Chapter two

I was out of the room as soon as my eyes were open. The vibes I was getting were setting me on edge. After running to the car, I locked myself in and tried to calm my breathing. I turned the car on and before I went to pull out, a familiar face caught my eye. I locked eyes with crystal blue ones. She was leaning on the door, her arms crossed over her chest and a cigarette in between her lips. She took a drag off the cancer stick and waved me off. I nervously waved back before reversing and swerving out of the parking lot. Utah here I come.

The drive went by quickly from the time I left the hotel and then soon I saw the Utah sign. I smiled when I realized I was only one state closer. Utah was very pretty, the dusty orange earth made sculptures. The road was straight for hours, the pavement cracked. My car was the only one I saw for miles. I pulled into the first gas station I had seen yet. I was on autopilot at this point. I was so sick of driving. I think I can make it to Colorado before I call it another night. After pumping my car full of gasoline, I climbed back in and went for another six or seven hours. I lost count at four. I felt my eyes becoming heavier and heavier with each stop sign. I screamed when the silence was interrupted by the ringing of my phone. I gasped for my breath while clicking answer.

"Danny?" Eliza asked while she listened to me pant.

"This is she," I answer back sarcastically.

"Ah! Thought you were dead." She said with a laugh, I rolled my eyes.

"I feel like it," A yawn ripped through me while she continued to laugh.

"I was just calling to check in, how are you?" I take a left turn and smack my face to wake myself up.

"I'm so sick of sitting behind this wheel, we've gotta do something fun when I get there." She giggled.

"We can go bowling if you'd like?"

"Sounds amazing," She chuckled and I couldn't help but laugh too.

"Where are you?" I groaned.

"Utah should be coming up on Colorado soon enough." She paused for a minute.

"Two more states!" I groaned.

"I should have taken a plane." She laughed hysterically.

"YOU? An airplane? You're joking, right? I remember you climbing up onto your shed roof to retrieve your frisbee and they had to call the fire department to get you down! You were on the news!" She cackled. I grumbled.

"I can't help that I'm scared of heights." She continued to laugh.

"Okay, bye Eliza!" She went to protest but I already hung up. I chuckled in victory. Just then I passed the Colorado line. At this point, I just wanted to sleep. Colorado was very beautiful, it had snow-capped mountains and tall and lively trees. But I couldn't appreciate it because my eyes found their target. A roadside motel. It was in way better condition than the last one. I turned into its almost full parking lot. This motel was two stories, bright yellow paints with blue accents. It looked very welcoming. I found a spot and hopped out. The motel was immersed in a large town, people mingled in the coffee shop crossed the street and bodies filled the sidewalks even at seven at night. I locked my car and went up to the office. The man behind the counter was very tall and scrawny, but he was very sweet and gentlemanly.

"Here you go, ma'am." He handed me my key. I chuckled nervously.

"I'm only nineteen," I said shyly, his white cheeks turned pink.

"My apologies," I nodded and left the warm office. I got back in my car and tried to find a parking spot closer to my room on the second floor. After pulling into the closest one I could find, I proceeded to grab my bag and climb up the stairs. While looking for my room, a door a few feet in front of me swung open. I froze in my spot when a small boy was thrown out. He looked to be eight or nine. He had pitch-black hair and light brown eyes that were streaming tears.

"You worthless child!" I hear a women's yell. My eyes widen and my brows scrunched together when I watched the boy scramble towards the balcony fence. When his back pressed against the small white wall he began to sob.

"You did this! If it wasn't for you he wouldn't have left me!" She yelled in hysteria again, closer this time. The boys' brown eyes darted to mine in panic. He rushed to his feet and ran toward me. I gasped when he hid behind me. I looked back at him, with him this close I could see the bruises on his face, neck, and arms.

"Wolly?! Where are you dammit! I'm gonna kill you!" The women stepped outside and something inside me triggered. I put a hand in front of the child and took multiple steps backward. The women had short black hair that looked like it hadn't been washed in days. She had crazed brown eyes and smeared red lipstick on. She wore baggy clothes and she held a sharp knife. My eyes widen and I took more steps backward, Wolly following my footsteps as we got closer to the stairs. Her eyes darted in our direction and she let out a strange noise of disbelief.

"Wolly! Get over here! What did I tell you about talking to strangers!" She was suddenly soft-spoken and sweet with her words. She locked eyes with me and I wasn't sure if she could see the disgust in my eyes or not.

"I'm so sorry, he just gets a little out of hand." She went to walk towards us but I took more steps backward until Wolly and I were standing in front of the stairs.

"Excuse me, that's my child!" She yelled. With that, I swooped Wolly up and jumped down the stairs.

"Hey!" She yelled and chased after us. I threw my car door open and flew myself in. I locked my door and instantly dialed 911. Wolly began to cry when his mother started banging on my windows. I was shaking but I did my best to comfort the little boy.

"Hey, it's all going to be okay." He nodded and hugged me.

