I threw the empty hair dye bottle into the trash.

Standing still I surveyed myself in the dirty motel mirror. My hair still soaked from the shower but I could see that it had turned jet black over what was a reddish brown. The new colour washed out my complexion making me look paler than I actually was.

It would have to do, I knew I should probably cut this tangled waist length mess but the stupid sentimental girl inside me couldn't bear the thought. If I got caught it would be my own damned fault. Though I'd been doing ok so far.

9 weeks.

9 weeks is how long I've been running. "On the run" they say, running from the authorities.

Hitchhiking between states, sleeping in shady pay-by-the-hour motels, camping in the wilderness and washing up in bum-fuck nowhere gas stations. It's been dangerous.

Really fucking dangerous.

For a 26 year old woman I was really putting my life on the line, having a few close calls so far.

I pulled out the wad of cash I usually keep tied close to my person, having it wrapped securely in a scarf around my waist.

I flicked through the green bills. Around $800. If I was being honest with myself I was surprised at my own sleight of hand. This cash was just more felonies added to my already tarnished name.

Cash I'd swiped from good Samaritans, people who offered me lifts, anyone stupid enough to leave money out in the open, damn even homeless people's tins for fucks sake.

And of course...him.

My heart sagged slightly, those innocent people didn't deserve to have their hard earned cash taken from them by some lowlife scum like me. But I did it, I did it to survive no matter how much deeper of this fucking grave I was digging myself into, I could not get caught! I would not, I won't allow it.

While waiting for my hair to dry I scrubbed of any leftover dye marks and pulled on a new set of underwear, stashing my dirty ones in a plastic bag. I didn't have time to wash them now I'd been here too long and I needed to get out of this place and it didn't help that I crashed so hard last night I forgot to clean my dirty shit...fucking stupid.

Next I pulled on my now tattered dark blue jeans and laced up my converse, tutting in annoyance as I realised I needed a new pair of shoes, and soon. The soles were coming apart and the muddied canvas was torn and frayed in several places.

After I tugged some of the tangles out of my hair I braided it down and shrugged on an army green coat. It had become significantly baggier in the past few weeks as my body steadily shrunk from physical exertion and rationing my money to buy food. I didn't mind though, it added to my social camouflage. The authorities were looking for a girl with a rounded face and a generous build. I looked nothing like her anymore...I was nothing like her anymore.

I wasn't a normal person any longer and I don't think I could be again and in some fucked up way I didn't care. I was the drifter now, a nobody, and for the first time ever..I actually felt free.

I snorted in amusement as I tied the scarf around my waist, pulling the gray baggy t shirt over it to cover the bulge.

Slinging my rucksack over my shoulders I turned and looked at the room I called "home" for barely more than 8 hours, the slightly dishevelled bed and the wet towels in the bathroom were the only sign I was here.

I walked outside and looked at the sky as the sun was beginning to show over the trees. I quietly closed the door to room no.9 and left like I was never here.

I'd been walking down the long wooded highway for nigh on 3 and a half hours now. I had no idea where I was apart from the fact that I'd been in the state of Louisiana for about a week now and was glad winter was approaching as the humidity in the air was still lingering but it wasn't as bad as I heard it could be.

I kept myself close to the thick trees as to not raise suspicion from passing cars, not that many had passed me today. This place really was in bum-fuck nowhere.

'Good' I thought, fewer faces to see my own and recognise it.

I saw a sign ahead, kind of hoping it was for a diner or convenience store, but instead is was an old billboard. It was definitely many years old as the sun and rain had aged it terribly but I could still read the flaked paint clearly;

"TRUDY'S HOUSE OF WAX"

In any other life I'd loved to see it, I always was interested in all that weird uncanny valley shit but right now food was on my mind.

A loud growl erupted from my stomach and I groaned, the next goddamn place I see better have food. I had scarfed my last protein bar last night and a single cracker and water was what made for a hurried breakfast out on the road as I left the motel earlier.

15 minutes later another sign did pop up and I sighed in relief, a gas station was within 5 miles from here, a bit more of a walk but I could make it. Still I was apprehensive, more food was always welcome but it came with more contact with people, something I really wasn't too keen on these days.

