Eliot sighed deeply as he wandered around Destiny City. It wasn't a place he'd ever been to before, back when he lived with his parents. It seemed like a nice enough city, at least. He hoped. He'd been traveling by hitchhiking through various places, hoping to get far enough away from his family that they could never, ever find him again. Even if he was fairly certain they wouldn't even try, better to err on the side of caution, after all. He couldn't go back with them. He'd fight it every step of the way if he got picked up by cops or something. Going back to them was a death sentence. At least he had a chance to live out here, even if it would suck complete a**.

He ducked into a convenience shop to pick up some snacks, water, and a new pack of cigarettes, trying not to appear visibly relieved when his fake ID passed muster with the kid at the counter. He really couldn't afford getting caught out by the cops and sent home, but he'd ran out a couple days ago and really needed his next fix. It was easier, usually, to get some unscrupulous actual adult to get them. He lit up in a nearby alley, leaning against the wall and taking a deep drag. The slight burn soothed him and he closed his eyes as he exhaled, tilting his head to blow the smoke upwards. He felt a great deal calmer now that he had these.

Eliot finished his cig and stubbed it out on the brick wall behind him, tossing the butt in the trash. He opened his water bottle and took a swig to soothe his throat after the smoke inhalation. Sighing deeply again, he screwed the cap back on and went back to wandering the town. He needed to figure out if there was something he could do. Somewhere to stay, for a little while. His money was dwindling by the day. He frowned hard at his cigarette carton. God, he wished he'd never gotten into this stupid habit. He might be able to actually live (and breathe) a little easier. Using this as a form of revenge on his parents had been so patently stupid in hindsight.

Sighing yet again, he kept on walking, checking out little shops along the way, trying to figure out where exactly he could find himself welcome to stay for a little while without spending any money. Preferably indoors. The summer heat pounded at his back and he felt awful.

Finally, he managed to duck into a library. He wouldn't be able to get a card, but at least he could grab a couple books, sit on one of the couches, and just read for a little while. This would be a nice place to stay during the day. His next problem would be figuring out a place to stay at night and somehow get cleaned up, but he had a few hours to figure that out.

For right now, at least he was safe and cool. If... alone. Which sucked. But he could deal with it. He always had.