Chapter 5

How long she laid on the back-floor Autumn didn't know she moved every so often trying to get somewhat comfortable, it never did her any good. She drifted in and out of light sleep. It wasn't until about an hour later that Autumn found herself being shaken awake, "Hurry up now. I don't have all day. Need to be quick we do. Or we miss your bus, we will." Spoke Lottie.

Autumn pulled herself out of the car. She grabbed her backpack and suitcase. Lottie handled her duffel bag and started to move forward. Autumn following after her. Her heart rate increased almost pounding in her ears. Her palms felt sweaty, and she kept rubbing one hand on her leg and switch the suitcase to that hand and wiped her other one.

For now, the whole surreal situation she found herself in seemed all too real, and she was horrified. They got to the bus check-in and had her bags checked in, and Lottie took her to the restroom soon afterward. When she came out, Lottie bought her a grilled chicken wrap with lettuce, cheddar cheese and ranch dressing with a bottle of water.

Within two minutes of that, she found herself in a line and with strict instructions not to move or talk and go nowhere with anyone. Autumn stood shocked still as Lottie just left her standing there at the terminal.

She glanced around nervously she never been outside of the state, let alone her hometown before and there were such too many strange people around, and she tried to keep herself calm by taking a few deep breaths and she let out small scream as a voice spoke from behind her and she spun around with a hand on her heart.

"I don't feel comfortable for you to stand here why don't we get you settled onto the bus now."

Autumn took in the middle age woman for a time.

"You are much too young to be on your own anyway. Shouldn't you be in school?"

Autumn shook her head no for a time. The woman raised her eyebrow. Through the tightness of her throat, she mentioned to squeak out, "My Aunt thought it would be best if I go leave with my father in Washington State."

"Oh. What town is it?"

"She didn't know any of the small towns, so hoping she didn't say anything wrong, she spoke the first thought that came to mind. "My aunt has it written down for me, and I was told not to take the paper out until I get closer to my destination so that way, I don't lose the address or the instructions.

Autumn pulled out the article from the front zipper pocket and gave it to the woman. The woman took it and opened it and read its contents for a time, before raising her eyes to stare at her, "I believe you. Come on, let's get you settled."

The woman folded the paper and gave it back to Autumn. Autumn placed it back in her bag and zipped it up. She watched as the woman picked up the duffel bag and suitcase and Autumn followed after her. She placed Autumn's two bags underneath the bus and waved for her to climb onto the couch and find a seat. She took a seat near a window and sat down.

She leaned her head against the glass and closed her eyes with silent tears slipping down her face as she fell asleep. She slept through the woman driver's talking to the passengers. Eventually, she awoke to find the bus was moving and filled with passenger's though none sat beside her which she was thankful for. Autumn took the backpack that was against her and the wall of the bus. She set it down on the floor and opened up the wrap that she had and slowly ate the lunch with sips of water in between. Once she was done, she leaned back in her seat and stared outside.

She must have dozed off again for she was gently awakened by the woman driver. "Where is your ticket. Autumn handed her the ticket, and she studied you have almost a 12 hour wait time, and luck will have it you will be with me for the next part of your trip. Come with me. At least this way I will feel better that you will be safe at least on my watch."

Autumn quickly stood and heard the lady mumbled something about irresponsible guardians. Autumn couldn't help but let a tiny smile out onto her face as she followed after the woman who had her bags again. They moved through the station and caught a cab to a motel. There Autumn found herself sitting on her bed with the paper and a folder beside it. Taking the paper, she began to read it.

My niece,

I don't know much of what your mother's life was like after she left our hometown. What I do know she came back expecting a baby and gravely sick. Slowly she had gotten better, but the pregnancy and delivery of you were hard on her. The doctor didn't expect her to live through the night but to live until you were seven years before finally losing the battle of her life.

What she did tell me was your father's name is Charlie Swan. He was on the police force in a small town called Forks. This brings me to my next part. Once you reach Seattle in Washington state. You will catch a cab to Port Angles. From there to a motel to stay the night. Next, you will make the final leg of your journey to a small town called Forks to the police department.

Aunt Aoife

p.s. Have your father contact me after you reach him.

