1400 miles from home, they arrived at Motel Treasure Island. Uika drove them here. Uika led. Uika led because Sakiko didn't know better, or because Uika had a handgun in her jacket pocket.
They used fake names to register at the front desk. Uika took extra cash from Sakiko's purse to pay. The motel owner didn't know that Sakiko was taken hostage. On their way to the motel, nobody noticed that Sakiko was taken hostage, even though she ceased to use honorifics when she spoke.
They entered their room. The room reeked of smoke and mold. They didn't have heavy luggage. Sakiko dropped their bags on the dirty rug. Thump.
Uika pushed her. She fell to the bed like a rag doll. They didn't go to take a shower. Uika pressed her lips against Sakiko's inner thigh and murmured, "Saki-chan. Saki-chan."
"Don't be such a child," Sakiko chided. But Uika didn't stop. Uika didn't stop. Sakiko felt a pang of hunger. They hadn't eaten anything since this morning. She raised an arm to cover her eyes. The neon lights outside the window stung her. The red reminded her of what she used to own.
She was close. She knew Uika was close. Uika dipped a thumb into her asshole. She came; the hunger lingered. She propped herself up to look at Uika—she looked as if she was in love, or she believed that she was in love. Sakiko looked away. Uika's love had nothing to do with her. Uika's love stood alone. Love doesn't have to be mutual.
Uika was washing herself in the bathroom. Sakiko turned on the TV. She turned the volume up, loud enough to muffle the sound of water and Uika's song. The sheets remained clammy, stained with their come.
//
Sakiko closed her eyes as the car started off. It's better to feign sleep than to see the view changing out of the window. The news on the car radio reported two missing girls.
"Saki-chan." Uika touched her shoulder. She pretended to be awoke. Uika had parked the car at a gas station shop. She heard the car door being unlocked.
"I'll let you go," said Uika.
Sakiko placed a hand on the door handle. A child holding a candy bar passed their car. The wrappers were tossed and blown in the wind. A payphone was outside the liquor store, not occupied.
A tear ran down Sakiko's face. She lowered her hand to her knees. Uika locked the car door then drove off. It would be evening soon. They had to find another motel.