Running for Life

Chapter 6

Brian stopped staring after a while and suggested we sneak over to the crash to make it look like we survived it. We scraped ourselves on some rocks and bruised a few places on our arms to make it look believable. We crawled in through the windshield and out our separate sides. We made a show of running at each other and going into each other's embrace. I look back and see a dark purple sedan pulling out of the lane right next to where we were before. I have seen that car before, but where?
Brian turned and and put his hands on my shoulder and said, "That... that... I don't have words. How did you?"
"I already told you, I don't know. It just happened..."
"Well until we figure out what in the hell just happened, we can NOT tell anyone. You understand me? Look at me, tell me you won't..." He was interrupted by a car pulling over to us rolling the window down. "Oh my god, I hope your okay? Are you okay? Can you see how many fingers I'm holding up?"
The man pulled in closer and stuck his hand out the window. "Hey that was amazing, the fact that you survived with some cuts and bruises," at least our cover is believable, "That is the grace of God. Is there anything I can do? I know a towing business that can help you with your car?" I looked at Brian and nodded.
"I think we will be okay, but thank you so much. I really appreciate it." Brian said with confirmation. He said a few more things about doctors he knew and friends that could help with this, and friends that could help with that. I stopped paying attention for a while and just let random thoughts fill my mind. After a little whole of talking, Brian turned and looked at me with a look like he was thinking about something very troubling, and then he turned and started talking to the man. They finished talking and the man motioned for me to get in the car and I saw Brian getting in the back door. I figured we could trust this man because he offered to help us so many ways. I hopped in the back with Brian and that's when I notice his wife. She was beautiful. She had long blonde hair that fell into golden curls at the end. She turned around and her eyes were a dark blue like the sea. She had thin lips that looked so fragile, the slightest kiss could shatter them.
"Why hello there. I'm Amellia and this is my wonderful husband and friend, Mark." I nodded and said hello and she went on, "We were driving by on our way to go out to eat, and we saw some maniac drive right in front of you like he was trying to cut you off or something. Then the car flipped and you guys crawled out and the car zoomed off." I looked at her making sure she didn't hesitate when she said any of that. She didn't, so we are okay.
"Well thank you for your concern," Brian was saying, "we really appreciate the help. I was just taking my son here out of school, he called me with a fever. So I was just going to take Ty home. If you could take us there, that would be greatly appreciated."
"Of course. Ty, I hope you feel better soon. Let us know if there is anything you need."
"Well," I interrupted, "Some food does sound pretty good. Where were you guys going before all of this?"
"Tyler!" Brian says as he gives me the death stare.
"No it's fine!" Amellia starts to say. "We were just on our way to Chile Grille. I think the least we can do is give you some food."
"Oh my god! I love that place! The way they mix Hispanic food with-"
"Grilled American food," she interrupted
"Is spectacular!" We finished together. Wow, such a small world. I, after a very serious car accident, find someone that absolutely loves my favorite restaurant! It must be destiny. At that moment, Mark gets off the phone with the tow guy and tells us that he will be there in a few minutes to take the car back to his shop to work on it. Brian says thanks again and starts talking cars with Mark. When we reach the restaurant we pile out of the car and into the heavenly building. We sit and get menus.
"I really like the grilled soft taco the best." Says Brian.
"I think their best here is the BBQ chicken taco." I say.
"Me too!" Says Amellia. She really likes a lot of the same things as me! This is crazy! It is such a small world. We finish lunch and they take us home. When we get to our house, Brain says goodbye really quick and gets out. I hung around for a little while checking my phone one last time just before getting out.
Just as I open the door, Amellia turns and looks at me and says, "It was really great meeting you. Your such a sweet kid. You remind me a lot of me when I was your age."
"Thanks? I guess you were reckless when you were my age."
Mark turned and looked at me this time, "Listen kid, every adult was your age once, and no matter what they say, they were reckless too. I don't know who it is that makes you feel like you are the only one that way, but they are an idiot. Everyone wishes they could go back to that age, I promise you that." I nod and get out of the car. As they pull away, I turn and wave goodbye. I pull out my phone and realize it's still only 2:30 and everyone is still in school, so I can't talk to my friends right now. I go in the house and wander around bored. I finally decide to go up and lay down for a while. I lay on my bed and before I know it, I'm asleep.

I wake up and the sun is setting. Nothing strange about that dream. Well, unless zombies are going to invade the world. I don't understand why I only get those visions every now and then, but I know that was not one. I get up and check my phone and see that it's 5:35 and for some reason, I don't have any messages. I pull up the messages between Taylor and me. I send her a text to see what's up. She texts me back faster than I thought she would, "Omg sweetie are U okay? Heard your car got in a wreck! Flipped out! Thought you died. Can't go thru that again..." So I called her.
"Tay?"
"Yeah?"
"A lot has been happening lately and my life is only going to get even more hectic. I want you to know, I'm not safe at school. Brian did some research, he said that one of the teachers is working with the headmaster-"
"All the teachers are working with him. Well more like for him."
"Anyways... They are trying to hunt me down. The ones that burned the house down, some of those people are at that school. We don't know who, well at least I don't, so I won't be at school for a while." There is silence on the other end.
Finally she spoke, "I believe you, babe. I hope things get worked out. I hope you find out why they want to hurt you. I really do. I hope that you can be safe. I hope you feel better from that wreck. I hope... that we can work this out together."
"Of course we can sweetie! So is that why you've been so uneasy lately? You think our relationship is coming close to an end?"
"Well... Kind of..."
"Tay. As far as I'm concerned, we are not losing each other any time soon. I love you."
"God I'm so stupid. Why did I ever think we could end any time soon? I love you so much, Ty. Bye Ty." Then I end the call. I take a quick shower and throw on some pajamas and go downstairs. Brian and Adam are cooking dinner and the TV is on American Idol.
"The only reason I watch this is for the people that sound like old walruses choking on spit." I say as I walk into the kitchen.
"Well that is just a beautiful image, Ty. Love it so much." Adam says with a lot of sarcasm. Brian laughs and leans over and kisses Adam on the cheek. I don't know why, but they make me so happy. I feel like, if they can be proud of themselves and not care about anyone else, I can too. They make me feel like I can embrace my full identity. Like these powers I hold are normal. I ask Adam what's for dinner and he says we are having chili. He says its a great way to defy nature, prove that through all that we have been through, we can still enjoy a delicious meal. They finally finish making dinner and we all sit down and eat. This was the best dinner I have had in a while, because tonight, for once, I get a break from the world.