Strolson Twins

Chapter XVI (We All Have Reasons to Run)

Asher's POV

After I confessed that Dutch and Mabel were really dead, Brad paled and Alex got a faraway look on his face.  His blank face cracked and he put his head in his hands as tears began to pour.  Alex's cries echoed slightly in the small building, and I looked at my feet as Brad looked between us, confused.

I gestured for us to go outside and speak, and he nodded.  He walked out behind me as I trudged outside.

"We're her nephews," I sighed.  "We escaped, and Dutch's our dog."

"Oh," he huffed.  "I'm sorry."

"Alex is taking it hard, especially compared to me," I said to myself.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."  I shook my head to clear those thoughts.  "We should go back to Alex before he does something stupid."

Brad nodded and led the way back into the tiny shop.  Alex was still hunched over, but his face was dry, for some reason.  His hands were in his lap, his head bowed.

"Alex?" I asked hesitantly.

Silence.

"Look, brother, Mable died in peace, if that helps any.  Dutch was smoldering, though, when I found him.  He died in the trees next to the house.  I watched him die.  When he saw me, he tried to move but he was in too much pain.  I remember his skin practically being made from ashes and fire."

No reaction.

"Well," I said. "I guess we are going.  Alex, get up."

Brad nodded.  Alex didn't move.  I sighed, and hung him over my shoulder.  Again.

"See you."  I saluted military-style, and walked out.

He returned the salute, and sat behind the counter.  "See y'all."

I shut the door and unlocked the Camaro doors with my free hand.  Putting Alex in the passenger seat, I whistled a sad melody.  Once in my side of the car, I started it and smiled at the ever-lovely sound.

Cruising down the interstate, Scream by Usher came on.

"Usher, baby...  Yeah, yeah, we did it again, and this time I'mma make you scream!  Usher!  Yeah, man...

"I see you over there, so hypnotic!  Thinking 'bout what I'd do to that body!  I'd get you like, ooh baby baby, ooh baby baby, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby!  Got no drink in my hand, but I'm wasted; getting drunk of the thought of you naked!

"I'd get you like, ooh baby baby, ooh baby baby, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby!

"And I've tried to fight it, to fight it, but you're so magnetic, magnetic!  Got one life, just live it, just live it!  Now relax, and get on your back!  If you wanna scream, yeah, let me know and I'll take you there!  Get you going like, oh-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby!

"If you wanna turn right, hope you're ready to go all night!  Get you going like, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby!  If you wanna scream...  Yeah, come on, kill the lights, shut 'em off!  You're electric!  Devil eyes telling me, Come and get it!

"I'll have you like, ooh baby baby ooh baby baby, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby!  Girl tonight you're the prey; I'm the hunter!  Take you here, take you there, take you under!  Imagine me whispering in your ear, that I wanna take off all your clothes and put something on ya!

"And I've tried to fight it, to fight it, but you're so magnetic, magnetic!  Got one life, just live it, just live it!  Now relax, and get on your back!  If you wanna scream, yeah, let me know and I'll take you there!  Get you going like, oh-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby!  If you wanna turn right!  Hope you're ready to go all night!  Get you going like, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby.  Yeah, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby!

"If you wanna scream...

"Out louder, scream louder, louder, louder, louder, louder!  Hey, somebody scream out with me!"

I looked over at Alex as there was a pause in the lyrics, and he was still looking glum.  Instead of frowning at him in annoyance, I turned back to the road and sung my soul out, louder than before, if possible.

"If you wanna scream, yeah, let me know and I'll take you there!  Get you going like, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby!  If you wanna turn right, hope you're ready to go all night!  Get you going like, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby baby, ah-ooh baby baby ooh baby!

"If you wanna scream!"

I screamed the last line like it would save my life, and glanced to Alex.  Still pitiful-looking.  Turning down the music, I smiled at him even though he couldn't see me.

"Guess where we're going?" I asked.  No response.  "North Dakota!"