Travelling ... alone....

[DeliciousMaiden]

OOC:

I'm having a go at starting my own thread - it's open in every sense of the word. The plot is basically a troubled young English girl travelling - ALONE - around America. She knows nothing and noone and is open to all possibilities.

This might be a story of freindship, seduction, deceit, stalking... or all or neither of the above! Characters could be any age/gender, though it should be noted that janey is a straight and relatively inexperienced girl.

PM me or email me if you wish, but otherwise jump right in.

Characters could be the guy in the next seat, other passengers, andlater any people she meets along the way.
Anything could happen in the darkness of a longhaul drive, so over to you......


IC
Janey
She sighed .. stirring in her sleep. Exhausted and restless. America was so big and these bus journeys took so long... and.. they were lonely.

She kept her eyes shut, her mind going over the trauma at home, everything that had happened over the past six months. This trip had been planned to be so perfect. A celebration of finishing her A levels... the holiday of a lifetime... and Andrew should have been with her.

Whether it was rebellion, or just a desparate need to get away she had, somewhat irrationally come on this three week holiday on her own. She had decisions to make, her ticket was open... she sighed... what on earth would she do now?

Beneath her lids she stole a look at the guy sat next to her. He was good looking, freindly and although lonely she had avoided exchanging more than a few words with him and then made sure to disguise her obvious English accent. She did not want to be drawn on her life back home.

It was dark outside... the rhythm of the bus constant.. rocking.. lulling... she was so exhausted... drained...her head nodded... rocked. She was totally unaware of the man's scrutiny... that his eyes rested on her fair hair now free about her shoulders where it had originally been drawn up into a high pony tail. He had noted her fair complexion, blue eyes. He body curvaceous. She was a mere 5 ft 4. He was looking at her again.. wistful and vulnerable in sleep... and... so far she appeared to be traveling alone.

Her head...rocked again... as it moved.... sideways... coming to rest finally on his shoulder...a soft sigh escaping her as she allowed its weight to rest on it...

 

[catlover]

Frank

It felt rather good to have this pretty girl use my shoulder for a pillow. I had noticed her when I got on the bus, with an empty seat next to her, and headed right there. I tried to start a little chat, but she seemed quite unwilling tpo say much, so i didnt press it. It was dark outside, and the vibration of the bus seemed to rock her to sleep, and then her head was right where I wanted it, next to mine, although I could think of places i would rather be with her

We had a rest stop coming up soon, and i knew she would awaken when we stopped for a bite and a potty break, so I didnt disturb her.

She hadnt even told me her destination, It seemed she just got on the bus intending to ride until it reached wherever, and then she would take the next step

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janey

The bus drew to a stop. The lack of motion causing Janey to stir.. moving her head slowly, she realised that she had been resting her head on the shoulder of the man in the seat beside her.

She sat up, slowly... running a hand through her hair. He caught her eye and she crimsoned with embarrassment.

Would he make a comment, or be gallant and not refer to what had been an..intimate.. situation...?

She looked up at him shyly, not wanting to initiate a conversation, but, it was kind of difficult to ignore a man whose shoulder you'd just fallen asleep on...

 

[cgraven]

I watched her stir from where I sat. She had the look of a run away, an innocent on the move young nave just the sort of little dish I liked to feast on.


I would bide my time her supple form would be fun to discover to play with to tease. The look of the kindly uncle had always stood me well when these opportunities arose.

"Ah Miss you dropped this”

I handed her wallet that had slipped to the floor.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janey

Janey turned at the quiet voice behind her. Glad of the distraction, she turned smiling politely.


"Ah Miss you dropped this”


He handed her the wallet. She gasped! It must have slipped to the floor as she slept!

"How careless" She thought to herself. She was going to have to take care of herself better than this!

She turned her face from the wallet, which she now clutched tightly to the kind man who had been so honest. Admittedly all she'd heard about America was stereotypes, but this was pleasantly unexpected.

"Thank you. How kind...you've saved my life!"
She pocketed the wallet carefully, not aware that she had let her accent slip. She glanced back at the man next to her and back to the kind eyes of the honest stranger....

 

[cgraven]

Dan Whycof

‘English aren’t you? …..I lived in London many years a go……. So what brings you to this country?”

I had taken the precaution of removing most of her money before giving her back her wallet. It was so much easier to play the kindly uncle when they where in need. Made things for me much easier all the way around.

The bus was just pulling in for the evening supper break

“My Name is Dan Whycof, and yours?”

I extended my hand to our innocent visitor.

