Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve
Zen’s POV
I continued driving until I could no longer keep my eyes open. I glanced down at the dash after hitting the rumble strips for the umpteenth time. The needle had been showing empty for twenty miles now. I needed to ditch the car ASAP, before it’s owner reported it stolen. I wanted to make it a hundred more miles. That way we could wake up in a new state. I just didn’t trust any gas stations to not pick up photos of the stolen car. Oh well, I just had to make due.
I spotted a sign for a motel at the next exit. It seemed a little run down. I hoped Princess wouldn’t mind. I parked directly in front of the office, that way I could see her while I paid. The whole place smelled like weed and booze, but at least they would be too stoned off their asses to report a stolen car. I knocked on the small rectangular counter. A moment later, a scrawny thirty something year old man approached the desk.
“Hey man, what can I do for ya?” I tried to appear relaxed, even though it was almost three am.
“Hey, just needing a room.”
“Cool, cool. Single or double?” I glanced out the window to see Elizabeth still fast asleep.
“Single.”
“Cool. That’ll be thirty two even, man.” Well, at least it’s cheap. I handed him that in the smaller bills that were still in my wallet. Handing this punk a hundred would only cause problems and raise suspicions. I didn’t feel like getting robbed in the morning. He handed me a key with a plastic tag on it, before walking back into the office, probably to get even more fucked up than he already was. I moved the car closer to room 17. Thankfully, the room was located on the back end of the building, away from the highway. I unlocked the room before waking Elizabeth. It was surprisingly clean. Still no five star hotel, but I didn’t see any roaches anywhere. I turned on the desk lamp and it flickered before illuminating the room in a soft yellow glow.
Once I opened the passenger door, Princess began to shiver. I unbuckled her, then took off my hoodie and draped it over her shoulders. She was extremely light, only 110 lbs according to her file, so I had no issue getting her inside. She only stirred once I laid her down on the hard bed.
“Zen?” She groaned, reaching out for me. I sat back down on the bed, grabbing hold of her searching hand.
“I’m here. What’s up, Princess?” She struggled to open her eyes, before finally giving up and swallowing. I thought she had fallen asleep, so I went to move my hand. She grabbed it tighter, pulling me towards her.
“Sleep with me.” She mumbled. The way the sleep slurred her words made me smile. She even looked beautiful while she was sleeping. I pushed a piece of hair out of her mouth.
“Of course, Elizabeth. Give me just one minute.” She groaned, but let me go. I grabbed my backpack and gun out of the car, then proceeded to lock every lock the door had to offer. I was too worried to put her under the covers, so I let my hoodie keep her warm. It seemed to be doing the trick.
Once I laid down beside her, her arm latched onto me. I chuckled as she rearranged herself on my chest, taking in a deep breath before falling still once again.
Even with running my hand through Elizabeth’s angelic hair, it took me another hour or so to fall asleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about our next steps, and the best ways to keep Elizabeth safe. I knew that Dan would eventually get tired of chasing her, and switch his focus to chasing me. After all, I was now a traitor. It would be a purpose of pride to hunt me down and take me out.
Maybe then I would return her to her family. Then again, they did a piss poor job protecting her the first time. How could I be confident that they would do it the second time?
I leaned my head down, taking in the sweet scent of her hair as I drifted off to sleep.
Whatever happens, it will be worth it if Princess is safe.