Soulmates

Chapter 3

When I got home that afternoon, mum and dad were sitting at the island in the kitchen, drinking coffee.

"Hey honey, how was your day?" Dad smiled at me from over the rim of his mug.

"Good. I have some big news."

"What is it?"

"Jas met her soulmate." I tried not to shudder at the word. It was just so cheesy.

"Oh, that's wonderful! Who is it?" Mum asked with a tad too much enthusiasm.

"Her name's Emily, and she's in the year above. She and Jas are perfect together," I said, putting my bag down and opening the fridge.

"That's good to hear. I like that Jas girl," Dad said good-heartedly.

"Oh, honey, I spoke to Mark today," Mum told me. "He said that a truck delivers everybody's stocks, but nobody has any idea where they come from. The poor drivers must be on the road for days, too."

"What did you want to know that for, Beth?" Dad looked at me curiously.

"Just wondering." I took an apple out of the fridge and grabbed my bag. "I've got lots of work to do, so I'll be in my room if you need me."

The first thing I did when I got to my room was call Jas. She picked up on the fourth ring, and before she could even say hello, I said,

"Hey. Have you ever wondered how this town gets all its supplies?"

There was a short pause and then Jas said,

"Well, now I have."

"By truck."

"What?"

"By truck," I repeated. "Apparently people from the outside drive trucks here, drop off the stocks, and leave again."

"But..." there was silence for a moment while Jas thought. "Where do they come from? And how come we never see them?"

"I don't know. But I want to find out," I told her.

"Oh, Beth. You're not going to do something dangerous, are you?" Jas sounded somewhat exasperated.

"Of course not! I'm just going to hitch a ride on the truck and find out. Anyway, I'll talk to you at school." I hung up before she could protest, and started planning out what I would need for a road trip that could last any number of days.

About 15 minutes after my conversation with Jas, the doorbell rang.

"Beth! It's Jas!" Mum called up the stairs. I had suspected this might happen. I took my time down the stairs and when I got to the door, Jas was leaning against the wall. Mum had gone back to the kitchen, so I called out, telling her we were just going for a short walk. When Jas thought we were far enough from the house, she turned to me with her eyes wide.

"What the HELL do you mean you're going to "hitch a ride on the truck and find out?"

"I mean," I said calmly, "I'm going to sneak into the truck and see where it goes."

"B-b-but!" Jas was so flustered she had trouble speaking. "What are you going to eat? And drink? That trip c-could last DAYS! Where are you going to pee?"

"I'll pack some canned beans or something. And lots of water. I'll be careful with what I drink, and I'll only drink when I'm very thirsty. As for peeing, I'll find a can or something. And the truckies are sure to have bladders, too. I'm sure they'll stop somewhere so when they get out, I can too."

"It's so risky, Beth," Jas whispered nervously.

"I know, but I need to know. I'm so bored. And besides, maybe if I run away, I'll never meet my soulmate." I wished desperately that she'd understand. I needed to get out.

"That's silly! And you've still got nearly two months until you meet your soulmate." I shrugged, and Jas gasped.

"You don't think you'll be gone that long, do you?"

"It all depends on the length of the trip and how often the trucks come," I replied. Jas sighed.

"At least bring me back a souvenir."

I grinned.

"Of course."