Chapter 2

I slowly woke up, my body aching from the uncomfortable sleeping position. My eyes opening to meet the still night sky. Looking at the clock on the bus I noticed I was asleep for six of the eight-hour bus ride. My stomach gave a growl and I pressed my bag into it, trying to keep it quiet. I knew I didn't have enough money left to buy a snack they provided on the bus; but once I got to Athens, I bet I could scavenge something…

I jumped when a bag of pretzels was being held in front of my face by a pale hand. I looked over to see that annoying man sitting there with a small smirk. I narrowed my eyes at him before eyeing the bag in suspicion.

"Well take them," he said, and I looked back at him, the suspicion still clear on my face.

"Why?" I asked and he raised an eyebrow before tossing the bag towards me and I just barley caught it.

"I believe a 'thank you' is what you should be saying," he scolded a little, "but if you're not as hungry as that growling stomach suggests, then I can give them to someone else." I blushed in embarrassment and quickly looked away from him.

"Thank you." I muttered before opening the bag. I didn't eat the food right away though because I was still suspicion of his motives. So, I sniffed the bag a little and inspected the contents inside.

"Not a very trusting girl, are you?" I heard him ask and looked over to see him watching me with curiosity and slight amusement.

"Habit." I spat out bitterly before looking away again; however, I could see his lips form a small frown in the window reflection.

"For an eleven-year-old-" he stared to say, and I cut him off.

"Thirteen." I snapped a little and he raised an eyebrow again.

"Apologies," he said, "for a thirteen-year-old, you have quite the attitude." I didn't answer him. Instead I slowly munched on the pretzels and kept my eyes on the moving road.

"Now I wonder what the bus driver would do if he found out there was a runaway on board." The man suddenly said and my face paled.

"I'm not a runaway." I quickly said in a hushed tone.

"Then what are you?" he challenged as I continued to look away from him.

'Ok don't panic' I thought to myself, 'just make up a story…"

"I'm visiting my uncle in Athens," I lied. Although it was also the half-truth, he was in Athens; but he was wasting away in jail.

"And do your parents know about this trip?" he asked.

"I don't have any!" I snapped at him then realized what I said. I quickly looked away and pulled my rain jacket hood over my head, blocking him out. How I wished I had headphones like some of the other bus passangers. Maybe I should've stolen them from my last home before I left…

I heard him shift a little in his seat, but he made not further attempt to talk to me after that. Although I did feel his eye on me occasionally, I ignored him and continued to stare out the bus window. After what seemed like an eternity, the bus finally pulled into the Athens station. People were quick to get off and the annoying man next to me was among the first. Once he was off the bus, I hopped behind a lady and followed her off the bus while keeping my head down with my hood on the whole time. I dodged through the small crowd to avoid the eyes of security guards, before coming to a stop in a slightly hidden corner. I had managed to swipe a map of Athens from a tourist's bag and opened it. I looked over the map trying to figure out where to go. My first thought was to the street market and I could try and steal some food, but I quickly shook that idea away. I didn't want to steal because that could get me caught a lot quicker. My shoulders slumped after a few minutes of looking over the map. Maybe this wasn't the best idea…

"For such a little kid," a voice came from behind me and I jumped, "you sure are stealthy and quick." I looked behind me to see my oh so talkative bus mate. I suppressed a groan and decided to just walk away from him.

"There are cops that way." The man said and I froze in my spot. I quickly spun on my heel to face the blue-eyed annoyance.

"Why won't you leave me alone?!" I snapped at him and he raised that stupid, perfect eyebrow. He smirked a little then pulled out a think envelope from under his jacket and tossed it at me. I quickly caught it and looked up at him, only to find he was gone. I looked around me but couldn't see him anymore. Pulling my eyebrows together, I opened the envelope and my jaw hit the ground. There was a lot of cash in it and with a note and what looked like a hotel key card. The hotel card read Royal Olympic Hotel. I unfolded the note that was also tucked between the ridiculous amount of money.

Royal Olympic hotel suite key card. Stay ends 6 months from today under the name Athas. Do what you want with the cash. I personally recommended changing your appearance if you don't want to get caught. Good luck kid ~ D

I stared wide-eyed at the note and kept reading over it. Biting my lip, I looked around at the forming crowds that have started to appear with the morning sun. I kept debating what I should do. I shouldn't trust a stranger, for all I knew he could be at the room now waiting for me. I shivered as a cool breeze blew around me. Taking a deep sigh, I decided to push all common sense aside and hail a cab. The taxi driver dropped me off at the expensive looking hotel and I walked through the doors biting my lip.

