CHAPTER 2 – BEGINNING OF MY JOURNEY
Are We There Yet – Ingrid Michaelson
They say that home is where the heart is
I guess I haven't found my home
And we keep driving round in circles
Afraid to call this place our own
And are we there yet?
Sticking out my hand, I forced a sweet smile as I watched the approaching truck's headlights blinking as he slowed his speed beginning to curve to the side. I'd already changed my appearance – making my hair longer and into luscious blonde tresses that fell down my back. My eyes were no longer brown but a sea blue color. Typical blond hair, blue eyes would definitely catch some sleaze ball's attention. To add to the effect, I'd shamefully changed into a 'borrowed' Abercrombie skirt and a 'borrowed' juicy tank top and 'borrowed' black loubotins. All these brands labeled each item with ridiculously high prices added on due to a simple name but I needed the cover. The more comfortable clothing of simple jeans, t-shirts and flat shoes were inside the new dark blue duffel – all to which I had also 'borrowed'.
This truck was the second vehicle that I had passed by. The first had been a silver Toyota where the middle-aged man had locked eyes with me – his became wide but mine were flirtatious. I recalled how he bit his lip while gripping the steering wheel with great conflict playing about his expression and I know it would've worked, if it hadn't been for his wife and two kids. With that realization, I dropped the façade – I had limits.
This approaching black truck brought a shiver down my spine. Even from the distant, I could feel his maliciousness and the dark intentions fixed in his thoughts to which I concluded that I could not trust him.
Still, my great desperation to get away had my forced smile in place while I tried to ignore the malevolence of his mind and feel it's darkness creeping in to my skin causing my heart to pick up a rapid pace while beads of perspiration formed on my forehead. Everything in my being warning me away but I was still planted on the ground as he popped open the passenger door.
Late thirties possible early forties. He was bald but hiding this under his trucker's hat. He wore a grey t-shirt but sweat drenched the collar and my stomach churned at the disgusting stench of it so I had to swallow the bile as I stared warily at him. My nose was hit with the strange stench filling the space. "Where you headin' sugar?" even his deep bass was laced with an underlying warning. Each word was rough as it scraped at the back of throat possibly due to smoking which I could smell coming from the inside of truck. Doubts began to creep in my mind but I ignored them knowing that I could take care of myself.
Widening my false smile, I hid my locked fingers behind my back to prevent myself from attacking him. "Anywhere" the truth behind the muttered word brought an inkling of sadness.
There was no real home for me.
There never would be.
I'd searched my map and gotten a flight into Washington. I'd searched for places filled with small towns. I could've gone to England or Wales but the problem was that it was in Europe – where Italy was. I needed to be as far from there as I could.
He gave a wide smile, one hand still on the steering wheel but his body was facing me, "Well I'm heading to Everett – need to drop off the bad boys" he grinned inclining his head to the rows of logs lined up neatly at the back on the truck before adding a sly wink, as he licked his lips still taking in my appearance in what was a seductive manner in his mind. For the second time, I fought back the urge to vomit and keep the sweet smile on my face instead of my true self to be revealed. I could feel my marking burn against my skin so I took a deep breath to calm myself not wanting to give into my darker side.
"You can drive and I will tell you if I need to get off" my words formed a creepy grin on his face and he took off the hat as he wiped a hand over his sweaty skin. He brought out the same meaty hand so he can help me up. "I can manage" I replied curtly and he dropped the grin before composing himself and dropping the hand after waving me over.
I grabbed at the bar, hauling myself up with ease but gave a low grunt to maintain my façade.
I did feel tired – after the full force that I had used along with the compulsion. I couldn't find it in myself to sleep in the plane with the adrenaline still coursing through my veins but now, judging by my weariness, I realized that I needed 3 hours more than usual so if I could land with about 6-7 hours of sleep, my strength would return but I didn't trust my driver to keep his hands to himself so I kept quiet and stared out the window.
On the phone, I'd bought with enthusiastic assurances from the all-too-eager employers - I was able to search any small towns in Washington after landing. We'd passed a place named Lakewood and another place named Aberdeen and we were moving north. Gary (he'd introduced himself) kept pointing out all these different stops as we drove on mentioning any landmarks but also kept talking about his life – all the while sending me appreciative glances.
It seemed like he was speaking for the sake of speaking or maybe he just liked the sound of his voice – we'd jumped different topics. From how he got into the delivery business and then into how pretty I looked - which seemed to be a general occurrence.
