Globe Tracers 1: The Case of Thomas Crain

Chapter 22: Tricksters

Kyle:

I don't know how normal humans do it. Sit in a car for hours on end with nothing to do but just that, sit. Yes, it took me a week to get to earth, but I could at least move around on the ship. After the first few hours, my legs were becoming stiff and I wanted OUT!

That's not to mention the narrow streets that just kept getting narrower with sharp turns that you could barely see around. How these people avoided accidents was beyond me. None of this really seemed to be a problem in the city, but on the open roads... sheesh. To make matters better, the driver kept going on and on about how he just loved an excuse to be out on the open road and how it gave him a sense of freedom.

Freedom? Open? The back of the car barely had enough room for me to stand up, which I couldn't do anyway, I could only imagine how a sane full-grown man would feel. It was barely wide enough for me to lie down either- not big enough at all with Jessica there. Again though, standing up or sitting down wouldn't work as the motion of the vehicle wasn't properly isolated against. If I stood up I would fall on my face as we turned a corner. I basically had to stay in one spot for hours and only move to look around. I'd feel less restricted in a cell!

I know a lot of folks might think it's a contradiction seeing as I'm an atheist, but I talk to God a lot. For instance, when we finally reached the beach and I heard we would all soon be getting out, I profusely thanked Him.

The car stopped and I needed no further signal, pushing the door open and stretching my legs for the first time in nearly four hours. What had Jessica been doing the whole time? Well, Jessica has her own reaction to being made to sit still for too long, falling fast asleep. I had to shake her for some five minutes and she still wouldn't wake up. I tried tickling, shouting, and snapping her forehead, nothing worked. Finally, I resorted to what I knew would always work on her. Pure insanity... guess her mind likes to be related to.

"Jess!" I shouted. "Quick, three pigs are flying on a buffalo!"

Her eyes flew open as every eye turned curiously to me, save for hers. "Really?!" she shouted. "I know where they're headed, they'll need directions!" She opened her door and took off running through the parking lot.

"Um..." the driver began, watching her go.

"Is she playing or..." Xao started, looking at me to finish.

"I seriously don't know. Don't worry she'll be back," I said as she disappeared over a small sand dune.

"Considering that isn't that WHY I would be worried?" asked the driver. Jessica ran back up to the car almost on cue.

"Alright, everything's good, they got the message, they're on their way to save the world."

"Course they are," I said, patting her on the head, chuckling at everyone's confused looks. It was great to see her in good spirits again and not making sense.

"Listen up you three," said the driver, "This keeps bugging me. That was a lot of money, and the amount alone is what kept me from turning you all over to a police station several times. Please tell me that somehow you guys are safe right now."

"It's nothing to worry about," said Xao. "We just needed to get out of town."

The man looked at him with concern. I decided at that moment, that Xao was terrible at cover-up stories and needed my help. "It's a cop we were running from sir. Our mom won two lotteries in a row and he kidnapped us to try to make her hand over the winnings. All you did was drive us to the docks where she has a boat waiting to get us all out of here."