Faded With A Stranger

Chapter 7: The Walk

The oppressive atmosphere of the motel room seemed to settle into a heavy silence as the night dragged on. Chris, Maria, and Ana had managed to find some semblance of rest despite the grim surroundings. As dawn approached, the urgency of their situation remained ever-present. Doug, however, had other plans. He pulled Chris aside for a private conversation, sensing that a crucial discussion was needed before they embarked on their journey.

Doug's expression was unusually somber as he motioned for Chris to follow him outside. The early morning air was cool, a stark contrast to the stifling heat of the motel room. They walked towards the back of the building, where the shadows of the surrounding structures provided a degree of privacy. Doug reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a glass pipe, its contents glinting in the dim light of the rising sun.

"Chris, we need to talk," Doug said, his voice tinged with an earnestness that Chris had rarely heard from him.

Chris followed Doug's lead, his curiosity piqued. "What's going on, Doug? You seem pretty serious."

Doug took a long drag from the pipe, then handed it to Chris. "Yeah, I'm serious. There's something I need to tell you."

Chris hesitated, but took the pipe from Doug. The smoke was harsh, and he coughed slightly as he inhaled. The effects were almost immediate, making the early morning chill feel more pronounced. Doug's eyes were bloodshot, but there was a strange intensity in his gaze.

"I wanna let you know," Doug continued, his voice wavering slightly, "I love you, dude. You've been a real bro through all this."

Chris blinked, surprised by the declaration. "You kinda crazy, Doug, but shit, you're cool too."

Doug gave a short, almost mirthless laugh. "Nah, for real. I like you even more than my own kids."

Chris raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Really? Your kids?"

Doug nodded, his expression reflecting a deep-seated bitterness. "Yeah, they're pieces of shit. So, I wanted to give you something. A little something for being a good friend."

Chris took another drag from the pipe, feeling the effects of the drug intensify. "What are you talking about, Doug?"

Doug's voice lowered, taking on a conspiratorial tone. "I'm talking about the secret coordinates of my whole life savings. It's deep in the desert, far from here. Only I know the location. I've been saving it for years, but..."

Doug's voice trailed off, and he stared into the distance, as if seeing the desert landscape in his mind. "But now, with everything going on, I need to make sure it's safe. And I trust you more than anyone else."

Chris was taken aback by the gravity of Doug's confession. "You're serious? You want to give me the coordinates?"

Doug nodded, his expression earnest. "Yeah. I don't know if I'm gonna make it out of this mess. But if you do, I want you to have it. It's buried, safe from prying eyes. You just need to get to it."

Chris took another drag from the pipe, the effects making the conversation feel surreal. He looked at Doug, who seemed to be laying bare his deepest secrets. "Why are you telling me this now, Doug?"

Doug sighed deeply, as if the weight of his past decisions was bearing down on him. "Because I need to know someone has it. And I want you to know that, despite everything, I appreciate what you've done. Even if my own family..." The early morning was cool and crisp as Chris and Doug walked behind the motel, the horizon just beginning to lighten with the dawn. Doug had seemed agitated and restless, and his earlier revelation about the secret coordinates had left Chris with a mix of confusion and trepidation. As they walked, Doug's mood shifted noticeably.