Prologue
As I look out the dusty car window, I notice the sky is a pale grey.
No, the clouds blocking the sky are.
I turn my focus to the small square tabs sticking up from the barriers that the car was passing at a decreasing speed.
Why must looking at anything that moves quickly outside the car make me sick?
I looked forward. The dirty windshield made my vision double, so I turned back to the sky.
Well, the lack thereof.
In the background, some popular, overly cheerful song was on the radio. My older sister singing along horridly.
Maybe this won’t be as bad as my mind is making it seem. ...Who am I trying to fool? Of course this move will be horrible. Anything dealing with hi-
“...Do you want anything?”
Leila’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“Wh-what?” I ask, caught off guard.
The music had stopped. I didn’t realize she turned it off. How deep in thought was I?
"I said, I’m stopping to get gas. Do you want anything?” Leila repeated.
“Uh... sure.”
“Okay we are almost there.”
I nod in response, still staring at the clouds.
If Leils is stopping for gas now, we must be close to Houston. Close to Darren.
Leila pulled into a dinky little gas station. It was deserted, except for us and the one employee currently working. I climb out of the small Camry and stretch my sore legs. They had been cramped in one position for the last four hours. I glanced down at my phone.
4:47pm. Hm, we were supposed to be in Houston around 7:40pm. Maybe we aren’t as close as I thought.
I stare at my lock screen. It was still a picture of June, my now ex-fiancé, and myself.
What were we thinking? I’m only 17, and June 19. We are way too young to be thinking about a future together like that.
I sigh. Taking one last look at the screen, I turn my phone off completely.
“Here,” Leila tossed me her credit card, “Go inside and get us some snacks, Drei.”
I shuffled into the empty store, the ring of an automated bell resonated throughout it. I grabbed a couple drinks and a few bags of chips, and headed to the counter in no real hurry. The girl who sat up there looked about my age. Her neon green uniform shirt contrasted with her pale skin and dark makeup. Her eyes flicked towards me, then to the snacks I put on the counter.
I can’t imagine her boredom. It doesn’t look like this place gets much traffic.
I payed and left the store, silently. Leila was done pumping gas when I got back to her car. She was sitting in the driver’s seat on her phone.
She is probably texting Darren. Ugh, why does he even bother? He has barely been a part of our lives since mom went missing 15 years ago.
“What does Darren want?” I ask, still assuming that is who she is texting.
“He was wondering how the trip was, so far, and don’t call him that Adreiana. He is our father. You should respect him.” She answers, not even looking up from her phone.
“I don’t have respect for cowards who leave their daughters. Especially right after their mom disappears. Especially when those daughters needed him.” I mutter, slamming the car door.
