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“And how exactly are you planning to stay here with no job, or a roof over your head?”His words play on repeat as I watchthe receptionist, for once not looking bored, drag my suitcases and my duffel bag from behind her desk.
My body deflates. I don’t even argue about not being able to go to my room and check if they’ve left anything behind. I just grab my stuff and walk to the one place I can think of.
The bus station.
The same security guard greets me as I walk in—my vans squeaking on the tiled floor—sheltering me from the drizzle that’s just started outside.
An hour ago my hair was blow dried to perfection. I had a job that paid good money and a place to stay. I started to make friends—something I never dared to do since I rarely stayed in one place long enough. Andheruined it all.
With unfocused eyes, I stare at the departure schedule.
“The next bus isn’t until tomorrow,” the security guy stands a little too close behind me. The scent of day old sweat fills my nostrils as I try to ignore his proximity.
“Great,” I mutter, taking a step back and turning to face him. I came here for shelter, but faced with the option of just leaving this town and the douchebag who pulls the strings, I can’t help feeling tempted. Maybe if I sleep on it… The dirty floor looks cold and uninviting, but I’ve spent nights in worse conditions.
“Sorry, darling.” The guard shakes his head, his eyes studying me. He gives me the creeps. His narrow eyes and thin moustache really do not help his case. “Can’t stay here. I need to close this place up for the night.”
I sigh. Of course he does. “What time is the next bus?”
“Five. It would take you to Blackriver.” He pauses, a small smile lifting his thin lips as he looks me up and down. Now I seriously want to get out. “I could take you there tonight after I lock up. It’s where I live, so won’t be out of my way.”
Right, need to remember never to set foot in Blackriver. I thought security guards were supposed to make you feel safe. Whoever hired this guy didn’t get the memo. My skin crawls as he keeps studying my features.
“That’s okay,” I smile, gripping the handles of my suitcases. “I’m going the other way, but thank you.” I have no idea where ‘the other way’ is, but he doesn’t have to know that.
He squints his eyes at me. “Have we met before?”
“Don’t think so,” I smile wider, my cheeks hurting from all the fakeness. “Anyway, I’ve got to go.”
“You look familiar.” He cocks his head to the side.
I laugh awkwardly as the phone in my pocket vibrates. “Pretty sure I’d remember a handsome fella like yourself if we ever met. Excuse me.”
I pull my phone out, seeing Mel’s name on the screen.
“Mel!” I say happily, pretending like I’m not creeped out of my mind. The guard is still watching me intently. His eyebrows scrunched in thought. I stick my phone between my ear and my shoulder and wave goodbye at him before awkwardly walking backwards, dragging my suitcases back to the entrance.
“Where are you?” she pouts. “I thought you were going to wait for me so we could talk.”
“Haha,” I laugh louder than I should. “You know me. Just missed the last bus.”
“Why are you at the bus station?”
“Long story, babe.” I step through the threshold. “Are you sure? You really don’t need to come get me!”
Mel sucks in a breath. “Is there someone with you? Are you in danger? Never mind, not like you’d be able to answer. Stay on the line and keep talking to me,” she pants, clearly running. “I’ll be there in—” I can hear muffled sounds andthen the roar of an engine. “Three minutes. Five minutes top.”
Shit, five minutes is a long time if someone wants to do something sinister to you. I drag my suitcases down the sidewalk. I need to get rid of them for now or they’ll slow me down. In panic, I look around for somewhere to hide, but aside from the large trash can next to a bush and the lamppost I’m currently standing under, there’s nothing except the forest, which starts about three hundred feet north.
I can see the security guard still watching me through the glass as he slowly walks over to a switch on the wall, resting his hand on it, his eyes following my every move.
“Shit,” I curse as he flicks it down, cutting off the light. The bus station goes dark, and with the lamp shining down on me, the only thing I can see is my own reflection in the glass. With one move, he’s made himself invisible.
“What’s going on?” Mel shouts into the phone.
I drag my stuff to the bush, stuffing them between the branches and the trash, then crouch behind the thick branches.
“My suitcases are by the trash can,” I whisper.
