//------------------------------// // I don't have a name for it. // Story: The Road I Travel. // by Thebaconpiggybank //------------------------------// It's me. Sunset Shimmer. I hope you aren't mad at me. I know you haven't replied and there's probably a reason for that but hey, don't worry. I'll wait a bit longer. Well, try to at least. I might move somewhere within the week. Don't worry though! I'm keeping the book. I plan on pawning everything else off though. There isn't a need for it and I need moving money. Since I don't have a phone anymore I plan on starting over and since the girls won't talk to me, I think I'll just be writing to you. Funny huh? Anyways, I hope everything is alright on your end. Write to me when you can! ~Sunny The book closed as Sunset finished reading the last of the words, only to put it in her bag. She had written that how long ago? A week? Two? She shook her head and dismissed the thought. She didn't know but it didn't matter. What mattered was trying to get warm. Her fingers were beginning to feel numb and to say the least, she was tired of walking. She could probably take a nap in a nearby store and warm up. It wouldn't be the first time and part of her felt that it wouldn't be the last. A heavy sigh came from her lips and with it came a gust of her frosty breath. She smiled a bit at the sight and just for kicks, exhaled again to watch it once more. That had been her main entertainment for her hiking trip. Just watching the misty smoke like whatever it was being exhaled from her mouth was enough for her it seemed. 'Heh... My standards on fun really must have dropped.' She thought with a sad smile as she walked. She was nearing the highway now. After doing a quick check on supplies and making sure she had enough water, she veered off and began to head to a nearby gas station. After several minutes of walking, she neared the building and pulled out a ten dollar bill as she looked around. If you played your cards right, ten bucks could keep you going for awhile, and that's the amount of money she had limited herself to for each day. Ten bucks. She had nine hundred and twenty-seven dollars left thankfully, but she didn't want to chance anything. When she opened the door and stepped inside, the person behind the counter greeted her with a wave and smile. She, of course, returned it, albeit somewhat forcefully. Small exchanges weren't things that she welcomed anymore but that didn't stop her from trying to be nice. Yes, there was a chance of somebody getting close so they could hurt her and yes she was worried about it but she didn't let it control her. She was better than that. She grabbed a basket and began to look around as she held the money in her grasp. She needed some energy drinks, hand warmers, and trail mix. Preferably multiple of those things... Without bothering to look at the brand names of each item, she simply picked them up and put them in the small basket she grabbed.  She went up to the counter and set everything down, laying it out for the person behind it which they seemed a bit thankful for. "Alright miss. That'll be eight dollars and twenty-three cents." They said with a smile. She could tell it was forced. "Alright. Here ya go... And can I get something else?" She asked. She got a nod in reply and they stepped aside. She looked past them and then saw something... Cigarettes. Sunset knew they were bad but she also knew that they could relieve stress. Maybe she could just... No. No, she couldn't even let herself try it. She would be worse off later on. It was better to endure the pain she felt now so she could become stronger later. She shook her head and looked to the side after a moment and saw some donuts. Deciding to just go with it, she went over and picked out the largest looking strawberry one and the largest looking cream filled ones she saw without much thought. She walked up to the counter and set them down. After the person rung them up, she looked at the price and visibly frowned. "Alright. That'll be eleven dollars and twenty-one cents." They said. It tools a few moments to reply and when she did she couldn't keep the hint of shame out of her voice. "Is it alright if I take one of them off?" "If you would like. How much do you have?" They asked in a gentle tone. She set the bill on the counter "Alright. I can cover thi-" "I'll pay for it. Don't worry." Interrupted a gruff voice. She tensed up and shut her eyes. Of course, somebody had to offer her pity. The sound of footsteps approached the counter and she kept her eyes shut. "Here..." Sunset heard the cash register open and then a small beep. Then she felt her hand be gently lifted and opened up by a calloused hand. She opened her eyes when she felt the weight of paper and coins within her hand and what she saw made her smile a bit. "Keep the change miss. If you need anything else then let me know. I'll be getting some gas so you have until then. I trust you'll make the right decision." She took the money and put it in her wallet. After that, she sighed and put the items in her bag. There wasn't a line so there wasn't a rush. Once that was done she put the basket down and looked outside to the loud truck that was getting gas. She had some money left for her day because of him... Maybe she could give some of it back. She couldn't give it back to him without a reason though since he looked like he would make her keep it. Then she got an idea. The gas station door opened with the ring of a bell and she could hear the employee bid her farewell. To be kind, she waved to them as she left. Then she approached the truck and heard the door shut loudly as the man got adjusted in his seat. She knocked on the window across from his. He turned to her and smiled then leaned over and rolled the window down. "Um... Hey, could I get a ride? I can pay for gas money." The man seemed to smile at this and she found it contagious. "Hop on in, kid. Oh, and roll the window up, will you?" He asked as he pulled the lock up. She smiled and opened the door, only to get inside. She tried to shut the door but ended up not getting it all the way. She opened it again and then slammed it shut with a bit more force than intended. It seemed to do the trick though. Once she looked down at the crank for the window, she leaned down and began to roll it up and boy, was that annoying. After some struggle, she finally got it and turned to the man. "So, where are ya headed?" She asked with a smile. The man looked down and moved the stick of the truck then turned to her. "Away from here by the looks of it. Tell me, where do you wanna go?"