Normality, Thy Name is Lynette

Chapter Forty-Five

          The three of us walked to our house. The streetlights had just turned on and all of the neighbors were washing up their plates from dinner I could see through their open windows. We finally reached the house but no one was home, so we took the key under the mat and let ourselves in. Each of us got a shower and changed into PJ’s to look like we hadn’t just gotten attacked and dragged throughout the world. Alistair went up to his room to sleep or cry or whatever he wanted to do to get over the trauma. Understandable. I was just used to it by this point.

          Slade was already on the couch with a bowl of popcorn at this point and watching re-runs of ‘What not to Wear.’

          “Why are you watching a fashion TV show?” I asked. He shrugged.

          “The people are pathetic and they just get fat afterwards and can’t wear their new clothes.” He said, smiling deviously.

          “You are a terrible person.” I said, shaking my head.

          “I’m a terrible person? How about you? Breaking Keegan’s heart like that. He was instantly converted to a four year old who got his ice cream stolen.” Slade retorted, throwing popcorn into his mouth. I grabbed a handful and sat down.

          “You know as well as I that we couldn’t stay. And we couldn’t keep on with them. I had to make the break or else I would be getting more ‘Yeti’ Emails and they would eventually get tracked or we would.”

          “Have you ever played Dragon Age Origins?” Slade asked.

          “What? No, no I haven’t. Slade, please tell me I’m in the right.” I asked.

          “It’s really funny. We should play it. We could go rent it right now. You can be a total slut. Plus there’s this lesbian French chick you can go with, pretty hot!” He continued.

          “Slade! I don’t care about French lesbians! The only thing I care about is…”

          “Keegan.” Slade finished. I glared at him.

          “What do you want from me? To make me cry; To make me say ‘I will love him forever? What is it?” I shouted.

          “I want you to realize what you gave up. If this is really what you want. Then I will tell you that you are right. If you just did this out of fear, then you’re wrong. If you are afraid to act on what you feel, then you won’t get anywhere. Just like in Dragon Age, if you are afraid to have sex with the characters you are never going to get anywhere in the game.” He finished. I sighed and nodded.

          “Fine. I get it. Let’s go rent Dragon Age.” I said smiling. He jumped up and ran upstairs to get his shoes. I opened the door to the basement to get my flip flops and a disgusting smell hit me. I turned the light on and ran down the stairs and screamed. There on the floor was my dead stepmom and father. They were covered in blood and beginning to decay. I fell against the wall and covered my head with my knees, crying. Slade came running with Alistair behind.

          “Oh my God.” Slade gasped. He grabbed the banister to steady himself, but threw up anyway. Alistair just stood with silent tears running down his face. He punched the wall and the drywall cracked under the force. After Slade was able to compose himself, he grabbed both of our shoulders.

          “We have to get out of here. Now!” He said.

          “NO! Alistair said, shrugging his hand off, trying to hold his dead mother.

          “Al, we have to go now! The killers will be back for us.” Slade reasoned.

          “It’s our mother…” Alistair whispered, lowering his head.

          “We will be able to grieve later. But right now we have to focus on survival. Let’s move!”

          We all ran into the garage and found Sharron’s convertible and Dad’s truck in the garage. We opted for the Truck and jumped in. I sat in the front while Alistair laid down in the back. We drove away and got on the interstate.

          “Where are we going?” I asked.

          “Away. Far away. We are going until we need gas or water and then we are calling the cops on a payphone and then you are going to call Keegan and beg him to take us back.” Slade demanded.

          “No! You saw what happened back there. I’m not letting that happen to anyone else.”

          “Lynette if we don’t go back it will be us next time! No maybe you would rather die, but I don’t think Alistair wants to and I certainly don’t! I don’t know if you’re trying to prove yourself heroic or what but think about someone other than yourself for God’s sake!” He shouted. I just curled back up in a ball and tried to reason out that both my parents were dead. It wasn’t easy. All I could think about was my mom.

          We stopped at a gas station and while Slade was filling up Alistair bought some food and I went to the payphone. I punched in Keegan’s cell phone number and prayed he would pick up.

          “Hello?” It was Piper’s voice.

          “Piper?” I asked.

          “Lynette? Where the Hell are you? Are you all right?” She said in a relieved voice.

          “I…no I’m not. Is Keegan there? I need to talk to him.” I said. Piper sighed and I heard the phone move.

          “Lynette, I have no idea what the Hell you are doing or why. But it’s stupid and hurtful. You aren’t putting anyone in danger, no more than they already are. The only place any of us will be safe is together. So if you called to give me a last ‘Goodbye’ I’m not in the mood. What do you want?” Keegan said harshly.

          “Keegan. Please take me back. I’m sorry, I made a mistake. I want to come back with you. All of us do. This was a terrible idea.” I said.

          “Lynette, what happened?” He asked worried.

          “My parents are dead.” I said flatly.

          “No. I’m so sorry Lynette. Alright, we will transport you. Where are you now?”

          “No idea. Somewhere in Texas.” I said.

          “Alright. Go to Phoenix, Arizona. There is a psychic base there. We will come get you.” He responded.

          “Thank you so much! I have to go. See you soon.” I hung up and went out to the truck. Slade was inside with his head on the steering wheel. He hadn’t grieved at all so I let him had some time. I checked the back of the truck and saw that my dad’s duffle bag of guns was in the bag. I smiled and thanked God for small miracles.

          “Hello Darlin’. Did you like your surprise?” It was Odion. I reached my hand inside the duffle bag and grabbed a gun, concealing it.

          “You are sick and disgusting. And you won’t take me.” I said, my back to him.

          “And you are disappointing. Come, let’s end this ridiculous chase now and it will be easier for your friends.” He said. I laughed.

          “Alright, let’s end this.” I said. He started towards me but I pulled the gun out and shot him. I had cocked it while in the bag. It hit him in the right shoulder. He screamed and fell down. I shot him again and again. Not in the chest or anywhere to kill him, but enough so he couldn’t shoot me. I ran into the truck where Alistair and Slade were, their jaws dropped.

          “I called Keegan. We need to go to Phoenix. Go go go!” Slade put the pedal to the floor and we were off.