There is more to every story.
Or so I have heard them saying.
I always gaze into the infinity of the sky.
Observing the sky change its hues at different times of the day.
Nick and Sean are cracking jokes as I lounge with my feet out the window, "I like your smile," Nick was leaning between the seats talking, Sean gave me a wink. I raised my brows, "Thanks, Nick. You have really nice eyes," he did they were a brighter hazel, the hues not dark. His smile was one of happiness growing, much as a spring flower opens. I could see how it came from deep inside to light his eyes and spread into every part of him.
I asked, "Are you going to be happy back in Texas?" my eyes on him not like he could tell with the dark tint of my glasses, but at times I felt him staring at me. He answered, "I hope so," but his tone hinted at something, and it wasn't good.
I was starving it was mid-day, "Can you pull into this next shit town so we can grab food, I am starving," pleading with my eyes. "Sure but only minutes," I smiled moving to the beat of the music blaring, I loved chips and music.
Nick laughed once again, "Sucker,"
Sean snorted, "You would give in to, she has these eyes," now Nick was serious as I pulled down my glasses and made puppy eyes at him. "Fine, you need a kidney, its all yours. Please just put the glasses back on," it always worked, it always will too.
The Gas station blended right in with the rest of the street. It was a passage through the city, "Best get more gas too, get me food," was said before we even stopped, he had a gas card the owner of the card gifted the driver which saved us big time. Nick was looking at the sky lost in thought, "Yeah fine, Nick you want anything my treat,' trying to make my voice pleasant for the hours we have been together he seemed like a friend we grew up with not the hitchhiker we picked up.
"I'll walk you in," A small smile played on his lips, I guess he gets that a lot. It wasn't what he said though, his words were like butterscotch pudding, sweet in their ordinary sort of way, it was the richness of his tones – luxurious and warm. He must be a baritone in church. I'm glad I saw him before I heard his voice, I'd never have put the two of them together otherwise.
His body was out via the ragtop, his hand extended out to me when he opened my door, I placed my hand into his when he yanked me up making me stumble into his chest, it was hard. "Thanks," in a sarcastic tone of voice, my hair hitting him in his open mouth as I spun walking away.
A wizened face peered out from under a wedge of a blue hat, which was the only thing on his otherwise bald and mottled scalp save a sparse fringe of white. His eyes were so heavily lidded and weighed down with wrinkled folds that it was almost like talking to someone asleep, yet he was quite alert. "Afternoon," his voice was raspy and old.
I beamed up at him, "Good afternoon, might you have a working restroom. We're getting gas and food," lacing my words with southern hospitality. "Sure, do young miss, right back here," yeah, bit creepy but Nick nodded. "I will be right outside the door," and for some odd reason it soothed me as I walked into the small bathroom, it had soap and paper towels, I didn't fully sit on the toilet seat and made quick work of the deed.
With clean hands, I walked into Nick who was at the door, "My turn," I moved to the side leaving him to use it in peace, I knew the shop got business by the snacks, all for travelers. I got some pop, water, and now I am browsing the junk when Nick pop's up.
His tone annoyed, "I waited for you," smiling. "Thank you, I was getting drinks. Let's grab more stuff and leave," he got a few bags of chips we all liked, candy, beef jerky, last was some Quest Protein bars along with Nature Valley ones. "You lot must be hungry," he chuckled ringing us up. "Yes sir," was answered as I took cash out and paid.
The guy looked not to want to touch it, his eyes darting to Nick, like it was his job to pay. With cash on hand, he was grumbling under his mustache, "You have a pleasant day," I smiled once again it only stopped when we walked from his little junk food hideaway.
Sean was in and the engine was going, "Might want to pee before we go," Nick offered jumping in, next I was in as Sean grumbled but left to do his business. In the end, I was having a blast and didn't care if we made it to Gayla's wedding.
