-- for prefers_magneto Highway to hell.

[katerrifically]

The Sunset Motel was a little used motel on a stretch of the road that saw the most traffic during the winter ski months. It was not winter. However, there were a few cars in the lot due to some tourists trying to enjoy the changing fall foliage.

Erik and Kate had made it off of the island. They had traversed the span of the mountainous forest and and made it to the foothills thanks to Erik's unique ability to control metal. It was not the most comfortable way to travel but beggars could not be choosers. Kate had no cause to complain. There was simply no choice in the matter for her. She did as he instructed.

The motel hadn't been the first sign of civilization the two had seen. They did not want to appear too close to the crash site. It might be searched. The two had moved on until they had found the Sunset Motel. The paint was peeling from some sections of the exterior. The parking lot needed to be paved. The decor was horribly dated. Still, it was clean (mostly).

Kate had not asked Erik how he had obtained the room. She thought she might not want to know and also thought that it might not matter.

When they had entered the room, Kate had moved to the bed farthest away from the window. She sat down on the tangerine bedspread. Her posture slumped. She was tired. Kate reached up and brushed her hair back. It was tangled and Kate withdrew her hand sharply to rest both hands on her lap.

"What now?"

Comments

[katerrifically]

"What kind of mistake?"

[prefers_magneto]

"Identifying ourselves in public, telling someone where we are on an unsecured line... Stupid shit." Erik slung the bag over his shoulder. "Ready to go?"

[katerrifically]

"Do you have a pair of aliases in mind?" She nodded her head, "I'm ready."

[prefers_magneto]

"You can choose your own," Erik told her, shouldering the duffel bag and heading for the door. He looked around once he'd opened it before stepping out.

[katerrifically]

Kate followed behind him. Once outside, she stepped to the side in the assumption he would close the door when she was out. "I've never had to pick a new name before. What would you suggest?"

She shouldered her bag and looked down the corridor. For the moment, they were alone outside. It was an odd time of day, close to sunset. "I would appreciate the help."

[prefers_magneto]

"Something that is mundane. Not remarkable." He looked over at her. "Is there a name you like? It might help you remember it."

[katerrifically]

"Anne," Kate replied. It was a simple name. It was also a very common name. "What about you, what do I call you? I think going 'Hey you' would get us noticed." Or at least they would stand out. The game plan seemed to be to avoid getting themselves noticed, Kate thought.

She took another look up and down the corridor. They were still alone. She assumed they were hoofing it but to where, she didn't know. "Where are we going? Do you have an idea yet?"

[prefers_magneto]

"Markus." He'd used it before. But it wasn't the name on his plane ticket. Though, in fairness, neither was Erik Lehnsherr.

"They'll expect us to be heading out of the country. They're probably watching the border into Mexico. We're going north. Deeper."

[katerrifically]

"North?" Kate blinked. "I don't know that I'm prepared for that." There was no choice, to be sure. Again, she pushed it down. She inhaled a deep breath, held it for all of two seconds, and then exhaled. Kate reached up and tucked her hair behind her ears. She then adjusted her knit hat.

"Do you know where we're going, Markus, or will this be a surprise for everyone involved?"

[prefers_magneto]

"Chicago for now. I have a place there with some supplies." He glanced at her. "Then we'll see."

[katerrifically]

They were some distance from the Windy City and that left Kate with more questions. "How are we going to get there? I am not getting on another plane." Chicago wasn't that far from New York.

[prefers_magneto]

"We're going to drive," Erik told her.

It wouldn't be that complicated to get a car. He didn't need keys to start one.

"We need manoeuvrability."

[katerrifically]

Kate shifted her bag. She took a look at the scant number of cars in the lot. A car could be dealt with. "Do any of these strike your fancy or are we hoofing it until one does?"

[prefers_magneto]

He shook his head. "I want one that won't be missed so soon. We need time to change the plates."

He headed down the sidewalk.

[katerrifically]

Kate quickened her steps until she caught up to him. "You seem to have given this a lot of thought. Are there dos and don'ts of crossing the country undetected that I should know?"

The sidewalk stretched on and on. Every so often, a car would pass by them. There was not a regular pattern to them. So far, they were in the clear.

[prefers_magneto]

"Why, do you plan on being at it that long? Decades, perhaps? Joining the Brotherhood, are you?" Erik shot back.

[katerrifically]

"No." Kate replied but sounded unsure. "That's not why I asked," she stammered a bit. "I don't want to do anything that might give us away."

[prefers_magneto]

"You'll be fine. Just do what I tell you."

A car rental lot. Erik glanced at it as they passed.

"We'll come back here when they close."

[katerrifically]

Kate touched her hand to her face. Without a solid plan of action, she did not work that well. "Okay. What do we do until then? Wouldn't it be suspicious to hand around the lot?"

Calm down, Kate. Just do as he says. Kate closed her eyes for a moment. She inhaled and then exhaled a deep breath. Just do as he tells you, that's a start.

[prefers_magneto]

"We're going to a cafe near here." He starts walking. "Have a coffee. Something to eat. Like normal people."

[katerrifically]

"Coffee will be nice," Kate replied. They weren't normal, however. "Do you have a story in mind for us?"

[prefers_magneto]

He looked at her. "What do we need a story for?"

[katerrifically]

"I think I've stated before that I've never done this. You can say to do as you tell me all you like but I'm not good at improv." She likely sounded as frustrated as she felt. "I need a plan."

[prefers_magneto]

"We're two normal humans having coffee in a coffee shop," he said as they made their way down the street. "So try not to do anything magnificent or exceptional, and I'm sure they won't catch on."

[katerrifically]

"I'll try." She reached up and adjusted her hat before swinging her back to her other hand. "Have you always been this charming?"

She could see the cafe. Kate was immediately betrayed by her stomach. It rumbled. She was embarrassed by the sound. It was just another thing for her to be annoyed at.