Goner

Chapter Eight~ The Journey

     "Now you might not like everything that has to happen but if we want to get through this, you're going to have to trust me on this. Now you will have to undergo some changes so that you aren't recognizable. Boy, I'll have to shave your heads and Adria I'll have to cut your hair differently." Axel stated calmly. They looked around at each other in shock. Nial looked over at Axel, "If that's what we have to do then that's what we'll do, so what else needs to be done?" "Well, you boys will have to learn how to hunt, so that we all can pitch in around here," Axel remarked. Adria looked at Axel with a puzzled face, "Yeah, and what about me?" "Be patient, I was getting to that. I need you to be our lookout while we are away. I'll be teaching you how to make certain sounds of warning for all of us."
"Now in the morning, I will give you all haircuts." Axel sat down. Nial looked at the boys and they replied. "Ok if that's what we have to do, then that's what we'll do. Now I don't know about you but what is the situation on showers because I smell like ass." Nial said as everyone started to laugh. "I can take you guys to the truck stop tomorrow to take showers. Now you guys go downstairs and get some rest." Everyone got up and headed downstairs for the night. Axel locked up the house and got set up to be on guard.
The next morning...
Axel got up first and walked downstairs, "Ok everyone it's time to get up." He stated. They all groaned as they got up. They took turns walking into the bathroom to get changed. They put their shoes on and headed out the door. Axel took them out back to give them their haircuts. The boys loved their hair but knew it was a sacrifice that they had to make to maybe have normal lives again. One by one Axel gave each one of them a haircut that would make them unrecognizable. "Now you might not like it but it will work for now. Let's go ahead and head out." Axel started to walk toward the house to lock it up and started to head towards the car.
     "I forgot how long these woods are," Tyler said as they walked to the car. About 10 minutes later they made it to the car and got in. "Is there any way I could listen to music by chance?" Nial asked. "Yeah I have your mp3 player all charged up, I'll buy you guys some new ones today." Axel started up the car. 45 minutes was a long time but that how close the nearest town was to them. Axel arrives at the store, "Now you guys stay in the car, I might be a minute but you guys just relax." Axel started to get out of the car. "Wait, why did you park in the back?" Tyler asked. "I did that so no one would examine you guys and figure you out. Now I should be back here shortly." Axel closed the car door. "They each took turns looking into the mirror to see what their new haircuts looked like. They didn't much care for them but they knew that is what they had to look like to maybe get back to their normal lives for a while.
     "Ok what all do I need?" Axel thought as he started to walk around the store. He collected a few groceries to store and lots of canned foods because he knew that they wouldn't be able to go to the store for a while so that no one would recognize them. He went to the electronics area to get each one of them a new mp3 player and some headphones. He also grabbed some non-refrigerated drinks for them to drink other than water. He thought he would change it up a bit for a little. He headed to the checkout line and the TVs were playing the stupid new channels again about the kids. I am getting sick and tired of seeing these damn channels, I don't understand what they could've done so badly to get sent there..... He checked out and headed back for the car and he noticed that the kids were asleep. He put the bags in the trunk of the car and got back in to drive home. They can finally get some rest, they have probably been very tired recently..... He drove home.
45 minutes later...
"Hey guys we're home, can you help me carry in the grocery bags?" Axel asked. They all slowly woke up from their sleep and got out of the car to help carry back the groceries. They dragged their feet as they walked back rot the house, they were all still very tired. Axel turned to talk to them. "If you guys want you guys can go back to sleep when we get all of these put away." The kid perked up a little bit more after he stated that. They got back to the house and put away the groceries that Axel bought. Then all of the kids headed back downstairs to get some more rest. Axel put batteries in the new mp3 players and set them on the table. Why do I have a feeling this is going to be a long process... Axel thought as he unpacked the extra bag that he told the kids not to touch. Then appeared 5 books that he had bought for himself and the kids to read. He figured since they were going to be there for a while he could at least let them read a little.
     Axel opened his book and began to read. But then he heard a knock at the door. Who the fuck could that be??? He slowly stood up and grabbed the gun out of the drawer next to him. He swiftly made his way toward the window and was instantly relieved. He put the gun down on the counter and unlocked the door. "Don't fucking scare me like that, come in," Axel said as his friend walked in. "Sorry I didn't mean to." He said as he handed Axel the money out of his pocket. "That should be enough to cover you for a little while." His friend said as he sat down. "Who the fuck is this!" Nial yelled as he stayed standing by the stairs. "Woah chill out, this is the person that is helping us out, the person who is paying for everything for us. It's ok Nial he isn't here to hurt us." Axel said cautiously.
Nial held back the others from coming is the stairs. "Do you decided not to tell us shit about this person and just expected us to be fucking ok with it!" Nial exclaimed. Adria walked up the rest of the stairs and held Nial's face. "It's ok I know him you can trust him." Nial took a deep breath and calmed down. "Ok, so what is he doing here," Dylan asked. "He's just dropping off some money so that we can survive a little while longer," Axel stated the others didn't laugh. "He's leaving soon correct?" Tyler asked. The man looked at them. "Yes, I'm only stopping by to drop off the money, and then I will be on my way." He handed Axel the money and walked toward the door. "Thanks again for the help," Axel remarked. The man turned around, "no problem." He walked out the door. Axel turned toward the kids. "What the fuck was that!"