Carrion Crew

27

Ash recognized the two figures running toward her immediately. How many pairs of people could be that fast and that shaggy? But what were–Ash stopped walking and a coldness started to boil in her. Why didn't she think this would happen? Of course Kourtney would come after her. She probably thought Ash had abandoned her, just like Ulysses did. And Hobo would be furious with her for taking Twist with her. What was she going to say? 

“Ash!” Hobo knocked her off balance with the force of his hug, but held her too tight for her to fall. “Where's Twist?

That had to be the first thing he asked, didn't it? Fortunately Scout stepped in to smother her with her own, mercifully suffocating embrace. Ash knew she was going to have to tell them what happened, and if she didn't do it now, she'd never be able to tell it without crying. She pushed away, looking past scout to the caravan trailer where Dasher and the two NPO guards were hidden. Fortunately there was no sign of movement.

“We went after the Drifter!” She looked at Scout as she spoke, but all of her focus was in her periphery, on Hobo. “It went bad.”

Hobo stared at her, jaw stiff and body rigid. “Where's Twist?”

Ash looked down at Scout's shoes. “He came with me. I told him he could drive.” Her voice seemed louder than was necessary as she relayed her story, all the while looking at Scout's shoes. 

Hobo didn't interrupt her. Not once. His face never changed either. At first it was awkward, then gradually became frightening. Ash pressed on, unaware of what she was even saying. Scout was nearly as bad as Hobo. She looked up at her once to find confusion and concern, and it almost made her cry.

She stopped telling her story without knowing if it was actually over or if was sufficient to explain what was happening, and she braved looking into Hobo's blank features.

“I didn't know things were going to go down this way,” she said. “I'm so sorry, but I can get him back. I just have to give this to them.” She held up a large, sealed pouch. “If I give them this, they'll give me Twist.”

“We'll get him back.” Hobo was still expressionless, but his voice was angry with a crack of fear. “Scout, you stay and wait for Kourtney and Ulysses. I'm going with Ash--”

“You can't!” Ash shouted. “I have to be alone!”

“I'll just ride with you,” said Hobo. “I'll get out before you get there.”

Ash shook her head. “No. They'll know.” She looked to where Dasher was hidden again and shook her head again. “They'll know.”

“I'm not going to lose you again,” Scout said. “Kourtney wanted to kill me the first time. One of us should go with you. Let Hobo go get his brother.”

There wasn't time to argue about it. Ash doubted Crowley would tolerate much delay, and feared what he might do to Twist. But she decided, whatever happened to Twist, the same would happen to the package. They seemed like fair enough terms. Bringing someone back with her, though, was a violation. It was an excuse for Crowley and Duncan to hurt Twist. It was an unnecessary risk, and she doubted the NPO guards would allow it, besides. 

“If I'm not alone when I go back,” she said, slowly and carefully, “they'll kill Twist.” She hated the lie and the dread it put into Hobo, but it was the only way to make him stay. “I'm taking the highway north. You can follow me, but you have to stay on the road and stay back. You can't be with me.”

Then Ash ran, afraid to hear a response or an argument, no matter how reasonable, rational or wise. Ash couldn't listen to any more advice. She just wanted to get it over with. She had no time for reasonable and rational.

***

Scout was hysterical, and Hobo was worse. Kourtney couldn't understand a word of what either of them were saying, and she didn't care. She did her best to shout over them. Both were doing their best to be heard over each other. Then suddenly Ulysses was there and Kourtney turned to scream at him.

“I think we're all on the same page,” he said in a level voice, and the comment came through more clearly than any of the shouting.

“We aren't on the same page on anything!” Kourtney screamed. “So you can turn around and go back to your NPO friends and keep out of my family and my crew business!”

That was enough to confuse Scout into silence.

Hobo continued to shout. “If we don't go now, I don't know what's going to happen! If you had seen her and how terrified she was, you'd know!”

“Calm down,” Ulysses said, pressing his palms toward Hobo. “I understand. You're right. We need to go now.”

“You aren't going anywhere!” Kourtney said, shoving Ulysses back. “Not with us!”

“Then I'm not with anyone,” said Ulysses. “I don't think you understand what I just did, and that's my fault, but trust me enough to let me explain it on the way to get Twist and Ash back.”

For the duration of one long, silent stillness, Kourtney watched him. 

“Come on,” Hobo pleaded. “let's go!”

Ulysses put a hand on Kourtney's shoulder. “Actually, this won't take long, and the sooner I say the better.”

Kourtney pursed her lips and tapped her hand on her leg impatiently.

“I've been an idiot,” Ulysses said. “I should never have left you. Op R is as crooked as you've always suspected, but I was too blind to see it. I know I've got a lot of making up to do, and I plan on staying close enough to do it if you'll let me.”

Kourtney nodded. “That's a start.”