𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿

24.. take me to philadelphia!

The night had passed, and the morning sun was beginning to paint the sky in hues of orange and pink as they continued their journey. After hours of driving on the winding roads, they had made good progress.

Vicky still sat behind the wheel, her eyes fixed on the road, but she looked tired, having stayed awake most of the night. Matt sat in the passenger seat next to her, looking a little weary himself.

In the backseat, Hugo and Luke stirred, slowly waking up from their light sleep. Hugo yawned and stretched, rubbing his eyes.

"How long have we been driving?" he asked, his voice groggy.

Matt glanced at the dashboard clock. "It's been about eight hours."

Luke piped up from the backseat. "Man, I'm starving."

Matt stole a glance at Vicky, noting the fatigue visible on her face. "You should pull over and rest," he said, concern etched in his voice.

Hugo, from the backseat, chimed in. "Yeah, V. You look exhausted. We can't have you falling asleep at the wheel."

Vicky shook her head stubbornly, her hands gripping the wheel tighter. "No, I'm fine. I can keep going."

Matt rolled his eyes, frustrated by her stubbornness. "Sure, you can keep going until you crash. That's a great plan."

Luke snickered, shaking his head. "You're as stubborn as a mule, V. Take a break before you kill us all."

Hugo nodded in agreement. "Seriously, we can stop for a bit. We could all use a good meal and a chance to stretch our legs."

After a bit more persuading, Vicky reluctantly agreed to take a short break. She found a suitable rest area on the side of the road, pulling the car into a parking space.

As they stepped out of the vehicle, they were greeted by the sight of a vast field stretching out before them. The grass was swaying gently in the breeze, and in the distance, they could just make out the outline of a small diner.

Hugo and Luke groaned, stretching their stiff muscles, grateful for the break. Matt approached Vicky, his expression a mix of concern and annoyance.

"You really need to learn when to take it easy," he said, his voice tinged with frustration.

Vicky shrugged, her stubbornness still evident. "I'm fine, really."

Hearing their conversation, Hugo chimed in from behind. "You know, saying 'I'm fine' doesn't make you any less exhausted."

Vicky shook her head, bristling at the concern. "I just need some air. I'll be back in a bit," she said before walking away, heading towards the nearby hill.

Matt, Hugo, and Luke exchanged glances, watching her go. Matt sighed heavily.

"She's really something else, isn't she?" Matt muttered.

Hugo chuckled dryly. "Understatement of the year."

As Vicky trudged up the hill, the cool breeze tousled her hair, and a sense of solitude enveloped her.

The breathtaking panoramic view unfurled before her eyes, the majestic mountains standing tall against the azure sky, their peaks adorned with a mantle of brilliant white snow. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the crispness of a world untouched.

Pausing in her steps, Vicky's gaze swept over the stunning landscape, and a reverent whisper escaped her lips. "God, it's beautiful."

She stood motionless, the vast panorama stretching out before her in all its breathtaking beauty. The wind gently played with her hair, its chill a stark contrast to the heat of her heart.