Perched upon a stool like some origami bird, the waiflike creature chewed at the inside of her cheek, hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee.  The journey had only just begun, and already her skin felt grimy, starved for the steam of a shower.  From her lips came a throaty humming, some faraway blues tune pouring from her lungs like fresh honey.  Large pupils were focused on the countertop, which was covered with a Rand McNally of the continental United States.<br/><br/>The jangle of bells sent her eyebrows into a furrow, the merry cacophony interrupting her inner monologue.  Straightening her posture, Bella drew her legs up and sat Indian style upon her stool, fingers digging into a purse made of quilt patches.  Eventually, those digits returned victorious and the cigarette was placed between her lips, tongued gently, and lit with no rush.  With similar slowness, the girl made eye contact with the stranger and allowed her mouth to curl into a sweet smile.<br/><br/>"No, sir.  I'm from a little further south, and I'm tryin' to get real far from there."  Turning her head, Bella exhaled that first drag and watched the cloud float up like an upside-down waterfall, climbing toward ceiling tiles.