The Charming air was thick with heat and washed over Catina like a tidal wave. The air was easy on her lungs and dry on her tongue, it kissed her flesh and danced over her pores with fiery ease. The smell of fresh air tainted by gasoline and cigarettes was bittersweet. The sights were new and keen on her eyes; the sun in the depth of the sky, the scenery ahead billowing from the heat. It was sensory overload, and it took a good while for her to register that Charming was very much real and this all wasn't a strange dream.

Catina raised her brow and pulled the aviators from her face, revealing her hurricane blue eyes to herself in the abandoned car window that mirrored her. For not bathing for four days, being smuggled across the world, and not to mention hung over, she didn't look half bad. The bags under her eyes were purple, but only in slight, and her lips, though stained a wine color weren't as chapped as she'd thought. Her skin was a little dull, her hair a little stringy, but all-in-all, she wasn't in bad shape.

Pulling the pre-paid from her pocket, Catina dialed the number she'd memorized over the past few weeks. Pushing the keys was now muscle memory, and she zoned out until the gruff "hello" poured through the receiver.

"Oi, I'm here. Not a thing in sight, either. Where are you?"

"Turn around, lovely, and look to your left."

Doing as instructed, Catina spotted an inconspicuous burgundy pick-up. She did a quick one-eighty and headed toward the passenger's seat, peering into the window before hopping in. The man beside her was handsome, black haired with a good jawline and immaculate physique. His name was Joseph, and apparently, he had a death wish. Not only had he helped her cross country, he was transporting her whilst on Jimmy's time, and he wasn't even fucking her. Placing a soft, appreciative kiss onto his stubble masked cheek, Catina said a quick hello and the two exchanged niceties.

"The real question is, how've you been, lovely? You've had it rough these last few months, these last few days for sure."

Catina set her feet on the dash, closing her eyes as the engine rumbled beneath her, bringing a sense of familiarity to her hectic state of being. She tilted her head to the side, opened her eyes, catching Joseph's fierce green gaze. "Aiken's don't break, and they don't back down. I'll make it through, no worries."

"Never could get a straight answer from you."

"Not even if I were being strangled for one." she agreed with a smile.

The road became less desolate the further they traveled. The talk was kept to a bare minimum, and neither of them seemed to mind. Catina's mind was elsewhere, and Joseph seemed to be paranoid, always checking the rearview mirror for things Catina didn't want to imagine. Their destination was reached a good hour or so after they left, and Catina pressed a soft, adoring kiss to Joseph's lips.

"I owe you my life."

"I know." he sighed, and smiled sadly. "I probably won't be around much longer, though, once they notice you're gone, Cat."

"I told you-"

Joseph held a hand up to cease her protest. "I knew what I was getting into, yes, but you have to promise me you'll be careful. I can't have died in vain."

"Death before dishonor." she promised, bringing the hand she'd been clutching to her lips. She gave it a small, delicate kiss and rolled her eyes up to meet his. His eyes were a tearful and iridescent green. Growing increasingly less comfortable, Catina exited the car and didn't so much as look back.