Twisted Desires

35. I Think We're Alone Now

The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the room. Hanni woke up to the smell of cheap shampoo, and she just smiled, knowing this would be their last night in this crusty motel. Minji emerged from the shower, her damp hair clinging to her face.

"Oh, did I wake you?" Minji asked, drying her hair with a towel draped over her neck, wearing only a pair of shorts. The towel did little to hide her figure.

"No," Hanni replied with a grin. "I could've joined you."

Minji scoffed, "Then we would've never actually gotten clean." She moved to the closet, adjusting herself in the small mirror. "Did you finally get that address?"

Hanni nodded, "If we leave in two hours, we'll get there by 5 p.m."

Minji nodded in agreement. She got dressed while Hanni freshened up. Hanni washed her face and then looked at her reflection. Her face, fresh and slightly sun-kissed, showed no scars, no blood, no misery—just contentment.

"Hey, we're going to be late! Gang members aren't so compatible with slackers," Minji called out, a hint of impatience in her voice.

Hanni rolled her eyes, "Coming." She took one last look at herself in the mirror, then left the bathroom.

It was time to say goodbye.

"Look who decided to show up," Mr. Graham's tired voice rasped as Hanni and Minji entered the diner. There were chuckles all around as Minji smiled bashfully and slid beside Maddie. Hanni took a seat next to Reggie.

"This feels weird, does anyone else think that this is weird?" Michael piped up.

"No," Archer chimed in, his tone reassuring. "It's just us saying goodbye to two birds that are ready to fly."

"Ugh, corny," Scott interjected, prompting laughter from the group. They continued chatting about the future, but Reggie leaned over to Hanni and whispered, "A million dollars?"

Hanni turned to him, her eyes widening in surprise. "Well, she practically raised us," she replied, understanding the significance of the gesture.

Reggie's emotions caught her off guard as he teared up. "I've never... I've never known what it was like to not have to worry about someone else, and it's because of you, I do," he confessed, his voice choked with emotion.

Hanni smiled warmly and pulled him into a hug, feeling the depth of their bond.

"Aw, and the family is finally reunited," Michael teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Shut up," Maddie playfully retorted, but there was a hint of sentimentality in her voice.

"So, how far are you willing to go?" Scott asked, breaking the thoughtful silence.

"Is 250 miles enough?" Minji responded, causing a collective murmur of surprise from the group.

"Fair enough," Michael conceded, wiping his hands on a napkin.

"And what's going to happen to you guys?" Minji inquired, her tone tinged with concern. "Will the old man retire?" she added, glancing at Mr. Graham.

"Hey!" Scott interjected defensively, while Mr. Graham chuckled. "Perhaps I will," he admitted. "I'll always be here when you need me, but my canvas is waiting for me at home."

A somber silence fell over the group as they contemplated the changes ahead.

"It feels like our whole family is falling apart," Maddie remarked, voicing the sentiment shared by many.

"Maybe that isn't a bad thing," Archer offered, his tone surprisingly optimistic. "If we stick together, we'll be easier to target. Our hideout has seen the light of day already. Who knows what others are planning?"