Chapter 2: Lottie

Holy shit is all I can think as I stare at myself in the mirror. My long blonde strands that have been my signature look for years are gone. My hair is short, not even brushing the tops of my shoulders with a soft wave, and I feel a million pounds lighter. The long strands of evidence of the hair massacre have been swept up and bagged, leaving no proof of a crime, and I'm dressed in the pale blue and white uniform shirt of the treatment team that showed up two hours ago.

I'll fit right in with the small group of women. They brought along girls who looked similar to me in height or hair color so that I could blend in with the group. No one will look twice when I leave with them. All I have to do is keep my eyes and face averted, and Luna will do the rest.

I can't bring much with me since that would be suspicious, an esthetician rolling out a massive suitcase that they didn't have when they arrived. So, I can only pack a small rolling suitcase that'll blend in with the other rolling cases of products they brought.

Because of that, I had to leave a lot behind. Maybe I can get it back in the future, like my vinyl record collection, custom-built guitars, and my father's guitar, which is my most priceless possession. I've only packed the necessities that would be too difficult to get in the small town like my favorite broken-in shoes, bras that fit just right, and professionally curated hair products, which will now last a lot longer with the lack of hair I'll have to deal with. Not to mention the amount of cash I have in my bag. Cash is untraceable, and I was told most of the businesses in Snowberry are cash-based.

"Are you ready?" Luna enters the bathroom and watches me through the reflection in the mirror.

"So ready I could barely sleep last night."

"Good. You have your plan, the map, and cash. Do you remember where to go and how to avoid being seen? What to say when someone recognizes you?"

"Yes. Keep my head down, don't talk to anyone if I don't have to, and if they recognize me, play it off like I'm a common girl who happens to look like a celebrity and get it all the time. I'm going to cross over to Caesars Palace, pick up a cab from the taxi line, and take it to the used car dealership. I'll pick something simple to blend in and then drive."

Luna nods approvingly. She wouldn't be as approving if she knew I also planned to make a little detour to the Caesar forum shops before catching that taxi. But I have to get more clothes than the few I packed, and I doubt there will be many places to get good-quality pieces in Snowberry.

I can't help it; I grew accustomed to wearing name-brand clothing over the years. I can't stand cheap materials and ill-fitting designs. I'll keep it basic, nothing flashy. Swear. Okay, maybe there'll be a few colorful dresses, but no red carpet-looks. I won't need those anymore. Definitely multiple pairs of jeans.

"Alright, let's get you out of here."

Luna leads me into the living room, where the five other women stand waiting patiently. I don't know how she convinced this many people to keep my secret. They must know who I am with all the security and secrecy, not to mention, ya know, my face and all. Since they were tasked with making me not look like me.

The other women position themselves in a group around me, sandwiching me between them so I blend in with the bland uniforms and cases. I grip my small, rolling suitcase at my side and take in a deep breath.

"Now remember, call me when you buy a new phone. Prepaid from a random stop-n-shop. No major chain stores and no long-term phone plans. Out of the box only," she clarifies. We've been over this already, but I don't argue and listen dutifully.

"I will. Thank you again, Luna. I'll update you and let you know if or when I'll return. All the emails are scheduled to be sent out tomorrow night, so no one should freak out until then. I'd advise you to be far away from my mother around that time."

I chuckle and try to smile, but I'm so nervous someone will stop me from leaving that it falls as fast as it arrives. They have no right to stop me. I'm an adult who can make choices for myself, but I know they would try. It's their job.

Stepping out from the protective camouflage circle, I wrap my arms around Luna as tightly as I can. I'm going to miss her and her stern looks. I don't expect her to return the hug, but she wraps an arm around my shoulders and squeezes.

"You'll be fine, Lottie, I promise. My friends will look out for you, and if you need anything, you let me know. I'll try to keep your mom in line while you're gone."

"Good luck. I haven't been able to do that in years; I don't know how you'll be able to accomplish it in days," I snort, releasing her from my death grip.

"Oh, I have my ways." She gives me a conspiratorial wink, and I believe she does have her ways.

"Just don't kill her, okay? I like you too much to see you imprisoned."

"You got it, kid."

I take my place again in the middle of the group and brush my hair over my cheeks, concealing my face as best I can without looking suspicious.

"Alright, ladies, you know what to do."

They huddle closer but not too close, and we all step as one towards the door. My heart races in my chest, beating erratically. This is it. I'm leaving. Finally. I can't believe it. My palms are sweaty, my knees are weak, and I feel like I'm about to bust out into an Eminem rap.

"Here."

One of the women with blonde hair a shade darker than mine but the same length hands me a disposable face mask.

"You look a little nervous. Wear this to conceal your face; no one questions it when someone wears one anymore. It'll help."

"Thanks."

I take the mask and eagerly tuck the elastic bands around my ears. I hate wearing these things and hated them even more when we were forced to during the pandemic, but I'm now happy about it. I'm happy that no one will look at me weird for walking around wearing one—at least until I get out of the hotel and across the street. Maybe I'll wait until I'm out of town, just in case.

Luna opens the double doors to the suite, and we all file out together. The guards posted on the outside of the doors side-eye our group and watch as we pass. Luna steps between our group and the head guard diverting his attention so he doesn't notice the one additional person in our party.

"Alexandria wants privacy for the next few days, so no one will be in or out except me. I'll be staying with her the entire time and will update you if anything is needed."

I send a silent thank you to Luna and keep moving forward with the group. The guards don't stop us. Why would they? They're there to keep people out, not in. Well, except for me.

We make our way to the elevator, waiting for only a few moments before one arrives. We then make our way down to the casino floor, where the others split off and head towards the parking garage, and I head towards the street exit that'll lead me to the bridge walkway to Caesars Palace.

I leave the mask on but unbutton the uniform shirt and shove it in a trash can once I get outside. Leaving me in a pair of black leggings and a plain white T-shirt.

The Forum Shops are on the opposite side of the casino, so I'll have to cross through the floor first. No one even looks twice at me. Just another body in the masses. They're all wrapped up in their own little worlds, gambling, drinking, partying. Jesus Christ, it's not even noon, and half the people in here are already drunk or still drunk from the night before.

It's been so long since I've been out in public without an entourage or screaming fans that it's a bit surreal. Just being another face in the crowd. It's like breathing fresh air after being trapped inside a smoke-filled room.

I make it to the shops without incident, and it feels like a bloody miracle. So, I quickly make my way through the shops, first into Louis Vuitton to pick up a suitcase—black, of course, to blend in—plus a new purse. What? A girl needs a purse. It's useful and practical.

After I have my luggage, I fill it with items from the shops, getting a few pairs of jeans for the first time since I was fifteen. I try not to spend too much time in each shop not wanting to linger in this city but wanting to get what I need. Once my two suitcases are full, along with a small weekend bag, I make my way to the taxi stand at the front of the hotel and head out of the city. By this time tomorrow, I'll be so far away and untraceable that no one but Luna can find me.

Perfect.