The Kindred, Dark Lineage

Chapter Seven

Yawn.

I've been driving all night and it's catching up to me, I'm tired, very tired. Staying on the move seemed like the smart thing to do, I'm hoping it's making it difficult for the fae to get a lock on my position. After all, if they can't find me, then I get to stay breathing for a little while longer. Glancing in the rear view mirror I see Kaitlin's black fur, she is massive in wolf form, not as large as Harper was, but still intimidating for sure. Her breathing is steady telling me she's asleep. After the burgers, rest is exactly what she needs right now, but it's going to take some miracle healing before she's back to a hundred percent. My eyes are heavy and I find myself jerking the wheel as the tires hit the warning bumps along the interstate, driving isn't safe anymore. I need to get some rest, but where can I do that without leaving myself vulnerable to the fae? To be honest, I'm not even sure where I'm at anymore, I just took random exits and let the road take me wherever, I'm lost. I see a sign up ahead, maybe that will tell me something.

Maplewood

Population 39,512

Maplewood? I've heard of it, but I don't think I've ever been here. I take the next exit and as I do my low fuel light comes on and begins dinging, informing me that my fuel tank is nearly empty. I see a gas station up ahead on the right so I change lanes and pull into the station. The canopy above the pumps are still lit, however the actual station itself is dark. Luckily everywhere seems to offer a pay at the pump service now, I wonder how people managed before it was introduced?

"Shit!" It suddenly occurs to me that I only have cash. I slam my hands firmly against the steering wheel, Kaitlin stirs slightly behind me but remains motionless afterwards. I look over at the passenger seat and see the purse sitting there, I grab it and unzip it praying for a credit card, but as I suspected all it contains is the hollow blade filled with fae blood and a wad of cash. I re-zip the purse and toss it back on to the passenger seat in frustration. I reach into my pocket and pull out my black leather bi-fold wallet, it's thin and really contains nothing, but I decide to check it all the same. I find my library card, which come to think of it, I don't think I've used it in the last six years. There's a Quiznos stamp card I had completely forgotten about as well. "Hey, I only need two more stamps!" Continuing to search I find my social security card and of course my drivers license along with proof of insurance. With no job it's hard to get a credit card, but the fact that I don't have any cash of my own, not even a single dollar to my name is pathetic.

Sigh.

Gas is out of the question tonight, so I have to find someplace close by, somewhere we can stay and get just a couple hours of sleep. I pull away from the pump and return to the street, I need to find someplace busy, maybe a WalMart parking lot would work. A mile down the road I come across a motel sign that says vacancy, it's parking lot is dark and creepy, but I can't drive anymore, this will have to do. I pull into a parking space just a few spots down from the office which is still well lit, it must stay open twenty four hours. A motel like this cant cost too much, so I grab a hundred dollars from the purse and turn around to face Kaitlin.

I notice a streak of white fur running from her shoulder to her hip, it runs the same as her scar when she's in human form. It's interesting that the fur grows in a different color through the scar, this will make identifying her as a wolf easy if I ever need to in the future.

"We're at a motel, we're out of gas and I can't keep my eyes open any longer. I don't know what else to do, I'm going to go get a key and will be right back." I whisper.

Upon exiting the Escalade I feel my joints rejoice as they crack and snap, I was cooped up in the same position for far to long. The night air is cool and refreshing and for a second I forget that I'm being hunted. Staying at the motel is probably not the smartest thing to do, but we need to get out the vehicle and I should be able to sneak Kaitlin in easy enough. As I open the door to the motel office a bell rings and a mans voice replies.