Selena and Nicki agreed to part ways after lunch.

Nicki had found an all-day-breakfast place that took take-out orders. The girls had already had breakfast, but they had limited options as Selena needed to stay out of sight as much as possible.

"How does chocolate milk and muffins sound? I know it’s not much, but have to get home Sel." Nicki confirmed what Selena wanted to have and headed into the restaurant.

It seemed like as soon as Nicki had left that she was back again.

Selena picked out a chocolate milk and a berry muffin from the paper bag.

"Eat up, and I'll drop you by a bus stop", Nicki said.

Munching on her muffin as they neared the inner part of the city Selena turned to Nicki. Selena murmured," Well I guess this is goodbye Nic."

Nicki gave Selena a weary look, "Sel it is not goodbye, only see you later", Winking she added," You’re like my twin I know I will see you again."

Nicki parked her van against the side of the road in a housed area. Selena could see a bus stop down the street. Through the rearview mirror, Selena saw tears in Nicki’s eyes as she drove away.

Waiting for the bus she sat and dropped her stuff on the ground. Selena’s day was filled with buses, she managed to make it to Harlton by transferring a few times.

Harlton is a smaller city. Larger than Braslit (Selena’s hometown), but not many others. It is known for having a low crime rate. Unlike its neighbor Firth which is party central.

Most cities have their defining titles. Only territories like Solcatri, Jullian, and Tryst had too many people to be known for just one thing. Archane had a high population but was known for having two halves. Selena was hoping to reach Archane soon, it would be easier to hide there. It was just a matter of staying away from the higher and central regions that were known for richer more dangerous people.

Selena was starting towards Firth as the dark came and she knew she did not want to be in Firth at night.

The bus stopped by a park and Selena hopped out of the bus. She had seen a splash pad which normally meant lockers. When she got closer, she saw the bathrooms had no exterior doors to be locked and she was relieved. Walking over and into the bathroom, she took out some quarters and then put the duffle in one of the lockers and her backpack in another. Sliding the quarters through the slot she shut the door and twisted the keys out.

Her next stop was a corner store. Selena wandered the isle for her first meal on her own. Selena kept it simple with a water bottle, a small box of crackers, and a pop.

Selena considered what her sleeping conditions would be like. When she ended up back in the park she took it as a sign. The widely spaced lights only covered the path that passed through them. Near a pair of bushes off the path, there was a small bench.

Curled sitting with her knees to her chest the night grew darker and people stopped passing by. Selena had brought along the blanket bag to use it as a pillow. Kneading the blanket bag she laid down on her side with it beneath her head.

She stayed awake for a while, too scared to sleep.

During the night Selena awoke several times, and when she saw the slightest bit of sun in the sky, she got up to go gather her belongings.

Selena once again set off for her next day of buses. She was going to have to spend the night in Firth after all. Instead of sleeping outside, Selena planned to rent a cheap motel room. When the bus came into Firth, she saw a few run-down small motels, but she already knew they were places she didn't want to stay a minute in.

After a bit, Selena managed to find a fairly okay motel with non-smoking rooms for $50. That left her with some money for dinner. One meal a day may be unhealthy, but with the extra cost of the room, it was an option Selena was willing to try. Not to mention she just wanted to sleep.

Running her fingers through her hair, she felt her hair was slick with grease. After her nap, she would need a shower.

In Selena’s room, she locked and bolted the door before putting her pillowcase over the motel’s bedding. Selena flicked the lights off and wrapped herself in her blanket to be comfortable while she caught up on her rest.

Sighing at the unstoppable thoughts running through her head about death and escaping. Selena was beginning to have a migraine when she mumbled to herself," The people who are going to kill her will just have to wait. I am sleeping."