Vanessa's POV.

I needed food. Toiletries. Something to keep me going.

The hunger gnawed at my stomach, a sharp, unrelenting ache that had been growing for hours. My body felt weak, my limbs heavy, but my mind was sharp…too sharp. Every noise made my skin crawl. Every shadow felt like a threat. I couldn't stay locked up in this room forever.

I pulled the hoodie over my head, adjusting it low enough to hide most of my face. Dark shades, a black cap, and a scarf wrapped loosely around my neck…it wasn’t a perfect disguise, but it would have to do. I stared at myself in the dusty motel mirror,...