Chapter Text
How did it end up like this?
Exhausted Daenerys Targaryen tried recalling the turn of events that led her to this moment. Alone in a empty bus station cold, hungry and most of all scared. All she could remember was the sound of glass breaking and a body thudding to the ground.
I did what I had to do, Viserys had it coming Daenerys thought rubbing circles over her temples as if trying to rub the memory out of her mind.
She sat at on a old bench her foot tapping anxiously ignoring the soreness in her heels from running seven miles He's gonna kill me he's gonna kill me he's gonna kill me The thought kept repeating over in Daenerys head. The bus station offered her no comfort as she looked around, the windows were wide and she could easily be seen by any bystander. Her hair alone called attention to herself. Putting up her hood she glanced around some more but luckily for her there was still no one there. She just hoped Viserys hadn’t woken up yet.
You stupid girl! Do you want to wake the Dragon!?
Startled Daenerys quickly looked around in fear her brothers voice sounding as clear as day in her head. Standing up Daenerys walked to the glass doors and looked outside but she only saw the night sky and neighboring trees.
Releasing a breath she went up to the front desk where a man in his late forties was reading a newspaper.
“Ex-excuse me sir what time did you say the bus arriving?” Her voice echoed in the empty bus station making her flinch. The man in front of her just kept reading his paper- ignoring her.
"Sir the time?" She asked again slightly annoyed but he kept reading.
“Sir” She called out again more assertive.
Reluctantly looking up from his newspaper he finally answered “The bus should be here at ten-thirty so another fifteen minutes” looking away from Daenerys the man went back to his reading.
“Thank you” Turning away she headed back to her seat where her things were waiting for her.
Plopping herself down Daenerys waited pulling her backpack on her lap and hugging it to herself providing her little warmth in the cold station. She didn’t even notice her foot begin tapping again causing her sneaker to squeak against the tile. Bored Daenerys pulled out her phone, it wasn’t a expensive phone or even an updated one just a simple flip phone that Daenerys gotten from her brother. Flipping it open Daenerys stared at the home screen, a picture of the sunset she had took one day when she was in particularly good mood and wanted to capture the moment. She browsed through her contact list even though there was only two numbers listed. The first being her brothers and the other one being the library where she had worked near her house. Exiting out she then clicked on her photo gallery. The pictures were mostly nature shots and random things that peaked her interest. Daenerys loved taking photos it was one of the few things that brought a sense of control in her life. The only thing that she never took a picture of was her brother in fear of annoying him and causing him to lash out on her.
Sliding her finger over the screen Daenerys contemplated on whether to keep the old phone with her. One of the few things she knew about phones from television was that they could be traced. Not wanting to risk it Daenerys walked back outside to where the street was. Luckily there seemed to be no cars coming so Daenerys did the only logical thing she could think of.
She threw the phone to the ground.
Hitting the gravel with a loud clacking sound Daenerys stomped on the phone for good measure to make sure it was completely destroyed. Once she was satisfied enough Daenerys could feel her shoulders relax as she looked at the shattered phone. Smiling to herself Daenerys made her way back inside.
The man behind her just gave her a bewildered look as she sat back down on the bench. Giving him a mock salute Daenerys closed her eyes only to be greeted by her memories of earlier that night.
SMACK!
The sound of glass shattering and Viserys body hitting the picture frame against the wall. His body sliding down to the floor knocked out cold. Daenerys stood still for a moment not believing what had just happened. Her brother's body slumped against the wall, blood leaking from the gash on his forehead. Being as quiet as possible Daenerys leaned down and checked his pulse.
He was still breathing.
Sighing in relief she stood back up and looked around. The whole living room was in disarray there was glass all over the floor, books and other things thrown everywhere the whole scene making the house eerie looking. As she observed the mess Daenerys suddenly got an idea, a dangerous idea, an idea that would get her killed. Getting up she paced around contemplating what she should do if she left. She knew it would put a target on her back. Her brother wouldn't give her up that easily. Looking back at her brother Daenerys saw that he was still unconscious his breathing steady.
This was her chance.
Finally making a decision she leaned back down and fiddled in her brothers pockets and pulled out his car keys and wallet. She took out all the cash and stuffed it in her back pocket along with his keys. Tossing the wallet she walked to the kitchen and grabbed the duct tape from one of the drawers and began to work.
Once she was satisfied enough Daenerys stood up and inspected her handy work on her brother. She had taped her brothers hands together along with his feet to make sure he didn’t go anywhere. She even put tape over his mouth to just to be thorough. Looking down at Viserys one more time Daenerys turned away from him and dashed to her bedroom to get her things. Hurriedly rummaging through her stuff she grabbed all of her essentials and stuffed them in bags. She walked to her dresser and pulled out the small wad of bills she saved over the years. That plus the money she took from Viserys wallet it should last her a month or so if she was careful. Checking that she had everything she needed Daenerys zipped up her bags and went to her door. Looking around her small bedroom for the last time she took a deep breath and shut the door.
Daenerys made her way to the front door quietly trying not to wake her brother thankfully he was still passed out on the floor. Daenerys turned to open the door ready to leaving the family she the only home she ever lived in ready to leave behind her childhood. With her hand on the doorknob she couldn’t help but hesitate for a moment.
