Darkness and Light

Things get strange once we cross the border of Kansas and Colorado

Honestly the way to Colorado was rather boring. We basically camped in the car for at least a week and took showers at gas stations that had showers. It was really, really gross and boring and i hated being in my pajamas the whole way. Me and my brother got in trouble alot, got our legs smacked quite a lot, im surprised we didn't develop bruises. A few times we pulled over to get punishment but nothing too serious. We deserved each smack we got, or so i thought.
We also learned to live off of McDonald's and cheap snacks from gas statoins if we got hungry. We kept driving until dark and may i say, sleeping in a van on the benches is pretty difficult especially if your the one sleeping on the floor, sure there was enough room but we had enough room for our clothes and pillows in the middle. I would say i slept pretty good each night but sleep came in small amounts. By the time we saw the brown wooden sign that said "Welcome to Colorful Colorado" i almost bawled with relief we would have a home and we would be able to sleep inn our own beds and things could finally get back to normal. My brother shook me once it passed and he laughed sleepily. "We did it Lilli we finally made it!" He exclaimed his tired deep blue eyes glimmering with excitement and happiness. He pulled me into a tight bear hug that almost suffocated me. I just laughed and nearly cried from exhaustion. "We could finally sleep and tell everyone we made it," Hart said as he pulled away from the hug. I nodded. "Sorry to disappoint you two but... We dont have a home here yet." Mom said, crushing our hopes. "But moving means-" I went to say but mom interrupted. "Not all the time Lilli," she said. "we just came here for my job," "then that means that we're going back to Maryland?" Hart asked, sadly. "No," Scott replied. "We're here to stay," I crossed my arms. "Without a home?" I ask raising an eyebrow. Scott shakes his head. "We'll get one eventually." I narrowed my eyes and open my mouth to say something but decide i better stay quite unless i wanna get my ass whooped.
We pulled into a gas station to fill up and me and my brother step out of the van to stretch, use the bathroom, and  maybe get a snack from what our secret cash stash would allow. As we walked in people gave us a side eye, like they've never seen two kids walk into a store before. We walked to the bathroom and Hart went in the restroom while i counted our cash. We had enough for a large soda and a large bag of chips to share. I sighed and saw a large purple bag. "Takis Fuego..." I muttered. They sounded spicy, and we could use some spice so i grabbed them off the shelf and went to the fountain and got a massive cup of Mountain Dew. The drink was forbidden but we needed the extra boost of energy. When Hart got out i gave him our food and drink, along with the cash. "Why didnt you get our usual two?" he asked. I smiled sadly to him. "Its all we have left," I tell him. He looks at the small wad of cash and nods. "Ill be right back, pay for them please and thank you dear brother," I say as i rush off to the bathroom.
Once i came back Hart was refilling the cup with Mountain dew for me. I chuckled. He could chug really fast, that may be the death of him one day but i didnt mind as long as we each got our serving of overly caffeinated drink we'd be alright. As we walked out our mom looked at us questioningly. "Where and how did you get those?" she asked walking over. "Our allowance," I said as i took a big swig of the citrus flavored fuel. She smiled a little bit. "Could have told me you had money on you, maybe we could've gotten a meal with that," she told us with a glimpse of sadness in her voice. I narrowed my eyes at her. "The money was hardly enough to get us a snack what makes you think we could've gotten breakfast with that!" I tell her as Hart looks down and frowns a little. "Sorry mum..." He muttered. I looked to him, confused. How could he say sorry for not giving her money he and I have earned? Something didnt feel right. "Its okay, Just get in the car.." Mom told us. "We just wont eat breakfast or lunch today." Me and him piled in the back and Hart looked like he was on the brink of tears. "H-hey!" I tell him. "Its okay, its our money anyways we didnt have to give it-" "No... we do she's our mom..." He sighed and put his head in his hands. "We have to help out," I put a hand on his shoulder. "But-" "No buts Lilli!" He shouted at me. "Its our job as her KIDS to HELP her take care of everyone else!" What was he talking about? We weren't supposed to worry about anything! We were too young to help. What made him think this way? Its too weird... Too odd.