20
The Locker
Bus Station, Alvin, Texas
Peyton walked down a few blocks, crossed the street of the tiny downtown area, and stood on the sidewalk, staring at her own reflection in the glass of the city’s new bus station entrance. She reached out to grab the door handle but pulled her hand back as though afraid it might be hot to the touch. The door burst open, and a man popped out, nearly knocking into her.
“Oh, excuse me,” the man said, shuffling past.
Peyton clutched her purse to her chest. Her breathing was erratic. Calm down. My God, calm down, she thought. Peyton paused a moment, then went inside and scanned the wide-open area looking for any signs of irregularity. She’d never been inside, and found the terminal larger than she’d thought.
The floor was gray-colored tile, polished
