Post by silent.lullaby on Jun 30, 2009 22:08:16 GMT -5
Boot Camp For Terribly Twisted Teens [Chapter 26] Everyone Has A Price
We ran for another twenty minutes, and walked the last ten to the edge of the bushes, we could see the road, there were a few people driving along it. Across the road was a gas station, a delivery truck was filling up the tank, “anyone thinking about stealing a ride?” Hawkeye asked.
“Anyone here drive?” Leon muttered. I remembered he was in the Kennedy Boot Camp long before he would have ever been able to get a learners permit.
“We could all just stowaway in the back,” J.C suggested.
“All of us? We’d get caught for sure,” Rick rebutted. “Claire can you drive?”
“No, I always took the bus everywhere.” I responded, “besides we do have a grown man with us now,” I said nudging a thumb at Nick.
“Oh, yeah,” Rick responded, “sorry, keep forgetting, adults. Huh. Strange being around ones that aren’t our teachers.”
“No problem, but I can’t steal a truck, I’m a cop for God’s sake,” Nick responded.
“You aren’t a cop right now,” Anna said lightly, “right now, you’re running away from a secret organization, not to mention we are all genetic freaks and we are going to be screwed when they come through these woods looking for us.”
Everyone was silent for a minute, looking between Anna who had her arms crossed over her chest with a stony glare a look more fitting for Mary, to Nick who was a little wide eyed and stuck in a shocked posture. After a few moments he unfroze, “I... I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I am,” Anna said with a cheeky smile letting her arms fall, “now, go steal that truck!”
Nick, Rick and Leon went, as their powers would give the greatest amount of assistance if needed. Fortunately, Rick tipped them off that the man would come out too late, and Nick pulled up the stolen, hot-wired car and everyone climbed in the back and pulled down the door.
Unfortunately, we had stolen a truck that had to make and ice cream delivery and was freezing cold inside the back. My teeth chattered together, everyone was freezing, none of us had the luck of grabbing a sweater, even though that wouldn’t have been so great for running. The back was dark, I heard a lid pop open, “mmm, Rocky Road!” Hawkeye said and I couldn’t help but grin. We all begun blindly opening the mystery packages and tasting the ice cream. I got Strawberry and was disappointed and traded Mary for Mint Chocolate Chip.
We drove in the back freezing while eating tubs of ice cream for the next half hour when the truck came to a stop. “About time,” J.C muttered, she was sitting right next to me, and I could feel her rubbing her arms.
The back slid open and Rick, Nick and Leon stood there. “Come on ou... holy crap, what the heck guys!” Leon screeched. Looking around we all started laughing, there wasn’t a tub unopened, there was chunks of it that had fallen and was now iced to the floor. “There better be some Mint Chocolate Chip in there!”
I smiled walking with my head low to clear the ceiling and Leon grabbed me around the waist lifting me out as I held the tub of Mint Chocolate Chip between my hands. Once on my feet I stuck it out to him as a treaty to our argument. He was right, I wouldn’t have left, and how many people would I have endangered had I stayed?
He smiled and took the handle to the large white tub. Once everyone was out and carrying an ice cream tub we waited in the parking lot while Nick went into the hotel, one run by an ‘old friend of the family’ he got us all one room and we all piled in, still grateful.
“I’m exhausted,” I muttered. Despite being unconscious for who knows how long, I couldn’t help but yawn loudly and cover my mouth.
“We did run all morning,” Nick said, “Get into bed and rest up.”
I did just that, fell over the bed and was right out.
When I awoke again, it was night, everyone looked showered even if their clothing reflected a rough night. J.C was sleeping beside me, and when I sat up I seen the twins occupying the other bed. Rick and Leon were asleep in the chairs, Hawkeye sitting on the coffee table staring out the window for any approaching danger. Scott was on the floor sleeping, drooling a bit.
Thayne was flicking through the channels on mute, looking astounded with the twenty channels, and I quickly remembered there were only two at the Boot Camp. Hiro and Nick were no where to be seen, I could hear the shower running, so I knew one of them must be inside, but where would the other one be?
The door clicked and opened, I felt safe since Hawkeye didn’t jerk or seem bothered at all by the entrance of someone. It was Nick, in each had a few bags. “Grocery shopping?” I asked quietly as not to disturb those sleeping.
Nick nodded and set the items down on the dresser and started unpacking them. I stared and started helping, there were water canteens, enough for each of us to have one of our own, different colours and designs, easily distinguishable. Cans of corn, beans, and other unperishable items that didn’t really seem very appetizing, but necessary for our way of living. There were also baggies of beef jerky, boxes of nutrition bars, and bottles of vitamin replacements for both men and women. I shook the bottle for women, “you think we’re going to need these?”
“If we end up running for a long time,” Nick said slowly before looking at me, “Claire... you don’t just think they are going to just let us go back to our old lives, do you?” I stared at him, I hadn’t really thought about it. He continued, “if we just waltz back we could put our families in danger, our friends, our colleagues. They kidnapped you children, me from my family doctor! The power these people must have.”
