When All Else Fails

On the Road Again

Kat

I made my way to his Jeep. My eyes still had tears streaming out of them. My hands shook as I opened the door. I didn’t want to leave him there. Funny how i couldn’t wait to leave, but one simple act could make me want to stay. One simple act made me want to save him, at least from a little bit of pain. I crawled into the suv, adjusted the seat, and pressed the start button. The engine roared to life, and I put it into reverse. My stomach in knots, I needed to go back to him. I needed to take the hurt away.

I pulled out of the driveway and put the Jeep in drive, i couldn’t look back as I drove away. All i wanted to do was run to him. I didn’t realize it when he brought me back, but I wanted what he was offering. A family.

The bright headlights of the Jeep sent x ray beams towards the road in front of me, illuminating the dimly lit road that led off pack lands. I reached the border in no time at all. I guess I can still head east, that was the original plan after all. I pull out onto the main hwy, heading in the direction of that little town I visited earlier. I could use a bite to eat. I could also use a friend, maybe i could get ahold of Jess.

The road stretched on for what seemed like twice as long as my trip early today. My eyes heavy, my head pounding, my body was giving me every signal that it possibly could to tell me to pull over and take a nap. Exhaustion hitting me like a brick wall, I’m determined to make it to the town before i rest.

I reach the town and pull into one of the now many empty parking spots downtown near the coffee shop. The welcoming aroma of freshly brewed coffee beans hitting my nostrils made me rejoice with hope of a second wind after that first sip. I open the center console under the armrest of the suv and pull out Cory’s wallet. It had more cash than I could spend in a month, a debit card, a credit card, and in the what once was a clear window I could see his picture on his drivers license. Its the only picture I have to remember him by and I will keep it always. I bring the wallet up to my face and breath deeply, taking in his scent. I let out a drawn out sigh as I place it back in the console after taking out some twenty dollar bills.

I lean back into the seat debating if I even really wanted to get out of the suv at this point. I could just lean the seat back and take a small nap. Granted the coffee shop will definitely be closed when I woke up and so would every gas station in town. I sluggishly opened the door and got out. On my way to the coffee shop I could feel someone’s eyes on me, looking around I couldn’t see anyone though. Must just be my nerves. Whatever it was made my heart start to race, and I quickly made my way into the coffee shop, almost slamming my face into the door because I opened it so quick.

After stumbling in, it felt like a weight lifting off my shoulders, I took a deep breath and tried to calm my racing heart. Walking up to the counter I was greeted by a familiar face. Jess.

“Well look what the cat drug in!” That same cheerful tone made me start to wonder if she’s always like this, or is it just a front.

“What can I say its been a long day and I just had to come to the good smells.” I gave her one of the few genuine smiles.

“Did you get your car fixed?” She cranes her head over the counter to look in the direction from which I came in to see if she could see anything. “Guess so. Nice Jeep.” She gives a small nod of approval.

“Yea, that’s um, mine.” It felt odd saying that. I figured it would be a few more years til I’d be able to have my own car. Guess it just took the moon goddess ripping my heart out twice in one day to make it ok for me to be given one. I could feel the bitterness rising up in my soul. Not a feeling a want to have towards the goddess, but why me.

“So what can I get ya?” She asks halfway dancing in front of her little cash register.

“Um, something sweet, with caramel, surprise me?” She c***s an eyebrow up.

“Indecisive today? It’s ok, I got you!”

Her face turns serious as she turns around and heads towards all the steaming machinery. Its like a completely different person is behind the counter all of a sudden. She’s so fast I can’t even keep up with what she has put in the cup, it takes her no time to finish and turn around and present me with a clear cup filled with what looked like blended ice mocha and caramel swirls, topped with a huge dollop of whipped cream. She throws me another one of those big smiles and I can’t help but return one back to her as I take the drink from her.

“This is impressive.” I truly was impressed. I took my first sip and it was like chocolate caramel espresso heaven hitting my tongue. I closed my eyes, savoring the flavor and letting out a verbal hum of approval.

“I’m good right.” The confidence oozing from her voice.

“Yea, you’re better than good.” I took a giant sip. “How much do I owe ya?” She started tapping away at her little touch screen register.

“That will be four dollars and eighty seven cents.”

I handed her one of the twenty dollar bills while still sipping on my drink. It was so delicious I didn’t want to put it down. She took the bill, tapped a few times on the screen and quickly started counting out the change. I moved closer to the register so I could take the change without spilling the coins everywhere. She had just put the change in my hand when she let out a giant gasp.

“What the f**k is that!” She sounded worried and angry all at the same time. She was glaring at me, it startled me and I took a step back.

“What?” I whispered, instinctively looking down.

“Kat, what happened to your neck?!?!” I had completely forgotten that I was probably covered in bruises from my run in with Alpha Shane. My neck must have been very bad for her to notice. Unfortunately I don’t get my speed healing until the full moon after my birthday.I brought my free hand to my neck, trying to cover my shame.

“I, I can’t talk about it.” I wish I could tell her everything, but that would only put her in danger too.

“Did they do that to you because of your car breaking down? That’s not even your fault! You can’t control that kinda thing.” She was starting to raise her voice.

“NO!” I almost laughed. It was almost comical that she thinks that’s what happened. I had also completely forgotten that I said my car was broke down so I could hitch a ride from her earlier. “That’s, thats not what happened.”

“Then what? That’s not ok Kat. We need to call the police. Your parents can’t do that to you, or was it your aunt?” She was talking very fast in worried tones. I could tell she actually meant what she said. She actually cared.

“No, no, no, we can’t call the police. Just trust me I can’t talk about it, but I am leaving. So there is no need to um, call the police and get them involved in this.” She seemed to calm down a little bit.

“Are you running away?” Her worried tones turned sad as she whispered that out.

“Well, its more like I’m being kicked out, but I’m leaving and thats all that matters right?” She seemed sad. “You can come visit you know.”

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t really know. The beach?”

“Well how can I come visit you if you don’t even know where you’re going? Let me call my parents and see if you can spend the night at my house.” She takes out her phone and quickly starts tapping away at the screen.

“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t stay tonight. I need to put some distance between this place and myself. I can call you when I find a spot to settle down.”

“Kat its already late, its not safe.” Her phone dings. “And my parents said its ok.” She seemed hopeful that I would come stay at her house tonight.

“I can not do that. I’m sorry. I promise I will call you when I get a phone and find a place to stay. Good bye Jess.” I quickly turn and head for the door. Hitting the auto start on the key chain so I can bolt out of here as quick as possible. I slam into the door, almost face planting into it again and take off running to the suv. I hop inside and am able to pull off by the time Jess gets to the door and opens it. Tears start to fall down my cheeks as I see her in the rear view mirror, clearly distraught. The smaller she gets in the mirror the fast the tears stream down my face, leaving the front of my shirt soaked. I’m honestly surprised I had any left to cry after earlier, guess the joke was on me.