"You must be Mr. Athas's daughter." I jumped when a well-dressed woman walked up to me with a smile plastered on her face.

"We look forward to your long stay with us, I'm Karan the hotel general manager." She eyed me up and down but kept that fake smile on her face.

"Your suite is on the top floor," she handed me an envelope with a room number, "In there is a card with a three-month food plan. Feel free to contact the front desk if you need anything." With that she gave me one last fake smile and walked off. I briefly wondered how much they pay her to be such a suck up. Rolling my eyes, I quickly made my way to the elevator. The elevator dinged on the top floor and I made my way to the room number. Taking one last deep breath, I swiped the card and walked in.

For the second time today, my jaw hit the ground. The entryway was huge, and I walked through to a lounge area with a long couch and two chairs with a coffee table in the middle of them. There was a decent size desk in the same room along with a small round dining table and a couple chairs. In the other room was a large bedroom with a huge bed. I walked in there and tossed my bag on the bed and went to the bathroom. Just like everything else, the room was huge and the bathtub that could probably fit three. A large counter and a shower also fit in the room. Shaking my head, I walked out and looked around the room to see a door that led to a balcony. I stepped out and went over to the railing looking out at the city and the view of the temple of Zeus. Pressing my lips together, I walked back into the room and closed the door behind me. I looked at the clock to see it was almost nine in the morning. Shops will be opening soon, and I knew I should probably go get some things…

After locking the front door, I jumped into the shower and enjoyed the nice hot water. It's been years since I've taken a hot shower, foster parents don't want to waste money on hot showers for me. After scrubbing my har and completely washing off, I got out and wrapped myself in the fluffy towels. I looked at myself in the mirror as I dried off my brown hair deciding then that the first thing I needed to do was dye my hair so it would be harder for people to recognize me in case those people reported me missing. Which I doubt they would, but it never hurts to be safe. Besides, I didn't really care for my brown hair because it reminded me of my mom.

After I dried off and dressed into my only pair of clean cloths, I left the room with my bag and the wad of cash in it. I quietly walked into the breakfast area where they were serving it buffet style or by menu. I walked over to the buffet after showing my room card to the host, my stomach growled at seeing all the food. Not caring about the people around me, I piled eggs, waffles, and bacon on my plate then walked over to a secluded table by a window. After scarfing down my breakfast and even going back for seconds, I grabbed an apple from the buffet and walked out of the hotel. The front desk lady called me a cab to take me to the closest shopping mall, which was an outdoor strip near the temple of Zeus, which was getting crowded with tourists. My first destination was a hair salon.

"Good morning," the lady at the front desk said with a suspicious smile, "can I help you."

"I was wondering if you have availability to get a full coloring done," I said, "I'd like to go blonde." The lady pressed her lips together as she eyed me. I don't blame her suspicion, after all, I bet it's not often a thirteen-year-old walks in alone.

"One of our stylist had a cancellation this morning and will have the time," she started to say and I pulled out the envelope of cash.

"How much?" I asked and she smiled after seeing I had the money for the service. She told me I can pay after the appointment and led me back to a lady. I was thankful the hairstylist wasn't a talkative person and let me read through magazines as she worked on my mid-back length hair. It took four hours to completely dye my hair blonde. After thanking the hairstylist, I quickly left and went to the closest clothing store. I picked out several outfits, shoes, makeup to help change my appearance, and a purse. After buying all the things I continued to shop at a few more stores and a grocery store to get some basic living things. When my hands were full of bags, I flagged a cab and returned to the hotel. A bus boy took my things up to my room while I went to get dinner at the roof top restaurant.

Finally, after a long day, I plopped down on the bed in my room after locking the door and putting my things away. I stared at the wall for a while, trying to figure out why that guy helped me. Even after all the shopping I did today, I barley made a dent in the cash he gave me and I looked up on the business center computers how much this room costs. For six months, he had to have paid easily over one-hundred thousand. I rolled onto my stomach and stared out the window at the city. I bed he's just overly wealthy person who just likes to throw money around to poor people to make himself feel better. I huffed a little as I got off the bed and headed for the bathtub. Well whatever the reason for him helping me, I now have a chance to start a new life.