It took me another hour but finally the gas station sign emerged in the distance. My stomach growled even louder in anticipation.

'Yeah, yeah almost there. Calm the fuck down' I muttered to my stomach.

Great...talking to my damn stomach, I've become so isolated I've become a damned basket-case.

As I approached the station I saw two cars, one of which was already pulling out and heading back to the road the other an old weathered pick up truck was still parked by the bowsers. It's owner leaning against it as he filled his tank. His head turned as he heard my footsteps but I averted his gaze and walked directly into the station.

Browsing through the cramped aisles I picked up some more protein bars, instant noodle cups, tinned soups and and sanitary needs. Glossing over shampoo and soaps as I had quite a stash from the shoddy motels I'd frequented.

Everything had a layer of dust, it was clear that no one had been here in a long time save the owners who clearly couldn't be assed tidying up the place. Oh well, food was food, a little dust didn't bother me nor my aching stomach. I went up and paid for my things even allowing myself a chocolate bar that was sitting in a bunch at the counter. Once everything was bagged I head outside and to a small table to rearrange all my shit in my rucksack.

While placing my last tinned soup in the bag I heard a new set of wheels and the low rumble of an engine approach and instinctively I looked up.

My heart jolted violently to my throat.

It was a cop car.

Trying to stay as calm as possible I clipped and belted my bag up and threw it about my shoulders. I decided whether to stay or get the fuck outta dodge. I decided stay and eat my chocolate bar, wait this out. I sat down on a chair and opened the wrapper, trying to not let my shaking fingers get the better of me.

Chewing slowly the middle aged officer parked out the front of the station and began to pass me but then...stopped.

'Morning to you, Miss. Everything ok?' his voice was saccharine and sickly

'Mornin' to you too Officer and yeah everything is fine, just enjoying my candy bar'

He looked at me for a moment before nodding and heading inside. I let out a small exhale, trying to calm my beating chest. Should I go now or sit and wait? If I leave now maybe I could get ahead of him, but what if he passes me on the road and asks questions? This isn't exactly a place where people would be randomly walking on the side of the road unless something was up.

Fuck...

I decided to keep my ass firmly planted until he left and then I'd move out.

After a few minutes he walked back out as I casually continued on with my chocolate, hoping he'd just keep walking. No dice.

He stops and turns back around to me, a concerned look on his face.

I'm fucking finished.

'You sure you're ok Miss? I mean, no offence but you look exhausted'

'Oh! No yeah, I'm fine just a few rough nights sleep is all'

He nodded again albeit unconvinced.

''Say though...you do look a little familiar'

I was screaming inside, I might as well offer my hands up to be cuffed right now.

'Hah really? Yeah I get that a lot. People are always telling me I look like a friend of a friend or something. I guess I just have one of those faces'

He shook his head

'Hmm no it's not tha-'

'Hey babe, you almost done with that damn candy bar o' yours yet?'

A new voice with a slight southern drawl had interjected itself into the conversation. I snapped my head up and saw it was the man who was filling the old pick up truck when I arrived. I had totally forgotten about him, I'd been here for like twenty minutes shouldn't he have left by now?

He looked at me pointedly and I instantly caught on.

'Yeah, just let me finish this, jeez hon' I fake laughed.

'Well hurry it up, we still gotta go get them groceries for dinner'

I shoved the last of my bar into my mouth and stood.

'There done!' My voice slightly muffled and I looked over to the cop who looked half bewildered and embarrassed.

'Oh! Well then, sorry Miss. I thought you were someone else'

'It's fine sir as I said, it happens all the time'

'You both have a good day now' He nodded to both of us and walked back to his patrol car.

The man put his arm around my shoulders and I stiffened slightly, realising this was the first person to physically touch me in months. We both gave the cop a last wave as he pulled out and drove away. As soon as his car was out of sight I broke away from the guy but I didn't avert my gaze this time around.