"So what's a pretty girl like you doing in Washington?" he asked yet another question, the suggestive tone lingering. He'd continued to try and pull me into conversation even though simply breathing was tiring me out.
I could've used compulsion but I didn't want to risk randomly passing out. The glint in Gary's eye didn't assure me that I was a safe. My shield was brimming on the surface ready to be released whenever the moment came.
Keeping my eyes trained on the window. I muttered quietly in reply, "I'm just travelling" my fingers were laced together on my lap still feeling uncomfortable in the small space where it was becoming harder to keep away his thoughts.
I hoped he'd read from my body language that I didn't want to talk which I didn't because I was trying to organize my thoughts – create a plan but nothing could be drawn up as I listened to his heavy breathing while munching on his burger from our previous stop through a drive-thru. I had politely declined his offer to buy me lunch – wary that he'd put something in it.
After he finished his food, he scrunched up the wrapping and threw it out of the window before taking a deep breath, "You know, it's getting pretty late" he began and my heart skipped a beat as I feared his next expected words, "I know a motel here about 5 miles away. Maybe we could get a room?" his voice suggestive and I felt my insides churn again.
This time, I looked at him with great incredulity, allowing my mask too slip with his forwardness. His thoughts had implied that it would lead to this but I hadn't prepared myself for him actually going through with it.
I could kill him.
I should kill him.
But I won't.
Turning my whole form to face him, I gave a wide grin, "You know what. Let's do that" his eyes bugged out surprised that I was willing. He was probably expecting to tie me up and drag me into a room where he would take what had already been stolen. "But first, could we stop by the gas station. I need to use the little girl's room" explaining in my sugar-coated voice as I gingerly pointed to the gas station coming up ahead.
He was still struck with disbelief and excitement as he turned his attention back onto the road, the shit-eating grin bearing his face and it seemed he couldn't contain hiding those disgusting yellow teeth as he nodded keenly while curving into the gas station. "I'll be back" my voice still dripping of honey as clicked opened my buckle and pushed open at the door. "Maybe you could get some protection from the store" winking at him, making him drop his jaw before licking his lips.
Confirming my suspicions and my instincts, I turned around and sauntered calmly towards the unisex bathroom, swinging my hips for show instead of following my instincts and making a run for it.
Once I arrived at the bathrooms, I released the air I didn't realize I was holding, dropping my mask as I looked around my surroundings. A grimace clouding my face as I took it all in.
It was filthy – not that I really had any high expectations.
Dirt and grime covered every surface but it didn't really matter.
I wasn't here to use the toilet.
Looking around, I found no window – no sign of escape – just two cubicles – one with a broken door the other one with a note reading; OUT OF ORDER. Both have faded paint that had began to peel off revealing the cracked wood underneath with hinges that were missing. The toilet itself was no longer white – almost as yellow as Gary's teeth but caked with other people's missed targets. Dried up stains and encrusted messes had developed over time, creating the most insufferable stench ever.
Holding my breath, I continued to desperately search around the small limited space but found nothing that would allow me escape.
Sure I could break through a wall – but I that would not be wise.
No tracks.
"Taylor" Gary called to me using the fake identity I had given and I panicked realizing my time was running out. Looking up, I saw the mucky ceiling with wet balls of tissue paper stuck onto it. There was nowhere else. I climbed up and gripped each corner of the ceiling, my feet pushing at the opposite side just in time.
He continued to search the cubicles frantically; "Taylor?" his wavering tone suggested that he was fighting back his anger. He whispered my pseudonym one more time before scratching the back of his head and walking back out. Once he was gone, I allowed myself to fall back down onto the ground careful to not touch the floor.
Running into the cubicle, I quickly changed out of the hooker clothes and into more comfortable in simple jeans and a red t-shirt with some unfamiliar band's name on it paired with a big black winter coat on top. Taking off the hooker heels, I slipped into the black converses. Happy with the new found comfort.
Placing the clothes in a paper bag, I cautiously stepped out of the cubicle searching around before walking out to discard the clothes in the bin but then paused remembering the prices so I placed it on the counter instead. Might be worth something to someone else.
Slipping out of the toilet, I was careful as I scanned my surrounding in search for his truck. My eyes widened when I caught sight of it but exhaled when I saw that it was backing out of the station – turning left.
Guess I would be going right.
