𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐃𝐎𝐌

lie

V E N U S   C A D A L O R A

ACT iii

chapter sixteen; lie

the badlands were full of hills and sand.

i had to pull over at a small gas station as i tumbled out of the car, stepping to the pump before opening the gas cap and filling it up to max.

my eyes were extremely dry as i looked around the area.

the red on the texaco sign was faded away and the windows were full of dirt, mostly from the terrain of the area.

when i finished filling my tank up, i went into the convenience store, picking up a gallon water, a map, a bottle of vodka, the news paper, and a snack.

i ended paying about fifteen dollars as i went back to the car. it was quick, but a bright white car sped by, and i knew that it was the officials.

from what i've read in the newspaper, they were looking for me. i guess i could be some sort of fugitive. i never bothered to read the whole thing.

zu zu from the bonnevilles began to play as i switched the car on and pressed down on the accelerator.

i still couldn't process what i had done. i killed that border patrol officer, and kala was dead. she passed  away right in front of me, and i still couldn't process it.

i wanted to know how her mom felt, and how the funeral was. poppy was probably sobbing.

i couldn't go back, but i wanted to. i felt so alone, and it was probably because people surrounded me for most of my life. and now that it's silent, i can't push out that somber feeling.

i was heading to san dominica. it was a small town right outside a metropolis city. the drive was probably four more hours.

all i've been doing is driving, but i'll stop for food or some rest.

i didn't have a phone, so i wondered how mars would call, or how i'd call him. i was depending on him at the moment because he's the only one left. everyone is gone.

dust kept kicking up from the car as i could see another white car pass by. i could feel my heart beat rise a little. i was sure hat they were apart of the solano house, in search of the girl who killed one of their men.

what if mars was mad at me?

i killed one of his men, but i didn't know if mars was close to him. but, what if it looks like i killed kala? everyone would hate me, including mars. i couldn't call him now.

••

i got to the town bursa at around midnight. there was a small motel at the entrance of the town. and the flickering neon letters attracted me. i was tired.

i took my money and began to make my way to the lobby.

bursa was a dinky little town. this was the only building with color as everything else was dimly lit and different shades of brown and black danced around.