I looked up at my "saviour". He was tall standing at around 6'1" as he was a head taller than me with messy brown hair that curled slightly. He was definitely a few years older than my 26 years as he looked to be in his mid 30's.

'Uh, thanks...thanks for that'

'That's okay' he chuckled softly

'Well I uh, I better get going then'

He looked at me intently making me feel even more uncomfortable than I already was.

'I gotta say, that cop was right though. You look fuckin' exhausted'

'I was telling the truth, it's been a while since I last had a good nights sleep'

'Where you headed then?'

'I uh, nowhere really'

Fuck, I usually had a lie handed out straight off the bat when questioned but for someone to save me from a cop? When no one else would have even noticed or let the law take over. Sure took me off guard.

'Runaway huh?'

I could feel my face contort into an expression of alarm.

'Wha-'

'Hey I don't judge, been there myself' he replied smoothly as he shrugged.

I stammered.

'Oh..I uh'

Jesus Christ woman, get yourself together, you're better than this, you've survived this long!

He smiled.

'Hey look, I don't live too far from here and you look half starved. I know it sounds shady as hell coming from a guy you don't even know but I'm willing to offer a helping hand for you to come stay at mine for the night and get some food in you and a bed to sleep on'

'I don't know...'

Could I even trust this guy? I couldn't trust anyone these days. It was kill or be killed now.

He noticed my hesitance and gave me an understanding look.

'Ok look, it's a half hour to mine from here, you can decide whether to take up my offer or I could drive you into the next town on the way? How about that?'

I chewed my lip, hard enough to leave marks.

I inhaled deeply, hoping I wouldn't regret this.

'Ok'

'Well ok then!' he gave me a genuine smile and led me to his truck and helped me climb into the passenger seat, leaving me breifly to pay for his gas before returning and getting in behind the wheel.

I gripped my bag tightly, still unsure of this. He was different to any old hitchhiker I'd taken up rides from before. This guy knew I didn't want to be found, knew that I didn't have a destination. Running from authorities. He could turn me in at anytime.

He started the engine and the old vehicle jerked slightly as we pulled out onto the road.

'I'm Bo by the way'

'Bo...I'm'

I paused for a second, should I give him my name?'

'Ella' well, might as well tell the truth for now. No aliases this time.

'Nice to meet you Ella. So I was being honest about them groceries before d'you mind? It'll give you some more time to think on my offer?'

I nod.

'Yeah, ok...sure'

He looked over and gave me an inquisitive grin

'That accent you got there, you ain't from around here are ya?'

I smiled.

'No, Australia actually. I moved here a few years back, change of scenery I guess'

He nodded in acknowledgement.

'Never been out of the country myself. Hell, never been out of the state for that matter'

I was silent for a moment before the question hanging on my mind practically spilled from my lips.

'How did you know?'

'Know what?'

'That I didn't...When that cop, when we was talking to me. How did you know I didn't want to be found?'

He chuckled, this time it took on a slightly sinister tone and it sent a shiver up my spine.

'Well lets just say I'm not on good terms with the authorities. Me and my brother were foster kids, I've ran away more times I can count in my teens. Got in to trouble and what not'

I didn't know whether to relax or be on higher alert after receiving this information. Was this guy dangerous?

'So what about you?' he asked suddenly

'What about me?!" I winced a bit at the rudeness my tone took on before softening

'Sorry...'

He turned to me, studying me for a second before facing the road again.

'You ain't a normal runaway ain'tcha? Naw, you've done something, something bad'

I wasn't sure if I was imagining it but I thought I could hear a hint of excitement in his voice and it scared me.

For split second I could feel the warm blood on my hands quickly turning cold congealing in large clumps, my hands pulling the knife from his lifeless body, my face in the mirror, the reflection showing me my blood spattered face. That small hint of a grin forming on my lips.

A bump in the road snapped me back to reality and I turned and saw Bo was looking at me again.

'Yeah..' my voiced sounded so small

'Something real bad'

House of Wax (2005) and it's characters do not belong to me just Ella.

Also I'm still unsure of where this story is going right now but I thought I'd post it up anyway to keep me motivated to write more. Hope you all enjoyed it!