We found the bathrooms easily enough.  I thought Aris was going to follow me into the ladies room but he must have changed his mind because, at the last second, he diverted into the men's room.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  It was nice to have a few seconds alone.  I used the toilet, then washed my hands.  I looked at my reflection in the mirror.  I look horrible.  The least I could do is fix my hair and splash some water on my face.  I willed the skin to put my hair up into a bun.  The water felt refreshing on my face.  My jaw still hurt a little, but felt so much better that I barely noticed it.  I quickly dried off and threw the paper towels away.

I walked out of the bathroom and entered into chaos.  What is going on?  Go back in the bathroom.  Are you okay?  How about Ripley and the dogs?  We are all fine.  I just need  you  to go back into the bathroom until I come for you.  Okay.  I went back in the bathroom, locked the door and leaned my back against it.

Someone is coming your way.  Do not let them in.  I waited.  There was a knock on the door.  “Is anyone in there?” asked an unfamiliar male voice.  I didn't answer.  “I need to come in there,” he persisted.  I still didn't answer.  The door shook when he shoved it.  How am I supposed to keep him out?  I am on the way.  The door shook again.  It started to shudder.  Soon it will splinter.  That's if the lock even holds.  I looked in the cabinet under the sink and found a large, heavy pipe wrench that I could try to use as a weapon.  One more time and that lock will give.  He shoved the door and it flew open. 

A large, perfectly tanned, beautiful man stumbled in as if he hadn't expected the door to open.  I hit him in the head, as hard as I could muster, with the pipe wrench.  He collapsed in the doorway into a giant heap.  Now I'm stuck with the door open.  Aris appeared, “Are you okay?”  “I'm fine,” I answered, “I'm not sure about him though.”  Aris held out his hand to help me around and over the heap of a man.  “He will be fine.  Let's get out of here.” I could feel him stirring as I quickly navigated my way out.  “Do you want anything?  It will be a while before we stop again.”  “Tea, Doritos and chocolate.”  We rushed around the trashed store and got what we wanted.  There was no cashier.  Aris slapped two twenties on the counter and left them.  Where is everyone.  They got scared and ran.

We went outside and got in the running Tahoe where Ripley was ready and waiting.  He shifted into drive and took off, “I would like to know how they keep finding us.”  “Jade, I need to look you over,” Aris requested, “I think they planted a tracker on you.”  “Where?”  “How does your face feel?”  “My jaw still hurts a little, but it's barely noticeable.”  Lay down, left side up and put your head in my lap.  “Jax get in the back.”  Jax climbed over our seat and got in the third row.  I did as he asked.  Aris put his hand on my face.  I found it.  Do you have to cut me open to get it out?  Maybe a small cut.  We will see.  “Ripley we need to find a hotel.  It's too bumpy to do this in the car.”

We drove for about a half an hour before coming to a hotel.  We passed it and went to the next one.  It was set far back away from the road with a long driveway.  Ripley went in and got the room keys, then drove us around to the back of the hotel.  The back of the hotel looked even more run down than the front.  Do not worry.  The rooms are clean.  We will stay here for the night.  We got out and went to one of the rooms.  Ripley unlocked the door.  It does look a lot better on the inside.  There is a king bed with a nightstand and lamp on each side.  A TV set atop a dresser.  A full length mirror.  A loveseat against the far wall and a table with two chairs.  The bathroom had a shower/tub and a vanity with one sink.  He was right.  It looked immaculate.

Rex bounded in and hopped up on the bed.  He plopped down at the foot of it as if he hadn't slept for days.  Reese sat beside Ripley on the loveseat.

“Lay down Jade.”  I did so, left side up.  He placed his hand, palm down, finders spread out, on the whole exposed side of my face.  “You will not feel a thing.” He must have numbed my cheek somehow because, true to his words, I felt nothing.  Do you just snap your fingers and it appears?  He smiled.  How do you know where it is?  I know where you are not healing properly.  Ripley went into the bathroom, came back with a towel and handed it to Aris.  “Okay, done,” Aris announced.  He handed something to Ripley.  I want to see it.  “You can sit up Jade.  The numbness will wear off in a few minutes.  Show it to her Rip.”  Ripley held his hand in front of me.  It looked like an electronic chip smaller than the size of a pencil eraser.  It was made of silver and I could barely make out what looked like circuit boards.  How did he get that in my face?  “When he hit you there was an open cut.  He just pushed it inside,” Aris answered.  “Was it just to track my movements?”  “Yes.  That is all it can do.”

“What are you going to do with it?”  “Probably smash it,” Ripley answered.  “You could take it back to the gas station and put it in someone else’s car,” I suggested.  They both smiled.  “Good idea.  I think I will do it right now,” Ripley headed toward the door, “I will bring some food back.”  He walked out with Reese not far behind.

