More Than Human

Chapter 19

June 10

"So where are we going?" asked Jess.

"We're going to the States," replied Trevor, going way over the speed limit on the highway. (The States is Winnipeg slang for the U.S.) "In Grand Forks we'll go to Target and get new clothes and hair dye. Then we'll drive to the safe house."

"Shopping!" Jess whispered excitedly, trying to make Rose and Erica laugh. It worked, but the moment quickly passed.

"Are they still following us?" asked Erica.

Rose checked the window from her spot in the back. "I don't see any headlights..."

"But they could've turned them off," said the girl, who's name was revealed to be Claire. "Why don't you get started on your hair? Rose, you'd look completely different with short hair."

"What?!" Rose ran her hand through her long brown hair protectively.

Claire shrugged. "Or you could dye it black. Actually, no, Jess, you should dye your hair black."

"Yes!"

"Erica, you should dye your hair blonde or something, like Jess's, and put it in a fancy braid. Maybe cut it, too." That made sense, seeing as Erica always had her long, plain, brown hair down.

Claire went on to plan their whole outfits- Rose would have very sophisticated clothes to make her look older, Jess would wear a plain white t-shirt and baggy jeans, and Erica would wear trendy clothes.

Everyone hated it. Except maybe Rose.

Claire and Trevor explained that when they crossed the border into the States, the three girls would have to hide in the back, pressed up against the left side with a blanket overtop of them.

They reached the border, and Trevor handed the security man two passports. Erica was pressed up against Jess. Her heart was pounding.

"Where are you going?" asked the security man.

"Oh, just to Fargo to visit some relatives. I want my mom to meet my fiancé." Trevor kissed Claire on the cheek. Claire blushed.

"When are you coming back?"

Trevor laughed. "Whenever they kick me out! Hopefully a few months."

"Why are you driving so late at night?"

"My garage door was broken. Took forever to fix."

"You can go."

Trevor rolled down the window and stepped on the gas. After about five minutes, he said, "You can come out now."

The girls gratefully crawled out from underneath the blanket, this time with Jess staying in the back.

"What'd you do that for?!" Claire exploded.

"Do what?" asked Trevor, grinning.

"Kiss me!"

"Okay!" Trevor leaned towards Claire. She shoved him and the van swerved. "We needed a cover story. I'm a boy, you're a girl. We look at least twenty. It was perfect."

"We're sixteen."

"You do look older," piped in Rose.

Claire glowered. Trevor laughed to himself and drove off into the night.