There was a buzzing when I woke. I saw stars beyond a tint of glass. I felt the soft leather of his musky jacket behind my head as I lay with my knees pulled up on the back seat of the car. He remained asleep in the driver's side seat.

I reached for the star speckled roof. My fingers touched the glass. A baggy white shirt sleeve fell and bunched around my skinny arm. Streaks of light, too bright, too neon fell across me.

Where had it come from? Oh, right. He had said my clothes stank. No- an excuse. Because out there were incriminating videos. They knew what I looked like.

“Hey,” I called in the darkness of the car.

"Hmmm…"

“Why are we here? Weren't we at a hotel.?" I had definitely fallen asleep on a bed. If I wasn't familiar with this car…it would have been truly terrifying.

"Had to," he said tiredly.

“What?” I turned my head to accuse him of non answer only to see how exhausted he looked, reflected in the rearview mirror.

“We're hiding. Your face was on television. Search warrant. I had to move us."

I let my arm fall across my face. “Shit,” I mumbled.

“Tell me about it. Maybe I should have just killed you,” he mumbled.

I hastily gripped the back of the car seat, pulling myself into his space. “Hey-!” my enraged voice and betrayed feelings cut off. My eyes widened slightly.

“Healthy blood. It's the only other thing I can do,” he explained.

He leaned back in the front seat. Arm leisurely stretched out. A medical grade needle under his skin. Red tubing disappearing into the so-called wine fridge.

I sucked in a breath. Sat back against the leather seat. Slapped both palms over my face. “Haaa,” I let out a sigh. My hands slipped away from my face. “So what now?”

“Now. I have to ask. Why do they want you?” Want me…well…there were a few typical reasons. Money. Sex. Grudges. I counted off on my fingers. Paused. I don't think that's what this guy meant.

I looked up. “Be specific. I know a few people.”

“I mean the government, Janie. They are the only ones who would do this. They even sent a message to operatives like me saying you were important. Why do they want you?”

"The government?"

"Yes. The bad guy. The government. The higher ups."

“Has everyone gone crazy. I'm an orphan nobody.”

"Fine. What did that science geek tell you?" he asked her after a pause.

“I…nothing…I…nothing.” Drugs. Blood. Nonesense.

He spun in his seat and, despite his weakness and compromised position, grabbed hold of the front to his my oversized shirt, pulling me closer. His blue eyes pierced into me. “Spill it.”

"Just that…" I couldn't. I was already in shit. If he didn't help me. If he turned me in, I would have nothing. "Wait. Please show me the massage first."

"Fine, but I hope you tell me the truth." He dug out his flip phone and held it in front of my eyes. A message was clearly displayed there:

An important genetic factor has been identified in Juline Foster. This princess is to be captured alive.

Naturally a photo of me was included.

What it didn't include was the mention of blood or drugs. In this drug dependent world, mentioning that was simply too dangerous. There was too much attention on her as it was. So what came out was a lie. "He told me I have an amazing immune system to fight viruses. The rich bastards must be jealous."

Mr Killer was quiet. “Is that all?”

“Yes.” I replied confidently.

He took back the phone and stared at the message questionly. "You would think they already bottled immortality."

"So..." I continued, "How do we hide? Even if this car is safe. We need to eat. And this car..."

"The car has an illegal plate that changes numbers. Invisible mode. And a chemelian shell. And..."

He pressed his thimb to a bio lock on the glove box and the panel vanished to reveal a cavety stuffed with what looked like jewelry boxes. I opened one to reveal a pair of purple contacts.

"The government may have installed cameras and eye scanners, but…it never will be perfect."

I opened another to reveal blue cat eyes.

"But this many."

"Obviously, a person needs to appeal to their target."

I looked at his blue eyes.

"Then...those textbook pretty eyes?"

They locked eyes. A knowing smile crossed his face. "Careful. Liking the bad boy comes with consequences.”

A tingling feeling stirred below. She remembered a similar bad boy she had left back home. Donnie. Gods, she missed how he made her honest. “Maybe I-

A finger covered her lips, blocking her confession. "Hold that thought. Priorities come first, penniless girl. We're getting you some clothes."