Author's note: Sorry I haven't updated in a while, there was two ways the story could have gone and I was just deciding which way I wanted it to go. Thanks to those who have been reading, commenting and voting, I really really appreciate it and you don't know how much it means to me :) thank you again. And also, the next chapter might have some drama and I might upload again tonight so laters! The song on the side, inspired me of the setting of this chapter and kind of the content but just a tad bit :) anyways, enjoy this chapter!
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The bus driver announced we had arrived at Richmond, and again to those who are staying 'welcome' but those who are continuing their journey has to make a long transfer and the next drop off is at Memphis. There was a tug at my heart, because I knew that was where August was getting off and I would probably be friendless again. I had left my iPhone at home because I didn't want anyone tracking me to where I was going. I could probably get another new one later, with a new number. With my student pass I would probably be able to get a discount for it as well, I hoped.
"So, where are you going to go for the next six hours? Checking in to a motel or something?" I shrugged as I got my things.
"I don't know, I think I might... What about you?" August gave me a wary look before looking down.
"Uh, I got somewhere to go, but I mean I'll be back to board in six hours. I think you should check into the Lily motel, it's really close and it's not so bad either. Looks like you need a good rest champ" I nodded my head and smiled at him. Sure I liked August, but I liked him enough as a stranger. Obviously I did not trust him just yet. We had a great conversation on the bus and it was pretty eventful, we laughed quite a bunch that some lady at the back had to tell us to keep quiet. But that's what happen you know? When you've been so emotionally drained for the past three to five years of your life and then you meet someone that's like a bursting ball of sunlight you can't help but enjoy yourself and savor the moment. I gave August a smile and agreed.
"Yeah. I think I'll do that, where are you going? Meeting someone?" I wasn't paying attention to August as I was grabbing my belongings but his voice came out cautiously.
"I don't know, he's going to give me a call." August said as he whipped out his iPhone. He was actually very well equipped for his trip.
"Alright then, thanks for the awesome time on the bus. I'll see you later Auggie." I smiled and waved at him as I made my way to the information center. I couldn't help but not shake away the thought that he was up to something. August was loud and he wouldn't hesitate to answer any of my questions. The short ride in the bus proved that. He was a very open person, but then how come he was so quiet and disturbed just now? Maybe he was going to meet his family member and wasn't comfortable with them? Maybe he had a meeting with a client for his tattoo job and he was extra nervous? But August did say friend didn't he? And how did he know there was a motel close by? My thoughts were interrupted by a feminine voice.
"Hi, how can I help you?" I looked up at the red haired woman, dressed neatly in a suit waiting for my answer.
"Oh hello there, sorry I was uh- I mean, could I book into the Lily motel about now? Do you know if it might be full or anything?" The girl smiled at me and typed away on her computer before pursing her lips.
"Ah, I'm sorry, turns out the Lily motel is fully booked tonight. It's the nicest and cheapest afterall. There's a pageant going on so they've book it but there is the Ridge Inn. It's a little less comfortable but it's still cheap and sufficient for a one night stay, or for a sleep in. Does that sound good to you? If it does, I can make a call right now?" She said as she clicked things on her laptop. The gleam of the screens brightness shining on her face making her look surreal.
"Sure, if you could do that, it would be great. Thank you so much" The lady nodded and asked me to fill in a form and show me some I.D. after all the necessities were done she told me it was just protocol that I had to fill in forms and I just smiled and nodded, too tired to pay attention with everything going on at the moment.
"Alright, so I have just called the inn and there is a shuttle taking people there every ten minutes. The next one is coming in about-" She checked her wristwatch "-eight minutes so you have time to run over there now. I can hold onto the luggages that you don't need and I will assure you that they stay safe with your name on them. These are the forms you have to give to the hotel staff and after making a payment you will be given the key to your room for the night" I nodded the whole time during her explanation and took note of every word she said. I gave her my luggage and duffel bag as she put a sticker around the arm holes and opened the door to her small booth where she then safely stocked my things along with a few other people's. I took all the documents she gave me and thanked her countless times.