A wizened face peered out from under a wedge of a blue hat, which was the only thing on his otherwise bald and mottled scalp save a sparse fringe of white. His eyes were so heavily lidded and weighed down with wrinkled folds that it was almost like talking to someone asleep, yet he was quite alert. "That was a California plate, Sean,"
"Fine, now we are tied," an old car game it seemed we all used to play. Mischief is in the eye of the beholder. It certainly is for Sean. I know what he's going to do before he does, it's all there in his eyes. The boy has a busy brain, all those ideas for "rocking the boat" and so few opportunities to get away with it. Most of the time he's a coiled spring of frustration, then something changes, the odds move in his favor and the sparkle begins...
I glanced back at Nick who smirked at me, "Hi," he had this crooked smile. "So where do you see yourself in five years?" making another round of conversation. "I don't, I like to keep on the move, taking odd jobs when I need too. I was an Army brat growing up," I just listened as Sean gave his normal argument, he was a planner.
I interjected, "Nick is his person, and young like us, he has all the time to travel and act like a young adult," Nick smirked at Sean. "Rich coming form you, Noelle. You have your life planned out to the date, five years and ten years," he was not lying, I was just like that.
"I do, but I roll over any obstacle in my way and can adapt to change faster than you sissy boy," Nick laughed clapping Sean's shoulder. "Man, you two would have been fun to grow up with, I mean Noelle is already pretty great,"
His words made Sean smile as he launched into another tale of our bad deeds growing up, I was the star of this one I loved those days when everything was simple, and now nothing was simple. Nick looked to the sky once again, the twilight stole away the colors of the day until the world looked like an old black and white movie. "I got to take a piss," Sean groaned out loud. "A rest stop," Nick pointed out, I hated rest stops they are never clean enough. And to my surprise this one was no different, I just peed not touching the seat, I wash my hands and exit my feet taking to the dirt heading back to the car.
I noticed two women and two men waiting by an old rust bucket, maybe a Nova that has seen better days. I eyed them as I moved to the Benz, "Hello doll," the one I took as the ringleader spoke, something was unnerving about each.
The man is a charm to be sure. He has the right twinkle in his eyes and a voice that is warmer than sunlight on amber. I usually like that - smiling back and enjoying an exchange of words - yet this one has that air of power, of total confidence. I fight myself to not back away; he's creepy but fear could only add fuel to it. The African American girl is giddy, the other girl with tamed curly hair is an in-between, the other male looks to be the idiot of their crew. I say, "That is not my name, and what do you want," a flicker of malice touched his eyes but then a smile. "I like a girl with fire, it's so alluring," I wanted to back away but can hear laughter behind me, and their eyes flickered behind me.
In that hectic moment, he wrapped his arms around me and I let my head rest upon his chest. I didn't think it was Sean, these arms are strong they pulled me back pressing me into his back. It was Nick, "Was just talking to the beauty queen, no harm no foul. You see we like yourselves had to use the lavatory and well our car just up and died. And honestly don't want to get stuck in this shithole, would you mind giving us a jump," my body twitched and in retaliation, Nick held me tighter, firmer to his back.
Sean was moving, he was nervous as he spoke. "You got cables?"
The idiot, who wore a mechanic jumpsuit spoke. "Sure do, just pop the hood and ill hook it right up," Sean turned back to us, his head nodding to Nick. "Dude, can you turn the engine over,"
"Sure," his body moved, his arm was like iron moving me with him. With a swift move, I was in his arms as he placed me in the backseat. "Don't move," was whispered as he took something shiny from his bag before turning to do as Sean asked.
I looked up; the leader winked at me his voice filled with authority. "Teddy, turn the engine over," it made a groan and a clinking sound when he snapped. "Again," and like that it started, and this Teddy revved the engine a few times.
Sean had to say something, "Let that idle for a few, helps the Alternator charge the battery," The fear thoughts looped around in my mind until there was no room for anything else. "I thought I saw this car in a motel," oh god, he was right and stupid for saying anything.
Nick let out a frustrated groan, the other guy spoke. "No not us, has to be another one like mine. Thank you all for your help," he was not smiling, his dark eyes are calculating as Sean was in and putting the car into gear when the girl came upon him. I snapped, "Alright there, you heard of personal space Hunny? Sean lets go now," the leader was laughing but his girl looked to want to rip my throat out, but she was way to close to my cousin.
