Sleep-O

Chapter 9

      “There’s a moat!  There’s a moat!  There’s a moat,” Dimitry said trying to get Steve-O’s attention and wake him up. 

            “So go jump in it, you fucking asshole,” Steve-O groaned as he rubbed his eyes and stretched in the back seat of the jag.  It was then that both Dimitry and Steve-O’s attention was directed to Johnny, who was pacing towards the middle of the courtyard on a cell phone.  Jeff was standing nearby and motioned for Dimitry to go to him. 

            Pontius walked over to Steve-O, crunching on an apple.  “What’s going on?”

            “I have NO idea, dude,” Steve-O was now leaning on the Jag, watching the scene intently.  Jeff pointed towards the jag and Dimitry jogged over to it. 

            “We need to move all the stuff in the jag into the van.”

            “What’s happening,” Steve-O asked.

            “Melanie and Madison were in a car accident and Knoxville has to go back home right away.”

            “Oh my god,” Pontius said, mouth open and jaw dropped.  “Are they okay?”

            Dimitry only shrugged slightly and shook his head.  “It’s gotta be a big deal if he’s leaving us…”

            Steph had done about two laps around the inside and outside of the castle looking for Johnny, and then ANYONE.  It had been a while since she saw anyone from her group.  I hope they didn’t leave me.  She found herself out in the courtyard just in time to see the Jag speed out of view. 

            “OH FUCK,” the words slipped out of her mouth and she stomped her foot in frustration. 

            “What’s wrong?” A voice was heard behind her.  She jumped and turned to see Steve-O.  God, he looks cute. 

            “Oh, shit!  I thought that was our jag.”

            “It is.”

            “Wait, what?”  Steph was puzzled – it must be the famine kicking in.

            “Konxville’s leaving.  His wi- er, Melanie and Madison were in a car accident so he’s on the next flight to LA.”

            Steph looked behind him and saw everyone moving things around outside and into the van. 

            She tried to calm down over the days; all she could think of was Johnny and… and… Melanie…  They were divorced, so why did he rush back?  For his daughter, of course!  He was a good father.  And obviously this emergency took precedence over her need to tell him how she felt.  That was selfish – to want to just talk to him to tell him that, when he had other things to worry about.  He didn’t even wait to tell me.  She worked as hard as she could to let it go.  Ultimately, worrying did nothing and would only give her ulcers. 

            So, she did the only thing she could think of doing – spend more time with Steve-O.