Selena could practically hear the blood pounding through her ears, her mind buzzed with confusion. She could not talk as she tried to work through the potential of the biggest betrayal of her life.

"Selena!", Nicki shouted to grab her attention. She must have been talking to Selena while she had zoned out.

"Yeah?" Selena asked while gluing her eyes to the dashboard.

"I didn't just shoot a puppy in front of you, I just can't take you to my place, it wouldn't be safe if this is real."

Selena filled with relief and confidence flooded her voice, "Okay, but where are we going?"

"Not sure... Out of this city."

"That will take at least an hour."

"Sel, I’m thinking Shasgail would be the best place for her to take you. I've called my mom and told her I’m helping you with an emergency."

Selena laughed," Where am I going to sleep?"

"Tonight, this van will do for both of us, hide away the buckles, there are blankets in the back, it will have to do."

"Your mom’s van is actually pretty comfy, but I meant all the other nights."

"Um, well at least it is summer?"

"That’s what I thought", Selena groaned, "I won't get to see you.. My mom, the tike .. for a long time."

"I'll explain what I can to your mom, but yeah home can't be your go-to for a bit."

"What about food?"

"You have your debit, right?"

Not following her I replied, "Yeah, but can't people check where I use it?"

"Your mom gave you no limit, right?"

"OH! Yes, she did."

"There’s a gas station near here with an ATM, just take a normal amount ...100 maybe."

"I have more than that..."

"We are stopping more than once."

"Won't we leave a trail?"

She winked," Trust me Sel I’ve got this down."

Selena switched on the music and closed her eyes in exhaustion.

~Later on~

"It's time, you should stay awake, waking you up constantly will piss me off."

Opening one eye to peer at her Selena replied with a drowsy tone, " We'll have to stop eventually Nic."

They drove in silence until Nicki came up with a reply.

Nicki had a death grip on the wheel, with white knuckles she bit her lips together and said, "I know...but I can ignore it for a while longer, just one more moment, one more day, and then I'll go."

"Nic, after I get the money, you'll rest and go, I am barely responsible enough to take care of myself, I can't do what you do, I can't handle being responsible for another person. I'm scared and I won't drag you down any further."

"I am too," She gave Selena a look of worry.

Selena didn't consider that, she knew Nicki was trying to protect her, but it’s difficult sometimes to see past ourselves. The fact was Selena couldn't stand accepting the pain or anything she caused onto others. She knew that about herself so she changed the subject quickly.

"Did you bring the bags?"

"You betcha," Nicki steered into the lot of the gas station, "Your up hotshot, go grab some cash. Take into account that you will need food and clothes ext., remember keep it low and hide your pin."

"I've taken money out of an ATM before," Selena said amused. Then undid her seat belt and stepped out of the van.

Walking onto the pavement she stepped up to the machine muscles tight with strain, Selena was sure this would get her or Nicki caught.

She went through the procedure ending up with a receipt and $100 and re-opened the silver door plopping back into her seat.

"Oh, what fun, only what? A thousand more to go?", she snorted.

Nicki grinned and rolled her eyes, “That’s the spirit! However, $1000 for food alone would only last you for the longest 2 months. This will just start you off, once you finish it get rid of the duffle that’s in the back and stuff whatever you can in the backpack so you’re not suspicious. Just grab it before you leave a place."

"Ten more to go then. When did you figure all this out?"

Nicki’s laugh caught Selena off guard, "Sel, all I did was take you shopping, this is her in emergency panic mode," She paused to catch her breath, “look you know the trail you asked about earlier?"

"Mhhm."

"It’s more of a semicircle around Braslit that goes through Pyslin."

"So, it just shows I've been near home."

"Exactly!", she looked over at the clock, "This should only take an hour or two, then our real journey begins!"

"Woooohoo."

Selena pulled her feet into her chest; pretending wasn't going to help. This was crazy; she couldn't process it. Selena doubted anyone was really after her, it was probably a coincidence. The problem was she could fully believe that anymore. There was something she needed to do to take the edge off of the pressure pounding inside her head.

"I need your phone Nic, to call my mom one last time."