Chapter Text
Prologue
Jared
The greyhound bus ride through the Midwest was long and thoughtful for Jared. By the time he made it to his last stop in Wisconsin Dells, he had plenty of time to reflect on the last few years of his life. Things really went downhill in the last year or so. Hell, if he’s being honest it started to get bad well before that, he was just deep rooted in denial back then.
Jared steps off the bus and stretches his sore, achy muscles from riding a bus the last 36 hours from Texas. Jared pulls out his old cell phone. He turned it off many states ago and threw the SIM card away. He dumps the black metal right in the nearest trash bin and asks the nearest bus worker directions to the closest Wal-mart. The walk in the late spring sun feels good on his skin. He makes his way across highways and past restaurants and businesses. Upon making it to his destination he buys the cheapest tracfone with advertised coverage for his final destination. While there, Jared buys a subway sandwich at the attached restaurant and a few non perishable snacks for his journey. After finishing his meal, he packs everything in his backpack and makes his way to the highway to start hitchhiking north.
Jared finds a few helpful people willing to bring him closer to his destination. By nightfall he has made it to the Green Bay Area, but unfortunately not too many people are traveling onto the peninsula overnight. He decides to take the night to rest and continue the last few hours of his journey in the morning. He is ahead of schedule already, due to be at his new job in 2 days. He books a night at a Super 8 and settles into the cheap motel blankets for a dreamless sleep.
The next morning Jared takes full advantage of the continental breakfast offered with his stay, checks out and makes his way back towards the highway in hopes of snagging a ride into Door county. His new job is nearly all the way up the peninsula just north of Sister Bay. A friend of Jared’s uncle was able to secure him some summer work far from his home town in Texas. Someone Damien never met before, was never able to get his grubby manipulative hands on. Jared huffs in frustration at the memory of his ex fiancé. I can’t believe I ever thought I loved him.
A few rides with nice Midwestern families and Jared is dropped off just a few short miles from his new residence. Alan told him he would have a place to live along with a vehicle to use for work. Jared begins the last few miles walk with a new spring in his step. Every step away from Texas feels lighter and lighter. Jared chose to take a bus to Wisconsin and hitch the rest of the way. No credit cards, cash only. Ditched his old phone. No rides from anyone he knew. He wanted absolutely zero ties to his old life. His family doesn’t even know where he ran off to. Jared checks his new phone, it’s Friday. Damiens arraignment is today. Jared’s lawyer strongly urged him to testify, but he just couldn’t do it. Jared sends a quick text message to his lawyer before he forgets, letting the lawyer know he arrived at his destination and has a new phone, but coverage may be spotty at times. He also sends a message to Megan, his sister, to let her know he arrived safely. Her response comes quickly in the form of an upside down smile emoji. Jared huffs out a laugh.
J: What does that even mean?
M: stay safe bro. Love you
J: you too.
Jared shoves the phone in his pocket and begins to make the rest of the journey on foot to Woodlands Cottages.