Not to be found

Chapter 4 - Night falls quickly

I've been driving for countless hours. I'm in need of caffeine or at least an hour nap.

I've chosen to avoid all major motorways and other roads in the fear that I will be tracked by CCTV, and if I am going to be caught and captured from my escape I will not be taken down by spy equipment.

My head is starting to pound again and I can feel my eyes closing as I sit hunched over the steering wheel due to back ache, hell knows how I'm going to sleep tonight and where. Its nearly 5pm now and I'm already feeling the need to pass out.

I soon decide to look for another secluded corner, one I can't be found in because that would be a bit of a pathetic escape; being dragged back to your house in the back of a police car. I'd put up a fight, I'd kick and I certainly would scream. I'm 19 not 9. And no one has control over me anymore.

As I'm driving through the country lanes I spot a small hotel at the side of the road and decide to pull in, because the thought of sleeping in this car tonight with my back already aching pains me in itself. The place looks quiet enough, secure enough and hopefully a place I wouldn't be looked for.

I drive into the small car park and put my car in the corner so that it cannot immediately be seen or have its plates checked. Just a few more miles and I'll either get those changed or a new car altogether. I sit in the drivers' seat for just a little longer still fighting with my mind as to whether or not I should go into the hotel that seems so inviting with its white walls, black door and ivy growing up the side all the way to the roof.

What the hell? I might as well go for it, I'll have a better chance of getting some sleep in there than in my small cramped car. I gather what belongings I have and head for the front door leaving my phone in the glove compartment, I can't be dealing with that thing tonight. I can't be dealing with people.

I step through the door of the small building and am already greeted with the sweet smell of roses, I don't mean to sound cliché but roses are my favourite and I can't help but notice the beautiful bouquet of them sitting in the vase on the front desk. The lady standing behind it appears to be in her late 30's as I smile at her,

"Hey, welcome to the saddle inn."

"Hey, I was wondering if you have a room that I could spend the night in?" I reply trying to sound as casual as possible.

"Of course, if you can pay on your way out tomorrow I'll show you which room you'll be staying in," she smiles, eyeing the carrier bag I have in my left hand.

I nod my head and follow her down the narrow hallway, so far I like this place very much with its white walls, roses and brightness. She takes me to room four and opens the door before me, revealing another white room with a four poster bed, I practically want to usher the kind woman out of the room so I can throw myself on it, but somehow I think that would be rude to brush off her hospitality.

"If you need anything at all there is a phone next to your bed - just dial the numbers 222 and we'll be right with you, or you can just come to the desk." She smiles as she edges towards the door.

"Thank you," I smile back hoping that she knows that's her queue to leave.

Fortunately she gets the idea and closes the door behind her, leaving the key to the room on the dressing table. I dump my bags on the floor before throwing myself onto the bed and resting my head on the pillows. Wow. I've actually done this; I've run away and I'm staying in this hotel alone. I need to start planning my next steps though, I shouldn't just wing this like I did with my other biology test like last week, but in my defence I got an A, so everything was fine.

As I lay back on the bed I can't help but wonder what I'd be doing now if I stayed back at home and actually went to uni today. I can almost picture myself sitting at my desk up in my room throwing myself into this essay about evolution that was going to be assigned today, my parents would have called me down for dinner and I would have obeyed their commands as usual. I'd then sit and have a tiresome conversation with them that never changes for at least a half hour.
Instead I find myself lying on the bed of a hotel alone in the middle of nowhere.

I grab my bag and search its contents for my notepad to begin to create the next steps of my action plan to ensure that I'm not found. I sit up with my legs crossed and pen between my teeth beginning to wonder what I should do next and where I should actually go. As I'm doing this I turn to look out the window and see that it's almost dark, the night really has fallen too quickly and for some reason I find myself feeling a little homesick for my familiar surroundings. Snap out of it Lacey. Get a grip.
I return to my list:
1. Don't stop driving
2. Get a new car, or at least get the plates changed and resprayed
3. Find a more permanent place to stay
4. Create fake identity

They're all logical things that should be done, but it's best to write them down so that I know I have a clear plan. I'm one of those people that has to plan, that has to know what's happening next.
This whole identity thing, I need to think of one and fast because I'm pretty sure the woman is going to need a name for me.
I sit on the edge of the bed looking out the window, looking up at the stars hoping that everything is going to go as planned, as to how I want it to.

The night has really fallen too quickly.
I like the dark, it brings me to life and I can't help but drift off into thought as to what I'm going to be doing next and where I'll be going.