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Grant walked out into the bright sunlight, blinking several times to be able to see. Stephanie followed him, climbing into his truck and slamming the door.
"Upset?" Grant asked her. She nodded
"I just got a whole load of stuff dumped on me and on top of that I have to kill someone. I-I don't think I can do it." She said placing her face in her hands. Grant placed his hand on her shoulder hesitantly.
"Everything will be ok," He whispered to her. She looked at him, her blue eyes bright from tears.
"How can you be so sure?" She asked.
"I'm not, but I know that I'm coming with you. So you won't be alone." Grant told her, moving his hand to wipe away a tear. Stephanie watched me,
"You're really coming with me?" She asked him, smiling a little.
"Do you really think I would let you go alone?" Grant asked, grinning.
"No, I didn't," Stephanie said smiling wider now.
"When are we leaving then?"
"Tomorrow, it has to be tomorrow. Grandma said that she's planning to attack by the 21st. It's the 17th, if we're ever going to make it to California on time we have to leave tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll pick you up at 11 then?"
"Ok" Stephanie nodded and I started the car and drove away.

Stephanie tossed and turned all night, she couldn't sleep. She just kept thinking about the jewel in her rucksack and her Grandmothers words,
"Keep this safe, it's your turn to protect it now," She had told her as she handed her the jewel. Stephanie didn't want to be responsible for her life source. She wanted it to remain in her Grandma's care, safe and sound. But life didn't work that way, so she sighed and rolled over again.
She still didn't sleep. At 11 the next morning she snuck out of her house, stumbling around to get her stuff. Grant had parked a little down the road, as we agreed. I climbed in, shivering a little in the cool morning air.  Grant looked like he hadn't slept either, but he didn't say anything but a mumbled "Good morning" as he started his truck and we began to drive.

Grant drove west in a daze. He hadn't slept much last night because his father and mother had been arguing all night. He hated when they argued, but they always did. He sighed and pulled off the highway to get some gas. Stephanie was asleep in the front seat, using her jacket as a pillow. They had passed into Illinois a few hours ago and were almost to Iowa. It was around 3 in the afternoon and it was a nice sunny day. Grant pulled into the gas station and got out he pushed some buttons and began pumping gas. Stephanie climbed out of the car about a minute later,
"Morning Sunshine," Grant said smiling. Stephanie grinned as she yawned.
"Afternoon," She told me, "You look tired. You want me to drive so you can sleep?" She asked
"You're 15, you can't drive." Grant said, putting the gas pump back.
"Can so, Permit," She flashed her permit.
"Ok, but only for a little bit," Grant told her. They headed inside and bought some snacks. Then Stephanie climbed in to the driver's side and turned on the truck. It took her a little to adjust but soon we were on the highway again, rolling along. Stephanie looked at Grant,
"Go to sleep, I've got this." She told me, smiling.  Grant nodded and closed his eyes. The sound of the radio lulled him to sleep instantly.