Post by Marie Walsh on Apr 23, 2022 3:38:32 GMT
He was about to open the door when he paused, flicking green eyes back over to her as he realized he never asked the most obvious question. "You, uh...doin' alright?"
Marie gave him her best customer service smile. "Right as rain." Of course that was far from the truth, but she honestly didn't have any other answer. She felt hollow; her stomach was empty and her heart felt like it was missing. Her brain was only barely pulling the puppet strings as she got out of the car.
She could process this later. She could think over it all when they were safe. Maybe she'd get a new therapist if she was lucky. But right now? Right now she just needed to get that psychotic bitch off their trail.
Other signals…Other signals… While Johnny bought a jammer specifically, Marie bought several burner cell phones, a big corduroy jacket lined in flannel that was definitely from the men's section, a pair of leggings that were not so oversized, a first aid kit, a sewing kit, and a value sized package of baby wipes.
The cashier gave her a weird look, but she just shrugged. "Hiking trip with my boyfriend," She glanced over at Johnny where he was looking at the candy by the checkout then leaned in like she was telling the cashier a secret. "He thought it would be a good surprise, but he slid down a ridge and I fell in trying to get him out!"
The cashier looked suitably sympathetic and nodded as she rang up the items.
Soon enough, the two were being shepherded onto their train. Here they didn't attract nearly as much attention; the whole crowd looked nearly as haggard as them. There weren't many cameras here, and the ones she did see were almost certainly on a closed system. Still, she pulled her collar up around her chin and let her hair fall forward around her face, trying to be as shapeless and anonymous as possible.
The combination of the flannel and corduroy against her skin was soothing, though it wasn't as soft as the worn, pine-scented jacket she was emulating. Of course, chances were Elliot was wearing that one now, wherever he was. Marie shivered slightly and pulled the oversized jacket a little tighter around herself. She shouldn't be seeking comfort from someone who'd thrown her to the wolves.
When they reached their tiny compartment, Marie mentally reminded herself to shower this Sam person in praise when they met. She was learning to be grateful for any barrier she could get between herself and prying eyes--even if it was a flimsy particle board slider.
As she slid that door shut, however, she didn't immediately relax. Instead she fished the first aid kit out of her Walmart bags and held it up with one hand, pointed at one of the seats, and turned that stern teacher look on Johnny.
"Sit," she demanded, already refusing to take no for an answer. "I'm going to clean up your shoulder." He'd done the same for her, at the beginning, and she meant to return the favor whether he liked it or not.
Marie gave him her best customer service smile. "Right as rain." Of course that was far from the truth, but she honestly didn't have any other answer. She felt hollow; her stomach was empty and her heart felt like it was missing. Her brain was only barely pulling the puppet strings as she got out of the car.
She could process this later. She could think over it all when they were safe. Maybe she'd get a new therapist if she was lucky. But right now? Right now she just needed to get that psychotic bitch off their trail.
Other signals…Other signals… While Johnny bought a jammer specifically, Marie bought several burner cell phones, a big corduroy jacket lined in flannel that was definitely from the men's section, a pair of leggings that were not so oversized, a first aid kit, a sewing kit, and a value sized package of baby wipes.
The cashier gave her a weird look, but she just shrugged. "Hiking trip with my boyfriend," She glanced over at Johnny where he was looking at the candy by the checkout then leaned in like she was telling the cashier a secret. "He thought it would be a good surprise, but he slid down a ridge and I fell in trying to get him out!"
The cashier looked suitably sympathetic and nodded as she rang up the items.
Soon enough, the two were being shepherded onto their train. Here they didn't attract nearly as much attention; the whole crowd looked nearly as haggard as them. There weren't many cameras here, and the ones she did see were almost certainly on a closed system. Still, she pulled her collar up around her chin and let her hair fall forward around her face, trying to be as shapeless and anonymous as possible.
The combination of the flannel and corduroy against her skin was soothing, though it wasn't as soft as the worn, pine-scented jacket she was emulating. Of course, chances were Elliot was wearing that one now, wherever he was. Marie shivered slightly and pulled the oversized jacket a little tighter around herself. She shouldn't be seeking comfort from someone who'd thrown her to the wolves.
When they reached their tiny compartment, Marie mentally reminded herself to shower this Sam person in praise when they met. She was learning to be grateful for any barrier she could get between herself and prying eyes--even if it was a flimsy particle board slider.
As she slid that door shut, however, she didn't immediately relax. Instead she fished the first aid kit out of her Walmart bags and held it up with one hand, pointed at one of the seats, and turned that stern teacher look on Johnny.
"Sit," she demanded, already refusing to take no for an answer. "I'm going to clean up your shoulder." He'd done the same for her, at the beginning, and she meant to return the favor whether he liked it or not.