Wanderers (1st Draft)

Going Home

Rixton

When Rixton sees James he is both relieved and furious. He picks up his pace and runs towards James.

The first thing that went through Rixton's mind when he heard the gunshot was of James laying on the ground in a pool of blood. His heart had instantly sped up and the only thing he could think of was that he can't lose James. When two more shots came he ran off toward the sound. He didn't even think of the possibility that it was James who fired the shots or Jackson or Mason. All he knew was that he had to find James.

"I heard gun shots?" Rixton says. His voice shakes both from being scared and from running. He comes to a stop a few feet in front of James.

"We're fine." James says. "Just a run in with wolves." He glances at Alice and so does Rixton. She looks a little shaken up, but unharmed.

"You..." Rixton swallows hard. "You scared me half to death." He says, his voice shaking ever so slightly. "Don't ever..." At that moment he glances down and sees that James and Alice are holding hands. Slowly a smile spreads over his lips and he looks up at James.

"What?" James asks, his eyebrows knit together.

"You sure it was wolves?" Rixton asks. He nods at their entwined hands.

Both Alice's and James's faces turn red. They quickly take back their hands. Alice crosses her arms and won't meet Rixton's eyes.

"Rix can I have a word with you?" James asks.

"Yeah." Rixton says. He follows James over to a column that is somehow still standing. "What's up?"

"Could you not." James brushes his bangs out of his eyes.

"You really need to get a haircut." Rixton says.

"Rix, shut up. Just listen for a second. I get your stressed and freaked out. It was just wolves. I'm fine. You don't need to be a jerk." James says.

Rixton nods his head. "I..." He pauses and looks at the ground. "I don't know what I'd do if you got shot."

"I know." James says softly. He glances at Alice then back at Rixton. "I wasn't going to say this. I was going to let you decide for yourself, but..."

Rixton looks up. "But what?"

"I think you should go home. I think it'd be good for you." James says.

Rixton shakes his head. "I can't do that."

James raises his eyebrows. "You can't or you won't?"

Rixton bites the inside of his cheek. As much as he hates the idea of going home, he knows James is right. He usually is when it comes to Rixton and his family.