Do you want a shower while we wait?  No, I think I want a hot bath.  It is not big enough for the both of us.  I think I will be okay by myself.  He smiled.  I will run it for you.  He disappeared into the bathroom.  I could hear the water turn on.  A few minutes later the water turned off and he came out.  Leave the door open a crack.  Just in case you need help.  Okay.  I went in and left the door open about an inch.  I decided to wear a cobalt blue string bikini this time.  Just in case.  I got in the bathtub and laid back to soak.  It felt really good.  I could feel my back begin to loosen up.  I could wash your hair for you.  I am okay now.  You don't have to help me.  I want to.  I paused for a minute, not sure how to respond.  I guess that would be okay.  I quickly used the skin to camouflage some bruises on my left side.  I am thankful that a bikini top doesn't hurt.  Bras are proving to be sheer torture.

He entered the bathroom and shut the door behind him.  I got my hair thoroughly soaked and sat up.  You look good in blue.  Thank you.  He lathered my hair up with hotel shampoo.  He then took his time massaging it into my scalp leaving a tingling sensation wherever his fingers trailed.  That feels really good.  Are you ready to rinse?  Yes.  He put his hand on my back and steadily lowered me into the water.  He slowly ran his fingers through from root to tip removing shampoo and unraveling tangles.  He helped me back up to a seated position and began working the hotel conditioner into my hair and scalp, tingles and all.  He leaned me back and rinsed the conditioner out the same way.  It was so relaxing I felt like taking a nap.  Not yet, he chuckled.  We have to get you dried off and dressed, unless you want to wear a bikini to eat.  Ripley is about five minutes away.

My eyes flew open and I bolted sitting upright.  “Has it been that long?  How long were we doing this?”  “Do you want me to help you dry off?” he offered.  “No, I’ll be fine.” I stood up and grabbed a towel.  “I will leave you to it then.”  He left the bathroom.  I used the towel to dry my face and hair.  Then had the skin French braid my hair.  I used the towel on the rest of my body then let the skin choose what I would wear.  It chose exactly what I had been wearing before.  I left the bathroom just as Ripley knocked on the door.  Aris let him and Reese in to the room.

The food smelled marvelous.  “What did you get?” I asked, walking toward the table.  “I got you General Chicken.  They insisted that it is not real spicy.”  I squealed with delight.  He unpacked the bag and handed me my food.  I grabbed a plastic fork and opened the container.  I closed my eyes to savor the aroma and the taste of my first bite.  It was as good as it smelled.  I opened my eyes.  They were both staring at me smiling.  “What?” I asked.  “You are just so expressive over food,” Aris responded.  “Try it.  Just close your eyes and savor that first bite.”  He just smiled at me.  I let you wash my hair. Now just try it.  Okay, fine.  He put a bite in his mouth and closed his eyes.  He remained that way through the duration of chewing his food.  He swallowed the bite then opened his eyes.  “What do you think?”  “I think that you have won me over to liking General Chicken.”  “If you didn't like it, why'd you get it?”  “I don't usually like Chinese food, but I like this now.  I just ordered what you like.”  “Ripley, do you like Chinese food?” he just nodded yes because his mouth was full.

I sat down in the chair next to me.  Ripley was already seated at the table, so Aris just sat on the corner of the bed.  “So did you send the tracker in the wrong direction from where we are going?” I asked Ripley.  He smiled real big, “yes.  I tossed it into the window of an eighteen wheeler.”  “That's even better.  He’ll go all over the place.”  “That is what I was thinking.”

We finished eating, with mostly just light chatter.  Ripley talked about his sister, Lia.  Lia is his only living relative.  He didn't get into what happened to the rest.  She sounded like a nice person.  I could tell he was really eager to see her again.  His enthusiasm was contagious.  The more he talked about her, the more excited I got.  Even Aris was smiling as Ripley told us about antics from their childhood.

It was getting late and we were finished eating, so we all threw our garbage away.  “I am going to try to get some sleep,” Ripley stated, “If anything happens and you need help, knock on the wall three times.  My room is right next door.”  “Okay.  Goodnight,” I replied.  Aris walked him to the door, watched him go into his room, then shut and locked our door.

I’m exhausted.  I know.  Me too.  You go ahead and lay down.  I am going to take a shower.  Okay.  I peeled back the comforter and top sheet on the bed.  The sheets looked clean and crisp, like they were recently changed.  I pictured myself in my comfortable pajamas and climbed into bed.  I laid my head down on a soft clean smelling pillow.  This bed feels wonderful.  I rolled onto my left side and closed my eyes.  I began to doze off.  Wait for me.  I’m trying to.  I’m just so tired.  I know.  I am almost done.  Just a moment later I felt the bed shift next to me.  It's about time.  I thought you'd never get done.  Jade, wake up.  I’m so tired.  Jade, wake up!  I felt something wet and cold rub against my nose.  My eyes shot open.