The Protector

Chapter Two: Salt

2.

Leodora walked several more miles before she began to reach more buildings, it seemed like a small town. Excitedly, she sped up and walked toward the closest phone booth. She wasn't sure who she was to call, she hadn't thought that far through.

Leodora tried Paige first, but the number was disconnected. Well, at least she thought to change it. She fished around in her pockets once more and pulled out a crumbled piece of paper.

She opened it up and read the note. It was a name and a phone number. Lisa Braedon. She was an old family friend. Well, a friend of Paige's family. They had met once or twice and hit it off pretty well. She had offered to help whenever she could.

"It's worth a try, I suppose," Leo muttered to herself. She put coins into the machine and typed in the number, waiting patiently for the call to connect.

"Hello?" A woman's voice answered. At least her number hasn't changed.

"Hi, uh, Lisa? It's Leo. Leo Colt. I'm Paige's friend. Uhm, do you think I could cash in that help now?" She spoke anxiously, it'd been far too long since she had any real interaction with people.

"Oh, oh yeah! Paige's friend. How is she? And sure, whatever you need!" Lisa chirped in reply.

"I think she's okay. It's been awhile since we've spoken. You see, she...she went on a trip, yeah a trip, but since I couldn't pay rent without her help, I was evicted. I-I have no where to go and Paige won't answer my calls. You're the only person I can turn to. Can I just, like, lay low at your house for a few days? You won't even notice I'm there," Leo explained her fake predicament. Lisa paused on the other end.

"I, uh, yeah, sure, I guess. When will you be here?"

"I can be there in eight hours," Leodora answered promptly after reading a newspaper saying she was in Pennsylvania.

"Right, I forget you move fast. I guess I'll see you in eight hours," Lisa said awkwardly.

"Thank you so much," Leo said before hanging up the phone; that went a lot better than expected. Now to find a bus to Indiana.

Leo walked to the nearest bus station and went into the bathroom. She paused in front of the mirror and examined her appearance. There was dirt smudged everywhere and her clothes were sticky with sweat. Her hair was knotted and her lips were chapped, her sunburn was fairly obvious as well.

Quickly, she scrubbed the dirt away and attempted to rinse some of the gritty sweat remnants from her skin. The water cooled her face and she sighed.

After inspected her appearance in the mirror once more and deciding it was acceptable, she dug around in her pocket for her wallet. After producing her credit card -- well, a credit card --she purchased a bus ticket. Now, all she had to do was wait.

Once the bus arrived, she boarded quickly, finding a seat in the back. There was no chance in Hell she was sitting near anyone, she didn't have that much trust in humanity.

Leodora listened to the conversations around her as the bus began to move. Two kids were fighting over a toy whereas their mother seemed exasperated. A couple were snuggling and a single woman longed to do the same thing. A group of young men were sitting and talking amongst themselves about sports. Nothing to interest her.

Leo settled back into her seat, pulling her knees to her chin and covering herself with her jacket. Before she fell asleep, she grabbed hold of the hilt of the silver dagger in her boot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leodora cracked an eye open when the bus finally slowed to a stop. Quickly, she uncurled herself from her chair and got off the bus. She checked the time, she had an hour to get to Lisa's house if she wanted to be on time; she hated being late.

Leodora hailed a cab and gave the driver Lisa's address, telling him to step on it. When they pulled up to the house, it was 8:59. Hurriedly, she gave the man her six dollars and eleven cents before he realized she hadn't paid in full.

Leo stepped onto the front porch and waited for the clock to strike 9:00 before she knocked.

A little boy answered the door. She, of course, knew who he was, but Leo wasn't sure he knew who she was.

"Hi Ben," Leodora waved awkwardly.

"Hi...can I help you?"

"Ben? I told you to go to bed an hour ago. Who are you talking to?" A new voice rang out and a blonde woman could be seen.

"I don't know, some lady," Ben turned to look at his mother. Leodora waved awkwardly.

"Hi Lisa," Leo said with a small smile. That was an odd feeling. She supposed it'd been awhile. "Sorry I'm late, the cab over took a bit longer than I planned."

"Oh, Leo, it's only you. Come on in," she held Ben's hand and pulled him from the doorway to let her in, which Leo graciously did. "Where's, uh, where's your stuff?"

"My stuff? Oh, I travel light. Like, really, really light. That and I sold most of it so I could pay you back," Leodora shrugged, she'd have to come up with money the next day.

"Oh no, that's fine. Ben, sweetie, remember Paige? That's her friend, Leo, she's gonna stay with us for a while. Now, head up to bed or else you'll be too tired for school tomorrow," Lisa told Ben, who nodded unexcitedly and ran up the stairs.

Lisa then showed Leo her room and the bathroom she could use. "Hey, if you need anything, just call. And, I'm really sorry about your house. You can stay as long as you'd like," Leo grinned a thanks at Lisa, who was beginning to leave.

"Hey, Lisa, just one thing?"

"What is it?"

"Do you have any salt?"

~~

an: hi. this is kind of short, but they're getting longer I promise. I'm not sure what schedule I'm gonna have yet, hopefully I remember. also please vote and comment if you'd like.

p.s. elvis songs will (should) match the chapters until I run out, then I will find other songs. I'm rambling cool cool.

p.p.s that's sort of what Leo looks like also cool cool