Page 13 of The Stranger

For a while, worry overtakes me. If they see his car, they might try to stop or call the police. If they do that, there’s a good chance I’ll be caught.

Then again, once I’ve had a moment to process my fear, I realize this could be a good thing. After all, I was just thinking about how I’ll need a car, wasn’t I? I can’t take his, and with this storm, walking seems like a nightmare. I bend at the waist and dust myself off, cleaning the last remaining evidence away as much as I’m able to.

Then, I head for the road and for the car I hear drawing closer with every second. I know what they’ll think of me upon first sight. That I’m out here alone and helpless.

It’s a superpower, in a way. Looking innocent when you’re anything but.

Here goes nothing.

CHAPTER SEVEN

TIBBY

With the road up ahead closed, we have no choice but to veer off at the last available exit. It’s desolate and dark, with no signs of gas or places to stay. It would’ve been my last choice had I been given one, but I haven’t.

Immediately, I realize what a mistake this was. If we thought the interstate was bad, this road is by far much worse. The highway is long and empty, stretching on for miles with snow-covered woods on either side. There are no houses or stores. No cars. Nothing to let us know the world hasn’t ended and forgotten about us here on this dismal stretch of earth.

We drive much slower here. It seems darker somehow, the road conditions much icier. Every few miles, we hit a patch of thick snow, jogging the car forward or slowing it down, and my heart rises in my throat.

I hate this weather.

And, if something happens to us, I’ll have to live with the fact that it’ll be all my fault. If I live, I guess. If I make it through any of this.

“Where are we even going?” I ask. Snow whips through the air with increasing speed, the headlights illuminating the falling flakes against the dark sky.

“I have no idea.” He presses the button to turn on the defrost as the windows fog over. “There was nothing on the sign that said a town name or anything, was there? Only something about Marion, but we’re still several miles from there. Hopefully we’ll be able to find a detour to take us back to the interstate. I should really pull off and figure it out, but I doubt there’s service yet and I’m scared the car will get stuck on the shoulder.” At once, both of us study the snow built up on the shoulders, and I can’t help agreeing with him. He nods in my direction. “Can you try to pull up a map on your phone? See if there’s service here?”

I hesitate, glancing down at my pocket. “There won’t be.”

“How do you know?”

“Well, because why would there be more service here when the storm isn’t any better?”

“We’re at least a little closer to the city, I think. There’s rarely service out the way we came from, even when the weather’s good.” He glances over at me, clearly suspicious. “Is there a reason you don’t want to check it? Is your phone turned off so he can’t track you?”

I chew my bottom lip, weighing my options, limited as they are. “I don’t have a phone,” I say eventually. “I lost it in the fight. It’s not a big deal.”

“Seriously?”

“Mm-hmm.”

His lips pinch together in thought. “Why did you lie to me when I asked earlier?”

“I didn’t lie. You asked if I had a phone, and I asked if you know anyone who doesn’t. Not a lie. A question.”

His eyes cut to me with clear annoyance. “Clever.”

I wrinkle my nose at him. “I didn’t want to admit I don’t have one. Not because I’m embarrassed about it or anything, but because…” I stop, catching myself.

He exhales slowly, as if he’s figured it out. “Because you didn’t want me to know you wouldn’t be able to call for help.”

The words chill my skin as I nod. I still don’t want him to know, if I’m being honest, but I don’t see that I had a choice but to tell him.

He inhales. “Okay, let’s make a pact.”

“Okay…” I draw out the word.

“No lies to each other while we’re traveling together. You can ask me anything, and I’ll be honest with you. Not like lifelong hidden secrets, but things that we need to know to keep each other safe. And you won’t lie to me, either. Deal?”

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