"Hey, Miles. Miles." 

I'm slowly awoken to the sound of my name and a light tap on my arm. I try to recall where I am and what's happening.

"Hey, we're nearing Belle Grove, I just wanted to let you know so you could get ready."

Everything comes back to me now. I ran away and I met Wilbert and now we're nearing Belle Grove. Belle Grove! I'm slightly nervous now but I'm also more excited than anything I've ever done before. This was it, my chance at the "real world".

"Thank you for helping me," I said to him.

"No problem." He replied back. We've been driving in the dark the whole trip, so I've never gotten a good look at Wilbert. "Is there anywhere you would like to get dropped off at?"

I hadn't really thought about that or the next step in my plan but I answer him anyway. 

"Somewhere where I might be able to sleep, please."

"Alright."

I spend the remaining time left, staring out the window. We soon begin to spot houses and other buildings. Some of the buildings were bigger than others and some more attractive in appearance. They all looked unique to me though since this was the first time I've ever seen houses other than my own. We passed under streetlights and I could see more of what Wilbert looked like. He had sandy hair and green eyes, and a tattoo on his right arm- a heart it looked like.

We pull into a well-lit gas station. Wilbert turns to me.

"Well, looks like we part ways here. You'll find a little motel or inn down the road not too far from here."

I gather my stuff and pull my satchel over my shoulder. Before I exit the vehicle I thank him one last time and offer him a little bit of cash. But he firmly refuses.

"I appreciate the offer, but you'll need it more than me probably."

Excited but nervous, I venture out of the truck and begin my first journey on my own. I know nobody here or am familiar with anything here, but I'll have to rely on my instincts and book knowledge to get me through this.

There's no vehicles on the road right now, so I use that. I would've thought there be more. But nevertheless, I keep an eye out for the inn or motel Wilbert was talking about. I swing my violin freely in one hand and my bow in the other. I observe the surroundings which are really nothing more than trees and houses. In the morning I'll explore more.

Suddenly, I spot something shiny in the middle of the road. Walking over I stoop and pick up the item. Closer examination proves it to be a shard of broken glass, probably from a hand mirror.

Quicker than I can spot it, a small gray car comes speeding towards me. I'm alerted by the short honk and the sound it makes as it narrowly misses me. I'm paralyzed by fear and the realization of how close my journey could have come to an end. The car stops in the grass and once regaining feeling, I hurry over to the vehicle. 

I peer into the window and see a young woman white as a ghost gripping the steering wheel. Her mouth is open as if she's screaming but I hear no sound emitting from her. I tap gingerly on the window. Suddenly, I wonder if she opens the door if she'll be mad at me. She might hurt me if I angry her any more than I already have. So I cower away from the car.

She's not a very fast reactor and it takes her a moment to unbuckle her seat belt and turn off her radio which was still playing. She seems to notice her mouth is open and closes it before opening the door getting out of her car. Unexpectedly, she flies past me and goes to the middle of the street. I keep quiet as she searches frantically for something. She runs her hand through her blond hair and shakes her head unbelievably.

"Wha- where? I must be going insane! I could've sworn there was someone or- this makes no sense. Calm down Kindle, just take a deep breath. You definitely need to lay off the fast food- too greasy- they put something in that stuff. All this just for some strawberry ice cream. Stupid womanly cravings."

Coming back to her car, she examines the vehicle and sighs heavily but in relief that nothing looks wrong. Still standing as rigid as a statue, I watch as she makes her way back to the driver side. Peering in she scratches her head and starts to back up, inching closer and closer to me.

I'm frozen stiff and hold my breath, praying she doesn't bump into me. My prayers are in vain though, because with one final step backward, she steps into me.

Whirling around to face me, she makes a surprised yelp. I step back slightly.

She puts a hand to her heart and breathes heavily. "Good God!" After composing herself somewhat she turns and looks at me. "Are you the one I nearly hit?"

I don't answer her, instead, I just stare like a mute at the ground.

It doesn't seem to matter to her for she continues on as though I had said yes. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to- I mean it was my fault I was going way too fast. My headlights weren't turned all the way up- I just wanted ice cream- please don't sue me, I'm kind of poor."

She then started going on about things like her parents being disappointed with her and something about a manager position at some place called Click Cupcakes or whatnot. Her words confused me and when she stopped talking she must have seen the look I was giving her. I was still scared she was going to lash out at me.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't stop to think you didn't know English- I just assumed. It was wrong of me to assume that. I don't know any other languages but English. I tried German before but I kind of dropped out. Oh, those classes would've come in handy now- oops! There I go again making assumptions about you speaking German. You just kind of looked German- but no offense,  I mean if you're not German! If you are-"

"I'm not German," I said quietly. "I don't know what nationality I am."

She stopped talking and gave a grateful sigh of relief. "Oh, thank God! You speak English. Are you okay? I'm sorry about nearly hitting you, it- it was careless of me to drive that fast even if no one else was on the roads."

I looked up at her. She didn't seem like a threat and she did genuinely appear sorry. I decided to trust her. "It's okay. It was actually my fault for being in the middle of the street."

"Well..sorry again for nearly hitting you. Have a nice night." She slowly gets back into the vehicle and offers me a smile.

Just then I remember something. "Before you go, do you know whether there's an inn or motel down the road?"

"Huh? Oh! You're visiting here? Well, there is a small motel down this street, I could drive you if you don't mind. I promise I'm a better driver than what you saw."

"People out here don't want to hurt me, they want to help. Mother was wrong." I return her bright smile with a timid one of my own, but I don't think she saw it. "I would like that, thank you."

Climbing into the passenger side, we take off down the empty street. Unlike Wilbert, though, this girl was keen on making conversation. 

"So...whatcha name?"

I blink. "What?"

"Sorry, I meant what's your name. I should probably tell you my name first. My mother always said it was the polite way."

This girl made no sense.

"My name's Kindle."

"Miles."

"That's a beautiful name. I've only ever heard one other person in my life named that. It was this boy in my 2nd grade class. Miles Samers I think was his name. But he was pretty annoying. Not to say that you're annoying!" She says quickly. "But anyway, he moved after 4th grade."

I fiddled with my bow since I really didn't know what to say to this girl. I couldn't fall asleep either because I wasn't that tired.

"How old are you?" She asks.

I decide to answer truthfully to this question. "18."

"Oh!" I couldn't tell what tone she used with that so I just hoped it was a pleasant one. "I'm 18, but I'll be turning 19 pretty soon."

I don't reply and we sit in silence. When we finally arrive at the destination- a small tucked away motel- she pulls up to the front and parks.

"Thank you. Sorry again if I scared you." I turn to exit the car.

"Miles?" She bites her lip. "Do you want to stay at my place maybe? I have the room and it wouldn't be a bother."

I'm confused. She drives me all the way here to ask if I want to stay at her place? She is a very strange person, but maybe this how people out here act. Even so, I don't mean to offend her, but I'd rather strike out on my own. 

"Um, no thank you. You have been very kind to me already and I'll be fine here. Thank you though." I get out of the car and Kindle does the same.

"Wha- I mean it, it won't be a problem. Besides my place is more...comfortable." Her eyes flicker nervously to the motel. It looks safe enough, but the look in her eyes makes me wary of it. So far nothing bad has happened to me and I plan to keep it that way. If I go with her it would only be for a night and my instincts are giving me the okay.

"Okay." I get back into the car and she does too. Relief is written over her face.

The ride to her place is a quiet one. I think of all the worst case scenarios possible and try to plan a way out if this doesn't work out. My stomach is in knots but I decide everything will be okay in the long run.

"In the morning everything will be fine. Then I can start my new life."