Isobel

Isobel Pt.1; A New Kid In Town

She had planned to run away before but those other plans fell through. So when she had the chance again she got away, far away. She ran and kept on running.
So when the bus pulled into the station. It is the last stop on the long journey. She is still sitting, sleeping at the back of the bus. Her name 'Isobel' is scribbled on the condensation soaked window. The driver approaches to wake her. At the second attempt he nudges her. She wakes startled and turns to look at the man. It is then that she realises, she is still on the bus and had fallen asleep. She has been crying.
"I'm sorry but this is the last stop," the driver said. She looks confused as she tries to get her barring right. She rubs her eyes again in a vain attempt to wake up and hoping and that this is all a bad dream. She gets up from her seat somewhat unsteadily. The driver takes her bags from the luggage compartment and helps her of the bus.
Standing outside in the cold, she looks lost. He resumes his place at the wheel.
"Are you sure, you're ok?" The driver asked.
She nods, though in her heart of hearts she knows she isn't.
He closes the door and drives off, leaving her alone, at the side of the road.

She stands and looks up at the sign above the doorway of the bed and breakfast; 'The Wander Inn'. She hopes it's as cheap as it looks.
She makes her way in and stands in the hallway at the reception desk. There is nobody to be seen. She rings the bell on the desk and looks around at the surroundings, it looks kind of dark and dingy. She wants to turn on her heels and walk back out the door but something compels her to stay.
The landlady suddenly appears from behind the curtain. She is a middle aged woman.. She gives Isobel a disdainful look as her eyes look her up and down from head to toe.
"Yes?" The landlady said, very abruptly.
"I'm looking a room for the night."
"Single or double?" The landlady asked.
Isobel is standing on her own in the hallway.
"Single. There's just myself."
The woman looks around her and behind Isobel's shoulder as if she expected somebody to jump out. Isobel looks over her shoulder too wondering to herself what on earth is this woman looking for?
"That will be twenty pounds," the landlady said.
"Twenty pounds?" Isobel asked.
"Yes."
The woman starts to make herself look busy as if it was no use talking to Isobel.
"Take it or leave it, you'll find no cheaper," the landlady said.
"It's okay." Isobel looks in her purse to find her money. She doesn't have much money but she can afford this place.
The woman looks over the counter and into Isobel's purse.
"I'll take it," Isobel said as she looks up and catches the woman staring down into her purse.
The woman smiles now knowing she's been caught.
The woman hands her a book to sign her name in. We see the list of names of the many people who have been here before. Isobel wonders to herself were these people like her running away from their lives. Each of these signatures has a story. She signs her name at the bottom of the page.
"Come with me," the landlady said as she turns on her heels and walks on down the corridor. Isobel follows, trailing her bags behind her.
The landlady doesn't take very kindly to her because she can see, in Isobel, a trouble maker who will ask all the most awkward questions just to be annoying. The landlady is being very obnoxious. She keeps repeating herself to Isobel as if she was stupid or something.
The woman is walking too quickly now and occasionally looks back at Isobel as if to say; 'Hurry up'.
Isobel is looking around her and doesn't realise the woman has stopped walking until she is nearly on top of her. The woman gives out a sigh. They have stopped outside a door at the end of the corridor. She hands Isobel, the key to the room.
The woman gives her one last disapproving look and goes on her way.
Isobel picks up her bags and turning the key she enters her room.

The room is even more dingy than the rest of the place. There is a single bed and a small bedside lamp on top in the corner beside the window. The window overlooks the street. She can see neon signs outside and hear cars go by. She throws her bags onto the bed and looks out of the window. She looks tired, maybe sad. This will have to do her until morning.
She throws herself onto the bed and lies there with her eyes wide open. She sighs and reaches for the light switch from above her head. She switches the light off, leaving the room in half darkness. The lights from across the street illuminate the rest of the room. She lies there in the half darkness. Cars drive by in the night, outside as she tries to fall asleep.