Runaway

02: An Empty Marlboro

02: An Empty Marlboro

As the digital clock changed numbers and the radio played Stolen Dance. The soft and harmonic feeling that bubbled made Talia blush. It was the heat though, the pitch black swirling darkness outside mixed with the song and waves of warmth from the car. Talia kept her eyes wide, she wanted started to drop like a fly, but to fall asleep she would need to be alone.

As the rain beat against the windows and the wind kept the overgrown grass from staying still by pushing it back and forth as if it was on a swing set. Talia and Harrison had comfort with staying silent for a bit. She pulled on the sun visor that would usually shade her face from the sun but there was no sun in sight. There was a tiny mirror sewed on.

No wonder he was shocked when he saw her. She looked dead. Three scratches under her eye, an ugly bruise on her high cheekbone. Licking her lips to taste the blood of her crusty lips that were burning now. The worst was her collarbone, the dress had a slit on it, and skin was deeply peeling away. Blood had formed around it and dried.

Flipping the sun visor up, her eyes wandered to the driver, Harrison who was squinting. Staring into the belly of the monstrous night. The lights of the car giving a little leeway as he turned the wheel slowly so they wouldn't miss the turn.

This had to be a trap, Talia kept thinking. She's met men who act sweet and gentlemanly until they released her seatbelt and slam on the brakes. It only happened once but she didn't need to be told twice that she needed to keep her hand on the fasten. If she recalled right it was the first time she hitchhiked.

It was scarring but she doesn't regret it. Now she has a good reason for not trusting.

"What's your name?" He asked, his eyes still on the road. His fingers repeatedly tapped on the wheel like it was a piano. A silver band with the word fight engraved glimmered for a second.

She was bedazzled by the ring but she kept her mouth shut. No answer only the pitter patter of the outside weather.

He clenched his jaw, he was mad that she didn't tell her but understood not-so deep down in his heart why she didn't. "Okay then-"

"It's Talia." She had no idea why she just told him right then. It was late and awkward but she did it.

She hugged herself, it was a lonely feeling. Odd right? Talking to a different human made a lonely feeling. Personal connections were spider webs, in the core of the web can be connected to all the strings but there was no problem with losing one attachment or two. Talia was always the one attachment. So why bother telling her name? She didn't know yet.

He smiled, the pitch of his voice raised with hope, "Last name?"

She knew a lot of things though. Talking has only one purpose to her. It was to avoid thinking. You don't think much when your mind has to develop answers.

The song on the radio faded off into the distance as a more energetic song kicked in. The thumping beat of the bass and female singer matched in timing until the singer raced ahead.

". . . I rather not tell you." whispered Talia.

She could see his shoulders drop in defeat from the reflection of the window as a mountain light passed. He didn't stop smiling though. This time with a clue of a vacillate attitude "You still don't trust me?"

Talia pouted, feeling the pain on her collarbone and foot. "I got into your car, didn't I?"

In bewilderment she watched Harrison laugh, "Touché"