Autumn knew she shouldn't have expected I love you or anything, but it still hurt. She opened up the small folder and realize there were pictures of her and her mother at different steps of her short childhood with her. Autumn dropped the images, grabbed the pillow from behind, and started to cry with her head buried into the pillow. The shower could still be heard in the bathroom going, so it gave her some privacy.

She glanced up from the pillow and noticed one of the pictures were stuck to another she carefully pulled them apart and her mouth drop opened as she stared at the picture there in her mother's arms was herself as a newborn, but behind them stood her aunt with a huge smile on her face with her arms wrapped around them in a hug and both sisters looked truly happy.

what happen thought Autumn to make her aunt who she is now. Was it the death of my mother? She pondered. She glanced up as the shower shut off and quickly grabbed the pictures and placed them back inside the folder along with a social security card, birth certificate, and other papers her aunt thought she needed.

And slipped the folder back into the bag, zipped it closed. And replaced the paper into the front pocket. Autumn stood up and move to her baggage and pulled out black scrubs with a light pink long sleeve shirt out and some underwear. Just in time for the door to the bathroom to be open.

"All yours."

"Thank you." Autumn moved inside and took her shower. And she enjoyed the feeling of the warm water on her skin, and for fifteen minutes she stood under the water enjoying the warmth when it slowly started to turn chilly. She washed and rinsed quickly. Dried off and dress. Autumn came out of the bathroom. Stood in the doorway a towel in hand, drying her hair with it.

"I snooped through your wallet, Autumn. Your aunt didn't give you not enough money. I took the liberty and added to it. Instead of the two hundred, you have five hundred that should be more than enough to cover the fairs of the cab, food and drink with a motel or hotel for staying the night at once you reach Washington."

Autumn eyes widen in surprise, and she stood rooted and blinking for a time. "Why?"

"Why what?" responded the woman.

"Why would you do that?"

Autumn watched as her eyes narrowed at her, "Because, no child should be traveling alone. If what I can give, can help you, then I will do so. Now to bed. Twelve-thirty tonight will come all too soon.

The woman turned to the other bed and crawled into bed and turned off the lights bathing the room in darkness. Autumn moved slowly to the bed and sat upon it.

Whispering so she couldn't be heard her words filled the air around her. "Oh, God. Why would anyone do this for me? All my life, I have been told I was a burden, and I have clung to you and my imaginary friends for so long God. Only knowing your love and presence and a bit of happiness in my little world. Now I am forced to step out of that comfort zone, and I am so scared. And totally in awe that there are truly people out there that care. Maybe the one that is my father will be the same way. Please let it be so."

She slipped under the covers and closed her eyes to sleep. Though it was a long time coming. All too soon, the sound of the alarm blared in her ears. And both groaned at the noise. Autumn sat up and watched the Bus woman hit the alarm. They stood and grabbed their things and checked out. They made it back to the bus stop, and the girl found herself on a different bus with the woman who was the driver after her ticket was taken care of.

From there it was eleven hours of travel, with a few transfers in between and Autumn found herself in line at the restroom at the bus station in Denver, Colorado. Once she has gotten to use facilities. Autumn stopped by the food stand and bought a cheeseburger, a can of sprite, and bottled water for later. She placed the water in her bag, along with the can. Autumn put her backpack on her bag, duffel on her shoulder and one hand grabbed her suitcase, and the other held her wrapped sandwich. She quickly as she could walk to her terminal to catch the next bus. By the time Autumn reached the bus, she watches as it drove away. She stared in disbelief as she glanced at the clock and seeing it was still five minutes before the departure time. Tears sprung to the thirteen-year-old eyes, and she moved to the chair against the wall placed her duffel bag on the seat beside the wall and her backpack on top of it. The suitcase sat on the floor with her feet on top of it.

Autumn blindly ate the sandwich and drank some of the sprite and she stood went to the nearby garbage can and toss the items away and moved back to her seat quickly and replaced her feet on the case, and she laid her weight and head onto her two bags and cried herself to sleep.

I did drop a baby hint or two in this chapter for you all. Let me know if you can find it

Last edited on January 1, 2020