“Or money,” Thayne whispered from his spot on the edge of the bed flicking channels. “They could be bribing these people with money. Everyone has a price.”
“Another good possibility,” Nick said with a sigh, he took the pills from my hand and set them down on the dresser before taking both of my hands, “my point is, this isn’t going to be a walk in the park, it’s going to be dangerous. For everyone involved.”
“We survived Kennedy,” I turned and seen Hiro rubbing his head with a towel trying to get his hair clean, “we can survive anything.”
“I wasn’t there that long,” I said slowly, “I... I’m not fast enough, or strong enough...” I rubbed my temples, “I just want to get home.”
Nick’s hand gripped my shoulder and gave a squeeze, “I know you do kid, and I hope that one day you’ll be able to. Til then... we have to run. I’m sorry.”
“I know, I know, it just sucks so bad,” I responded on the verge of breaking down, “Daniel... I’ve got to help him,” I felt my pocket, “I’ve got to help Angelo, and get this ring to Caitlyn Parker. I’ve got to have a chance to make things right with Tori, who thinks I hate her because of Kennedy Boot Camp and there can’t sent messages out bull shit. I’ve got to make things right again with dad, and help out Cory, he’s going to be a mess one of these days with out Danny and I and...” my words were lost to sobs and Nick hugged me to his body tightly, he was taller than I recalled and my head only rested on his chest.
I clenched my teeth murdering my screams. How had it gotten to be like this? Everyday, a breaking point. Once I’d calmed down a bit I pulled away from Nick and took a deep breath before whispering in a coarse voice, “I’m going to have a shower.”
Under the hot water I sat on the tub floor, the droplets coming down on my back as I hunched forward slightly. I had already washed up but wasn’t ready to come out. Tears were still streaming silently down my face, and for the life of me I couldn’t stop them.
Everything in my life was screwed up. I mean, I like any other teenager always wished I had a better life, something more glamourous, more money, more clothing, a better body, more endurance, smarter. There was always someone better, there was always someone worse. Except when the world has been reduced to a group of us, with one common goal, to survive and live, I could see that I was the worst of it all. All that mattered was who had the best chances of survival, the best powers, the most likely power to keep the group alive, the most in control.
My power was faulty, I can’t control it, and it can apparently cause black outs. I’m not a fast runner, nor very strong, I was the weakest link.
I dipped my head back the water beating down on my face. I would simply have to get better. Or... maybe try my luck on my own? I rubbed my eyes, how long would last? What would I feel if I found out they had all been captured... or worse? What if I didn’t leave and it was all my fault? The what if’s were killer.
We ran for another twenty minutes, and walked the last ten to the edge of the bushes, we could see the road, there were a few people driving along it. Across the road was a gas station, a delivery truck was filling up the tank, “anyone thinking about stealing a ride?” Hawkeye asked.
“Anyone here drive?” Leon muttered. I remembered he was in the Kennedy Boot Camp long before he would have ever been able to get a learners permit.
“We could all just stowaway in the back,” J.C suggested.
“All of us? We’d get caught for sure,” Rick rebutted. “Claire can you drive?”
“No, I always took the bus everywhere.” I responded, “besides we do have a grown man with us now,” I said nudging a thumb at Nick.
“Oh, yeah,” Rick responded, “sorry, keep forgetting, adults. Huh. Strange being around ones that aren’t our teachers.”
“No problem, but I can’t steal a truck, I’m a cop for God’s sake,” Nick responded.
“You aren’t a cop right now,” Anna said lightly, “right now, you’re running away from a secret organization, not to mention we are all genetic freaks and we are going to be screwed when they come through these woods looking for us.”
Everyone was silent for a minute, looking between Anna who had her arms crossed over her chest with a stony glare a look more fitting for Mary, to Nick who was a little wide eyed and stuck in a shocked posture. After a few moments he unfroze, “I... I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I am,” Anna said with a cheeky smile letting her arms fall, “now, go steal that truck!”
Nick, Rick and Leon went, as their powers would give the greatest amount of assistance if needed. Fortunately, Rick tipped them off that the man would come out too late, and Nick pulled up the stolen, hot-wired car and everyone climbed in the back and pulled down the door.
Unfortunately, we had stolen a truck that had to make and ice cream delivery and was freezing cold inside the back. My teeth chattered together, everyone was freezing, none of us had the luck of grabbing a sweater, even though that wouldn’t have been so great for running. The back was dark, I heard a lid pop open, “mmm, Rocky Road!” Hawkeye said and I couldn’t help but grin. We all begun blindly opening the mystery packages and tasting the ice cream. I got Strawberry and was disappointed and traded Mary for Mint Chocolate Chip.
We drove in the back freezing while eating tubs of ice cream for the next half hour when the truck came to a stop. “About time,” J.C muttered, she was sitting right next to me, and I could feel her rubbing her arms.
