All In Read Free Page A

station, their expressions weary. An injected dose of reality raced
through her, settling in her empty stomach. Things didn’t appear to look much
better here.

 
    Chapter
Four
     
    The terminal was deserted inside. Janitors worked at
opposite ends mopping the floors. Cara told him she needed the ladies room. After
she slipped through the door, Mick went to the men’s room.
    He splashed cool water on his face and then shook
his head like a drenched dog. He was beat, but needed to get with the program. Finding
a motel would be a waste. The night was already half over, assuming check-out time would be by 10 or 11 A.M.
    He ran his hands over his head. A dull ache began to
throb at his temples, and he shook off the dread that he felt closing in around
him like an annoying prowler. Mick grabbed a few paper towels out of the
dispenser, shoved them into his pack, and reached for the door.
    Cara stood near the vending machines, her pack slung
over her shoulder. Her eyes were heavy, her ponytail rumpled. They’d have to
sack out here until sun-up. It was the only option. The envelope he’d tucked
all his money into was taped around his thigh. The adhesive burned, pulling on
his body hair. He glanced at the vending machine and dug in his pocket for a
few stray bills.
    “Want a snack? Water or something?” he asked her.
    “Yes, water … please,” Cara said through a stifled
yawn.
    Mick fed two dollars into the machine and made his
selection. They wandered through the terminal and claimed a bench near a trash
can.
    They drank in silence, sharing a package of peanut
butter crackers. Mick stared down the long expanse of the building, watching as
one of the cleaning crew pulled his cart into the closet.
    The older gentleman removed his smock, hanging it up
on a hook, and then closed the door. The bus they’d taken had reloaded and
slowly pulling away from the curb.
    We
need to crash for a while.
    “Come on.” He tugged on Cara’s coat sleeve. She
glanced up at him, popping the last cracker into her mouth, and stood.
    “Where to?” She
canted her head at him.
    “I’ll show you.” Mick tipped his head in the
direction of the janitorial closet.
    They walked down the length of the terminal, the
tiled floor gleaming. Mick scanned the terminal one last time and was relieved
when he turned the knob and the door opened. He took Cara by the arm and
steered her inside, quickly closing the door behind them.
    Darkness fell between them. The sharp scents of
bleach and ammonia burned his nose. Cara’s breaths echoed through the confined
space.
    “We need to rest, but paying for
a room at this time of night is pointless…”
    “We’ll only have to check out in a few hours,” she
said, her tone raspy with fatigue. Mick was thankful that she was on the same
page with him.
    “Exactly, let’s just hang here and take a power
nap.”
    “It’s so dark.” Cara laughed. “I am tired, though.”
    “If we put the light on, it could draw attention,”
he said, explaining. “Let’s just try and sleep.”
    He slid his hand down her arm, taking her hand in
his. He guided them further into the closet, grunting when he felt the sharp
edge of something jab him in the side. Clawing his way into a corner, Mick dropped
his pack, pivoted Cara by the hips, and guided her to the floor. They jostled
the cart again, hearing the supplies rattle.
    “You okay?” Mick asked, holding his breath.
    “I’m
good. I hope I’m not resting my head against something gross, but I’m too tired
to care,” Cara laughed.
    Mick reached into the darkness. Cloth fibers grazed
his hands.
    “I think it’s a mop,” his tone questioning.
    “I don’t care,” Cara said. Her words slowed,
settling like snow.
    Mick sat down next to her, listening to Cara’s
breaths as they deepened and sleep consumed her. He couldn’t relax. That
anonymous shadow continued to tease him. Mick knew it was his fear that tormented
him. His mind raced in circles as he struggled to