He smiles softly and leans in to brush his lips over mine. “I’ll crash out once we’re back home, I promise,” he says. “I can take all the meds I need and sleep for days on end. Until then, I need to be alert. Deal?”
“Deal, but you can at least take some ibuprofen. It’s been over five hours since you last had one. And they don’t cause drowsiness.”
Sighing, he nods. “Okay, Nurse. Hand me one.”
I made sure to bring extra meds, as I was worried about him. I know he has his own, but I packed ibuprofen and paracetamol. I’ve also been keeping a running tally of what he takes and when in the Notes app on my phone.
Once he’s swallowed the meds, I sit back and try to relax. It’s not the easiest thing to do because I can feel Daisy simmering next to me. She’s like a pan that’s been on the stove for too long, and I’m worried she’s going to boil dry and start a fire. I don’t know what’s wrong with her. The longer the journey has gone on, the worse the atmosphere has become. It’s not entirely down to her worry for her family, I’m sure of it. I asked if she was okay at the last rest stop, and she practically bit my head off.
She also shoots these scared glances at the men constantly, and she’s chewing her nails or the inside of her cheek repeatedly.
God, I really hope she didn’t hear the four of us last night. For a girl like Daisy, with all the teachings of the commune still lingering in her mind as the truth, it would be bad to overhear us. I was gagged, but the sound of footsteps moving around, thebed creaking and the men’s moans and curses would have been enough to alert her if she’d been awake.
I sigh and look out of the window past Roman, trying not to stress. The landscape had changed from the mountains around the college to rolling farmland as we entered the lower part of New York state, then as we crossed into Pennsylvania, more mountains. It’s been like entering different worlds as the journey progressed and, despite my worry, and the anxiety gnawing at my insides, I’ve been awestruck by the scenery.
God, we live in a beautiful country.
From the bright mountain light of the Adirondacks, to the softer golden farm valleys, and the rich hues as we approached the Appalachian Mountains, it’s been a visual feast. Daisy, however, seems to be so locked in her head, she’s not really taken any of it in. Even when I’ve pointed things out to her, thinking she’d be interested because she’s not seen much of the world outside of the commune, she’s barely responded.
Now we’re approaching the outskirts of Pittsburgh. I’ve heard the view of the city is amazing, one of the best skylines in the nation, but we’re not sightseeing, and we don’t have the time to take a detour.
Maybe we’ll do a road trip after we’ve sorted out the many threats facing us all. That could be fun.
“We’ll stop south of Pittsburgh,” Cain says. “I want to stretch my legs, and I need some real food in me.”
“I can drive for a while, if you like?” Mal offers.
Cain nods. “Yeah, I’m getting fucking tired.”
We motor on for another fifteen minutes or so, and then Cain indicates to turn off the main highway to a truck stop, where he pulls in. The RV is close behind us and takes the next parking space.
“I could murder a burger,” Mal says yawning and stretching his arms above him.
There’s a variety of signs for various food establishments and stores. I want a salad, or maybe a wrap. The idea of a burger and fries after all the junk I’ve already eaten makes me slightly nauseated.
We pile out of the truck as the RV side door opens and three men spill out. The two in the front don’t move.
“You don’t want to stretch your legs?” I ask them through the partially open window.
“No, ma’am,” Felix replies. “I’m good. I did that at the last stop. We’ll stay here and just make sure the RV and truck aren’t tampered with.”
I realize then that at each stop, at least two of Cain’s men have stayed with the vehicles.
I nod. “Do you want anything?”
“Wouldn’t mind a smoothie,” the guy next to Felix says.
He’s young and really muscular.
“Something with high protein content.” He makes to pass me some money, but I shake my head.
“It’s fine. I can get that. Nothing for you, Felix?”
“Nah, I’m good. Thanks.”
I’m so grateful to Cain’s father for lending us these men. As well as clearly knowing their roles and being very alert to threats, they seem nice, too.
“I need to hit the restroom,” I say, “before we grab food.”
