Quick A/N:
I know that the songs don't always match the "theme" of the chapter. That's because they're songs that I feel represent the whole book. Things that haven't been introduced yet go with some songs, later.

'Kay, I'm done for now lmao. Enjoy reading.

-:-

I watched the soft white bundles of air leave from between my chapped lips, my brown eyes watching them bellow into the sky and disappear completely.

After I finished the pancakes Gale made me, I attempted to pay for both the coffee and the meal, but she refused to take my money, saying, "Put that away, you won't get me to take it." She smiled at me understandingly. "Save your money, kid. You're going to need it more than right now."

When she said those words, I had leaned over and placed a kiss on the soft skin of her cheek. There was no other way I could express my gratitude towards her. She was the first human being I've talked to since the shift, and she gave me confidence.

She waved me off when I tried thanking her multiple times, though her cheeks were pink.

When I had gotten up and pulled my small duffel over my shoulder, she ran from behind the counter and approached me. "Wait, wait," she yelled, pausing in front of me.

I blinked at her, noting that she had something wrapped in a plastic bag and a note on top. She removed the note and handed the bag to me. "This is for you. Don't you dare try to refuse it," she added, giving me a stink eye when I parted my lips to kindly decline it. I instantly locked my lips shut again and smiled at her.

Gale smiled again and handed it to me, and I caressed it in my hands as though it were delicate. It didn't smell like food, nor was it warm like freshly made food. Whatever it was, I would probably be grateful for in the long run. I gently set my bag and the package down on the counter and shuffled some clothes to the side and set it in the middle, then covered it with the clothes again to keep it safe.

Zipping my bag up, I turned back towards Gale who was watching me carefully.

"I don't know where you're headed," Gale began, looking down at the slip of paper before continuing while reaching it out to me. "But if you're wanting to disappear for a while, go here."

I blinked, surprised by the sudden statement. I took the slip of paper and looked down at her handwriting, furrowing my eyebrows.

Story, Wyoming. See librarian at the edge of the town, she goes by the name of Honey Herring.

Honey Herring? I stared skeptically back up at Gale who crossed her arms. "I know her name sounds ridiculous, hun. But if you want to disappear and stay gone for a while, Story is the place to go. The citizens will keep you secret, let me promise you. You'll be protected there."

"H-how do you know this?" Really, McKenzie? Did you honestly just ask a question as stupid as that one? "Wait. Don't answer that, please, stupid question."

Gale laughed, shaking her head and patting my shoulder. "Please. That isn't a stupid question at all," she responded, releasing my shoulder moments later. "I ran away there for a while. I kept to myself, but everyone was so nice to me," she explained, leaning back on the counter and cocking her head to the side thoughtfully. "Honey and I met, and she said I could have a place at her house for as long as I needed. No charge."

"Really?" I asked, hope bubbling up inside of me as I felt my brown eyes widen.

"Really," she agreed, then she paused, her blue ones narrowing thoughtfully. "Hey. You know, you have the weirdest eyes." Then she paused again and patted her temple. "Shoot, sorry. I don't mean to get off track."

I blinked a few times, making a mental note to look in a mirror later. I smiled at her and shrugged. "Nah it's fine," I assured, then lifted the duffel bag and tucked the folded slip of paper into the pocket of my jeans. "Hey, Gale?"

"Hm?" She cocked her head again and gave me a warm smile.

"I - thank you." I walked forward and wrapped my arms around her in a gentle hug. "I know you don't know me, but the help is so great if you to give me."

Gale's hands gently rubbed circles in my upper back, her chin resting on my shoulder for a moment. She said softly, "I sure as hell can't understand what's gotten you to look so spooked and lost, but you're going to be okay. I don't want you to feel alone. Nobody deserves that."

I pulled back from her arms and smiled a little more, stepping away from her and adjusting the duffel higher onto my shoulder.

"Now, as soon as you reach to wherever you're going .. Call me. I wrote my cell number on the back."

Sure enough, there was a phone number when I flipped the slip over. "I will," I promised her, putting it back into my pocket for safety. "Cross my heart."

"Good girl." Gale nodded and waved me off. "Now get going, hun. The bus gets here in ten."

I heard the grunting and protesting of the bus' engine as lazily came to a stop with a soft hiss in front of me. The doors peeled open and I looked up to see an old looking man.

"Hello," he greeted with a smile. "My first customer this morning. Where to?"

"How far can you go?"

"As far as the next three towns," he told me, not seeming the slightest disturbed that he had a teenager in a hood and duffel bag on his bus.

"How much?"

"Mm. Hundred dollars, but I'll knock off five since you're my first rider." He shot me a playful wink and I laughed, climbing the bus. The first thing I noticed was the picture of him and who I assumed to be his wife taped next to the wheel.

As I handed him the money, I pointed to the picture. "That's a beautiful picture."

He beamed at me, nodding. "That's my wife, Hazel. Ain't she the most beautiful thing?"

"She is." I nodded as well, then went to the middle of the bus and took a seat. I searched trough my bag and pulled out my book.

"Ugggh." I jumped nearly three feet up into the air when I heard the echoed groan in my head.

"Shit!" I cursed, but trying to keep my voice low so not to be heard. Thanks for scaring me out of my kind, Shark. Appreciate it a bunch.

"Bite me," was the response she went with. I rolled my eyes and rubbed the side of my head, which, thanks to Shark, was pounding slightly.

Someone is not a morning person, I teased, opening my book and playing with the corner of the soft page. Toughen up, would you? You kinda scared me for a while. You wouldn't wake up, and I could barely feel your presence.

"So sorry I wasn't there to cater to your every need," she responded with heavy sarcasm. Damn. Who knew my dog would have such a sharp tongue? "I'm in no mood to hear you complain. Please shut up."

I felt a twinge of annoyance towards her. Her rude remark was not needed in the slightest. Besides, I wasn't the one complaining, I wasn't the one snapping at her every other second.

Forgive me, your royal majesty. I didn't know I was supposed to sit by and wait for you to stop being bitchy. I know I shouldn't be poking at her just because I was annoyed and a little hurt, but I couldn't help it.

"Shut the fuck up, Mckenzie," she snarled, making my head throb. My hands shot up to hold it and my heart rate increased. "Oh, what's wrong now? God."

Shark please shut up for a second so I don't go crazy on this bus. I flicked my gaze around, not having noticed that other people have boarded the bus. That means time was flying by right now, between arguing with Shark and trying to keep my cool. I don't feel very-

I groaned softly, my stomach tossing and turning with a sick feeling. Images of Shark ripping her teeth into the vulnerable skin of my jugular flashed into my vision, and the sudden urge to kill filled me.

My mouth suddenly felt dry. The only type of quenching that would work would be with blood.

"Kenzi, STOP!" Shark's strained voice snapped me from my thoughts of bloodlust. "Focus on my voice. Ignore the images."

I needed to get out of here. A dizzy feeling crushed me into the seat and I curled up, knowing what came next was unconsciousness.

-:-

Mckenzie's eyes above.