The Fleeting Happy

Nineteen

I fell asleep sometime after the sky began to lighten, ironically enough.

By the time I woke up again, we were off the highway in some strange suburban town I didn't recognize, with the sky slathered a dull shade of gray. Montana looked tired, but flashed me a smile nonetheless.

"You need to sleep," I told her. "We've been driving for almost six hours."

"I will later," she assured me. "We're almost there. I had to stop twice for gas, so we've got some snacks if you're hungry. Hope you don't mind we're off Garden State Parkway, I got a little lost." She chuckled. "Anyways, we need to continue down Columbus Boulevard, left onto Arctic Avenue, right onto North Virginia Avenue, left onto Atlantic Avenue and then we're there."

"You remember all that?" I asked, amazed.

Montana smiled slyly. "It's a skill."

She really did look tired. She kept alternately chugging a can of Red Bull and a paper cup full of what I assumed was cold gas station coffee, making me all the more worried for her.

"Let me drive," I offered. "I'm calm now, I swear."

Montana shook her head. "We're almost there..." She was beginning to sound senile. She was probably just sleep-deprived. She wasn't even listening to the GPS on her phone anymore.

"How come your parents aren't calling you? I've gotten about fifty texts from my mom. She's threatening to call the police." I laughed bitterly.

"I texted them already. Said I was sleeping over at Stef's. She's got me covered."

"Oh, and would you look at that. My mom did call the police. They are currently looking for us. Wonderful. Just... wonderful." I shut my eyes and leaned back in my seat, moaning.

"They already know where we're going, though," Montana commented.

"Yeah, for sure."

"But we've got a six-hour headstart."

"Unless they contact the NJSP. Then the local cops will be on our tail."

"So that gives you about an hour with your dad before they force us to go back to Severn Valley. An hour and a half at most," Montana said coolly. "Is that enough?"

"Not nearly, but it's all we've got," I said, feeling my hope deflating in my chest.

I just needed to see him.

I just needed to see that he was okay.

I'd never been to Atlantic City before, and my first time there wasn't too bad, despite the grim situation. It was a beautiful city during the day, one that I was sure must've been breathtaking at night, with streets lined with uniquely-constructed buildings and gorgeous beaches and boardwalks.

Under different circumstances, I probably would've enjoyed this trip with Montana.

"Have you ever been to Atlantic City before?"

She shook her head.

"Me neither," I murmured.

We tried plugging in New Eden General Hospital into the GPS, but it only brought us to the hospital's parkade with no accessible way to the hospital's entrance. After some contemplating, we decided to park the truck a couple blocks away and walk.

It felt nice to walk again, after sitting down for so many hours. I hadn't realized how cramped my legs had been until I climbed out of the car, my body feeling like jelly.

"You look like a mess," Montana told me.

Hearing her say that made me laugh, because she looked like a mess, too. Her hair was in an askew ponytail, random strands falling out here and there. There were bags under her bloodshot eyes and mystery stains on her sweater. She reeked like energy drinks and caffeine.