In Search Of The Neon City

29 - Hannes

Home. It felt so surreal to come back here. Everything was as usual, the gate, the windmill, the tower I had sat in for so many nights ... the caravan!

My heart ached when I thought of Lo and where he might be. The tracks ended at Harrows' camp. It was as if he had turned to smoke.

"They were no cannibals, Hannes" Jo comforted, "the people inside those cages were to be sent to the mines."

But was it really a consolation? Was life underground in cramped corridors without sunlight better than being eaten? Was it better to cough yourself to death after inhaling toxins for several years?

I kicked the sand and shook my head. How the hell would I be able to live on with my life, with my little brother's suffering on my conscience? That bastard Twelve would regret tricking him, I swore.

I stayed back in the yard while Carl and Jonna went to look for the others. It had not been very long since we left but I knew they were worried about the girls. Life out here was hardly without problems.

With a sigh I sank down with my back against a sheet metal used as a wall and pounded the back of my head hard against it, spreading the sound of thunder in our camp. Over and over, until I couldn't take it anymore and tears started running down my cheeks.

How many times had I not told him to pay more attention to the world around us? Yelling at him to get out of his coded fantasy world and see the life he had in front of him.

Had I yelled too much? Was it my nagging that made him leave in the end?

A beeping sound interrupted my gloomy thoughts and I glanced down at my Link on my arm.

Incoming message.

I hesitated before dragging my finger across the orange screen and reading the words over and over again, until they flickered before my eyes and everything became blurred.

My heart was pounding so hard in my chest that I could hardly breathe when I got up and ran towards the caravan and the tent.

"Carl! .. CARL! Fucking hell! ... DAD!"

With his eyes wide open and his breath stuck in his throat, he stormed out of the opening with a raging pulse "Hannes? What the hell is going on ?!"

"R-read ..t-this.." I stammered and showed the text with trembling hands and more tears lurking behind my eyes.

I studied his concentrated face as he read the message and clicked on my Link with quick fingers. "Was it sent on your private channel?" he asked and I nodded.

"The one he made for him and me, no one else knows it exists."

Carl nodded and filled his lungs with a deep breath before pulling me into his arms and hugging me hard. "It's him, I know it in my heart," he whispered hoarsely, "and he's done the impossible, he's made his way into Vegas."

That's when I couldn't keep myself together anymore. All emotions welled up inside me and I cried. I cried for all the times I should have but held back. I cried because I felt so fucking happy but still so worried at the same time. And I cried because I finally dared to show Carl that he was the father I always wanted him to be and that I loved him.

A hand stroked my hair soothingly and I felt his chest moving from his subdued laughter "did you read that" he said with a smile on his lips "the kid found a way in Hannes, we've got a way in! We are going to Vegas! "

-A/N- 

So this chapter is a bit short, but I want their pow separated, so that's why ;) Enjoy!