<span style="color: #BF00BF">His wink was met by an awkward smile, one that, while reaching her eyes, he wouldn't be able to appreciate the full affect. The smile shifting to a grimace, she eyed the truck warily, glancing up toward the cabin to see if Frank would notice. Skirting around him, she stayed to his left, breathing a little deeper as the sun beat down on her. Loosing a nervous laugh at his remark about the weather, her eyes closed, taking stock of how she felt.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Alright, not too bad yet...A little sweat never hurt anyone...</span> Yet, as she tossed a look up at the cloudless sky, the sun not even at its peak, her heart sank. She'd read enough books to know what could come soon if she stayed outside too long. Many a heroin fainted from heat exhaustion, where she'd have to have clothing removed to cool off...Or at the very least touched to check her pulse.<br/><br/>That was a place she refused to be.<br/><br/>Focusing instead on what he was telling her, she got up onto the step, holding tightly to the handle, stealing a couple glances in his direction. Admittedly, he was easy on the eyes, his sheer size and strength leading her to begin comparisons to the books she treasured. While she wouldn't even begin to start comparing herself to any of the leading ladies, there was no denying Tobias's kindheartedness. A bead of sweat rolled down from the matted hair on her forehead, trailing down the bridge of her nose to bury itself in her scarf.<br/><br/>Turning her head away, she tried to wipe it away nonchalantly, and took in the scenery. Passing through an area by the beach, she caught sight of bits of her boat washing up on shore, and those she assumed to be local officials gathering it up. Though her view was obscured by some trees, Lily saw all she needed to. Turning back once more, she focused on the scenery behind her, watching everything change. What was once drab, run down, graffiti covered, was becoming all the nicer. Flowers pouring out of window boxes and falling from the cherry trees in front yards. Water treatments trickling down upon stone fixtures.<br/><br/>Just like the settings in her stories.<br/><br/>The ride was bumpy, her arms aching from clinging for dear life as they went over bumps, but she didn't mind. She saw the beauty she'd been searching for outside the walls of her old life. A few bumps here and there weren't so bad. She'd even begun to feel like she'd made the right choice...That is, until the truck slowed and came to a halt. Breathing quickening as her heart leaped out of her chest, she looked to Tobias for answers. Sound of the truck door slamming shut, and she was squeezing her eyes shut, prepared to jump and bolt the minute the steps got too close. Sure, she'd probably pass out from heat exhaustion if she did, but that was better than being detained for hitching a ride on the back of a truck.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Please please please please...don't get any closer...</span></span>