Chapter 31

Clearly, it's far too difficult. To be honest, I enjoy visiting new places and learning new things, but walking about aimlessly for hours makes me want to rip my hair out. I'm not sure how long it's been, but it begins to feel like years. My feet hurt from my poor footwear choice, but both siblings are fine and self assured that we are on the right track, though I have no uncertainty that we are still a considerable distance from their home. "Are we going to take a left here?" Valeria inquires, her voice trembling with perplexity as she interprets the sign.
We're no longer alone. Paloma yells profanities and looks at us with her wide eyes. Valeria appears to be aware of what is going on, but I remain unconcerned, questioning them as they grabbed my hands and sprint away. When I understand who we're fleeing from, I heard screaming from my back and the noise of rushing footsteps, which makes my blood run cold. We sprint until we reached a street lined with shops, and then we sprint through it. We don't have enough money to call someone if we stop at a payphone. Our plan is to locate an ATM, withdraw funds, obtain change, and make a phone call.
"There is a gas station!" I make a happy gesture while trying to catch my breath. "Let's see if there's a guest house or something nearby," says the group. I walk in, rolling my eyes as they both open their bags and begin eating the food we had purchased earlier, abandoning me to walk up to the cash register. A chubby little man sits in a chair, munching his gum obnoxiously while playing games on his phone. "Excuse me?" says the speaker. I call out, tapping my foot on the counter to get his attention. "Do you know where I can find a motel?" Before nodding, he hums thoughtfully. "Of course, simply walk down this street, then turn left and right."
"I appreciate it." As I turn to return to Paloma and Valeria, I smile as I hear him grunt in response. "Let's get going." I smile as I walk out from the store and down the street. They are following close behind me, and I can listen to them shoving and grumbling under their breath. When a three-story motel comes into view, they finally come to a halt. They rush inside, pushing past me and yelling happily. I track them down at reception, where a balding man looks at them suspiciously before shifting his gaze to me when I walk in.I thank him and turn around to climb up the stairs with Paloma and Valeria behind me after paying for the room and getting the keys.
When I get to our room 200, I open the door and enter. It's pretty standard, good enough just for a motel. To my left, there are two doors, both of which are open. One is a bathroom, and the other is a bedroom that connects to it. Due to a brick wall to our left, a window blocks the view. I think to myself, "How beautiful the scenery is."
Valeria verifies the bed sheets uncomfortably before nodding and falling asleep. Paloma takes a seat on the couch, while I place the plastic bag on top of the table and proceed to the bed's edge. I observe a phone on the wall and dash over to check it before calling the siblings' attention to it. "I have Gabriel's phone number...but I believe you should contact him. I really wanted to go somewhere this weekend, but he's going to put a stop to it." He frowns, most likely remembering his brother.

It's either now or never. Before I placed the phone to my ear, I sigh. I call the number he gives me after waiting for the bell to ring. I'm nervous because I'm worried about how he'll react. I get shivers just thinking about him roaring and snarling inhumanely. When someone finally picks up the phone, I'm brought back to reality, and I almost wish they hadn't.
"Hello?" Through the speaker, a familiar voice murmurs. I do not respond. I'm afraid I can't. It seems as if my lips were clamped shut and all I can do on the couch is shake.
"Wassup?" After some minutes of just hanging there, I squeak, expanding the word.
"Amanda?! What the heck are you doing?!" Gabriel yells, and I grimace as I draw away from the phone.
When I ask Paloma for assistance, he shakes his head violently before sprinting over to Valeria, who is sitting on the bed staring at me. I let Gabriel rage for a few minutes while holding the phone far from me.
I sigh and return the phone to my ear. "I'm...at home? Why am I in my r-room, exactly?"
"Amanda, don't you dare to lie to me. Valeria and Paloma, where have you gone?" His terrible voice makes me shudder as he asks gently.
"We have no idea; we went to the store to purchase some food, but we saw some men waiting for us outside, so we fled." My voice is tiny, I confess.
There's a long silence, and I assume he hung up on me for a bit. I nearly cry out in relief, but then he says something that makes me realize he's not happy.
"I warned you not to go outside!" His voice rises to a shout as he growls.
"How was I meant to know a visit to the frickin grocery shop would get us in trouble?" "I did as you requested and remained; how was I meant to know a trip to the stupid grocery store could land us in trouble!" I debate aggressively, hoping to make him see logic.
"Just urge him to send someone," Vale screams as she rips a pack of chips open.
I nod, staring hungrily at the food. My stomach grumbles as I recall that I had only eaten lunch and that it has been a few hours since then. "Could you please pass the Cheese bag to me? Also, toss in the sour Skittles!"
Valeria grinned as she tossed the packet to me. I ripped open the packets while handling the phone across my ear and shoulder, my face scrunching as my taste buds flare with sourness.
"Amanda, for the love of God, answer me!" Gabriel yells angrily, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Crap! I'm sorry, I completely forgot about you! Will you please send someone down to get us? Please, we're staying in a motel." I murmur under my breath while chomping on a handful of Cheese.
"Stop mumbling, baby." He snarls and huffs in disgust. "It would be good if you could speak English, mi amor" (I love)
Before speaking, I consume the sour sweets. "Could you please send somebody to come fetch us? I have not much money left, and we don't have a car right now."
Before there is a long silence, I give him the location of the motel we were staying at, but I could hear Gabriel talking to somebody in the background. When he talks again, his speech dark and low, I'm about to hang up. "I'm on my way to grab you. And you won't leave my side when we get back, Amanda. That I can assure you."
I put down the phone and look at Valeria and Paloma, who both have wide eyes. In the silent area, it was easy to understand the dialogue. I take a deep breath and look down at my Cheese. I'm suddenly wishing I hadn't phoned him.
He's on his way to get me, and I'm not going to be able to get away this time around, or probably ever.
I'm completely screwed!
Anyone for some Cheese?