow got me in first class, though.
                          
By the time I checked in, made it through security, and made it to my gate with half an hour to spare, I was out of breath, my heart beating so hard in my chest I was sure it would stop all together.
                          
Just as I pulled my backpack into my lap, my phone started ringing from inside.  Sighing, I wondered who noticed I was gone first. 
                          
Emmy, apparently, but I doubted she did.
                          
“Hey,” I answered, still out of breath. 
                          
“Hey, babe.  Just wanted to see if you got home all right last night.  I would have called earlier, but we’ve been getting the last of the boxes shipped out.”
                          
“So it’s official, Dr. Emmy Raymond?  You guys are back to England?”
                          
“Almost.  We’ve still got to meet with the buyer and realtors to close on the place.  That’s in two days, so we’re literally here with nothing in the house except for a few blankets and pillows,” she said, and then snorted.  “John says we’re going to camp out…and it’s payback for making him sleep on the floor when I’m mad at him.”
                          
I snorted, rolling my eyes.  “You guys are so weird.”
                          
“Never said we weren’t,” she laughed.  “So what are you doing right now?  You don’t sound like you’re at home.”
                          
My eyes swept over the dozens of people at the gate and then to the windows that opened to the runways.  The sun was about to set, the last rays of light shining through the panes. 
                          
“Um…I’m not at home, actually,” I said.  “I’m sort of…going on a trip.”
                          
“A trip, huh?”
                          
“Yeah?”
                          
“And what kind of trip would this be, Hattie?  What’s going on?”
                          
“There are some things I haven’t told you that happened since Drake came to Atlanta.”