There it is.
A spark of hope.
“Yeah,” I bluff. “My nana lives there.”
The man's lips twist slightly.
He walks away to find his wallet.
I don’t want your money,I whisper.
I need your help.
He swipes his card, then pushes the button to confirm payment.
Must be nice to have a bank account.
Or to live anywhere near a bank.
Even my mum isn’t allowed a card.
Guess whose rule that is.
“I’m going to stay with Nana.” I continue the lie. “I'll be safe there.”
My heart sinks as he returns to the driver's seat, twisting his key in the ignition.
Fuck.
I almost got a yes.
But the best I can hope for now is that someone might stop during my walk.
If anyone dares to stop for someone scruffy on an unlit highway, that is.
Maybe I’m gonna have to choose between those two options.
Visibility as a hitch hiker means being fried to death by the outback Australian sun.
Adjusting the backpack so it doesn’t dig into my bruise, I walk toward the grass verge.
???
A voice calls from the truck window.
“You getting in, bud? I've gotta drop this truck back at the depot by nine.”
Pure elation. Mild disbelief.
I run to open the passenger door, fingers damp and heart racing.
Hoisting my heavy bag into the foot well, I climb inside awkwardly.
My shoes scrape the metal step.
The seat feels high and unfamiliar beneath me.
“Thanks heaps,” I sniffle.
