After leaving the restaurant, I notice it's late morning. The sun is high in the sky, and if I am going to make it to the next town, I need to hurry. Marleville will be the first place the police look. I only hope they don't talk to Brenden or anyone else who might have seen me.
With my stomach filled and my energy restored, I decide my best course of action is to follow the roadway leading to Piskwit, the next town to the south. It's the shortest distance away, and it's small enough that I hope I can stay under the radar. So with my mind made up, I follow the traffic signs as they guide me alongside the road to my next stop. It takes me hours of walking, and once again I long for food and water. The hot sun beats down on my already sweaty forehead, making me feel gross and sticky. What I wouldn't give for a shower. I almost wish I had just stayed in Marleville and taken the job at the diner. At least I knew I had one friend in Brenden. I longed to talk to somebody.
Walking beside the road made me nervous, especially on the highway when the cars got too close for me to feel comfortable. A nice young couple had stopped and asked if I needed a ride, but of course I couldn't accept, much as they persisted. I told them I was just running an errand for my mom and I enjoyed the walk. Guess my sweaty, greasy hair and flushed cheeks, along with my ratty outfit, wasn't enough to make them question my story, and so they reluctantly drove away. I was glad.
Finally, as the sun was just setting and the beautiful show of sunset colours made its debut across the sky, I glanced above me at a huge, looming sign that marked the entrance into Piskwit.
Now the question was: what to do with myself for the night. I had enough money to pay for a hotel room, but I couldn't keep doing that for long or I would run out. I could sleep in a bus station like a homeless person, but that wouldn't be very safe or preferable. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I was going to need to find a way to make some quick cash. I could always go back to Marleville and ask Brenden for a job, but not until I knew police had passed that area through. No, I had to stay here for a while longer.
Guess that meant my only option was to pay for a hotel room for those nights. And so off I went in search of something cheap.
I went into a local grocery store and pulled out a map of Piskwik. There were lots of hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts and inns.
But I needed one that was cheap. So I did the most sensible thing. I asked the cashier what was the closest and cheapest place to stay for the night.
"That's a tall order." She chuckled softly. "But I'd say your best bet is the "One Night at Home" bed and breakfast. It's only a short walk from here and the folks there are real nice. Just as it advertises, it really is like a night at home."
"Great,thank you." I smiled at her. To be honest, that sounded really great right about now. As I was leaving, my stomach rumbled loudly once again and I gave in to its whinings and headed back inside. The grocery store was a nice little place. There was nothing too elaborate, but all the essentials were there. I grabbed some trail mix off of a shelf and then decided to get a toothbrush and a hairbrush as well. I also grabbed some deodorant as a last minute thought.  Now at least I wouldn't stink, and I would look a little more presentable.
Carrying all my items, I checked out and headed towards the bed and breakfast, hoping they had a nice, hot shower.