Run: Day 5

Word Count: 30,134

Summary of Events:

DaNiel took the I-495 out of Alexandria, driving in silence until Ty, who'd fallen asleep, was startled by the loud beginning of a song on the radio and became upset that they were heading north; they argued even as DaNiel agreed to head west once they reached the I-66 — even though some state highways would've allowed them to go west sooner. Ty slept off and on throughout the morning and afternoon as they wound their way in and out of West Virginia several times before stopping for fuel in Pennsylvania, where Ty got out and filled the tank while DaNiel waited inside the car and ensured Ty rounded off to the nearest dollar when the tank was full . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

Ty stuck the nozzle back in and squeezed it in a short burst several times until he got to just a cent over the next dollar; he then removed the nozzle, giving it a light tap like Grandpa had always done — he’d told Ty he did it to make sure no fuel would drip onto the ground — and set the nozzle back in its cradle before turning the cap back on and closing the little door.

With that, Ty walked back around to the passenger door and opened it.

“Excuse me,” DaNiel said.

“What?” Ty asked.

“You’ve got to pay for the gas,” DaNiel replied.

“It’d be faster if we didn’t,” Ty replied.

“No,” DaNiel said. “Not happening. We are following the law. I don’t want them to have an actual reason to throw me in jail. I want to be free and clear. Go pay for it.”

Ty exhaled resentfully and stalked over to the convenience store, although as he walked he couldn’t really deny that he was actually somewhat grateful, as it was nice to be walking and not sitting.

Seeing all the drinks inside, Ty immediately felt thirsty and decided he wanted to grab a drink, and figured the least he could do was grab one for DaNiel too — not that he knew what DaNiel would want — but he figured DaNiel would be annoyed if he went back and asked.

As he passed through the door he ended up jostling a man; then he spied an ATM in the corner.

Immediately he walked over, keeping his head down, and slipped out the first card, placing it in the slot.

Following the formula, he punched in a code; on the second try he got it right and was able to withdraw the maximum amount the machine let him; he did the same with the second card — which had the same PIN as the first —  and was disappointed to find no other cards, but he shoved everything into his hoodie pocket nonetheless before going over to the drinks and taking one that he liked, as well as a ubiquitous drink, the sort that was sold everywhere and seemed to be appealing to everyone.

He also snuck a couple snacks before pulling his hair down over his forehead in the way of his eyes and stepping in line behind an elderly woman.

She was paying when Ty realised that he didn’t know what pump number DaNiel was parked beside. He swore under his breath, prompting the old woman to turn immediately and look at him with a scandalised expression.

“What did you say?” she demanded.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Ty snapped.

“Your mother must be ashamed of you,” she retorted.

Ty huffed indignantly. Mom wasn’t ashamed of him, she just hated him.

The woman left — but not without another condescending look at Ty — before Ty stepped up.

“Whatever pump is on the end,” he said pointing vaguely toward the car.

The cashier told him the amount and he paid it before walking outside to the car, no one the wiser about what he’d done, not even DaNiel.