“I’ll be fine,” Charlie said. While he was a bit tired, he was sure it would take a while before the adrenaline would actually finally wear off. They had a crazy start to their morning and he wasn’t sure he was comfortable just going to sleep and pretending that things were okay. At least, Charlie wouldn’t feel that way until they had stopped and got their head together. Evelyn seemed to be faring well compared to him, but he didn’t mind that. It was nice to know that she had really thrown caution to the wind and it seemed she was accepting her role in this more and more. He couldn’t help the smirk that crossed his face as she uncharacteristically placed the cigarette between her lips, forming small rosy o’s to release the smoke out. Despite the semi old shape the truck seemed to be in it, it drove quite smoothly and finally Charlie could find himself actually falling asleep.
It didn’t seem like long before they were pulling into the parking lot of a Motel 6. They weren’t lucky in it being more vacant than the last motel they stayed at. Though, by the judgment of the cars and the two men smoking what definitely wasn’t anything legal by the trashcans in the parking lot, Charlie didn’t believe that they would have any trouble. Though, the comfort of the hotel they were just at would only remain in their memories it seemed.
The most [I accommodating] feature of the motel was the Waffle House that was attached on the other side. Inside were a few of the staff milling about, some sad looking customers eating off a hangover or in worse conditions, using the empty booths as a free bed. While it didn’t look as appetizing from the barely lit neon yellow sign and dingy lighting for the interior, Charlie had to admit that he was starving. They had been driving nearly all day and he hadn’t even had breakfast.
After grabbing their things, they made their way into the motel. The sound of country music played on an old radio and the man at the counter didn’t bother to meet their eyes until Evelyn spoke up. he turned his attention from his phone where he had been aimlessly scrolling through funny videos. Charlie could tell that he was suspicious of the two, especially when Evelyn inquired about not paying beforehand. While he thought that would only further give the man reason to keep an eye on him, she seemed to do enough batting of her eyes for him to acquiesce. Though he didn’t look happy about it and Charlie just hoped that this didn’t turn into a bad idea. He was happy that Eve was taking the reins, but there was no need to get reckless considered they were still about knee deep in shit form the last few days. There was no reason to get cocky as of yet, not but six hours ago they would’ve been cuffed and thrown in a cell.
With the key in their possession, dangling from a plastic square block that was peeling so much you couldn’t even read the room number, they made their way outside to head to the room. Evelyn gathered a few last minute items from the car and they soon made their way up the black metal staircase to the second floor. He was glad to be on solid cement as the staircase didn’t seem like it was meant to carry two people, honestly he didn’t find the solid ground to be of much comfort either.
They entered the room then, which smelled stale, the scent of fresh cigarettes and what he presumed bug spray a mixture in the air. He made sure to keep the windows open, finding that despite the conditions, it was quiet for now which was appreciate. Still, he made sure the blinds remained shut, though with how tangled the cord was, Charlie didn’t think they would even be able to get it up.
He threw the bags onto the bed which barely moved, leading Charlie to believe this was going to be an uncomfortable amount of sleep, yet he figured after sleeping on a cot for some years, he would be fine with it.
“Alright,” he said as he watched Evelyn disappear. He turned on the tv, surprised they had decent reception, but it was basic cable at most. He flipped to the news, though discovered they were still discussing the weather. Charlie hoped maybe there would be an update as of later. In the meantime, he made his way downstairs and back toward the diner to get something to eat for the both of them. They had been driving all day so sleep and food would be the best things for them. There was no way they were going to be able to do anything properly on an empty stomach.
He came upstairs, three white bags cradled in his arms, one hand gripping a carboard carrier for their drinks, as he unlocked the door, [I gently] giving it a shove of his shoulder to help with opening it. He slammed it closed with his foot, looking up to meet the new Evelyn.
“Wow,” he said. He had to admit, he could tell it was her of course, he knew those eyes by now after staring into them constantly the night before. The blonde was a stark contrast to the old her though and in his opinion made her look much more like a bad ass than the soft spoken waitress he had met. “Definitely a disguise done well,” he admitted. He moved the bags toward the rickety tables set for one person meals. They were stained with [I something] and didn’t sit properly on the carpet, but they would do for now.
“I figure if I let my hair and beard continue to grow out I should be fine,” Charlie said. As long as he focused on keeping as much of his face covered in the meantime, they would be okay. He opened the bag, grabbing a fry and popping it into his mouth. Just as he was making his way to the bathroom, he paused at the sound of the female broadcaster’s voice, illustrating the couple’s crimes.