Scratched

Twenty Two

TWENTY TWO

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I felt fingers brush across my face, and then I was jolted the rest of the way awake when the bus came to a stop. Nothing quite knocked you out of sleep like a bus stopping. I blinked, looking around. It was then I noticed I wasn't alone. I was curled up against Reed with my head resting on his shoulder. Well, that's just great. I slowly pulled away, rubbing my hand into my eyes.

"Where are we?"

"Just got into town."

We managed to get ourselves off the bus, grabbing our stuff as we did. I stumbled down the stairs and onto the sidewalk. It was late but I could still manage to grab some sleep. I cast a look around, trying to gather where I was. I was surprised to see that this town was much smaller than a lot of the others we had stopped at. It was a little bigger than Riverview.

I started up the stairs to what was probably one of the few hotels in the town. As I pushed through the doors I wasn't surprised at all to find it dead looking. Things didn't keep moving at night like they did in big cities. A man was slouched across the front desk. We walked up to it and just as I was about to book a room Toad pushed his way to the front. I saw what he was going to do but it was too late. He slammed his hand down on the dinger, repeatedly. I was struck with deja vu.

The man jumped, knocking off paper and several other things as he did. He stared at us with wide eyes. "W-w-what can I do for you?" he asked, gulping. We booked rooms and he passed us our cards. Relieved that was over I made my way up the stairs to the second floor. I was still tired. Sleep was pushing in on me again. I couldn't wait to get into a bed and fall asleep. The difference between bunks and beds was so stark. It was probably the thing I missed most about being on tour. Beds.

I slipped the card in the door, pushed my way in. I shut the door behind me, walking up to the bed. I didn't even bother trying to put my clothes up neatly. I just threw down the bags and climbed into bed. I'd get them later, but for now it could wait. I had much more pressing stuff on my mind. I squeezed a pillow to me, relishing the way it felt against me. And before I knew it I was fast asleep again.

♪          ♫         ♪

The sound of banging woke me up. It echoed through the room, dragging me out of my sleep. Who the hell was it? I opened my eyes, looking at the time displayed on my phone. It flashed that it was six in the morning. Who woke up that early? It was ungodly. I groaned, flipping over onto my back. My body was stiff with sleep, like I was trying to shake off Rigor Mortis. Despite my struggle the banging persisted. I finally gathered the strength to pull myself out of the bed, making my way to the door. Slowly, but I was doing it.

I ripped the door open, cutting off the banging. As soon as I saw who it was a frown formed on my face. I should have known. Reed. I glared at him. "What?" I asked him a little sharply. "What do you want? Why are you up at this hour anway?" I ran a hand through my hair, trying to push it back into place. I could only imagine it was standing striaght up. It always did strange shit when I slept. I couldn't control it. It had a mind of it's own.

"Do you know how much treasures you can find in a town like this?" he asked me, raising his eyebrows at me. I shook my head, running hand down my face. Why did I have to deal with this now? Couldn't he have bothered someone else, like—I dont know—Luke or Toad? They were his friends after all. "Its a gold mine. It just couldn't wait, and that's why you have to get dressed. Come on." He shoved me back through the door and into my hotel room. He shut the door behind me, flicking his fingers at me. "Hurry up. I don't want to miss it."

I shook my head, grabbing one of my bags off the floor. Sometimes I couldn't believe that this was my life. I stumbled off into the bathroom. I made sure to lock the door behind me. I just couldn't trust anyone. They always seemed to be barging into places they shouldn't be. I quickly showered and then changed into clothes. When I came out I found Reed in the same place. "So what is this thing that just couldn't wait for another three hours, maybe four?" I asked as I entered the room. I threw my bag down again. I told myself I'd clean it all up later, but I probably wouldn't.