"It's no problem at all, now you have two minutes to get there and don't forget to pick up your luggage before you leave in a few hours." I smiled at her and nodded before running towards the shuttle bus station, my backpack flinging wildly behind me. I got to the bus stop in time and made my way in just as the doors closed behind me. I took a seat at the very front and my eyes were beginning to get droopy but I forced myself to stay awake as I took off my backpack and hugged it. The ride wasn't long, fifteen minutes tops and when we got to the inn, saying that I was glad was an understatement. I was tired, my butt was sore from sitting down so much and I wanted a bed to sleep on.
The receptionist smiled at me as I gave him all the papers the red-haired woman told him I had to. He looked through them for a second before typing and clicking on the old computer in front of him. I looked at the exterior of the hotel and saw that it was like a little wooden cabin. Chunks of wood were coming off the walls and the whole place seemed dusty, there was a grating fly door leading outback and steps of rusty stairs leading up.
"Okay Ms. Carson, we have your room ready. I'll show you to it, the pool is under renovation so I can't let you swim and because you seem like such a nice young girl I'm just going to warn you and say you should stay in your room lest you got a boyfriend around keeping you under check"
"Oh, okay, thank you for that. I won't be staying long, just a few hours of sleep and then I'm off." The man simply nodded before giving me a paper to fill out. I took the pen and wrote everything I needed to in a hurry, I didn't want to waste anymore of my longed for sleep time.
"Alright, can you give me $50 for the night and then I can show you your room" I unlocked my backpack discreetly before fishing out a $50 from my wallet. Cash of course, I know my goal was to save money but I had planned out that in a matter of these few days, in the matter of time I was running away and on the road. I'll have to use up some of my money to sleep and to eat. I am a survivor but a resourceful one. I know when and when to not use my money. I carefully slid the fifty dollar bill to the man and he took it and put it in a drawer before turning around and grabbing one of the keys from the walls.
"Kay ma'am, if you would just follow me. You ain't got no luggage do you?" I shook my head, no. He simply nodded and made his way to the fly door. I followed quickly behind him as he was walking at a fast pace. The fly door closed with a slam and I jumped almost a foot in the air. The old man gave a laugh and a blush made it's way onto my face. We passed the pool and now I understood why it was 'Under renovation' The water was murky red and there was black and yellow tape surrounding the area. I looked around of what was the recreation area and realized what my tired eyes had missed. Chairs and tables were turned over, glass was on the floor and the words on the tape read 'Do Not Cross'. It was just like a scene in a movie where some people got off the wrong foot or something. I gulped and concentrated on the ground.
"There was an accident last week, nothing out of the ordinary here but yeah, we're getting it fixed don't you worry now," I nodded my head as I followed him up a flight of rusty stairs, we only walked a little longer before he stopped in front of a green door. Room 232.
"Alright, here's your room. If you need anything press 1 on the phone and I'll be right on the other side" The man put the key in my upturned palm and walked away. I waited until I couldn't see him anymore before rushing into the room and bolting it lock. My eyes zeroed in on the white bed. It didn't seem too comfortable but right now I didn't care. There was a bed and I wanted to sleep. I slung my bag on a wooden chair before kicking off my shoes, I set the alarm clock on the bedside table to 5.00 A.M. Just enough time for me to get ready and to go back to the bus terminals. I sighed before delving my exhausted body onto the bed. Surprisingly it wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought it would be and I fell asleep in an instant.
The problem was it only felt like I was asleep for two minutes when a loud bang of a door woke me up, and then some harsh whispering. I groaned and tried to cover my head with the pillow, trying to get back to sleep. I didn't pay $50 for nothing! I wanted my good night's sleep, I looked at the bedside clock next to me and the bold red numbers hinted that it was only 3:04 A.M. Good, I still have a few hours to sleep. I was slipping back into unconsciousness until the voices outside kept me awake, it wasn't the voices to be exact. It was what the voices were saying and who the voice belonged to that chilled me to the bone.
Suddenly I didn't feel so safe being in this inn, and neither did I feel so confident about being able to runaway and making it by myself anymore.