They had been driving most of the night. Sarah had no idea what to do other than head west, and the exhaustion was quickly combining with the anxiety.
"Sarah we have to stop."
"No."
"Sarah, you've been driving for 10 hours. We're both exhausted and you're going to go crazy if you keep peering out of that windshield."
"Go to sleep if you want to, I'll be fine." the yawn escaped her even as she said it. For a moment she hated her body for its treachery.
"Oh yes, I'm sure I'll have no problem drifting off. Never mind my concern that if I don't keep an eye on you we'll go smashing into a girder." His own weariness was evident around his eyes, written in the strain at the corners of his mouth.
"Alright. The next exit we see we'll get a room." She had meant to fight more, she was sure of it, but suddenly all she could think about was getting a shower and getting some sleep.
Jareth was surprised as well when she gave in, but then the shining light of the Motel 6 stood out like a beacon in the darkness and he simply thanked the universe for small miracles.
* * *
Richard was relieved to note that even kidnappers needed sleep. For an insomniac, he was quickly reaching his limits. He knew he'd be fine with a good 4 hours sleep; it was those damned lines on the road, lulling him with their hypnotic rhythm. When the Taurus pulled into the Comfort Inn he breathed a sigh of relief before pulling into the parking lot of the Ramada next door.
* * *
The excitement of finally having the boy was wearing off, quickly being replaced with the need for sleep. Toby had been in and out for most of the evening, the chloroform having sapped his body of energy. When he was awake, he listened to the man behind the wheel and asked no questions. He absorbed it all, and this only confirmed for the man that this was the one. No tears, no whimpered requests for family; he was nothing like the last ones.
"Now, we're going to stop for the night. You're going to sit here while I get a room, and you're going to behave." he didn't feel the need to threaten the boy, but his voice held an edge that brooked no arguments. He felt a flush of pride when he returned to find the boy still sitting there, and still more when they walked up to the room without any problems. He bolted the door against the outside world and prepared to sleep the sleep of a lion who has no idea it's being hunted.
