Near a tree, in the distance, was the "being". Sarah didn't see it. It was stalking the edge of the forest, it's long dark limbs stretched out, darting back and forth through the trees. It had obviously lost them, but Nobel had no intention of standing, and letting it spot them. The sun had only risen, and the soft morning light brightened the place. The shadows of the trees cast wicked stripes across the land. The land began to stir. Squirrels ran across the place, Nobel hoped the squirrels won't direct the creatures attention to them.
Once the creature had walked on, Nobel stood. Sarah got up too. As he began walking, she said ' are we really still going?'
'Of course.' Nobel said, beginning to tire reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the drenched map, it's edges torn and wrinkled.
'why did you steal that anyway?' Sarah asked, he was surprised she didn't ask earlier.
'I used all the money to the the water bottles,' He said, ' but it doesn't matter now, because they were destroyed.'
Sarah sighed. They walked on. Looking back, he saw clouds of smoke rising above the treetops.
They kept walking until the reached the trail tracks, and they followed them.
' Are we going to jump on another train?' Sarah asked, he could hear fear in her voice.
'No' He said. They followed the tracks, until they reached a small town. There were shops and building lining every street. Occasionally a car would go by, or a bike. The tracks turned at this town, going around it.
' Is this Stanford?' Sarah asked.
'no, it's the next town over.' Nobel said, as sarah sighed, longingly. Nobel began walking, this wasn't Stanford, but it was a place they could escape the "being" momentarily.
The sun beat down on them as they walked in what little shade the trees provided. Their clothes clung to them, and them, and the air was moist and humid. Scrounging up a dollar they shared a cheap drink from a convince store, and they kept going. Sometimes they stopped to rest, or help someone with bags, in hopes they could spare some change. Walking on, they encountered a girl. Sitting on the curb for a few minutes, the two saw a young girl in the window of a record store across the street. She eyed them, but after a while she came out.
'Hi.' She said. She had long brown hair, and brilliant green eyes. She stood in the street in front of them, ignoring the many how's and shouts she got.
'hi, do you need something?' Nobel asked her, confused about why she had confronted them.
' Where are you from?' She asked, and sarah looked over at Nobel. Giving him a questioning look.
'Uh, here?' Nobel said, trying to make it seem they were just walking around the town, so they wouldn't get sent home.
' You are lying, and I'm Caity.' The girl explained. Sarah gave Nobel a look that said, don't tell her anything.
'Hi, im...' He looked over at sarah and thought it over, ' I'm Ryan, and this is Gertrude.' He said motioning to sarah. She scowled at him, but she returned her attention to the girl. She stood there, looking at them.
' Where are you going?' Caity asked, but Nobel answered quickly, ' that's none of your concern, is it?'
' yes, because what if I want to come?' Caity said, trying to come.
' no, no, wait why?' Nobel asked, why the girl would ask complete strangers to travel with. The young Caity shifted nervously. Then she spoke, ' my dad doesn't like me....' Caity said, obviously holding back the rest of the story. Looking at sarah for help, he saw she was pleading him with her eyes. She knew something he didn't. Nobel thought it over, they didn't know how long they'd be gone, or when they'd get back. After awhile, Nobel spoke, ' alright, but no whinging, no screaming, and no more people.' Nobel said, hoping she'd be the last to join. Caity's green eyes lite up with excitement, as sarah and Nobel stood. As they began walking down the sidewalk, Nobel whispered to sarah, ' what, what is it?' Sarah looked at him.
' She was...........abused.' Sarah explained, with a straight face. Noble's stomach sank as he watched the happy girl walk down the sidewalk. Now he felt glad he was taking her with them, he felt like he was saving her, almost.
The three walked on til dusk, and we're nearly out of the town.
