Run

Chapter Twenty-Eight

New Mexico leaves fast. From falling asleep before I'm even aware, to getting on a bus and halfway to Arizona in the blink of an eye. Alex, very kindly, let me know where we were going before we got on the bus. I haven't heard much of anything anyone has said though today, I just feel tired and tender.

I barely remember the post office, as Alex had done most of the talking and I was barely awake. Ever since last night, I've been out of it and he's been stepping up and being so helpful. He's carried all of our stuff all day.

As the bus rocks and vibrates, I relax into the seat and let my mind wander back to the previous night. I felt as if I had died and gone to heaven.

Alex's hand were so warm and even when he was pressing and it hurt it soothed me. He occasionally tried to talk to me before I fell asleep but his hushed voice and soft breath just pushed me deeper into the twilight of exhaustion.

Every time my shirt shifts and grazes my chest, it makes me want to go back. Alex had gotten brave, carefully choosing to go over my shoulders and run his fingers lightly over my collarbone. It caused me initially to flinch, but soon I was putty in his hands again.

"Jules?" Alex's voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

I force my eyes open and stretch my bent elbow up to the bus ceiling, "Hmm?"

He gives a sweet smirk, "You alright?"

I nod, a sleepy smile glued to my face, "Never better."

"I don't think you actually ever woke up this morning," He chuckles.

"No probably not, I haven't slept that well in over two years. Maybe I can go back to sleep and stay that way until we get to Arizona."

"We'll be there in only a couple more hours, you can try to sleep but it won't last very long. How about you take a power nap and you can conk out when we get to the next motel."

"That sounds nice, what about dinner?"

"Worry about it later," I feel his hand run down my cheek, still warm and soft on my skin.

I let out a little satisfied squeak and shut my eyes. The sun has set and I'm glad to have the bright light out of my face.

"I'll wake you when we get there," Alex keeps his voice low, it's soft and smooth like melting butter.

"Ok, thank you," I quietly reply with a yawn before dozing back to sleep.

Upon waking I'm the only one still on the bus. I can hear people talking outside faintly. Why didn't Alex wake me?

Grabbing my backpack I hurry off the bus. Luckily it seems we just got off the bus, so it's not like I've been deserted in the middle of nowhere, but I don't see Alex anywhere. I see people crowding around the terminal, getting their bags or waiting for people to pick them up. Nowhere in the chaos, is Alex.

Panic sets in. I clutch my backpack to my stomach as I check the luggage compartment. My duffel is still there so I grab it too, but my bag was the last on the bus. Did he leave me here? Is he off getting directions again? Were we found?

"Alex?" I call out, my voice wavers with every syllable that leaves my mouth, "Alex, where are you?"

I see people start to stare at me. If it weren't for my obvious age they probably would have stepped in to help, thinking I'd lost a child. Instead they just watch me cautiously.

The quicker my breathing gets, the shallower my breaths, the more my stomach hurts. I feel ready to puke.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, causing me to jump and whip around ready to slap whoever is behind me.