Sean hit the gas and the tires kicked dust-up as we took off. "Did he try anything?" Sean, his hands are white as he gripped the wheel so tightly. "No, he was flirting and creepy but that was it. Something was so off with them, something not natural," I shook, as the top was placed to keep the wind out.
Nick grabbed me, "Dude, she is shaking like a leaf," I was now bundled on Nicks lap with Sean rubbing my arm with his free hand. "Yeah, she is," I didn't tell them I had flashes at the first motel we had been at of that guy.
I noted in my mind, something was still off with Nick, and it was similar to the one idiot guy, and Nick was not an idiot. But I was letting him hold me and slowly I calmed down, I wasn't scared. I stated, "I wasn't scared, I can't explain it, but that one guy he creeped me out," but an hour later we sit eating.
Nick a steak platter, Sean the seafood and mine was a solid mix, but something was bothering me. Standing up, "I need air, here pay," tossing cash on the table and leaving before either could halt me.
As soon as I stepped outside, I walked into a girl with semi curly blonde hair looking like she was coming off drugs, but the aura was more like Nick. I watched the bus driver yell at her when I came up. "Gosh, rude much, she is sick," her eyeballs are darting from side to side, but the veins are not normal, inflamed.
I smile at her, "My name is Noelle, do you have a name?" how retarded Noelle, of course, the girl had a name which she sputtered out. "M..e.g…a..n," this was something as I touched her skin it was burning hot.
"Hi Megan, do you need help?" but now I am joined by Nick and Sean, she was shaking as I had been hours ago. I twitched when Nick walked up, "Calm down, I know what's wrong with you. Just calm down," I braced my arms around her. "Megan, I am going to help but right now you need to calm down.
The snot waitress was running upon us, yelling about the girl no paying for a fucking coffee. "Sean pay the bitch, this girl is sick and here she is worried about a shit ass cup of coffee," Nick swung the girl into his arms and we three bolted to the hotel.
I am the one getting the room, I asked, "Can I pet your monkey," he smiled licking his blood-red ice sickle. "Sure can, here is your key. That will be forty-five for the night and please no funny business,' I reached over and tickled its ear hearing a cat-like noise. "I want one now," men are easy to please as I smiled with a wave leaving him and his pet alone.
Megan was undressed in an ice bath when it happened, she freaked out, blood dripping from her nose, she must have bit the inside of her mouth. Sean freaked out, I slipped landing in the tub with her, my arms around her chest keeping them covered but only Sean seemed affected by her. "CALM DOWN," was being screamed, Sean covered her mouth while Nick vanished and returned with a 4cc filled needle. His eyes meet mine and I nod, Sean yells, "What the hell is that,"
Snapping, "Sean, shut it," but her body relaxed as a loud bang was heard, I jumped out answering the door seeing the night manager. "What is goin on here,"
"I slipped while filling the tub," with grace and putting my pride behind me I opened the door letting him see the now soaking wet white crop top as it clung to my red bra. "You okay?"
"I am, thank you so much for checking on me. It makes me feel safer staying here," he blushed and offered me a goodnight, leaving as I shut door locking it once again. His eyes showed the kind of gentle concern my grandfather used to have. He laid his hand lightly on my shoulder, and instead of flinching like I usually did, I was soothed by it. He left his hand there and spoke with such a soft voice. "She has a blood virus, that can be controlled by drugs. She bit Sean and he is passed out," I bolted passed him to see Sean out cold, his pulse was weak.
"I injected him with the drugs but shot her up with morphine. I can explain it all when he wakes up," I jump hearing the faucet going, he was splashing it on his face when tires on the gravel and loud laugher are heard. We both looked to the window, I was there first opening it a crack, but it was his body flushed with mine that nearly had my attention. His hands replaced mine, they had to be following us but what happened next had him holding his hand over my mouth. They shot the manager, and are carrying a young girl into the trailer office, I felt my eyes filling with tears as a sudden drip was on my shoulder.
Nick was bleeding from the mouth, it tinted his fingers as he shut the window. He just pressed my head into his chest as I cried.
"I need your help and Sean,"