Chapter 50

Through most of Texas, the group was able to stay on the Interstate 10 without any problems. By the time they reached Las Cruces, New Mexico, it was nearing lunchtime.

"We can't stop to eat, it's too risky." Milldred frowned. "Even though we're not in Texas anymore, our pictures have still been sent out through the country. Everybody will be keeping their eyes out for us. We'll have to settle for a drive through."

"I'll try to find one." Daniel nodded. "Hey Google." A loud bing resonated through the car, confusing the Gelflings for a moment. "Where's the closest drive through?"

"The closest drive through restaurant is Sonic Drive-In." A disembodied woman announced.

"It'll have to do." Milldred sighed.

Daniel nodded. "Take us there."

"Ok." The woman answered.

"Who, or what, was that?" Seladon frowned in confusion.

"Don't worry about it, Seladon, just a robotic navigator." Milldred said to her. "It helps us by telling us where to go when we get lost."

"That's neat." Deet nodded.

It didn't take them very long to get to the restaurant. Once they got there, Daniel pulled in and parked next to one of the ordering machines. Penelope got a kids meal with grilled cheese, fries, and an apple juice. Daniel got a SuperSONIC double cheeseburger with tater tots and a coke. Milldred, a classic crispy chicken sandwich with fries and a coke. And the Gelflings weren't picky, and were quiet small themselves, so they each decided to get a kids meal of their own. Rian, a Jr. burger with fries and apple juice. Deet, a plain hot dog with tater tots and apple juice. Seladon, chicken strips with fries and milk. And Brea, with grilled cheese, fries, and Hi-C fruit punch.

As they were waiting for their food, Penelope happened to look towards the entrance of the Sonic Drive-In, and gasped when she saw a police cruiser coming in. "Guys, we've got company."

"Shit, ok ok, stay cool everybody." Daniel ordered as they all caught sight of the vehicle.

The police cruiser pulled in right next to their van and stopped. The group tried their best not to look at the driver, seemingly minding their own business as they waited for their own food to come, while the policeman ordered his.

"We're in big trouble if he catches us." Rian gulped.

"Just stay calm." Milldred said to him. "Don't draw any attention to yourselves. As soon as we get our orders, we're outta here."

The others nodded and tried to relax, laying back against their seats as they tried to remain calm, trying not to get the officer's attention onto them. They suddenly heard music playing next to them and they couldn't help but look back at the cruiser, laughing a bit when they saw the driver dancing a bit to a song called Bad Boys by Inner Circle.

They smiled and laughed as he continued to dance and sing along. He suddenly looked over at them, causing everybody to stop laughing and quickly look away. Milldred took a sneaky glance at him and quickly looked back down when she saw that he was still looking at them.

"Shit, I think he's onto us." She said to Daniel.

"Don't panic." He said to her, laying his hand onto hers. "Look, here comes our food."

"Hello, sorry for the wait." A female Sonic worker greeted kindly as she went up to Daniel's window with the orders. "I have all your orders here. Five kids' meal, a classic chicken sandwich, and a SuperSONIC double cheeseburger."

"That's us." Daniel nodded.

"Great, that'll be $32.84."

Daniel reached into his wallet to pay for the food. He was gonna go for his card, but then he realized his card had his name on it. And with the police officer right next to them, he very well couldn't present with his card. He sighed and pulled out two twenty dollar bills and handed them to the woman. "Keep the change." He told her, wanting to get them out of there as quick as they could.

"Alright, have a pleasant day, sir." The woman smiled and turned to walk back into the building with the money and the empty delivery tray.

Daniel handed Milldred the food and drinks and started the ignition back up before driving them out of there, getting as far away from the police cruiser as they could.

"That was way too close!" Seladon gasped.

"I hope we never have to do that again." Rian nodded, flopping back in his seat in relief.

"Sorry guys," Daniel apologized. "I didn't think we'd actually encounter any cops while we were there."

"It's alright, it's not your fault." Brea assured him. "That incident could've happened anywhere."

"Brea's right, Daniel." Milldred nodded. "There's no way you could've predicted that. The important thing now is that we got away."

"We still have sixteen more hours before we get to Palo Alto. We cannot stop again." Daniel frowned.

"Then we won't." Deet nodded. "We'll be fine."

"Right." Milldred nodded before she started giving everybody their food and drinks. "Everything should be fine now. Let's just get to Palo Alto and get these guys home. No more taking risks."

Daniel nodded and sighed, continuing to drive through New Mexico without any other interruptions.