Kate was more than a little suspicious about going out for a drink with someone she'd just met who already suspected her of being on the run from the cops.

Cassidy didn't seem like the kind of person who was in cahoots with law enforcement, but you could never really know until it was too late. Her failed con at the auto repair shop could've been a desperate attempt at making some cash, like she said it was, or it could've been a way to make her seem like she was on Kate's side, even if she wasn't.

And there was, of course, the possibility that she was hoping to con Kate, too. Although, if she was, she'd have to do a much better job than her previous attempts at trickery. Unless that was still fake, a way to make Kate feel a little too comfortable.

Maybe Cassidy had picked up on Kate's uncertainty, as she offered a small smile and said, "Don't worry, I promise you I'm not trying to get you in any trouble or anything like that. I'm just… intrigued by you. How'd a pretty gal like yourself end up running from the police? And what's she doing in a town like this?"

Kate hesitated. She wasn't about to tell her entire life story to a stranger.

"I'm here to talk to my mother," she responded honestly. Cassidy raised an eyebrow. "Surely, if you're in trouble with the cops, she'll have them on your ass as soon as you knock on her door? It's a bit risky, just for a chat."

Kate narrowed her eyes. "I'll figure it out," she insisted.

Cassidy smiled. "Determination is a good quality. I guess this is important to you. But I still don't see—"

"I said I'd figure it out," Kate cut her off, taking a swig of her drink. "Are you gonna shut up, or do you want to help?"

"I would love to," Cassidy said, leaning closer across the table. Kate did the same.

"Why?" she asked. "What's in it for you?"

Cassidy shrugged. "I swear, I'm not fucking with you… I fell in love with a guy, a con artist, and I thought we were working together, but… he caught me right in his trap and left with my money. He ruined my life. But if I can help someone piece theirs back together, maybe things aren't so bleak."

Kate couldn't help but chuckle a little. It wasn't funny. It was just… depressing.

"I don't know about piecing anything back together," she said. "But I could use some company."

Lucy sure was interesting—if that even was her name.

Cassidy had been staying in a dirty motel with her for a few days, and, though she didn't know what exactly her new roommate had done, it must've been pretty bad, for her to be so afraid of the cops.

Cassidy always answered the door, and the phone, and if anyone asked, she was the only person living here. And now, it was up to her to figure out how Lucy was going to get that chat with her mom.

They had just returned from her apartment, where Cassidy had had to talk to law enforcement for hours before they let her go. Clearly, Lucy couldn't waltz through the front door.

Cassidy sat down on her bed and heaved a sigh, watching as her companion paced in circles in front of her.

"Sorry, Lucy. I just don't know how this is going to work."

Lucy didn't respond, almost as if she hadn't heard.

"It's just… why do you need to do this so badly?"

At this, Lucy's head snapped up, and her eyes seemed to bore into Cassidy's skull, burning with the flash of sudden memories, and the pain that they resurfaced.

"You really want to know?" Lucy asked, voice low, clenching her fists. She didn't wait for a response. "My step father, he was a terrible guy. He treated my mother like shit, time and time again, and… and she didn't do anything about it. I hated him so much, that son of a bitch…"

She laughed quietly, turning away from Cassidy.

"So I had to do something. To protect Mom. And because he deserved it. I set the house on fire with him inside. I framed it like a gas leak, she even got money from it, but… I talked to her, and she… she left me, disowned me, to be collected by the police. She abandoned me, after all I had just done for her. I need to talk to her, because… I need to ask her why."

Cassidy sat in stunned silence, watching as Lucy turned back around to face her, frowning now. "That's why."

Cassidy's resolve only hardened. Lucy entrusted her with her crime, with her most painful memories. That meant a lot. Maybe they'd been left in the dust by the people who were supposed to love them, but now they had each other. And the people who wronged them were going to feel sorry.

"I'll get you your chat," she promised.

As Kate walked out of the back of the diner, wiping the tears from her eyes, she decided those would be the last tears she cried over her mother. She didn't deserve them.

Cassidy was waiting in her car outside, and they quickly made their getaway, before anyone could call the police.

"Did you get your answer?" Cassidy asked after a while of silence.

"I did," Kate murmured, clenching her fists hard enough that she was sure her nails would leave marks. "She's as much of an ass as ever. She said she loved him. How could someone love a guy like that? I guess that makes her pretty fucked up, too."

Cassidy chuckled. "We're all a little fucked up, Lucy. How about we forget her for a little bit and get some drinks to celebrate our victory?"

Kate shrugged. "I could never say no to a drink. But… I think we're far from victory."

At the next red light, Cassidy glanced over at Kate. "I'd hate to drag you down, but… how does a partner in crime sound, Lucy?"

Kate returned her smile. "Sounds lovely. Uh—my name's Kate, by the way."

"Great. Now we actually know each other," Cassidy said. "I think we're gonna be good friends, Kate."

—

(hope you enjoyed this because honestly it's just kind of strange but idk you clicked on it)

(I have no idea when I'll update but don't expect a schedule of any kind)