She was a vission of beauty, so fresh, all peasches and cream, and I knew I must have her one way or the other.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janey

Catching her eye again, the stranger spoke;
"English aren’t you? "
"Here we go.. thought Janey….."
".. I lived in London many years a go……. So what brings you to this country?”


"You lived in London?" Janey spoke eagerly. A link with home all be it tenuous. Again annoyed with herself, she should be... what is it people do... absorb culture...or something like that... well.. she would rather just..hide..
She was aware suddenly that she had stopped mid-sentence and that the man was looking at her polite and expectant.
"My aunt lives in London. I've spent lots of time there...summers mostly."
She abruptly became silent. She had not wanted to be drawn into conversation, much less start offering up personal information, however innocuous. She certainly wasn't going to tell him what brought her to America, the circumstances, so she subtly ignored the second part of his question.

As the bus slowed and pulled over, Janey took her chance. With a quick smile she turned away from the stranger. Best not to get into long conversations about ..."common roots".

“My Name is Dan Whycof, and yours?”
His voice was charming, yet persistent.
She thought of snubbing him. Turning away. She glanced hopefullly at the man in the seat beside her. "Dan" was stood now, near her seat, supposedly about to disembark for the break.
With another smile, he extended his hand. Short of total rudeness, what could she do? He smiled down at her invitingly. Inviting her confidence.

She took his hand, hers small in his cool firm grasp.
"Pleased to meet you," she said, her tone freindly enough, but... unforthcoming.
Perhaps now he would just.. give up . . . She hoped....

 

[cgraven]

“Oh Miss I am so sorry, how terribly forward of me.’


I played the kindly stranger, shocked at my own forwardness.


“I did not mean to intrude on your privacy but your accent took me back to a happier time in my life…..Please forgive me.”

I turned away from her slowly. It was important not to push to much but be available to her when she found she had little or no money. A slow binding was best.

 

[restlessheart34]

NEW PASSENGER

on walks a nicely tanned male who heads to the back of the bus and takes a seat. he is wearing tight jeans tight black tshirt and cowboy boots

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janey

His apology took her by suprise. She felt guilty for her unwillingness to give him a simple name and for being unwilling to let him reminisce about "happier times".

She smiled uncertainly, blushing slightly. His smile was still warm as he turned away from her. She was tempted to call him back. She put out her hand to touch him on the shoulder when a new passenger pushed by. He was obviously boarding and moving against the flow of the passengers who all seemed in need of a break.

By the time she had moved to let him passed, Dan had moved away back to his seat. She frowned at the new arrival. A cowboy type, whatever that was in this day and age. She eyed him curiously. Cowboys and Indians from black and white films was all she knew of "cowboys". Surely people didn't actually dress like that?

She glanced out of the window. The night looked uninviting, but she needed the fresh air. Checking that her wallet was safely in her pocket, she made her way slowly down the aisle. She couldn't eat and didn't even want a drink... well....a drink maybe, but she just couldn't be bothered to get herself one. She stepped off the bus. The passengers were crowded round, eating and drinking and exchanging stories and details like bosom freinds.

She walked along the length of the bus..sneaking round behind, out of sight of any passengers both inside and out. It was dark, noone would bother her. She leaned against the still hot engine, eyes closed, head back and sighed. Damn. She wished she hadn't come. Where the hell would she go anyhow...?....

She let down her ponytail running her fingers tiredly through her hair.

"Ohhh..shit..." she said aloud, closing her eyes once more as she leaned back on the bus, then gazed up to let her eyes roam blankly over the stars above her....

 

[cgraven]

I watched as our young English friend got off and headed towards the back of the bus.

I gave her a few minutes then got off myself. I saw her round behind the motor coach and went to the side and lit up a smoke. And in a stage whisper and to no one in particular berated,

“Damn I’d kill for a pint right about now…. Dan you are a fool must have scared that poor girl half to death… hell your old enough to be her dad. She’ll just think your some gangster from the films… damn you got to stop taking all the strays under your wing.”

I hoped it had been just load enough that she could her but yet sound like the ramblings of a concerned old doffer.

 

[DreamGrrl]

Braiden

OOC:
I'm leaping in, feel free to ignore me if ya want... ^_~

Braiden 'Smith'
Female, appears mid-twenties, waist length dark, curly hair and coppery skin. Almond-shaped green eyes and a full mouth, coral-lipped that is all too often caught somewhere between a smirk and a smile. Rather petite, yet maintaining a lovely hourglass and between her sparkling eyes, curled lips, and wry sense of humor, normally makes people feel at ease quite nicely.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Braiden continued striding around the bus, her steps short and agitated as she tried to pace the irritation and exhaustion out of her system.

