Ghosts of the Past (A Call Of Duty: Ghosts Fanfiction)

Chapter Thirty Two

The drive was hauntingly long and boring, more desert-like than anything else. I didn't complain against warmth and dryness in comparison to the brutal snow and wind from hours earlier; I had stripped off my top layer down to the base to attempt to cool off more in the comfort of the car. 

    Glancing in the rearview, I noticed Keegan continuing to use his own jacket as a headrest as he slept. Riley was curled up next to him, refreshed from our recent gas stop. The two of them looked oddly comfortable...relaxed even. A small smile tugged at my lips as I shifted my gaze to where Logan was also slumped in the passenger seat. 

    Seeing that particular soldier napping was incredible. Logan's face was always usually set in that tough and roughened expression, but he was more relaxed in his resting state. His cheek twitched as he dreamed off and on, shifting closer to the edge of headrest. I noticed his fists clench into my jacket on his lap. 

    A yawn escaped my mouth as I reached a hand to rub at my face. I'd been driving the whole time as far as we'd gone, speeding with no fear of running into any police officers—Keegan had also pointed out how his identification alone would be enough for us to be let go. Tiredness was seeping through my bones, my speed dwindling through a more curvy part of the journey and my focus screaming for reprieve. 

    As another yawn escaped me, there was a light bump on my right elbow where it rested on the center console armrest. I glanced from the road again to see Logan sitting more upright, his thumb rubbing my elbow lightly once as he blinked awake. He glanced to where Keegan was still sleeping and then swallowed, staying in a whisper.

    "Let me drive."

    "I'm okay," I kept my third yawn at bay, jaw stiffening as it occurred. 

    "Ashlyn," Logan's dark eyes were narrowed as he pressured me.

    Releasing a breath, I carefully took the perfectly-timed rest stop exit. There were a couple of semi-trucks parked in the big parking lot, but all else was deserted. I slowed the Mustang into a parking spot nearest the bathrooms. The engine vibrated at a low idle as I made sure the beast was in neutral with the brake set. 

    Keegan lightly jolted awake when Riley perked up beneath his hand. Logan opened his door, getting out and walking along the back of the car to meet me by the driver's side. I barely had the door open when he got there, watching him pull it open fully for me. He peered down in my direction, head cocked.

    "You've been going nonstop," Logan shifted his head to the bathrooms. "Take a minute if you need."

    I forced myself to get out of the driver's seat, stiff and exhausted. Once I was upright, my bladder screamed at me and my stomach growled. Without saying a word to Logan, I shuffled quickly to the bathrooms to freshen up and see about snagging something to eat with the vending machine.

    A few of the lights didn't work in the women's room, so I did what I needed to with haste and a chill down my spine. The water at the sink was cold, but useful for rubbing the back of my neck lightly. I glanced at myself in the mirror, taken aback by the darkly-circled green eyes filled to the brim with exhaustion. My hair, which I'd braided out of my face, was knotted strawberry blonde strands of dirt.

    I looked like shit. Felt like I was suffocating in it too. 

    I didn't bother to fumble with the vending machine as I forced myself to hustle back to the car. Logan was still standing where I'd left him, his dark eyes pinpointed where I'd disappeared to. My chest felt heavy when I realized how watchful he'd stayed of me....how he acted like he cared for once. His chin dipped in satisfaction as I neared and sunk back into the car in silence.