The road in front of them was never ending as they continued down its winding course. The highway was abandoned as the sun dared itself to peep under the horizon, departing from its long day of work. They had been driving for over twenty-four hours at this point. And had just cross over onto the Iowa border.

The car was an eerie quiet, as Ashton’s eyelids grew heavy, his wrist still steering them into nowhere. Suddenly the car gave a grunt.

“Shit…” Ashton whispered, fully aware suddenly that the car was giving out.

“What is it?” Alex, who had been dozing, sat straight up now. She was peering at the ignition and the dials, with no clue what to look for.

“It could be the battery,” Ashton shrugged. His voice quiet.

“Shit… And of course we’re in the middle of nowhere,” Alex sighed, throwing herself back in her seat.

“Doesn’t matter where we are. It’s not like we’re going anywhere,” Ashton took the first exit he saw as the engine coughed and jerked with each foot it inched forward.

“I see some lights through those trees,” Alex pointed to the right of the vehicle. Ashton nodded in recognition of the lights and headed towards the thick wooded tree line.

Alex took that moment to roll down her window and rest her head. The air rushing past her, soothingly her.

“Do you hear that?” Alex sat up.

“Hear what?”

“It sounds like laughter… and crowds…” Alex murmured, wondering what awaiting them over the tree line. Soon they reached the clearing and Alex’s breath hitched in her throat. The trees exposed a beautiful sight, the tallest being a Ferris Wheel. The bright lights twinkled against the starry night sky. “It’s beautiful…” Alex breathed in.

“It’s actually… wow,” Ashton agreed. Suddenly the car came to an all-together stop and Ashton hit the steering wheel, as if it would revive the stuttering engine. “We’ll walk the rest?” Ashton offered.

“Walk where?” Alex turned to her brother as he got out of the car.

“To the fair,” Ashton said blankly, as if it were obvious.

“Wait… why?” Alex looked over from the bright lights to her brother.

“Why not? Do you have somewhere to be?” Ashton joked.

“I guess not,” Alex followed suit. Stepping out of the car, the view was even more stunning. They were approaching the lights and the loud crowds with virgin eyes to what awaited them.

The duo walked down the strips of the fair where rides gate off went children into fits of laughter and stands of food induced adults to smile at their treats.

“We should probably find an auto shop,” Alex said suddenly, but her jaw was still dropped from the amazing sights and sounds.

“We’ll get to that later,” Ashton waved her away.

“Deal.”

Ashton led the way to the heightened wheel of lights that kissed the sky. They kept walking away and came across a man working a stand selling soft drinks. He was a tall lean man with a five o’clock shadow and in Alex’s eyes, she could almost see her father in his dull eyes.

“Excuse me, sir?” Ashton leaned forward.

“Hey son,” he said, acknowledging Ashton. “What’ll I do you in for today?”

“Actually I was wondering where the closest auto shop is… and hotel,” Ashton leaned on the counter. Alex stood a few feet behind them, watching Ashton converse. The night suddenly had a dangerous nip in the air. Alex let out a shiver.

“Sonny, you’re as far off as you could imagine,” the man laughed, his eyes twinkling for the first time since they came into contact. “But, my nephew can be pretty handy with a toolbox… Matter of fact here he comes now.”

Alex and Ashton turned to their left to see a group of teenagers walking their way. One leading the way with pushed back brown curls for hair and emerald eyes, gazing around the strip. They were all inked up their arms and piercings in their faces glistened in the lights. The one in the front made eye contact with Alex and she quickly looked away. She could see in the corner of here eyes though a devious smirk spreading on his lips.

“Niall,” the man beckoned to the kids. “Come ‘ere.” A blonde towards the back emerged and walked to the stand.

“Johnnie. What’s up?” this Niall character was in a tight fitting gray t-shirt and black skinny jeans. His blonde hair was messy and his blue eyes flickered.

“These two need some help with their car,” Johnnie pointed to Ashton and Alex. “Thought you could help ‘em out.”

“I guess I could,” he voice was bored and he didn’t even bother looking at either one of them. “Show me to her,” Niall finally looked up. Alex’s breath hitched once more when his blue orbs landed on her.

“Thanks,” Ashton said. “What about a hotel?” Ashton looked back at Johnnie. Johnnie and Niall exchanged a look and both looked down, fighting smiles.

“Kid, there isn’t a hotel in miles,” Johnnie snorted.

“We’ll just call a taxi,” Ashton shrugged.

“Have you not heard a word I’ve said kid? There aren’t any taxis close by either,” Johnnie continued. Niall just rubbed his chin, finally letting a half smirk take his face. Ashton looked down, embarrassed.

“Show me the car sometime soon, will you?” Niall shot, bored.

“This way,” Ashton led. “You can stay here Alex, find a place to stay maybe.”

“There aren’t any hotels,” Alex said, confused.

“I know, just…figure something out,” Ashton said, biding her goodbye and walking the way they came. The lights suddenly lost there appeal and she felt as little as ever. Where were they gonna sleep? The heaviness of her eyelids sunk in and she rubbed her forehead.

“Hey babe,” a husky voice said in her ear. She turned around to see the curly haired boy standing dangerously close to her.

“Hello,” her voice managed, she hadn’t moved to face him.

“I haven’t seen you around before,” he continued, standing in front of her now. He was in a black leather jacket and black skinny jeans.

“No shit,” she scoffed.

“Where are you from?” he asked.

“Nowhere now,” she sighed.

“Runaway?” he wondered.

“Runaway,” she clarified with a curt nod. Another smirk on his lips.

“Harry, come on let’s go!” one of the boys from his group called over to him.

“Give me a second Lou,” he called back, not taking his eyes off of Alex. “Would you be interested in coming with us?”

“I have to wait for my brother and I have to find somewhere to stay the ni…” she began.

“He’s with Niall. Niall knows where we’re going. He’ll bring him then,” this Harry character assured. Alex forced a nod and followed them.

“Harry!” Johnnie called. “No funny business!”

“Wouldn’t dream of it sir!” Harry responded, but Alex couldn’t help but detect a tone of mockery in his thick deep voice.

---

“This her?” Niall pointed to the broken down jeep from years prior. Ashton nodded. Niall lifted the hood and began to fidget around with the engine.

“To be honest, I don’t have any money to pay you with,” Ashton suddenly said.

“I figured that much, don’t worry about it,” Niall shrugged it off. “But to be completely honest with you, I can’t see much in the night. I’ll have to come back and look at her in the morning.” Niall took a step back and rubbed his oily hands on his jeans. “Where are you two from?”

“We came from Maine, but we aren’t from there anymore,” Ashton added, quickly hoping for no more questions.

“Well, I guess this is where I should ask for more information. But we all have our secrets and I’ll let you keep to yours. Besides. To be quite frank, I don’t give a shit,” Niall placed a cigarette in his mouth and quickly lit it. “But anyway, you two need a place to stay. I have a place you two can go, let me just make sure it’s cool with Ava.”

“Who’s Ava?”

“My younger sister. Even though I’m older though, she rules the coop,” Niall chuckled to himself. “This way, my best guess is that they’re already on their way there.”

Notes

Feedbackkkk???? i'm curious... thanks lovelies

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