God only knew, travelling cross country by bus was NOT her idea of a good time. Lord only knew what creeps you met - the bathroom never worked for more than 3-4 hours, and no matter what you said or did, true rest never came. Unlike plane travel, bus travellers were totally unsupervised - why, just yesterday the couple in the rear corner seats had been having sex, and rather openly. It had only filled Braiden with a furious yearning need - both to join them and shove them off the bus, either or.

"Stupid kids," she mumbled to herself as she took a thick drag on the cigarette in her long, slender fingers. She continued to move around the bus, the heat the vents emanated welcome in the cold breeze kicking up since the sun had set.

Today, she had decided to steal that corner back seat - if only to prevent anyone else from so rudely ruining her ungracious trip. The back of the bus had been fairly vacant - as was most of the Greyhound TNM&O special they rode - and she had some seemed horribly grateful to see all the gaping seats.

The few faces who remained hadn't been horribly frightening or bizarre - thus far, she thought with a soft laugh.

Taking another frantic drag and a series of short, heavy steps to stretch the corded runners muscles in her legs, she came around the rear of the bus and encountered one of the female passengers - a girl she had noticed on boarding earlier.

"Evening," Braiden called out pleasantly enough. She flashed the weary-looking girl a smile and took another puff at her cancer stick, continuing on her circuitous route about the rumbling bus.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janey

“Damn I’d kill for a pint right about now…. Dan you are a fool must have scared that poor girl half to death… hell your old enough to be her dad. She’ll just think your some gangster from the films… damn you got to stop taking all the strays under your wing.”


She opened her eyes, jolted out of her own thoughts. She smiled hearing him admonish himself for his forwardness. Half ashamed once again of being so abrupt with him.

She smirked. A gangster. No.. that is not the impression she got at all! A bit.. familiar perhaps, but that was America, or so she had been led to believe.

Again, undecided whether to step round and at least give him a friendly smile to assure him she had not fully taken flight and to show him that, despite what she must look like, she was not a stray, she was once again interrupted by another passenger coming into sight.

Her friendly smile and greeting caused an answering smile to curve Janey's full mouth.
"Hello," she said softly as the girl continued on her way.

Janey watched as she moved, smoking avidly, attractive and confident.
"Andrew's type.." the thought sprang unbidden to her brain.
"Damn."
She took a steadying breath, assuming she was once more, for a few precious moments, alone.

 

[cgraven]

Soon the boarding call came and I headed back to my seat as the 1st few snow flakes began to fall. The next leg of the journey would take us up into the mountains of West Virginia. This could turn out to be an interesting night if the storm really brewed up.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janey

Slowly, reluctantly the passengers boarded the bus once again. She kept her head down and took her seat silently. Her companion seemed to be settled, leaning against the window to take a nap. She moved carefully avoiding any accidental physical contact with him and wished she could stretch out.

Glancing back at the half empty bus she noticed several seats where there was double seating vacant. How she would love to stretch out and sleep. She was exhausted, but should she do so. She had dropped her wallet last time.

She fished deep into her pocket and opened the wallet, foolish need to reassure herself, but as a matter of course she glanced down. Her eyes widened and she gasped. Searching franticallly through the pockets, each compartment, she realised that a large amount of her money, the largest notes, in fact was gone.

But..how...? .. Her mind raced. She thought of Dan. No one would steal from you and then return the wallet. That would be foolishand although not a gangster, he did certainly not look foolish.

Her eyes moved to rest on the sleeping passenger next to her.
"Of course!"
He could have picked her pocket as she slept and dropped the wallet on the floor of the bus. Why would she have suspected him. Anyone could have emptied a fallen wallet! The only one she could then blame was herself for her stupidity!
"It all fits," she said to herself.
No man would fail to comment on her... unfortunate.. sleeping position.. unless.. he had something to hide.

Making her mind up quickly she picked up her bag and moved towards the back of the bus. Moving past Ted, too preoccupied to acknowledge him, yet not intentionally ignoring him, she selected a double seat on the opposite side to him, but two rows further down.

She sighed.. putting her bag behind her to act as a pillow, she pulled her feet up, still reluctant to fall asleep, but considerably happier to be away from her lightfingered companion...

 

[cgraven]

I boarded the bus and watched as Janey made her way to the back of the bus.

