Chapter 7: Nowhere Left to Run
I needed out. So I turned to the attendant and said, “Could you check if there are any sleeper rooms left? I’d like to upgrade.”
Please, let there be a room. I fished my wallet out, hoping a little extra cash could buy me some peace. The attendant nodded, tapping away on his tablet.
Figures. The attendant checked his tablet and shook his head. “Sorry, sir, there aren’t any left.”
No luck. He looked genuinely apologetic. I sighed, feeling the last bit of hope slip away.
The bald guy overheard this and burst out laughing, screeching, “Oh, you want to upgrade to a sleeper? If you’re so loaded, why aren’t you flying home? What are you doing in a coach seat? Trying to act all fancy and now look at you—serves you right! Hilarious!”
Almost home. His laughter was loud and mean, echoing through the car. His girlfriend giggled, and I felt the weight of every eye on me. I closed my eyes, counting down the minutes until I could finally leave this nightmare behind.
Home had never felt so far away.













