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XVII

June 1, 2173

Ash and I are following Iris to where I hope is another town where we can buy more food and maybe even go to a motel and freshen up.

"Do you think we could break into a motel so we could shower and possibly get new clothes?" I ask, because I am really starting to smell bad and we still have the same clothes we had on when we first started to run from the police.

"Yeah, but since it's day time we won't have long." Iris answers.

"How long is not long?" I ask.

"Probably about ten minutes each, including changing." She answers.

"That should be good, I only take a few minutes anyways." Ash says.

"Okay, there should be one a few miles away from here." She informs us and we both nod.

I am still holding Ash's hand and it feels so natural holding his hand and showing small signs of affection.

If we never kissed I feel that we would both would have to remain frigid until we turn eighteen.

"We are here." Iris says as we walk up to a small, but tall building. "Nobody ever takes the bottom floor, they are always at the top."

"Got it, Jess, you can have the first shower." He tells me and I don't argue.

We walk in and I take off my shirt and shorts and throw them in the small washer machine that is in the room and Ash and Iris do the same.

The directions on the side of the machine says it only takes five minutes to clean and dry so I take a shower while it cleans.

After I turn the shower on I quickly wash my hair and body then get out, I don't feel comfortable leaving Ash alone with Iris after the way she looked at him earlier.

I quickly put on my undergarments and walk out with a towel wrapped around me.

When I get out I grab everyones clothes out of the machine and give his and I change into mine.

Iris takes the second shower so I am finally alone with Ash, "I don't trust her." I whisper so she doesn't hear us.

"Is it because she has been staring at me and dropping you dirty looks since we first met her?" He asks teasing me.

"No. . . she just seems very off." I say.

"I agree, she has money and is helping us out so she can't be that bad--and don't worry I'm all yours." He says quietly then kisses my cheek.

"Okay." I say then Iris walks out with her freshly cleaned clothes on.

"Let's check the cabinets for some food, the people who were here last might have left some." She says.

"But you said people don't take the bottom floor." I say beginning to feel suspicious.

"People like us who break in leave food sometimes for whoever breaks in next." She says.

"That's a good idea I guess, but how do you know it isn't poisoned?" I ask unsure.

"We will find out after we eat it." She says.

"Oh. . . okay." I say hoping if anything is in there it's not poisoned.

"We should check tomorrow it's getting late." I say.

"There is two beds so I will share with Jess." Ash says.

"Okay." She says giving me a dirty look and laying down on one of the beds.

I lay down next to Ash on the second bed and he whispers, "I love you."

I smile and whisper back, "I love you, too."

"We will get to Canada soon, I promise."

"Okay." I say then close my eyes and fall asleep.

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