I had seen her check her wallet and the frantic search of her wallet. I was tempted to go back and speak with her but continued to play the role I had adopted and returned to my seat. Just giving Janey a friendly smile as I settled. down .

We rolled on through the night and up in to the mountains. How long it had been I do not know as I had been dozing off and on. I lack of movement is what had caught my attention.. there was blue flashing lights outside and the door to the coach stood open the cold air chilling the coach. The few flakes of snow where now a raging storm.

“Ladies and gentleman the highway is closed do to weather we will be making an unscheduled stop in Larksburg. W V. you can get a room at the hotel as the coach will not be available. As soon as the roads are open we will continue to wheeling . I regret any in convenience but the company is not responsible for acts of god.”

20 minutes later after following the State Police cruiser we arrived in Down town Larksburg W V.

No bus station and the only light that of an old run down hotel.

“Will all passengers please get off the bus.”

The driver had our baggage out in the blowing snow in no Time I hung back as the other scurried for ther bags. The hotel and room was the 1st priorty if my plan was to work. And Janey would now be almost penniless and stranded she would need a kindly old friend.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janey

All through the long, dark journey, Janey's mind raced, trying to find a solution. It no longer mattered how her money had gone missing, the fact was that it was missing and she now had to cope on very little funds!

If she could book into a modest hotel, when she reached her destination then perhaps she could find a job, which would not only allow her to pay her way, but keep her mind occupied. She would just not have to let on about her financial predicament and if all else failed, there was a chance that she could get her hands on some money from home. That option did not appeal to Janey and she realised with a grimace, following her somewhat hasty departure, was by no means guaranteed!

Despite the comparative luxury of a double seat, try as she might she could not get comfy, let alone doze. No matter how she tried to keep calm, she knew that she was in even more trouble now!


She was watching the lights of the houses, traffic, lamps flickering past the window. Her eyes followed them, yet her thoughts were turned inward. It took a while for the blue lights to register. She gasped as the coach veered to the side and halted abruptly.
The door of the coach was opened. She pulled on her jacket against the sharp chill which had invaded the bus, the previous cosy warmth now gone. She looked about anxiously, not knowing what was wrong.

“Ladies and gentleman the highway is closed do to weather we will be making an unscheduled stop in Larksburg. W V. you can get a room at the hotel as the coach will not be available. As soon as the roads are open we will continue to wheeling . I regret any in convenience but the company is not responsible for acts of god.”

“What?! “ She whispered in horror! “But… it.. couldn’t be!”
Where the hell was.. Larksburg and how would she find somewhere to stay.?
Realisation dawned… she didn’t have enough money for a hotel tonight! She would have to pay for the hotel the following morning, she could not do a runner if they were all leaving on the same coach. She froze, watching the snow falling heavily outside.
The coach moved on turning off the main road. It seemed to become darker and darker. Panicked she was losing her bearings… where was this… what could she do.. it was so cold… too cold to sleep rough.

The bus pulled in finally. the place was deserted.
A light shone out from a run down looking building.
“What was she to do??”
There was no bus station. No place to ask for assistance.

“Will all passengers please get off the bus.”

She had no choice. She had to move. Numby she made her way off the bus. By the time she was outside, her baggage was already out in the snow, which was now accumulating thickly on the ground.

Janey shivered, waiting for the others who pushed forward eager to collect their baggage and move into the warm, if not comfortable surroundings of the hotel.

Slowly she moved forward, gripping her one case, the wheels now useless on the slippery ground.

She stood alone, looking round.
It was deserted and she was scared.
She had no idea what to do …

 

[cgraven]

Janey stood there like a lost wafe from a Dickens’s novel in her light spring jacket the snow accumulating about her. Alone no friends in a strange land.

“Janey what the matter, come on dear you’ll freeze out here.”

Without waiting for an answer I picked up her bag and took her by the arm and lead her to the hotel. I had a room, as the rest of the passengers fought for one, and the price went up with the demand; my $20 room was now going for $159 dollars.


The last of the passengers left the desk as we stood there and the clerk put up the “No Vacancy” Sign. There was the beginning of a tear in her eye.

“Janey what’s the matter”


My voice soft and full of concern.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janey

A voice spoke softly in the emptiness. Janey jumped and turned. Dan was looking at her with concern.

“Janey what the matter, come on dear you’ll freeze out here.”

In her emotional state she did not register that he now, apparently knew her name.

She followed him numbly as he took her back and led her to the hotel. She watched in horror as the prices for the rooms which were now so in demand soared. At least she might not be the only one with out a bed for the night.

