CAMILLE*

Having come this far in my journey, I was unsure I ever wanted to turn back. I knew that somehow, some way, I needed to make a run for it, yet knowing this and knowing that there was no turning back, only fueled my desire to keep going. How many times had I dreamed of this exact moment? How often did I make it to the end of my lane only to turn back and chicken out? I knew that this time I had to keep going. I had to to move forward. The more miles that I put between me and my home, the better off I'd be.

Stopping at a diner, I kept my head down and my hair pulled around my face so as not to bring attention to myself. Scooting into a booth in the far corner, I quickly grabbed a menu that was stuck between the napkin holder and the window. A robust looking waitress with greasy hair and who smelled like an ashtray walks up to my table.

"What can I get for ya?"

I swallow before murmuring, "A hot coffee. Make it black and a water." I nervously run my hands over my torn jeans under the table and try to smile, but she not only won't smile, she raises an eyebrow.

"You ain't from around here, are you." This is posed as a statement and not a question, and I'm unsure if I'm supposed to even reply. Instead I clear my throat as my heart hammers and my stomach twists in my gut. She snorts and walks off, and I sigh a gigantic sigh of relief.

I shouldn't really be giving my name out, but I'm so hungry and I haven't eaten in almost three days. I know I must look crazy, but I've had to keep my head low and pay for everything with cash. There in no way, shape or form could be a trail of any kind. In fact, the longer it took for my waitress to get me my drink, the more I began to feel as if I made a wrong move just stopping here. Trust NO ONE! Not one person, Camille!

The rude waitress soon comes back for my order, and after deciding to splurge just a little, I order the Cowboy breakfast, completely unsure if I'll be able to finish it all, but more so determined to try or at least have leftovers for lunch.

I soon am stuffed to the brim and even a bit nauseous, but I take my to-go box and leftover coffee and head back towards my car: my home for the past several days. I look in the back seat at everything I ever owned and inhale sharply as nostalgia takes over, but soon, all of the resolve I had in starting this journey, rushes back in one fell swoop and I start the car and am on my way.

As night begins to fall, I am more aware of how chilly the night air has become. I roll down my drivers side window and breathe in the freshness of the crisp air, so unlike the city I just left. My surroundings have only been ones of book pictures and movies that I've seen throughout my life, and taking it all in is overwhelming to say the least.

I'm used to noise and traffic. I'm used to bumping into people and someone always stopping me for money. Noisy car horns mixed with smog and exhaust fumes were a part of my growing up, and now? It's so quiet, I think I've driven off into oblivion.

I decide to pull my car over under a nearby tree, and upon further investigation, I see a picnic table a little further towards a playground. Maybe if I take my blankets and pillow, I can make a kind of nest in the slide area while breathing in the great outdoors but not low on the ground, attracting any kind of predator/animal that may be around.

I quickly grab my leftovers from early this morning and pop myself up on the hood of my car to eat what's left. Who cares if the toast is soggy and the bacon is cold? Food is food where I came from and I was never too proud to even dumpster dive.

I slowly lean back against my windshield and look up at the stars, so clear and bright in the blackest or skies I've ever seen! I feel like I'm in some kind of fairy tale legend, and I'll wake up eventually. But instead, I soon drift off to sleep unaware of the fact until a bright light is shining in my face and an officer is shaking me slightly asking if I'm ok.

"Miss?" I am groggy as I feel a firm hand on my shoulder. "Miss? Are you ok?"

I'm so beyond exhausted that it takes me a bit to wake up, and when I finally come to my senses, I jolt up like I've been struck by a jolt of electricity. "Oh! Hi! I...oh...sorry!!!!" I mutter as I stumble to get off of my vehicle, not paying any attention to the cop who had just awakened me.

The light and the cop follow me as I am shaking from nerves and the night chill, and I bend down to pick up my trash from my dinner. "You're not from around here, are you? I don't think I've seen you in these parts." He makes the observation as I still do not meet his gaze.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...to fall asleep. I'll be on my way."

"Do you have a place to stay? It's past midnight, and a girl like you shouldn't be out here all alone and not know where she is."

I place my slender hand on my torn off-white sweater and nod as I lie. "Yes. I was just...I was just stopping to eat, but I'm staying with my Aunt Arlene in...in town."

He raises his bushy eyebrow and removes his hat as he scratches his head. "Not sure I know an Arlene. Are you sure you know where you are?"

I nod again as I try to stand tall which is super hard for even me. "I believe so. If not, I'm close enough."

He writes something down on his notepad and rips off the paper handing it to me. "If you're lost, go here. She'll take good care of you. I promise you. Please." His dark eyes pierce right thru me resonating nothing but fear as I quickly grab the paper and shove it in my pocket before jumping in my car and taking off. I can't afford to b recognized. Damn you, Camille! How can you be so stupid? You have to keep going! You've gotten this far! Keep going!