Forgotten Pines: The Chronicle of the Kodnikado

FOUR

FOUR

Max
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"This sucks". I declared as I sunk into the bus' seat. "I thought you were working on a plan to get us out of this?" I shot Donny a questioning glare.

"Turns out convincing dad that we don't suck is harder then it sounds. Especially when he's not around". Donny grumbled as he leaned his head against the window.

Cemre peaked around the seat infront of us. "Look, maybe it won't be that bad".

"Yeah. Maybe it'll be worse". Donny remarked.

Cemre rolled his eyes at our youngest twin before he turned around in his seat.

"Dad didn't even come to say goodbye". Donny murmered. He pressed his cheek against the window and sighed.

"Don't think about it Donny". I swung my arm over his shoulder and pulled him closer. "Least you got me, and dummy up there". I cocked my head at the seat infront of us.

"Shut up Max". Cemre snapped.

A small smile tugged at Donny's lips, but it didn't reach his eyes.

I've never really been a optimist but in that moment I felt like it was my responsibility to cheer Donny up. So I decided to go after the silver lining in all this.

"Listen Donny". I started, "Maybe you'll finally get that chance to go hunting".

"Open season doesn't start til fall".

Dammit.

"Um". I rubbed at my forehead as I tried to come up with another idea. "Maybe since we're going to a small town you'll be allowed in the gun store".

"Really?"

The fuck would I know.

I slapped on a grin. "Yeah, totally".

I managed to get a genuine smile on Donny's face before the driver announced that we were rolling out.

The bus jerked and we were off.

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The bus was considerably nice with wide seats, and a spaced centre aisle. It smelled like a hospital mixed with body odor, and the AC actually worked.

All in all it wasn't such a bad vehicle to be stuck on for the next 28 hours.

After we left the city Donny, Cemre, and I decided to change seats to the back; where a bench of three awaited.

The only down fall to the spot was that it was closest to the restroom.

Which was gross.

"I don't understand why dad didn't just fly us over". Donny mumbled. He was half turned around in his seat, with his cheek resting on his arm; which was slung over the back window sill.

"He wanted us to suffer". I said dryly.

"It's been like an hour and I'm already bored out of my mind".

"Look on the bright side". Cemre said, "We only have 28 hours to go".

Donny hit his head against the window as he groaned. "Kill me now".

Listing to Donny grumble and complain the entire ride was going to drive me insane. On top of that my wrist was killing me. So If he kept it up I was going to switch seats for the rest of the 28 hours.

"How about a card game?" Cemre proposed out of the blue. He pulled out a deck of cards from his carry on bag and waved it in front of Donny's face.

"That sounds like a mess waiting to happen".

"Rock paper scissors?"

"Lame". Donny whined.

"How about guess the random passenger's life?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Hmmm". Donny spun around in his seat and narrowed his eyes as he searched the bus. "I bet that women is on the run from the us government". He pointed to a women five rows ahead of us.

"Why is she on the run?"

"Killed her abusive husband".

Cemre made a face as he sucked in a breath. "Yikes".

"Your turn".

"Alright". Cemre motioned to a man two rows ahead. "That gentleman is on his way to a wig shop".

Donny frowned. "But...he has hair".

"He's wearing a toupee".

Donny squinted his eyes as he studied the man. "Yknow, I can see it coming off".

"And that means he's on his way to get a new custom made one".

"I see I see". Donny bumped his shoulder against mine. "Your turn".

"Nope". This game was lame and I wasn't in the mood to use my imagination. "You two play without me".

"Whaaa-"

Before I could hear the rest of that sentence I pulled on my headphones and clicked on some music.

A wave of content washed over me and I closed my eyes. With the rhythmic motion of the bus beneath me, and the soft hum of music in my ears, I eventually fell asleep.