"911, what is your emergency." I cleared my throat and tried to speak over the women's shouting.

"Hi, my name is Danielle," I answered.

"Hi Danielle, my name is Ruth, how can I help you today?" My voice was shaking while I answered.

"I'm at a motel and on my way to my room, a little boy was thrown out of a room with bruises covering his body. His mother was screaming at him and came out with a knife, threatening to kill him. So I took him to my car and called you. His mother is banging on my windows." I heard keys being typed on the other end of the call.

"Okay Ms.Danielle stay where you are, police are on the way."

"Alright," I replied.

"How old is the boy?" She asked.

"I'm eight," Wolly answered.

"And what's your name young man?" I stared at the woman who was crying in rage outside my passenger window.

"My name is Wolly." He answered while whipping his face.

"Wolly, does your mom hit you a lot?" Ruth asked.

"Yes, ma'am...ever since daddy left she blamed it on me." My brows scrunched up.

"Okay Wolly, do you have any siblings?" He sighed.

"Yes ma'am, my daddy has my little sister."

"And why doesn't he have you too?" She asked.

"Cause mommy won in court." I heard the sirens then, and so did his mother. She snapped up and looked toward the road where people were staring.

"Did you call the police you dumb bitch?!" She yelled through the glass.

"Is that her?" Ruth asked.

"Yes, ma'am," I answered. Two police cars pulled in then, she took off for her motel room. The cops jumped out of the vehicle and ran after her. They caught her on the steps, she screamed in protest while they arrested her. A police officer tapped on my window.

"Can you step out of the car please?" He asked. I nodded and opened the door, allowing Wolly to step out first. I climbed out after him and shut the door.

"Thank you for calling us, we're gonna question you. It will only take ten to twenty minutes." I nodded. After a bunch of questions asked to me, he then turned to Wolly.

"Guess what kid," he looked up with wide brown eyes.

"Your dad is on his way." His face lit up like a firework that was once a dud but went off last second.

"Really?!" The cop nodded. I smiled when he turned to me.

"Thank you!" He hugged my waist and I went down to his level to look him eye to eye.

"Keep your head up kid," I winked at him. He laughed and hugged me again. A black truck rolled into the parking lot and a tall man with black hair and hazel eyes threw himself out of the driver's seat before even thinking of turning the truck off. I stood and turned Wolly towards his worried father that was sprinting full speed towards us.

"Dadda!" He yelled and ran towards him. Wolly jumped into his arms and his dad welcomed him gratefully. He hugged his son closed to his chest and cried into his neck. He set Wolly down and grabbed his hand, looking up and locking eyes with me. He made his way towards us.

"You must be Danielle." I nodded and shook his hand with a smile.

"Thank you so much for saving my son, how can I repay you?" I shook my head.

"No need, I was grateful to be there when it happened." He opened his arms and enveloped me in a hug. I accepted it awkwardly. The passenger door to his truck opened then and tiny light-up shoes hit the ground. A small girl with straight black hair and hazel eyes walked towards us. Wolly caught sight of her and new tears welled in his eyes. She saw him too and began to cry, running for him.

"Wolly!" She cried.

"Macy!" He yelled back while lifting her into a hug. I smiled and so did their father.

"I'm going to have to take you in for questioning, sir." The officer said to the father. He nodded.

"Meet me at the police station." The father nodded again and watched the officer walk away to the car where their mother was being held. Her face was in the back window, tears running down her cheeks and she screamed in agony.

"Thank you again." I nodded.

"Of course." He lifted Macy off the ground and grabbed Wolly's hand. They began to walk back to their truck. Wolly turned to look at me and dropped his father's hand. He ran for me. I smiled and leaned down to take in his hug.

"Thank you," He whispered.

"You're welcome." With that, he ran back to his smiling father. I made my way to my room, unlocking it and flipping the lights on. The walls were beige and the floors were wood. The bed had teal blankets. I crossed my fingers and peeked into the bathroom. I sighed in relief when I saw a clean shower and a usable mirror. I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower. I washed my hair and scrubbed my skin. Then I stood there in the warm water that was slowly turning cold. What would have happened if I wasn't there to save Wolly? I shuddered in horror at the images that popped in my head. I stepped out and wrapped a towel around my body. While walking out into the room, I dialed Eliza's number and clicked on speaker. When she answered I set my phone on the bed and began to get dressed.

"Hey! Did ya make it to Colorado?" I chuckled humorlessly.

"I sure did." I could see her puzzled face in my mind.

"What's with the sarcasm?" I threw on some pajamas and began to brush my hair.

"When I pulled into a motel, on my way to my room a little boy named Wolly got thrown from his room and was being screamed at by this crazy lady. She was abusive to him and came out holding a knife. I ran with him back to my car and called the police. She got arrested and Wolly reunited with his father and his little sister." I fall backward on my bed while she lets out a bark of a laugh.

"We were on the phone an hour and a half ago!" She laughed and I chuckled with her. Our conversation drifted off and we both ended up passing out.