The back slid open and Rick, Nick and Leon stood there. “Come on ou... holy crap, what the heck guys!” Leon screeched. Looking around we all started laughing, there wasn’t a tub unopened, there was chunks of it that had fallen and was now iced to the floor. “There better be some Mint Chocolate Chip in there!”
I smiled walking with my head low to clear the ceiling and Leon grabbed me around the waist lifting me out as I held the tub of Mint Chocolate Chip between my hands. Once on my feet I stuck it out to him as a treaty to our argument. He was right, I wouldn’t have left, and how many people would I have endangered had I stayed?
He smiled and took the handle to the large white tub. Once everyone was out and carrying an ice cream tub we waited in the parking lot while Nick went into the hotel, one run by an ‘old friend of the family’ he got us all one room and we all piled in, still grateful.
“I’m exhausted,” I muttered. Despite being unconscious for who knows how long, I couldn’t help but yawn loudly and cover my mouth.
“We did run all morning,” Nick said, “Get into bed and rest up.”
I did just that, fell over the bed and was right out.
When I awoke again, it was night, everyone looked showered even if their clothing reflected a rough night. J.C was sleeping beside me, and when I sat up I seen the twins occupying the other bed. Rick and Leon were asleep in the chairs, Hawkeye sitting on the coffee table staring out the window for any approaching danger. Scott was on the floor sleeping, drooling a bit.
Thayne was flicking through the channels on mute, looking astounded with the twenty channels, and I quickly remembered there were only two at the Boot Camp. Hiro and Nick were no where to be seen, I could hear the shower running, so I knew one of them must be inside, but where would the other one be?
The door clicked and opened, I felt safe since Hawkeye didn’t jerk or seem bothered at all by the entrance of someone. It was Nick, in each had a few bags. “Grocery shopping?” I asked quietly as not to disturb those sleeping.
Nick nodded and set the items down on the dresser and started unpacking them. I stared and started helping, there were water canteens, enough for each of us to have one of our own, different colours and designs, easily distinguishable. Cans of corn, beans, and other unperishable items that didn’t really seem very appetizing, but necessary for our way of living. There were also baggies of beef jerky, boxes of nutrition bars, and bottles of vitamin replacements for both men and women. I shook the bottle for women, “you think we’re going to need these?”
“If we end up running for a long time,” Nick said slowly before looking at me, “Claire... you don’t just think they are going to just let us go back to our old lives, do you?” I stared at him, I hadn’t really thought about it. He continued, “if we just waltz back we could put our families in danger, our friends, our colleagues. They kidnapped you children, me from my family doctor! The power these people must have.”
“Or money,” Thayne whispered from his spot on the edge of the bed flicking channels. “They could be bribing these people with money. Everyone has a price.”
“Another good possibility,” Nick said with a sigh, he took the pills from my hand and set them down on the dresser before taking both of my hands, “my point is, this isn’t going to be a walk in the park, it’s going to be dangerous. For everyone involved.”
“We survived Kennedy,” I turned and seen Hiro rubbing his head with a towel trying to get his hair clean, “we can survive anything.”
“I wasn’t there that long,” I said slowly, “I... I’m not fast enough, or strong enough...” I rubbed my temples, “I just want to get home.”
Nick’s hand gripped my shoulder and gave a squeeze, “I know you do kid, and I hope that one day you’ll be able to. Til then... we have to run. I’m sorry.”
“I know, I know, it just sucks so bad,” I responded on the verge of breaking down, “Daniel... I’ve got to help him,” I felt my pocket, “I’ve got to help Angelo, and get this ring to Caitlyn Parker. I’ve got to have a chance to make things right with Tori, who thinks I hate her because of Kennedy Boot Camp and there can’t sent messages out bull shit. I’ve got to make things right again with dad, and help out Cory, he’s going to be a mess one of these days with out Danny and I and...” my words were lost to sobs and Nick hugged me to his body tightly, he was taller than I recalled and my head only rested on his chest.
I clenched my teeth murdering my screams. How had it gotten to be like this? Everyday, a breaking point. Once I’d calmed down a bit I pulled away from Nick and took a deep breath before whispering in a coarse voice, “I’m going to have a shower.”
Under the hot water I sat on the tub floor, the droplets coming down on my back as I hunched forward slightly. I had already washed up but wasn’t ready to come out. Tears were still streaming silently down my face, and for the life of me I couldn’t stop them.
Everything in my life was screwed up. I mean, I like any other teenager always wished I had a better life, something more glamourous, more money, more clothing, a better body, more endurance, smarter. There was always someone better, there was always someone worse. Except when the world has been reduced to a group of us, with one common goal, to survive and live, I could see that I was the worst of it all. All that mattered was who had the best chances of survival, the best powers, the most likely power to keep the group alive, the most in control.
My power was faulty, I can’t control it, and it can apparently cause black outs. I’m not a fast runner, nor very strong, I was the weakest link.
I dipped my head back the water beating down on my face. I would simply have to get better. Or... maybe try my luck on my own? I rubbed my eyes, how long would last? What would I feel if I found out they had all been captured... or worse? What if I didn’t leave and it was all my fault? The what if’s were killer.