Watch, Wait, Take

Chapter 5. The Greyhound

Exhausted, I pull over into the gas station, to fill up the tank. Once the tank hits the full capacity I head inside to pay the bill. Grabbing food that would last me a few days, tins with easy pull openings, chips, chocolate, breakfast bars, fruit, bread, cold meets and a small amount of ready cut and ready to eat cheeses, crackers, cookies, a few drinking yoghurts, packets of vitamins and medication for headaches etc., I made up a small, basic first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic cream, rubbing alcohol, band aids and sanitizer in gel form and spray. I go to the kiosk desk and pay for my items and the fuel.

I am now left with no cash. I leave the shop, put my shopping in the car, move my car to the parking spaces near the building of the gas station. I cross to the cash machine and use my card to with draw a large amount of cash. I don’t use my card often and don’t want to use it for a long time now. I with draw $20,000 and quickly get into my car and drive away. I watch in my mirrors for any cars following me. When satisfied I recognized none of the cars behind me, I drove on with relaxed ease.

A few hours later I am still driving. It’s now, nearly 12am. I have been driving a whole day not having any breaks except to refuel. I need a lie down. I drove on until I found a little motel at not much expense I got a room for the night and breakfast the next morning could be found in the Wendy's opposite. I need to refuel myself to keep going and be alert.

I flop onto my bed for the night and lie there for a few moments just breathing, listening to all the sounds and familiarizing myself with my surroundings. I close my eyes for a few moments before deciding I needed to make myself safe and stop focusing on getting away and thinking about disappearing again.

I shower to refresh and get dressed in some comfortable slacks, I slip on my slippers and grabbing my room key I head down to the front desk. 

I am met with an overly cheerful lady.

"Well hey there! How can I help you tonight?" she chimed.

"Hi, my cell phone isn’t working, it’s quite old, I was thinking of getting a new one tomorrow. Anywhere near buy I could get one?"

" There sure is. Opposite we have Wendy's, they do great breakfasts by the way, incase you are looking for breakfast tomorrow morning. There is a cell phone shop behind Wendy’s about 5 minutes drive. I hope they can help you."

"Thanks. I was planning on a Wendy’s breakfast tomorrow, anything you can recommend?"

"Well I love their pancakes, bacon and maple syrup"

"Thanks, I will try that tomorrow. Any chance I could pay for my room now, I am thinking of having an early morning tomorrow and want to leave as soon as I can."

"Well sure you can."

After I finished passing time with the cheerful, bumpkin I give her a $5 tip and head out to my car to grab some food.

I take only what I need at bare minimum. The yoghurts, cheeses and anything I can’t keep unrefrigerated. I stuff them into my handbag and head back up to my room to devour the food.

I lay on the bed, empty food packets lying all around me, feeling full, clean and exhausted I flip the switch by my head and I am plunged into darkness and instantly feel weightless and fall asleep.

I wake the next morning to the sound of my alarm at 6am sharp. I am fully alert and awake at the sound of my alarm. I have a quick shower, get dressed and pack my belongings. I take all of my luggage down to the lobby. I sign out in the book with a time and signature next to my name, hand back the key.

I pack up my car with the little amount of luggage I have. I decide I will drive to the Wendy's opposite so I can leave from there without having to come back over here for my car.

In Wendy's I devour the maple syrup, bacon and pancakes like its my last meal. Salted and sweet together and it was delicious. I wash it all down with jet-black coffee. I get a few refills of coffee before deciding its time to go. I give another $5 tip to the young girl who served me, she reminded me so much of Josie, from her laugh and the way her smile curled in on itself at the top, showing her teeth and the sparkle in her eyes as she joked. The way she walked and talked even the manner she held herself was like Josie. From her nametag I could see her name was Emma. Emma, that’s a nice name.

I walk up to Emma, "Hi, do you know of anyone around here that buys and sells used cars?"

"Yes, there is a car salesman that also buys cars, about 10 minutes drive down the highway, would you like the address?"

"Yes please that would be great" I smile kindly at her.

She scrawls an address in neat handwriting and hands me the piece of paper smiling. I give her $5 and thanked her for her help.

I needed to get a new phone before I changed the car. I drove the 5 minutes to the cell phone shop. I picked two phones one cheep phone that I call a 'drug phone' one that is a pay as you go, disposable. And an IPhone, to use as computer and GPS. I wouldn’t need to use this one as a phone. I leave sharply after purchasing the phones.

Punching the address in my new IPhone GPS service, I head to the car sales man.

I pull in to the address, and survey the cars for sale; I step out of my car and look at the other cars more critically. A young man approaches me with a smile as he holds out his hand for a formal greeting.

"Hi, are you looking for anything in particular today, ma'am?"

"I am looking to sell my car" I reply pointing to my car parked up a short distance away.

"Mind if I take a look and give you a quote?"

