Fortress of Lies (working title)

Still Driving

I was so distracted by running and gasping for air that I didn't even notice one person didn't make it to the building. Someone is missing. I spin around and count 10. We had 11 not counting me. Everyone's celebrating making it this far and I can't tell who's missing. I slip out of the door without anyone noticing and run down the alleyways frantically searching, hoping, praying it's not who I think it is. I turn the corner to see a body on the floor that hadn't been there 5 minutes ago. A step closer and my heart sinks to my stomach.

     I wake with a jolt that makes the whole car look at me. We're still driving, thank God. I have no idea what that dream was supposed to mean or if it was just because we've been on the road for so long and I'm exhausted. Whatever it was, it didn't make sense.

     "What was that?" Myles, who is now sitting next to me asks.
"Just a bad dream. Don't worry about it." I respond. Though I'm telling the truth I feel like I'm lying to him. This trip is already messing with my head.
"So Kam," Myles begins "when are we supposed to be in Tennessee?"
"In two days. Hopefully we make it in time. I have a feeling we're gonna want to be there for the opening."

"Why are you so excited for this?" He asks. "We don't know anything about it and I heard you tell Ashton that it could be a trap."

"I was joking about that. I'm trying to have a positive outlook at this. Who knows, maybe this trip is literally for nothing and it was just a waste of time. I'm trying to enjoy the drive."

"Okay whatever. But if we get there and it does end up to be a trap and something bad happens, I'm blaming you."

"Okay" I say, giggling a bit. "But I don't think anything bad will happen."
How can I say that? Clearly my dream meant something. Obviously I don't know what yet, but it's something bad; and every minute I sit here acting like everything's okay is another minute I could be leading us into something terrible.

     Just as I'm thinking about something bad happening, my mom pulls over.

"Uh oh" I hear her whisper

"Mom? What is it, what's wrong?" I ask

"Well... I really should have stopped for gas back at the last exit. Turns out we could've used it." She says as she looks back at us with an apologetic expression on her face.

"Okay well, the next exit is in 20 miles. There's no way we can walk there, and back carrying a gas can full of gas." Ashton chimes in.

"If we really needed to, I'm sure I could do it." Tiran says. Always trying to be the strong one in the group. Ever since I met him, he's been like a dad/big brother replacement for the ones I never had.

"It fine, guys. I can call roadside assistance. It's gonna take a little while, but it's better than walking."

"Okay" everyone says in unison.
My mom calls roadside assistance and they say it'll be about an hour. I begin to think that maybe it'd be better if we walked, but in reality, that'd take us well over an hour.

     "Hey Kam, do you remember when we first met?" Myles asks.

"Of course I do!" I respond "it was a momentous day" I say grinning

"It was. Six years ago, when I was eight, I somehow stumbled upon your house and saw a bounce house in the back yard. I thought it looked fun and just walked right in. You guys really need a fence."

"We weren't really expecting a little eight year old boy to come into our bounce house and sleep." Myles was a foster kid. He came into our yard - not because his foster parents were mean, he loved them - because he wanted to sleep outside and they wouldn't let him. It's still crazy to think about. Now he comes to our house almost every day.
Myles laughs and continues his memory

"I guess I fell asleep because next thing I know you and your mom were standing outside of it whispering to each other. You were talking about what you should do with me. Eventually you both decided to bring me inside and give me food while you tried to figure out who my parents were." He laughed at this. "They were both at work so you guys let me stay for a few hours waiting for them and when they came, you told me I could come over whenever I wanted and play. That was the first time anyone had ever told me something like that. Invited me the hang out with them even though I was a foster kid. Most people thought I was in a foster home because I was dangerous. Stupid."

"Yeah. They were stupid. They missed out on the hilarious, good hearted person you actually are." I smile at him and he smiles back

"Thanks, Kam."

"No problem. It's true."

     Roadside assistance finally comes and helps out by giving us just enough gas for 20 miles. We stop at the gas station and all get out to stretch and eat. My mom informs us that we're only about ten hours from Tennessee and we all cheer which gets us odd looks from every person in the store. As we finish eating my mom says that it's Shaylee's turn to drive and that we could probably stay in a hotel for this night since we're so close to our destination. We all agree that it was a good idea and are ready, for the first time in days, a good night's sleep.

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This chapter should make up for the lack of one last time. Almost to Tennessee! Haha hope you're enjoying it so far.