First of all I want to apologize for not updating in a while. I've recently came back to college for the second semester and my free time has been very limited. I'll try to keep from going so long again. Lol. I hope no one has given up on my story, because I assure you it will be completed before long. - Becky

"I don't understand." Richard concluded as he gazed down the empty road. "We should have seen some sign of them by now."

"Don't let it worry you, Richard." Chris replied. "They're not going to keep us in the dark very long."

"Are you sure they weren't at that hotel?"

"Positive." Chris re-enforced. "We can go back if you like."

Richard paused a moment for thought. "Yes, let's do that. Perhaps they've checked in by now."

"Well, alright." Chris answered as he turned the car around and headed back towards the hotel.

Meanwhile, Luke was loading up the last suitcase on the back of the truck. "You ready?" He asked gazing over a very distraught and quiet Lorelai. She gently shook her head. "Alright then, let's go." Luke stepped into the truck and started the engine.

It was very silent for several minutes until Luke finally took a deep breath and attempted to break the silence. "Well, at least we know not to stop at any more hotels." He said, half serious, half joking. This was clearly not a time to joke with Lorelai. She scowled at him while remaining to keep the silence on her end. "I didn't mean..." Luke stammered. "I'm sorry." he finalized. "Are you sure you don't want to stop at a hospital or something?" Luke asked concerned.

"I'm sure." Lorelai replied. "It'll just be another way for them to track us."

Luke cleared his throat. "I've been thinking about that." he began. "I think I might know a way to ditch them for a while, if not for good."

"What?" Lorelai asked blankly.

"What if we backtracked? You know, turned around, went the direction we came... we could go back to a certain point and then take a whole new route."

"I guess that could work." Lorelai remarked.

"Well, if you don't think it's a good idea..."

"It's fine." Lorelai snapped.

Luke's facial expression saddened. "Okay."

"Luke, I'm sorry." Lorelai apologized. "I'm just..."

"I know." Luke interrupted. "Why don't you lay back and try to get some rest." As Lorelai laid her head back and closed her eyes, Luke smoothly turned the truck around and began the backtracking process.

Richard and Christopher pulled into the hotel parking lot once more. Richard immediately noticed that the truck was missing. Christopher remained in the car while Richard walked into the hotel lobby. Within a few minutes, Richard came storming out of the hotel.

"They were here!" Richard screeched from the parking lot.

Chris jumped out of the car. "What!" He asked in shock. "When!"

"Earlier tonight." Richard replied. "You lied to me!" Richard roared.

Chris quickly began to defend himself. "Richard, no... no..." Chris responded. "I would never lie to you. They must have not been checked in at the time I asked. Perhaps they had just parked the truck there and had been somewhere else. Honestly, I would have told you... You know I would have told you." Chris' eyes were misleadingly full of pain and sorrow.

Richard sighed. "I'm sorry."

Chris exhaled deeply. "We should have waited. If we had waited we would have caught them. This is all my fault." Chris rubbed his head.

"No..." Richard quickly remarked. "Don't blame yourself, lad. This was a mutual mistake. There's nothing we can do about it now. Let's get some rest for the night, and start fresh in the morning."

"Here at the hotel?" Chris asked.

"Yes." Richard clarified. "I could use a good night's sleep in a actual bed."

Chris smiled. "Sir, I am so enthused to hear you say that."

"Well, I would say it's well deserved."

"Yes, sir."

Richard and Chris each grabbed a bag from the car and headed once more into the hotel.