Run

Chapter Twenty-Five

Two days in New Mexico of doing nothing. Alex wanted me to wait to start doing portraits to maximize the amount of time we can stay. I'm almost glad mom and I don't watch TV, because I'm pretty bored with it. I've entertained myself with the occasional reality show or documentary, story telling show but all in all I've found it pretty much a waste of time.

I've tried to humor Alex, tried to stay inside and keep hidden, but I can't for much longer.

Alex comes back into the room with food for us, I've forgotten what it was he got until he puts the McDonald's bag in front of me.

"So their soda machine was being wonky, so I got you Coke instead of Sprite, I hope that's ok."

I nod as I take the food from him, "Alex, do you think... Maybe I could start doing my portraits again? I'm getting sick of just sitting around again."

He looks unnerved, "I don't know. I want to let you but I don't want you out too much. I consider us lucky that we didn't run into anyone else who's made a deal while in Texas!" He looks upset, like he doesn't want to talk about this, like it hurts to tell me "no".

"If anything, that should be a good sign, we were out in the open and nothing happened. Please, Alex, please. I just want to do something. I want to help my mom, I want to make people smile, I don't want to sit inside all day," I put my hands together and scoot closer to him.

His expression goes unchanged, his sagging face begs me to let it go. Eventually he lets out a sigh, "Alright, tomorrow we'll find you a spot. But no drawing tomorrow, the day after you can. Three days of drawing, then we leave. Alright?"

"Of course," I nod my head, furiously, "Of course, whatever you say! Thank you!"

He doesn't seem secure in agreeing to this, but he lets it go. We sit, eating in silence as I try not to bounce around in excitement. My food is gone faster than I thought I could ever eat, and immediately I jumped in the shower afterwards.

Stepping out, I was squeezing my hair in a towel, thinking maybe for once I would let it stay down. I find Alex standing at the window by the door, his fingers barely pulling the curtain to the side. I jump, surprised to see him there, and drop the towel I was using on my hair.

"What are you doing?" I pick up my towel in a huff.

"I thought I heard something, I wanted to make sure no one was out there," he drops the curtain and faces me, "Sorry if I startled you."

I toss the towel back in the bathroom, I feel almost insecure with how he's starting at me. His eyes are soft but they never waver as he looks me up and down before meeting my eyes. I feel exposed and like there's nothing worth staring at so I slowly break eye contact and make my way to the bed.

"I'm going to get some sleep," he follows me with his eyes, though not as intensely, "G--goodnight."

I lay my head down and close my eyes, begging sleep to take me and remove this feeling from my stomach.

"Night, Jules," I hear his footsteps head away from the door and to the bathroom. Within a few minutes I hear the shower turn on, and I'm able to calm myself into sleep.

When I open my eyes again, I don't see Alex, but I hear movement in the bathroom. Thinking nothing of it, I hop out of bed and prepare for the day. I pull out some clothes and my shoes while I wait for the bathroom to open up. I drop my shirt next to my jeans as I hear the door open.

I turn around, expecting to see Alex, but instead my heart drops in my chest and I fill with fear. In front of me, with a wicked grin, is Robert.

"Last night was fun," he bites his lip and smirks at me, "You definitely made it interesting."