Along the Way

Chapter 8

Alex and I were nearing Springfield at this point. Luckily, someone decided to put a large calendar on display of their store window, informing us that it’s June 1st. Time was passing fairly quickly, and we needed to get a move on if we were going to make it to California by August.

Springfield seemed like a fairly nice city. Lots of people to interact with. We did have to be cautious ever since that story was released though, we were avoiding being turned in as ‘runaways’. Even though we know technically it was wrong of us to walk out and not come back for months, it was going to be worth it. We both knew the consequences were going to be horrible and unforgiving, but this was the opportunity of a lifetime and it will sure make a heck of a story in the future.

We were both silent at this point, we had run out of things to talk about. Usually we could blab on forever, but now it seemed as we were all drained out. In sync, we both plopped on the nearest bench, sighing. We’d been walking a lot more than usual, we wanted to get our selves as far away from Devil's Elbow as we could at this point. Alex and I were very paranoid people, lots of people just accused us as being paranoid because we were ‘just kids’.

I was very exhausted as well as Alex, but I decided to play my ukulele anyway, knowing we needed the money. I began strumming and plucking the graceful instrument, whilst Alex rest beside me with her head on my shoulder. My case lay in front of me, right by my feet so that generous people could drop in any amount they wished.

This city wasn’t as cheerful as some of the others, but the people there were pretty kind.  Alex and I had to move from bench to bench occasionally when someone got suspicious or asked if they’ve seen us anywhere before.

We made our way to the fourth bench today as I reset up my case and my instrument. I played for a good five minutes when someone came up to me to strike up conversation. I was expecting another, ‘have I seen you before?’ or ‘Where have I seen that face?’

“Why hello there,” The male voice spoke, he almost seemed to tower over Alex and I. Alex must’ve heard him too, because she sat up and began rubbing her eyes before looking up at him.

“Hi,” I reply, trying to hint to him I wasn’t in the mood for conversation.
“You play very well,” He added, making me feel more uneasy. Who does that?

Well, him I guess.

“Thanks,” I reply, not making eye contact anymore.

I didn’t have time to react when someone started running towards the man, but he missed him. I realized after the first man took off along side him what had happened.

They jacked my case! That had most of our money in it!

I jerked up to my feet, shoving my uke towards the half asleep Alex before taking off after them. They weren’t that fast, so I caught up to them in no problem.

They both flipped around to face me, an evil grin slipping onto both of their faces.

They man without the case laughed, “You really think you can take on two grown men? Stupid child.”

“Try me,” I dared, cold hatred filled my eyes.

The man with the case snorted, giving a ‘good luck with that’ face. He set the case in the grass beside him, then made his way back to the sidewalk by his partner.

They both sneered at me, whilst I hold my cold glare.

The first man throws a punch right at my face, so I parry his punch and sidekick him in the stomach. He coughed and stumbled back, but returned only seconds later. He pounced towards me, grasping me in almost a hug. I strike him in the groin, using my hands to break free, only to c-step around him, throwing him to the ground. The second man took this time to jab me in the back of the head.

I whipped around, head throbbing and ducked just as another punch came flying towards me. The first man was up by this point, grabbing me from behind. He nodded at the first man, signalling him to hit me whilst I was trapped. He barely had time, I kicked the second man square in the stomach and he stumbled back, falling to his knees. I then did an eagle beak to the first mans hands around my stomach, weakening his grip as I toss is left hand to the side, then stepping right, keeping hold on his right hand. I pivoted backwards, throwing an elbow to his face with my left arm, then letting go with my right hand, I threw a punch to his face, following the elbow. He fell to the ground as blood trickled out of his nose. The second man charged as soon as the first man fell, resulting in him getting a sidekick to the stomach.

Both of them lay on the pavement, panting, and bloody.

My head still throbbed from getting hit, but I ignored it, grabbed the case, and took off back to Alex. Except, she was already here, standing far enough away that she definitely could’ve seen the fight.

“How did you do that?” She questioned with wide, almost worried eyes, “You just took out two full grown men!”

“Shh, let’s get out of here, I’ll explain later,” I urged. She nodded, and we both ran across the street, and continued along the road at a quick pace.

Many people were staring, shocked expressions filling their eyes as the two men still lay on the sidewalk, groaning. Their eyes flickered back and forth from me to them. I urged Alex along, hoping we got out of this town soon.

I already had a lot of explaining to do.