Hey dad, sorry running a bit late. We're gonna stop at a motel. We're out of Sydney now, but you can trust me, remember you got my location."
"Okay Max, I just don't want anyone calling in nine months explaining why their daughter is pregnant."
"Wow, you had to go there. Trust me dad, you know me."
"No, I don't know you. Always staying out late, tired in the mornings. We'll have a talk when you get back home, but does Miss Sproud know you're doing an all-nighter with the group?"
"Yeah, we called her, everything's fine."
I watched uncomfortably as Max ended the call with his dad. Today had been so chaotic and busy that we even left town. The parents of the victims we were searching for we already met, and they refused to say anything - their faces weren't sad, but horrified. They looked scared.
"Sorry Ellie, it wasn't supposed to be like this. We - well I didn't know the last lady moved houses. We knocked expecting the same result as the others, but this old granny literally said 'F-you, the previous owner doesn't live here anymore, she lives in Nowherville.' I'm sorry, by now we would've had answers and been home."
"No worries, I find driving calming, gets rid of the stress, you know."
"I don't know. "Maddie said.
"But at least everyone had gas money so the trip wasn't in vain, right guys?"
Silence. Nobody said a word.
"Right guys? "I asked.
Why weren't they saying anything?
Khaza took a hit from his little USB vape thing.
"C'mon man, not in the car! How addictive can you get, have some respect!" James snapped.
"Lemme get some," Max said, reaching to grab it.
"Nah uh, you gotta pay for a puff, rules are rules."
"I ain't one of the years 7s, I ain't paying for shit."max said.
"Then get your own," Khaza retorted.
"Any of you try that again, you're walking the rest of the way," I warned, looking in the rearview mirror to see them all freeze up.
"To think the hippie and punk hybrid of the group would be so against it, shocking really," someone muttered.
"She ain't a punk, more a geek in my eyes. "Maddie sad grinning.
"Says the role-playing nerd," I countered.
"Okay, you went there! Turn this car around, you wanna settle this like ladies? Let's fuckin' go!" Maddie shouted.
"Enough!" James yelled over the chaos. "We wasted enough time already. I know we're all pissed our efforts were for nothing. Hell, we don't know if we're still wasting our time. But we need to keep our shit together. Time is our life right now, and our lives are a mystery, so behave. No more smoking or fighting. I called the nearest motel, we got three rooms - ladies together, me and Tommy, and Khaza and Max can sleep together and kiss all night for all I care."
"Hey, it's Maxwell!"
"I think that's the least of your worries from what he said, dude," Kahza laughed.
I checked the time and we'd arrive in a couple hours as darkness fell. As much as I enjoyed watching the scenery go by, I shouldn't get too comfortable. The gang put me in charge of this task, I should stay focused on the road ahead.
Five hours later, we finally made it to this small town called Opamla way up north. It was way quieter than the big city which was kind of nice, I guess. I wouldn't mind living somewhere chill like this. When we drove in, we saw tiny little shops, a high school, some graffiti on bridges and trees, and farms surrounding the outskirts. Seemed like beaches were the main thing around these parts.
I hopped out of the van while Thomas was still passed out in the back - dude slept the whole drive. James had to literally slap him awake a bunch of times. He went to get our rooms squared away while the rest of us checked out the dinky motel. They only had about 15 rooms and a tiny pool, but whatever, it would work for a night.
James covered the room costs, and Max and Maddie said they'd pay for the food run later. The plan was to try meeting up with the last parents of the last victim, Tomorrow. We didn't wanna risk it being too dark out with all the paranormal crap going on.
James came back with keys for three rooms. "Cheaper than a city hotel, not bad. We all just need to rest up since we're driving back home tomorrow. You all told your parents you're at a sleepover or something, right? We're good on that front." He tossed me the keycard to the room between the two others, since that way the girls have security on both sides if anything goes down.
I headed upstairs with Maddie and we both had to cover our noses - the room reeked of musty dust and poor maintenance. Definitely a one-star rating.