Pull into the motel

Abby lets out a long sigh as she takes in the scene in front of her. "Why couldn't the snow have waited till tomorrow?" She wonders.

She scans the tiny town and notes that there are three or four trucks at the restaurant and several cars in the motel parking lot. She pulls into the motel parking lot in hopes of a warm room for the night.

In the lobby, a small family is just leaving the reception desk and heading to their room. Three scruffy men stand in the corner; hunters, judging from their clothing. They look up briefly when Abby walks in the room, but then return to their conversation about the weather.

Abby walks up to the counter where she is greeted by, "Sorry, all the rooms are full." Disappointment and worry fill Abby's mind as the news sinks in. "Can I sleep in the lobby? Just sit in a chair?" The receptionist looks up and says, "Sorry miss, that is against our policy. But, you are welcome to park for free in the parking lot."

"Thank you," Abby replies wearily. She turns and walks back to her truck, "Great, now I'm gonna have to sleep in a cold truck." She glances at her watch, 6 o'clock. "Mind as well pass the time in a warm restaurant, " she thinks. She walks rapidly across the street and into the restaurant.

The restaurant is dimly lit, but she can see four men sitting at the bar. Three of the men are sitting together and talking. The fourth man sits on the opposite end of the bar, watching the football game on the TV above the bar. They all look up when Abby walks into the room and heads to a seat between the men. The man sitting alone sends Abby a quick smile as she slides into the chair and she returns the smile.

The three men sitting together keep staring at her though. Abby glances at them out of the corner of her eye. They looked like trouble. She can see tattoos and several piercings on each man. One of the men moves from his chair and walks over to her. He leans on the counter, too close for comfort, his breath making Abby inwardly cringe at the smell of whiskey, and asks, "You want to sit with me and my buddies? We'll buy your drinks, baby."