The Corruption

Chapter 18 - Roadtrip to Playgrounds

"Hey, I think he's waking up," a familiar voice ran into Derek's eardrums as his eyes bulged open and he took a deep breath in, looking around. He was in the backseat of a van. Kaleigh was asleep next to him, resting on his left non-injured shoulder while Nate was driving and Liam was in the front passenger seat, looking in the rear-view mirror at Derek. "Hey buddy, you feelin' okay?" Liam asked with a friendly smile. Derek felt like he was dreaming again, there was no way he was in a van. "I'm fine. Where are we?" "Stillwater Park," Nate said, focusing on the road and picking and eating some blue berries out of the plastic bag next to him. The van was conveniently comfy against Derek's right injured shoulder, making him smile as he looked at Kaleigh and got comfortable, resting his head back and closing his eyes. "First waffles and now a van? Why me?" Derek thought to himself as to why he was blessed with such useful gifts to survive this corruption. "So what happened to the rogue agent?" Derek asked, smiling a bit, keeping his eyes shut. A grim expression overcame Nate while Liam pretended that he didn't hear the question. "He got what he deserved. I made sure of it," Nate simply said in monotone. Liam looked at Nate and grinned underneath his scruffy ginger brown beard, "Whatever inspires it, I'm glad to hear the fight back in your voice and the strength in your body." Liam was starting to get used to Nate as Nate felt the same way. Nate laughed a bit, but then went back to plain seriousness. "Seeing Derek get shot made me realize what I have now and how much I appreciate it. It was.. you guys. I wouldn't be able to handle myself if I lost it.. and it's all that dirty rotten agent's fault. God, Kaleigh feels terrible about it, you know, Derek? I tried explaining it to her but.. man, if the rogue agent hadn't of shown up this would've never happened." Derek was starting to visit his happy place and feel a sense of meditation overcome him, he was in a really comfortable position, and Kaleigh made it feel somewhat better. "Do not worry about it. We've got a van, weapons, equipment, medicine, and a destination. We cannot waste this precious moment of our life dwelling over the past. I am fine, you hear me? We should rather waste our time enjoying the ride." Derek never felt so confident before. Kaleigh was still sound asleep though, but it must've been contagious, because Derek was starting to fall asleep too. And he did.

A car door slammed shut and startled Derek as he woke up. Kaleigh was still resting on Derek's left shoulder but she was no longer asleep. She had a confused look on her face, and she was in deep thoughts. Derek turned his head and kissed the top of her head as she sat up and looked at him. "How's your shoulder?" she simply asked. "Better than before. Sleep good?" Kaleigh felt less bad about shooting Derek but a smile did not pass by her face. "Mhm.. look, I'm sorry-" Derek cut her off right there and kissed her cheek. Kaleigh understood, she had been forgiven for what she'd done and she smiled for a brief moment, even though she still felt terrible. Seriousness overcame her smile again. "I'm fine," Derek said, as he hugged her with one arm and got out of the jeep, putting his hand on his right shoulder to see if it would hurt, and it did, but he pretended as if it didn't so that Kaleigh would feel less guilty. He stretched his arms as he yawned and went over to Liam and Nate who were no longer in the van, instead they were outside, seen on swingsets, pushing each other. This was Stillwater Park, and as childish as it seemed, they got to finally enjoy their childhood memories again. Kaleigh looked down at the ground, and got out of the car, slamming the door shut. She followed Derek and couldn't help but smile over how she felt, seeing Liam, Nate, and Derek on the playground. Flashbacks would fly by her mind like a movie film in two times the speed, and they were all of this very playground. Liam got off one of the swings and it was now Nates turn, as Derek climbed the monkey bars and leaped down in front of Nate who was already on the swing and almost knocked Derek to the ground. "Careful," Kaleigh said, smiling a bit, rubbing her arm as Derek leaned backwards and laughed softly. Kaleigh got on one of the swings and Nate quickly said, "Hey, I'll push you." Derek knew this was Nate's way of getting closer to Kaleigh, but he did not act upon it, he was trying hard to have fun. He pushed Liam off monkey bars and Liam tackled Derek, being careful of his shoulder, while Nate pushed Kaleigh on the swings. Kaleigh giggled, "Woo!" but Derek became irritated. He was fine with Kaleigh having fun, but he wanted to be the one pushing. He stared at Nate and said, "Hey Nate, come check this out." Nate nodded and went on over as Derek quickly thought of something to show him. Liam got on the swings and Kaleigh started pushing him. Derek was again, not pleased. Then Derek said to Nate, "Hey, why don't you show Liam the trick while I go with Kaleigh?" Nate's smile faded but quickly returned. "Okay, sure," he said, beckoning Liam to come on over. Derek quickly ran to Kaleigh, lifted her up as she laughed and put her in the swing, pushing her. Now Derek was pleased. Nate started showing Liam how to balance yourself on a slide without falling, something Derek made up to get him away from Kaleigh. The CPG, Corruption Protection Group, eventually became the CPG, Cool Playground Group, having the time of their lives.