Beautiful Casualty

Chapter Two

It seemed like I was walking forever when I disappeared into the darkness of an abandoned alley in the city. I sat down beside a big, cardboard box and hugged my knees. It was freezing and all I had was a thin hoodie and holy jeans. Nothing else in my bag would keep me warm, they were holy as well.

I looked down the alley, the opposite way I had came and tears started to feel my eyes. I was scared, but I couldn't go home. Not only did I no longer have one, I didn't know how to get back. I was lost. I layed down on my side, struggling to keep my eyes open. Soon, I drifted off to sleep.

I was awoken by a loud BANG! that sounded like it came from around the block. I stood up fast and started to speed walk out of the alley, the same way I came. I jogged across main street, not bothering to use the stoplight. It wasn't too busy at this time of light. I walked and walked, even though pain shot through my feet, getting worse with each and every step.

At some point the sun had came up as I walked along an almost vacant street, sticking out my thumb each time I saw someone drive by, in hope of getting a ride. After about the tenth car had passed, I was ready to give up. But I stuck my thumb out once more as an old, baby blue truck approached me. The driver slowed down as they got closer to me, rolling down the window.

I squinted my eyes to see better. The woman who appeared was unnaturally skinny, she really needed to eat something, and had long, dyed-red hair that was badly faded. Her face was also skinny, her cheeks sunken in with scars here and there. She wore a white tank top, clearly without a bra, and had a cigarette sticking out her mouth. She threw it out the window before speaking.

"Where ya headed?" She asked, her arm hanging out the window.

"Um, anywhere, I guess." I truly had no idea where I was headed, nor the direction. I didn't even know the time, my parents never cared enough where I was to get me a phone.

"Hm," she nodded, looking me up and down. "Get in." I was surprised by how easily she said it, it was a little suspicious, but I got in anyways. I tried not to slam the door behind me, but it happened anyway. I looked at her as if to tell her I was sorry, but she just shrugged. I reached for the seatbelt, but there wasn't one, which also kind of worried me. Then, the truck started to move...fast.

"The speed limit's twenty-five on this road," I pointed out as she passed a speed limit sign, but she didn't slow down.

"And?" She grabbed her pack of cigarettes and pulled one out. She tilted the box towards me, offering me one, but I refused.

"You're going thirty over." She placed the cigarette between her red painted, chapped lips and lit it, throwing the lighter and cigarette pack on the dashboard.

"You a narc or somethin'?" She looked at me, eyebrows raised. I shook my head. "Alright, good. Speed limit's just a suggestion, honey." She winked. Sure, a suggestion that keeps you from killing yourself, I thought. I leaned my head against the window frame, which caused the cold wind to blow directly in my face, but I didn't mind. My hair flew around like crazy in no general direction. I watched as we passed the fields of dead, uncut grass and wheat.

"So," the woman spoke, startling me. She took one last swig from her cigarette and threw it out the window. "What's your name, kid?" She blew out a cloud of smoke as she spoke.

"Tess, and I'm not a kid. I'll be eighteen in a few months." I defended myself. I hated when people called me a kid.

"Oh, ain't ya now?" She laughed. "Look, Tess, you're a kid as long as I'm around, got it?" I opened my mouth to protest, but closed it immediately and nodded instead. "Good," she smiled.