Calling Myself

10

Chapter 7

I woke up to the sound of the wheels on the road.

I opened my eyes and sat up.

"Are we there yet?" I asked.

"No, not yet," said the driver.

"But soon?"

"Yes."

"How soon?"

"Maybe five minutes."

I closed my eyes and tried to get back to sleep.

My head was killing me.

I reached out and put my hand on top of my forehead.

It felt hot.

Maybe I'd get some aspirin at the drug store when we stopped for gas.

I leaned forward and rubbed my forehead.

It still felt hot.

Maybe I should go sit in the front seat and see if the driver was giving me good directions.

I opened the door.

It was really dark outside.

I had no idea where we were.

I couldn't even see the highway.

We were probably on some back road.

I looked at the clock.

It was one thirty in the morning.

My head was killing me.

I closed my eyes and tried to get back to sleep.

Chapter 8

I woke up with a start.

The bus had stopped.

I opened my eyes and looked around.

I couldn't see anything.

"Is this the stop?" I asked.

"No," said the driver.

"But..." I said.

"It's one o'clock."

I got up and stumbled over something on the floor.

"My head!" I shouted.

"Here, let me help you."

A big hand took hold of my shoulder and pulled me up.

I leaned against the bus window.

"What happened?" asked Aaron.

"I don't know," I said. "I was asleep."

"Are you OK?"

"Yeah," I said.

I leaned my head against the window.

"Just let me sleep for a little bit more."

"OK."

I sat back down.

I didn't know how long I'd been asleep.

Maybe half an hour, I guessed.

I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes.