10-23-2019, 11:52 PM
It was tempting to retrieve the wallet and skim messages as the road clicked by. Not like he wasn’t already a distracted driver. But there were a lot of them, multiples from Nox. Jay didn’t want to open that can of worms yet, not on the road anyway. When they stopped. Maybe. If he could drum up the courage. What a hypocrite. He could barrel head first into some sick situations, but opening a message? Complete bullshit.
What few trees in Texas that lined the highways thinned to shrubs and finally flattened to scorched grass. Hours rolled by uneventful, and Jay found himself struggling to keep his eyes focused. Taillights ahead blurred to red blobs. The window could roll down no further, despite the air slapping his face, he was about to check the distance to Laredo when Natalie woke like the dead.
He reeled the car aside just in time for her to lunge out. Heart pounding, he just sat there as the door hung open on slack hinges. No judgement from him. Any sane person would be sick with the horrors of the day. Not that was why she was sick. “Probably the food. You should really get a guy to take you to nicer places than that dump.” The humor was a knife at the corner of his lip, tugging the skin upward with morbid assurance. But come on. He had to say something.
He offered her the last of his water. Might as well. He had to piss anyway.
A shrug dismissed her offer. “It’s alright. We’re almost there.” He licked his lips and let her do her own research regarding the definition of 'there'. The last five hours went by in a blur, yet were the longest five hours of his life. The hotel he chose was off the main highway, away from travelers of the more reputable sort. The town itself was one of the most dangerous along the border, notorious for every criminal activity possible, and a heavy site of trafficking of all kinds, but it wasn’t a total shit hole. The hotel wasn’t complete scum. Jay had seen worse, and Natalie deserved better. And a diner was across the street. Can’t ask for much better than that.
He came back with two keys, tossing one to Natalie. “If I was making a move on you, it wouldn’t be here.” A grin flickered that didn’t warm the hollow of his eyes. “But thought it would be safest this way. There are two beds. Someone has to keep things wholesome around here.” The door popped open with only minor jiggling at the handle, and despite the musty scent and outdated decor, Jay collapsed on the bed facedown, asleep within seconds.
What few trees in Texas that lined the highways thinned to shrubs and finally flattened to scorched grass. Hours rolled by uneventful, and Jay found himself struggling to keep his eyes focused. Taillights ahead blurred to red blobs. The window could roll down no further, despite the air slapping his face, he was about to check the distance to Laredo when Natalie woke like the dead.
He reeled the car aside just in time for her to lunge out. Heart pounding, he just sat there as the door hung open on slack hinges. No judgement from him. Any sane person would be sick with the horrors of the day. Not that was why she was sick. “Probably the food. You should really get a guy to take you to nicer places than that dump.” The humor was a knife at the corner of his lip, tugging the skin upward with morbid assurance. But come on. He had to say something.
He offered her the last of his water. Might as well. He had to piss anyway.
A shrug dismissed her offer. “It’s alright. We’re almost there.” He licked his lips and let her do her own research regarding the definition of 'there'. The last five hours went by in a blur, yet were the longest five hours of his life. The hotel he chose was off the main highway, away from travelers of the more reputable sort. The town itself was one of the most dangerous along the border, notorious for every criminal activity possible, and a heavy site of trafficking of all kinds, but it wasn’t a total shit hole. The hotel wasn’t complete scum. Jay had seen worse, and Natalie deserved better. And a diner was across the street. Can’t ask for much better than that.
He came back with two keys, tossing one to Natalie. “If I was making a move on you, it wouldn’t be here.” A grin flickered that didn’t warm the hollow of his eyes. “But thought it would be safest this way. There are two beds. Someone has to keep things wholesome around here.” The door popped open with only minor jiggling at the handle, and despite the musty scent and outdated decor, Jay collapsed on the bed facedown, asleep within seconds.
Only darkness shows you the light.