Lone Stars

Chapter 8

Early the following morning, Lexus found herself tangled in her sheets, rolling left and right in her sleep. Sweat formed on her tight features, suffering from a nightmare. Her whimpering echoed in the room, until she finally shot her eyes open with a gasp.

"Dad!" Sher cried, sitting up and taking a few heavy breaths.

Her blue eyes searched the room, for a moment not knowing where she was. The sound of the waves outside her window reminded her- Galdin Quay. She hung her head, combing her fingers through her messy bed head. She heaved a very heavy sigh, feeling all the dread attempt to leave her chest. Some of it still lingered.

She glanced to her phone, resting on the empty side of the bed to her left. She leaned over, grabbing it to check her messages. None, which means Roland never got back to her. She frowned, tossing the phone back onto the bed. Was he ignoring her? It's been twenty-four hours, he would've gotten back to her.

Lexus flopped over onto her back, letting herself wake up a bit more as the sun shined through the large windows. She groaned resting her arm over her eyes. "Why would they not have curtains..." Frowning, she sat up and spotted aid beige fabric ruffled up against the window. "...Oh, I just didn't close them."

Lexus took a breath and flew the blankets off her legs. "Awesome! Who knows how many creeps watched me sleep."

The girl had forgotten her uncle's lack of reply, deciding to figure out how the day should go. Spend another day here or eat breakfast and move on? Lexus wanted to enjoy the day time sights of the shore and what Galdin Quay had to offer. Though staying another day would be bad for her wallet, one night alone was expensive enough for her, having to eat Cup Noodles instead. She got her day started with a nice warm shower and dressed in clean clothes. Her hair brushed out and blow dried thanks to the one the hotel provided. She preferred air dry, but wanted to get herself packed so she wouldn't be charged another night. Her bag packed, she looked around the room making sure it was clean enough and all the trash taken care of. She had the used fluffy towels on the counter, trashcan by the door, and the bed sheets semi-fixed. Enough that they weren't tangled for when they would need to be cleaned for the next occupant.

Now, breakfast; She can't have noodles again after already having it for dinner last night. Maybe there's a diner she can stop at. She did remember passing a rest stop with the diner there. Lexus left the room, giving her key to the man at the front desk and making her way down the bridge to the parking lot. She hummed, rubbing her neck as she thought to herself.

Heading North she could stop at that pit stop, get breakfast, and head west toward the chocobo ranch. Lexus inward groaned reaching her bike, stuffing her back in the compartment under her seat and taking the map out. She scanned the area of Liede and found the stop, just North of where she was.

"Longwthye Rest Area, has a diner there. Can have a quick breakfast, fuel up, and be on my way." Lexus folded the mask, setting her helmet on.

"Can't believe it... It's like a nightmare."

"But it's true, right? It was in all the papers and on the radio."

"There's no hope with Lunafreya, the King, and Prince Noctis dead!"

Lexus spun her head around, what was that? She heard a couple looking distressed by their old buggy parked a few spots from her. The man rubbed his partner's arm in comfort as she covered her face. That didn't sound right, was a rumor going around since Noctis was out of the city? But, they did mention the Oracle and the King being dead. So, why did they mention Noctis too?

"There's no way into the city?"

Lexus turned, three people walking across the lot spoke among themselves.