The first leg of the journey. She made it. But what would come next? 

"err, bianca, do you need help"

"umm.. Yes please actually"

It was a great struggle, but the bike went free in the end. But that didn't change the fact that the tread was completely gone.

"damn..how old was this bike"

"It wasn't that old. I think."

well done Bianca, way to be reassuring.

"When did you get it?"

"Last Christmas"

"oh, that's really weird. Where were you heading? I could take you there on my way to Billingshurst."

"Actually I was on my way to Billingshurst myself. What a coincidence"

Way to go Bianca. You totally don't sound like a stalker.

"Neat"

Bianca got in the car. That's a super smart move. Yes, let's get in this stranger's car. 

"so where about in Billinshurst are you heading"

"Uhhhh... I've not really thought about it"

Well, she was in this too deep. She might as well go through with it. 

"haha. You're joking right"

"no. I'm dead serious. I have no idea what I'm doing, you see, I'm heading to St Ives"

"aah. interesting. I could take you there"

"no, it's fine, really."

"well if you say so"

the rest of that car ride was spent mostly in silence, being punctuated by occasional comments about the wildlife that soared past, or the bike and how the entire tread could come off. While in the car, Bianca had many thoughts. What would Emily be doing now? She should really call her soon. Who would even want to talk to her after what she did though? How would she keep up this ploy to her parents? Surely the school would have an attendance report, and that would surely go to her parents. Or would Emily think to mark her in? Why had she even embarked on this journey? Oh, that's right. She wanted a 'fresh start' What the hell does that even mean? You can't truly ever have a fresh start. that would be stupid. What was she thinking, no way she could do this. For goodness sake, she was in a complete stranger's car. She could be kidnapped, or be molested, or be a part of a child trafficking scheme. But he seems friendly enough, right? But that's what they all say. People trusted Pedro Lopez even after he murdered all those people. She shouldn't have come on this trip. It was so stupid. She was so stupid. This whole trip was going to amount to absolutely noth...

"So where should I drop you off?"

"uhh...hang on let me check"

God this was so awkward.

"if you just turn right here. Yep. You can drop me off right here"

"Are you sure?"

"yep. I'm meeting someone here"

It was only a little lie. But it was for her own safety. Probably. After all, she was going to call Emily and see what her best next step was.

The hard part was done. Now all she had to figure out was where she was going, that couldn't be too hard. Right.