Page 29 of Eclipse of the Pack

Now didn't seem like the time to ask. That was a conversation for later.

In the back of the van, he found a trunk with all sorts of clothes in it, mostly work uniforms.

"Were they planning on playing dress-up?" he asked.

"What?" Ivy wasn't sure what he was talking about.

"Mail carrier uniforms. This one looks like a gardener, as well as a bunch of other clothes," Jon said, pulling out the outfits to show her.

"Oh, that's perfect. Let me see," she said, nudging him to the side as she started digging through the bin. "Please. Please be here. Yes!" Ivy cheered as she pulled out a smaller box.

"What is it?" Jon asked.

"Fake ID kit. Sometimes, field agents need to get places unnoticed. I'm sure they've got this van low-jacked and will be tracking us soon. Let's find a rest stop and switch vehicles. While you drive, I'll make up some IDs. It should make getting around easier."

Tossing a few other supplies in with the clothes, they closed the back of the van and started driving again. Ivy, now dressed in a clean outfit cobbled together from some sets to look like plain civilian clothes, sat in the passenger seat as she used the kit to make them several passable fake IDs.

They wouldn't be able to board an airplane with them. Ivy didn't have access to the PEACE servers, so she couldn't create the electronic paper trail to make them seem real on government databases. But they could get through most of the social barriers that required ID.

When they found a rest area, they left the van at the edge of the parking lot. Jon waited with the van while Ivy found their next ride. A few moments later, she pulled up in a mundane-looking hatchback. The car would blend in well.

They transferred the equipment they pilfered from the PEACE to their new ride and then swapped out a few license plates. Hopefully, by the time anyone noticed their car was stolen or that they had the wrong license plates, Ivy and Jon would be long gone.

Ivy pointed the car toward Yosemite and hit the escalator.

"What's the plan?" Jon asked.

"We need to get ourselves a room, lay low, figure out our next move."

There was a long moment of silence before she said, "I know this isn't easy for you, but I hope this will be over soon."

Jon snorted, sounding more bitter than he intended.

"It's okay. I'll be okay. As long as I've got you, I'll be okay."

And the words felt true enough.

37

IVY

Ivy drove until they made it to the next city. There were a few checkpoints, but their fake IDs were enough to get them through. Security was a little more relaxed because it wasn’t a big city like LA, but Ivy and Jon could feel the heightened anxiety.

“There’s a hotel!” Jon pointed to a nice-looking building. It was clearly a luxury hotel built for tourists visiting the nearby park. Luckily, with the cash Ivy had found in the PEACE van, they would be able to afford a night.

Ivy pulled into the parking lot. She left the car in a semi-secluded spot, away from prying eyes.

“I’ll go to the front desk, and you can wait somewhere else. I’m sure they’ll be on the lookout for a couple, so we should try to avoid being too visible.”

“Of course,” Jon nodded. Ivy took his hand, squeezing it. They had been through a lot the past couple days, and Ivy could tell it was getting to him. She wished there was more she could do to bring him comfort.

Jon smiled at her before the two of them exited the car. Ivy entered the hotel first and went straight to the front desk. Jonwent to stand by the fountain feature, doing his best not to look to shady.

“Hi, I’d like to book a room for the night.”

“Yes, I’ll just need ID and a credit card.” Ivy pulled out her fake ID, but then leaned closer to the desk.

“I was planning on paying with cash. If you need a deposit, I’d be happy to leave one.” The employee sighed, but he knew that the tourists who frequented the hotel were rich, and rich people were known for putting up a stink. Something he did not want to deal with, so he accepted Ivy’s cash deposit.

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