Skyla's POV

"Skyla, it time to get up," Tech says.

"Tech, what time is it?" I ask as I wipe the sleep from my eyes.

"5:30," Tech answers.

I lie back down then try to go back to sleep. Tech grabs the covers and pulls them off.

"Skyla, I know you hate getting up before sunrise, but the early we get on the road the better," Tech says.

"Fine," I grumble.

I get out of bed and change into the clothes I got yesterday. Tech and I go to the kitchen. Dusty walks up to us.

"Good morning you two," Dusty says.

"Good morning Dusty, so what's for breakfast?"

"Breakfast casserole," Dusty says.

"Tech and I need to hit the road as soon as we can get to Tiskilwa by lunch. Then reach Moline to rest for the night,"

"Okay, so if you don't mind me asking why is a 16-year-old traveling across Illinois with the robot she built for a high school robotics competition?" Dusty asks.

"This sixteen-year-old happened to graduate early. It also happens that girl's so-called parents abused her for years and finally got put in jail. She is afraid that they'll try to track her down, so she and her robot left to travel to Jasper to get a fresh start on life,"

Dusty takes a few seconds to process what I just said."I'm sorry to hear that dear, so why don't you take a seat. I'll grab you a plate and give you a good severing to keep you fueled till the two of you get to Tiskilwa,"

I sit down on the stool at the island in front of the stove. Dusty puts the plate in front of me and hands me a fork. I scoop some of the eggs onto it. I blow on it so not to burn the inside of my mouth. It was the best breakfast casserole that I've ever had. I'm not sure what spices he added to it, but it was like I died and went to heaven,

"So, why are you working here? You're an amazing chef. This breakfast casserole is the best thing I've ever tasted. How come you don't attend cooking school to sharpen your craft?"

"My parents don't want me to become a chef. They want me to take over the family business when I turn 18," Dusty says.

"I'm probably not the person who should be telling you this considering my parents obviously treated you much better than mine did. I think you should at least talk to them about how you feel and maybe they might change their minds. Have you tried cooking dinner for them?"

"I might try that, thank you for the suggestion," Dusty says.

"You're welcome,"

Tech's POV

After Skyla finished eating breakfast, Dusty hands her a care package, then we head outside. We hide behind a dumpster. Skyla puts on her helmet, and I transform into my moped form.

"Ok Tech onto the Iowa state line then Jasper," Skyla says.

I pull up the GPS map and start heading down the road. "Skyla there is the rest station up ahead, I need to dress your wound again."

"Ok, Tech, I think it might be infected because it's starting to hurt," Skyla reply.

We pull in to the rest area. "Skyla give me your leg I need to see it." I pull her pant leg up, remove the dressing, now the cut is inflamed, red and it's oozing. "Skyla we need to get you to the hospital now."