"Yes of course."

He first of all walked around my car, taking in the framework and paint job, looking for dints and any scratches and general damage. He then opened the driver’s door, felt the seat and floor, before sitting in the drivers seat and checking his surroundings.

"Mind if I take it to the roundabout up there" he pointed just up the road. "I promise I will bring her back" he smiled.

"Yes, of course."

He closed the driver’s door and fastened his seatbelt before starting the car; he sat for a moment listening to the car and the sounds before he drove out and to the round about.

I stood watching the direction he had driven, waiting for him to return. Once he returned he pulled up in the same spot as before. Climbed out of the car and rounded the vehicle to the trunk to inspect. I felt embarrassed as all my possessions spilled out. He laughed awkwardly before piking up the case, which had fallen out. He replaced the case and closed the trunk before turning his attention to the engine. He popped the hood and took a look at all the paraphernalia. He fiddled around with different parts, checked the dipstick. Then turning to me to talk business he closed the hood, wiped his hands of the rag hanging in his back pocket.

"I noticed a full tank of gas" He commented "We will include that in the quote so that’s $50 already. She runs like a dream and no noticeable damage to the bodywork or paint. So that’s another plus for you. Good oil levels and inside fabric and trunk all has good space for a car this small. Good mileage too. I can offer you $2,550 for it."

"Cash?"

"If you like, I can give you cash."

"Ok, sure."

"Great I will get that all sorted now."

"Mind if I take a look round while you do?"

"Yes, of course."

He smiled and headed into the office. I watched him until he was out of site. I walked round looking at the other cars he had on offer. I only saw heaps of junk, left to rust and ruin. Nothing that could stand the long journey I will be using it for. Others that could make the journey, where too big or would draw too much attention to me. I need to blend in.

"See anything you like?" He chimed from behind.

"Not really, have you got anything.... well.... more like that?" I said pointing to my car.

"No, not really sorry."

"Okay. I will take the money then." I smiled at him. No problem. Could you come and fill in some paper work for me in the office, Miss....?"

"Evans" I replied without thinking. I need a new name, new identity.

He nodded and smiled, before turning to the office "Follow me Miss Evans"

I followed to the office to complete the paperwork. Just thinking of the money. As we walked to the office I couldn’t help but think of Josie and Dallas the life I just left behind work, my apartment and me. I wished to be back there, but it was no longer safe, I had to keep moving forward. Being here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A journey that should have only taken four hours, had taken much longer. I drove around for most of the time in circles, not knowing where to go. Before I had finally decided I should head to Chicago, Illinois. I have another 10 hours left to drive.

I was blindly signing the paperwork now, focused on the money and getting away. I will need to take a taxi to the Greyhound bus station.

After all the paperwork was complete and I had the money. We shook hands and he rang me a taxi.

I got into to taxi as the driver loaded all my luggage into the trunk of the Taxi. It all felt like a blur, I was too tired and exhausted to focus properly. On the drive the driver tried asking me questions, but gave up after a few failed attempts to strike up convocation, I shut him down each time. Not in the mood for convocation I used my IPhone to find out the times of the next bus that was headed in the direction of Chicago.

At the bus station I bought my ticket that would take me to Ardmore train station. There I could get the train to the border, then see about buying a car or getting another train or bus over the state boarder.

I struggled to board the public bus with all my baggage. Nearly falling a few times but managing to stay on my feet I found a seat. It was a good few stops before the train station. Again I struggled to fit down the narrow isle with all the baggage but I somehow managed. I made my way into the station.

At the ticket office my journey was put on hold.

"There are no more journeys today for that destination. The next journey will be tomorrow at 8:25am the coach leaves. There is one seat left. The journey will take four hours two minutes approximately, arriving at destination at 12:27pm. There will then be a connection train one hour fifty-three minutes later, at 2:20pm. This journey will be nineteen hours thirty arriving at 9:50am. The final connection by coach will be one hour twenty-five, leaving at 11:15am and arriving at the final destination at 12:30pm. It will be a one hour fifteen minute journey. Arriving at Peoria, Illinois bus station."

"I'll take the first one tomorrow morning, please. Can I pay now?"

"Yes, its $160 please."

I hand him the money and wait for my tickets to be printed. After he hands me the tickets I ask for a local hotel. He recommends the one opposite.

I turn to leave and the ticket officer calls after me "8:25am sharp tomorrow the coach leaves."

I continue walking to the hotel with all my luggage. After checking in I make my way to my room in the elevator. The bellhop has my luggage and will deliver it to my room.

I arrive at my room and check out the facilities, sitting on the bed I rub my tired face; there is a knock on the door and get up with a sigh to answer. The bellhop delivers my luggage and I decide on a shower after a long day, I am feeling dirty after my long bus journey.

After showering I get straight into bed and set my alarm for 7am. A fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.