It was only as I followed Steve's cruiser that I realized how fast I'd truly been going down the dead empty road. I hadn't bothered to roll my window back up as I began to drive again, because in a weird way, I was somewhat intoxicated by the air around me. I'd been quite used to the city all my life, busy factories and restaurants and garbage trucks abound, I was used to a variety of scents. All I could smell here was the crisp autumn air, and despite the chill flowing from the open window, I couldn't get enough of it. I'd already turned my music back on, though not nearly as loud, finally relaxing again as I sang along to Joan Jett's Do You Wanna Touch Me with very little shame.

If I was to be frank, I supposed I'd say that calling myself a runaway was a touch excessive. It seemed to imply that I had somehow left my entire world behind under the cover of night, without telling a soul where I was headed, when that was absolutely not the case. In fact, I made sure to explicitly tell my parents every thought I had on the matter since day one. The moment I suggested leaving this way to my mother, she nearly burst into tears, and had thought it was something she had done, that I was somehow upset with her, but that wasn't the case. At first, my dad's main concern was that I was staving off college indefinitely, but at the end of the day, the more I talked them through what I felt like I needed, the more they understood why I wanted this. I begged them to think of it more as a vacation more than anything. I'd be back, but only on my terms. Only when I felt like I was better for having left.

So with a kiss on the cheek from mom and dad, they gave me the old car, a bit of money to get by, let me pack myself up, and leave Norfolk after one last family breakfast sitting like a brick in my stomach.

I pulled the volume back on my stereo as we finally pulled into town; it was a scene I'd seen before, however on a larger scale back home. Rows of local shops and restaurants, some single stories, others multi levels with apartments above. No lights lit up the street save for dull yellow street lights and a few blinking orange traffic lights. I was being led through the sleepiest little town I'd ever been to. I was even drowsier just thinking about it.

I followed Steve's cruiser into the small, nearly empty lot of what I knew had to be a locally owned hotel. Only one other car sat in the lot besides myself and Steve, and I knew that had to at least be the front desk staff. Something told me there was a vacancy.

I shut off my car and got out, meeting Steve at the doors where he offered me a smile. "Let me go in and see what I can make happen," he assured me, followed by a wink that was identical to his earlier one. I smiled back and nodded as I watched him go inside, going right to the desk.

I couldn't hear anything that was being said, but I could see Steve grinning as he leaned against the desk, averting his eyes every so often, and it seemed as though after everything he spoke, the sweet, starry-eyed girl at the desk giggled and played with her hair. It hit me- that sneaky shit, I thought, he's flirting his way into getting me a free room. Part of me wanted to run in there and drag him out, but on the other hand, it seemed to me like he was already doing a damn good job as it was, and who would I be to tell a man not to utilize his talents. Better to take advantage of charm than power, I suppose.

I pretended as if I hadn't been watching as he came back out, combing both hands through his full head of hair, and in that moment, just for a second, I understood how the girl at the front desk felt. I'd be stupid to try and say even for a moment that he wasn't handsome as hell, and I definitely wasn't stupid. Emotional, petty, and typically angry, yes, but not stupid.

"You have a room here as long as you need it," he began with an almost smug grin, like a thief that's just gotten away with a big steal. "I talked her into putting it on the station's billing ledger, so you don't owe a penny. I may owe Flo an apology and a coffee when I get to the station in the morning, but that's all. Just... let's make working out a job and apartment the two top priorities." His smug grin turns into a soft smile. "Want some help bringing some stuff inside?"

I didn't have to put much thought in before I nodded. My body grew more and more tired as each second passed, and I was sure he could see it on me. Even as he helped me bring things in and to my double queen suite from my car, he never once let me grab the heavier things, as if he thought my body may give out between the weight and my exhaustion, and honestly, that was a fair assumption.

I sat on the edge of one of the beds as Steve set the last box down in the room, and I gave him a somewhat tired smile. "You're kinda young to be an officer," I told him, to which he exhaled a lazy chuckle.

"Yeah, I know. Guess I just got lucky," he joked as he leaned against the wall with a somewhat bemused sigh. His smile faded after a moment, and he seemed to examine me with that same worried look he gave me back on the road. "Are you okay? Like... is everything... okay?" He didn't pry or press, but I could tell something in him wanted to, wanted to make sure he was doing everything he possibly could for me. It was sweet. I couldn't tell him I wasn't.

"I'll get there," I said, and it was true, or at least I hoped. "I'm doing better now, though." I forced my smile to grow more than my face wanted it to. "I really appreciate this, all of this."

Steve waved a hand before crossing his arms across his chest with a half grin. "Don't mention it, blondie. It wouldn't be a very good Hawkins welcome if I just left you out to sleep in your car, now would it?" I laughed dryly at that and shook my head.

"I guess not." I looked up and saw him reach into his pocket, and after a moment, he passed me a little card. Hawkins, IN Police Dept. was sprawled in the center, with the address and several desk phone numbers listed below under the chief of police.

"Try and get some sleep, okay?" he suggested softly, to which I nodded. "And, uh... feel free to come by the station if you need anything, okay? Anything at all, I'm your guy."

I smiled softly, and stood up with another nod as I gently put my hand on his arm. "I will, I promise." We both paused for a moment, and in that time, I felt compelled to hug him, even though I didn't. After this long, exhausting, and emotionally draining day, I was better off not diving into another person emotionally, especially someone as kind as Steve. He didn't deserve to have my depressed carcass draped all over him.

Instead, he smiled back at me and nodded, heading for the door. "I'll see you around, then," he said, before turning around with a grin. "Oh, Lucy...?" I paused as I followed him, blinking, and his grin began to grow even bigger. "I could hear you singing in your car- you have a nice voice."

I laughed softly; not because I thought he was being funny, or because I was upset, but I was surprised. Surprised that anyone, especially for someone who had known me for such a short amount of time would go so out of their way to have heard me... or was I really just that loud. Regardless, I felt my face heat up, and I tucked a wisp of loose hair behind my ear.

"Thanks," I mused with a soft smile as he passed my doorway into the hall, and he turned to grin at me as I gave him an almost playfully coy grin. "Maybe you'll get to hear me again sometime."

He chuckled, and I took solace in this soft moment in life that I've somehow earned as he smiled at me gently, like I've said something that warmed him. "I hope so." He gave me a small wave as he left, and I shut the door.

As I latched the deadbolt, I leaned against the wood of the door and exhaled shakily. Finally. I had made it. I took my time in taking a hot shower, getting into pajamas that smelled like home, and sitting on top of the nicely made queen bed as I wrapped myself in the blanket I'd brought with me. I grabbed the remote off the bedside table and searched for a channel that was still on-air, some kind of noise. Anything to remind me of what I'd still yet to cope with.

I was completely alone.

i deeply appreciate you taking the time to read this series! please remember to leave a comment if you have any thoughts! x