Maybe.... She thought for a moment then shook her head. NO keep going if you look back you're dead. Stepping out of the only home she had ever known Daenerys began to run not looking back.
I'll teach you not to defy me!
Viserys words rang through Daenerys ears as she snapped out her memory. Shaking it away Daenerys spotted the bus rolling in to a stop. Gathering her bags she stood up and made her way to the bus. The doors immediately opened letting her inside the bus. She showed her ticket to the driver who nodded as Daenerys made her way down the aisle.
To her surprise there was already a couple of people sitting down in seats they all looked either tired or bored none of them making eye contact with her. Trying to maneuver her way down the row of seats she hurriedly planted herself in the back of the bus next to the window. Placing her bags in the empty seat next to her Daenerys left out a breath.
This is it, I'm finally free of Viserys Daenerys thought as she laid back against the seat relaxing for the first time since she left. The bus soon started to take off quickly passing street light after street light.
I can't believe I did it .
Daenerys begun to ponder about what Viserys was going to do once he woke up. Her stomach started to twist at the thought of her brother's rage. Even though he was horrible to live with he was the only family she had left. What little information she learned about her family came from Viserys. He never liked talking about their other family members all she knew was that they were dead. Daenerys’ father died of a drug overdose and her mother died giving birth to her and her eldest brother Rhaegar died in a car crash. She could feel tears start to well up in her eyes and she quickly wiped them away. Not wanting anyone to use.
I can't dwell in the past I have to keep going forward.
Once again Daenerys relaxed herself against the seat. She looked outside the window the night sky was completely dark that night she was able to see the stars.
At least now I'll be able to look at the sky anytime I want Comforted by the thought of stars and sunlight Daenerys closed her eyes finally and let herself drift off to sleep.
She woke up hours later, her neck stiff from leaning her head against the window. Blinking back her dry eyes Daenerys wondered what time it was as she looked around the bus. The was was still filled with a couple of other people some she recognized from last night and others that must of gotten on later.
How long was I asleep?
Leaning forward Daenerys tapped on the shoulder of the older woman who was sitting in front of her.
“Excuse ma’am can you tell me the time?”
Turing around the woman answered her “Sure thing dear it’s ten past five” Daenerys nodded and asked “Where are we exactly?
“We’re arriving at Winterfell”
“Winterfell? I thought this bus was heading to King’s Landing?” Daenerys looked at her ticket in confusion as the lady replied back kindly.
“Winterfell is just one of the stops that the bus takes for other passengers who are either getting off or getting on”
Nodding in understanding Daenerys spoke again “How many stops does the bus usually take?”
“About twenty stops or so were on our third stop till we reach King’s Landing but it depends on where you want to get off” The woman gave her small smile before turning back and faced the front.
Eyes widening Daenerys sat back against her seat I slept through two other stops thinking over what she should do next Daenerys looked out her window. Winterfell was beautiful even with its grey skies and cloudy weather it had a certain charm to it. There were miles and miles of green forest and rugged landscape that Daenerys would have loved to take a picture of. Neither Daenerys or Viserys had ever been up north before, Viserys hated the cold with a passion and would complain about the weather if it was below seventy degrees. Smiling Daenerys thought about Winterfell and how would be the last place her brother would ever think to find her
“First stop Winterfell!” The bus driver's loud voice boomed making up Daenerys snap her attention to the driver as people started to get off.
Getting an idea Daenerys gathered her things and she scurried to the front.
“Winterfell was it?” She asked the driver.
“Yes, and I’m only giving you half an hour to stretch your legs and do what you need to do after that it's up to you if you want to get back on” He said bluntly.
“Well this is my stop” She told the driver who just nodded at her “Fine by me thank you for riding Falcon shuttle buses and have a good day” He said practically rushing her out the door. Stepping down Daenerys looked around the busy station. It was a far cry from her bus station back home. Bigger, nicer and way more crowded than her’s Daenerys suddenly felt out of place as she watched the people around her. There were families saying goodbye and couples parting it made Daenerys feel more alone than ever. Shivering from the cool weather she zipped up her hoodie. Stepping inside the small building she once again went to the front desk where a pretty woman with dark red hair greeted her.
"Hello ma'am I was wondering if you had any maps of the city?” Daenerys voice sounded a little horse as she spoke to the woman when was the last time I had some water? She thought.
“Oh yes we do my dear” fiddling around for a second the woman pulled out a small map "Here you go" Handing her the map giving her a bright smile.
“Thank you ma'am” taking the map from her Daenerys stuffed it into her back pocket.
“Is that all you needed miss?” The woman asked kindly.
Daenerys nodded “Yes I was wondering if you can tell me where the nearest motel is?”
Smiling again the woman answered “Sure thing sweetie! As soon as you exit you'll make a left and go all the way down until you see northumberland street where you'll then take a right all the way down till you'll see Direwolf inn on your left”. Daenerys nodded as she listened to the woman give her directions "Do you want me to call you a cab?" The lady asked.
Shaking her head Daenerys replied "No I"ll be fine but thank you" The lady just nodded. Shifting her bags Daenerys turned and started to make her way towards the door.
“Oh and miss! There's a small cafe next door just in case you get hungry”
Waving a thank you to her Daenerys opened the front door. As she walked out the last thing she heard was the woman shouting “Have a wonderful stay in Winterfell!”.
That's what I'm hoping for.