$159 dollars! How much was that in her money. Hell she couldn't even afford the twenty!

She looked up again, as if waking from a trance. No vacancies. The lobby now deserted. Now what was she to do? Exhausted she fought for control.

“Janey what’s the matter”
His kind voice asked her. She bent her head and he touched her arm gently.
She moved away from him, turning to hide her tears, but he would not be shaken off.

Haltingly she told him what had happened.
"Some..someone..stole most of my money... from... from that wallet.. and... I... " She paused there was so much she could tell him, so many worries, so many of her plans now impossible, but she could hardly speak.
She finished simply... " ... I .. don't know what to do..."




My voice soft and full of concern.

 

[DreamGrrl]

Braiden

Braiden hadn't relished the idea of travelling up the east coast this way.

The onset of the raging snowstorm only reinforced her decision and she sighed, rolling her eyes and grumbling good-naturedly about damned bus companies.

If she had flown, at least THEY would put her up in the Marriot, at no charge.

Following the other unloading passengars, Braiden got out in front of the rather rancid looking motel and moved over to snatch up her one small suitcase, a backpack already slung on one shoulder.

She noticed the girl from earlier standing nearby and offered the girl a warm smile, pausing to draw out a cigarette and light it up as she stood there watching her, undecided for a moment as she took a deep drawl on the stick, her lungs stinging from the dry, cold air.

Shrugging, she took her suitcase handle in hand and turned back towards the hotel office.

She had gotten one of the seedy, musty rooms and was back outside, puffing on another cigarette and debating lacing up for a job when she noticed the poor girl still standing next to the bus, looking very, very lost. The vehicle itself was silent, cold, empty.

Approaching from behind, she was able to hear a darkly clad man speaking with her and so Braiden spun away and crunched off through the swirling snow.

Later, Braiden found herself lounging outside the hotel office, simply meandering around, aimlessly, smoking again and simply feeling antsy and restless.

 

[cgraven]

“Janey I have a room, A couple of ham sandwiches, granted they are nearly a day old, some scotch, and you are welcome to share all three or find your own digs for the night. No pressure no strings….. It is up to you.”

My voice was soft, concerned and reassuring as I dried her tears with a clean handkerchief.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janey

She listened to his words and let him dry her tears. Unused to kindness, especially from father or uncle-figures, she smiled shyly as he made his kind offer.

Looking for digs..where... she was exhausted and the offer of food and drink, although she didn't actually drink as such was so inviting.

"No pressure no strings….. It is up to you.”


She knew she'd be inconveniencing him, but he seemed genuinely concerned.


She spoke softly looking up at him gratefully.
"That's very kind of you Dan. I'd be very grateful if you could let me share your room tonight."

She smiled trustingly up at him.

She was exhausted. She needed to rest so badly!
How fortunate she was that he had, as he had predicted, taken her under his wing.

 

[cgraven]

‘Come on then sandwiches scotch, and a warm room Janey, we will find some way to work out your problems.”

I picked up her case and lead her to the room. It was clean and had its own bath that was the best you could say for it just large enough for the double med and a small writing table. We spared our little meal and I had poured Janey 3 fingers of scotch neat.

“So tell me what brought you to the States Janey?”

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Janey

Warmed and feeling securer than she had in a while, Janey sat with an untouched glass of scotch in her hand.

"So tell me what brought you to the States Janey?”

She looked up at him, taking a first sip of her scotch and gasping at its strength. She looked down at the amber liquid unsure what to tell him. How much to tell him.

"I'm on holiday," she spoke lightly not meeting his eyes.

She looked away, he was silent, but his eyes were watching her.

She looked up and blushed..

"..that is... it was supposed to be a holiday, but... plans were changed and I decided to come anyway."

She smiled up at him. She had told him the truth, not all the circumstances. She wondered if he would ask her more, or if he would be wary of scaring her again.

She took another sip of the scotch, her eyes watering with its strength.

 

[cgraven]

“Holiday well for us on this side of the Atlantic it’s go to England to see where our ancestors came from. Make sense that you would come here to see where they went.”

I watched as Janey grimaced as she sipped her scotch.

“Give me that young lady it appears a bit strong for you let me put a touch of water in it you might find that a bit more pleasant.”


There was a friendly smile on my face, and a twinkle in my eye as I took the glass from Janey and went to the bathroom to add water and a little something special to her drink.

A little something that would aid me in getting her ripping drunk in no time and naked as the day she was born.

“Try that Janey I think it will warm you up and be more to your taste.”

It was a friendly smile as the glass touched her lips.