When they got back into the RV, Relle spent a good part of an hour explaining to Cedar and Sage that they would be staying with Arlo and Madd for a little longer.
She explained that the town was dangerous and that she wasn't sure where their parents would be, if they were there at all.
Of course, Sage and Cedar protested this at first. They wanted to see their parents and Relle understood the feeling.
Relle explained what happened in the Walmart, and Cedar seemed to understand her concerns. After some time, Sage came around to the idea. While the young girl missed her parents, she was still very captivated by living in the camper.
Arlo stopped the RV at two other 'supply' locations before finally leaving Billings. Both times Relle reluctantly joined Madd and Arlo in the scavenging of random supplies.
She wanted to prove, mostly to Arlo, that she was worth keeping around. They scavenged a pharmacy and then an auto-parts store.
After returning to the RV after leaving the department store, Arlo claimed he was content with his 'supplies'. The sun was beginning to set by the time they got to the RV. Arlo put a large hand on Madd's shoulder, surprising his son.
"I'm taking a break from driving, why don't you bring us into Wyoming. Find someplace quiet for the night." Arlo said, handing Madd the keys to the RV.
"You're really trusting me with this thing for once, what an honor." Despite the sarcastic remark, Relle could tell that Madd was excited to be given the responsibility.
"Have Relle navigate for you," Arlo said.
"No offense, but I don't need a navigator," Madd said.
"Yes, you do, remember that phones no longer work for that."
"I know that, but-"
"Just let her navigate," Arlo said, done with the conversation.
They all loaded into the RV. Sage and Cedar sat beside each other at the table. Arlo sat across from them with a deck of cards in his hands.
For a moment, Relle smiled at the three of them. Arlo looked as serious as ever as he explained 'crazy eights' to the two eager children.
Madd started the engine and Relle found her way to the front seat. Like the rest of the interior of the camper the front was old and well worn, but comfortable. She buckled herself in and the RV took off down the road.
Relle laid the map on her lap as Madd pulled the big vehicle onto the interstate. In one last glance, Relle watched the last bits of Billings fade out her window. There was no glow from city lights, but a peaceful kind of darkness, filling with millions of stars above them.
After directing Madd out of the city, silence fell in the camper. For a while neither Relle nor Madd said anything. She knew that Madd would have been more content to be navigating alone, but she also didn't want to disobey Arlo. Relle listened to Arlo, Cedar, and Sage playing cards.
"Sage," hissed Cedar. "How are you down to only two cards already?"
"I dunno," Sage replied.
"I guess she's just lucky," Arlo said in a gentler voice than he typically spoke in.
As he drove, Madd began to look more and more distant. Relle assumed he was in deep thought and said nothing to him. She enjoyed the ride, watching the stars come out slowly.
Madd pulled out his pack of cigarettes and lit one between his lips, letting the smoke drift back into the RV with no thought.
"Can you not do that here?" Relle said.
Madd said nothing and continued to smoke.
"It's...it's just that it already smells like a Las Vegas in here...maybe you could smoke-"
Madd rolled his eyes. "Like you have any idea what Las Vegas smells like."
"I do actually have some idea," she sat matter-of-factly.
"Oh yeah?" He raised a dark eyebrow. "Are you saying that your pious ass went on a Vegas trip, I'd love to hear what you thought about it."
"Can you not swear right in front of my siblings?" Relle stared at him, shocked.
"Why? Are you afraid she's going to turn out like me?" He remarked.
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't need to."
"Is it that much to ask for you not to smoke and swear around my little siblings?" Relle crossed her arms.
"Is it that much to ask you to lighten up?"
"Stop smoking in the RV."
Madd rolled his eyes. "You're impossible." He dropped his cigarette into an old coffee cup in the cupholder.
"Am I?" She narrowed his eyes at him.
"Yes, you are, and I'm surprised no one's told you yet. I swear you've never lived a day in your life," he replied.
"I've lived," was all Relle could say back. "I've had lots of fun."
"Yeah? Harvesting vegetables? Obeying the law? Maybe you have fun folding laundry," Madd stared ahead at the road.
"If your idea of fun is swearing and smoking, then I'm not interested," she said plainly. She looked away, out the window. In the darkness all she could see was her own reflection.
For a long while silence filled the front seat. Relle thought about getting up and sitting in the back with Cedar, Sage, and Arlo, but she eventually decided against it.
"So, can I ask you something?" Asked Madd suddenly, pulling Relle out of her own mind. His dark eyes darted over to her.
"What is it?" She asked, feeling tired.
"Your parents aren't really in Billings, are they?"
Relle was shocked for a moment.
"It's...none of your business...but no, I have a feeling they left Billings a long time ago." She reached down and felt the folded letter in her pocket. She looked over to him, "how did you know?"
"I can spot a lie when I hear one."
"It wasn't a lie it was just..."
"You don't have to explain it to me," Madd said calmly. "I get it. Whatever happened, you want to protect those two from it."
"I just want them to be safe," she said quietly.
"I think...you're doing a pretty good job," Madd said genuinely. She wondered if this was his apology for acting so rude.
It was around eleven o'clock at night when they pulled into what used to be a rest stop. It was in the middle of nowhere, somewhere in northern Wyoming. Madd turned off the engine and stood up and walked to the back. Relle followed.
Cedar and Sage were asleep, each had taken one side of the booth as a bed. They each had a pillow and a blanket, presumably given to them by Arlo. Arlo was deeply asleep on the bed that sat at the far end of the camper.
"Take the couch, I'll take the floor." Madd said, handing Relle a pillow and blanket.
"Are you sure? I can-"
"No, take the couch," Madd said as he sat down on the ground with his own blanket.
That night in the RV, Relle fell asleep faster than she had in a long time. As they all slept peacefully, a large storm was brewing on the horizon. A strong wind blew in from the north and with it, it brought large, dark clouds.
It wasn't long before heavy raindrops began to fall on the camper. The wind blew rain in from every direction. If it hadn't been for some of Arlo's repairs, it would have been likely that rain would have gotten in.
Despite the camper staying warm and dry, the storm woke Madd from a light sleep. He opened his eyes and stared out the window at the storm. Heavy sheets of rain fell across the glass.
He could have sworn that he saw figures and faces in the dark rain, but he knew it was his imagination. With the sounds of rain and wind shaking the RV, it was impossible for him to get back to sleep.
Madd got up and sat back down in the driver's seat. He searched through his pockets in search of his cigarette pack. Eventually he turned on the little light above where he sat and found the pack sitting on the dashboard. Madd lit a cigarette, careful to blow it out of a little slit in the window.
As he enjoyed his smoke and watched the storm, he heard someone stir. He glanced over to the rest of the RV to see Sage wake up and sit up suddenly, as if she too was awakened by the storm. She rubbed her eyes, looking suddenly frightened.
"Hey," he whispered to her as he put out his cigarette. "Are you awake too?"
Sage nodded; he could tell she was on the verge of tears.
"The storm woke me up too," he said. "Do...did you like that game you played with Arlo? Would you wanna play one with me?"
Forgetting her fear, Sage nodded quickly. Madd crouched down onto the floor just behind the passenger seat. "Come sit over here so we don't wake your brother up," Madd said.
Sage nodded and sat down beside him. He lit a candle and placed it on the ground beside them.
"Do you know how to play blackjack?" He asked her.
Sage shook her head.
"Poker?"
She shook her head.
"Fine, crazy eights?"
She nodded this time with a smile.
"Alright, let's play. We just have to be quiet," he whispered. "We don't want to wake anyone up."
Sage nodded and put a finger to her mouth.