[center][i]Dusk, Freeway 86, 10 miles west of Ominar, 1 mile from the larger town of Eichan. Scatterings of buildings, businesses such as gas stations, and restaurants abound, parks are present here and there.

Madison is driving her young, 7 year old niece Avery home after a weekend visiting in Ominar.[/i][/center]
[hider]Sunset was quiet, with only the hum of the car's engine, the sound of air whistling in through the barely open windows, and the faint relaxing music of the radio stirring the pair from their reverie. While Freeway 86 was used often on the weekends, it was less frequented around sunset during weekdays when less people had time to leave the city in lieu of school, work, and responsibilities. Madison and her niece were not held back by such things though and as Madie worked as a freelance novelist she didn't have as much of a schedule as some. Of course, it helped that Avery was home-schooled too.

[color=#921CBF][b]“Are you excited to see mom again?”[/b][/color] Madison asked, glancing at the mirror to see her niece nod quietly before her eyes returned to the road, hands planted firmly on the steering wheel. [color=#921CBF][b]“I know you missed her, but at least we had plenty of fun, right?”[/b][/color]

Avery smiled at the mirror, [i]“Mmhmm. This week was great Lily!”[/i]

Madison smiled at the happiness in the young girl's voice, glancing at her smile in the mirror, before looking back again. After a few minutes of silence, Avery piped up, her voice toned with an innocent question, [i]“Lily...what's that sound?”[/i]

Madison tilted her head slightly, [color=#921CBF][b]“Hmm, you mean the music hon?”[/b][/color] She glanced at the mirror just as Avery shook her head from side to side.

[i]“It's kinda like a hum. I dunno,”[/i] the girl replied, a frown knitting itself on her face as she failed to find the proper words. Madison restrained a chuckle at the cute expression, though she wondered what Avery was talking about.

[color=#921CBF][b]“Well, I'm sure it's nothing,”[/b][/color] she said. Avery's expression softened some, but the frown remained as she tried to figure out the sound.

Madison turned her attention away, glancing down at her phone to check their route, before she turned off into a small outpost-like rest stop. The place was even outfitted with some fast food places and restaurants, as well as a small park—though there wasn't a jungle-gym or the like, just trees and shade from the sun. [color=#921CBF][b]“Do you need to go to the bathroom?”[/b][/color] Madison said, turning in her seat after they'd parked. Avery nodded vigorously and Madison smiled a little, [color=#921CBF][b]“Alright, unbuckle, let's go.”[/b][/color]

After a brief wrestle with her seatbelt, Avery exited the car, where Madison already stood, hand outstretched.

Hand in hand the two walked to the main building of the rest-stop and Madison led her niece to the bathroom before letting go so she could take care of her business. While she waited outside, she lightly ran her fingers through her hair, ideas for her current novel running through her head as she did so. In fact, she became so preoccupied that she didn't notice when a strange man walked past her on his way to the men's room, a shadowy trail shifting behind him almost imperceptibly.

It was only when she heard Avery's voice call out from the bathroom that she was pulled from her reverie [i]“Ima be a lil while auntie!”[/i] The girl called, seemingly unaware of what people might think. 

Madison chuckled to herself and called back, [color=#921CBF][b]“Alright hon, take your time.”[/b][/color] Just about to turn her mind back to its former aim, Madison was prevented from doing so when the same man walked past her a second time, when he had never left the bathroom the first time.

[b]“I'm sorry if I'm bothering you,”[/b] he said as he looked down at the shorter Madison, [b]“...but I couldn't help but notice you over here brightening this place.”[/b] The man's eyes stayed on hers as he spoke, a small smile on his lips. The attention caused her to lightly pull at her hair where it trailed over her shoulder, a slight blush coming over her cheeks.

The man's confidence swelled at her reaction and he continued on, leaning in just a bit. [b]“So what brings you here? Other than travel of course.”[/b]

[color=#921CBF][b]“U-um, you know, just taking a break from the road. My niece was visiting so I'm taking her back now,”[/b][/color] Madison replied, swallowing a bit and brushing some of her hair behind her ear as she met his hazel eyes again. She had to admit he wasn't a bad looking guy, if a little imposing, she considered as she glanced down before meeting his eyes again.

He seemed to notice, [b]“Oh? I bet she's cute, being related to you and all,”[/b] he said, backing off a bit and smiling genially at her.

She laughed a little, [color=#921CBF][b]“Yeah, though she can be a real hand full at times.”[/b][/color]

[b]“Aren't all kids?”[/b] He asked, half joking. Madison's expression shifted, becoming thoughtful, [color=#921CBF][b]“Well, some more than others,”[/b][/color] she said absently. [color=#921CBF][b]“I mean, Avery's mostly just a bit difficult to communicate with sometimes. She's shy.”[/b][/color]

The man nodded and rubbed the back of his neck, [b]“Well, I suppose I oughta leave you alone haha. I'm probably just being a bother and I'm sure you're in a hurry.”[/b]

Madison, not minding the company while she waited, shook her head, [color=#921CBF][b]“No you're fine, I just...eheh, share some traits with my niece,”[/b][/color] she looked away a bit, pushing her hair back despite it already being behind her ear, causing her to fumble slightly and resort to twirling a lock of hair around her finger. [color=#921CBF][b]“Sorry, I'm just a bit awkward with strangers.”[/b][/color]

The man's eyes widened and he opened his mouth, [b]“I...oh I'm sorry. Wow, that's insensitive of me, I haven't even introduced myself. My name's Aean. Just call me Ean, I'm sure it's easier to say.”[/b] He paused for a long moment, as he held his hand out for her to shake. She took it and smiled at him, some of her nervousness dissipating.

[color=#921CBF][b]“I'm Madison,”[/b][/color] she said in a friendly tone as she met his eyes. He was kind of nice, she mused as her eyes strayed briefly from his face before she consciously brought them back. He really was rather attractive....

The two continued talking for a time, but as time went on she realized that Avery was still in the bathroom. Glancing at Ean, she smiled a bit awkwardly and held up her hand, [color=#921CBF][b]“Um, sorry. I'm going to check on my niece, it's been awhile.”[/b][/color] He nodded and she entered the girl's bathroom and called for her niece, but gained no reply.

A frown tugged at her lips and her eyebrows knit with worry. [color=#921CBF][b]“Avery,”[/b][/color] she called out questioningly, trying to figure out which stall the young girl was in. After a few moments she realized that there were no feet under any of the stalls and it was at this point that she began to panic—if only a little. Where was she?[/hider]