Strike-Out

Let Me Explain

Chapter 15

The only other thing I can remember from that night is stargazing with Tom.

He pointed out constellations that I didn't even know existed. After that, I fell asleep.

I woke to the discomfort of Tom's truck bed, but the blanket was gone, along with Tom.

When my eyes opened for the first time, I sensed movement. I didn't think much of it as my eyes drifted back closed.

My eyes opened for a second time, and I finally realized what was happening.

The truck was moving.

"I'm surprised you didn't wakes up sooner." I heard Tom's voice through the window. I sat up and  turned around to be sure that's who it was. It was.

"Where are we going?" I asked back, nervous.

He put both hands on the wheel and looked at me through his rearview mirror.

"Just for a joyride." He laughed. I could smell his air freshener, the one that dangled from his rearview mirror.

I looked around. I wasn't sure where we were.

"Tom, I need to go home." I said frantically. "Where is Eva."

"Relax chipmunk," He waved his hand as he spoke. "She's back at the bar talking to the police officers."

"The what?!" I hollered while attempting to climb through the window.

"If you'd chill out, I'll pull over so you can come up here and I can explain it all to you."

"Pull over!" I yelled at him, echoing his words. He pulled forcefully at the wheel and into a gas station. The sharp turn almost ejected my body from the truck, but luckily I was holding onto the window.

When he parked I jumped over the edge of the bed and back into the passenger seat.

"I'm gonna need you to buckle up." He says in a stern, fatherly voice.

"Why?" I ask, both curious and afraid.

"So I know you won't go anywhere."

I don't understand. What does that mean?

"Would you just put the belt on?" He yelled. I sat back in my seat from his tone of voice. It was scaring me.

I was no longer attracted to this boy, he was turning into a monster.

I pulled the buckle around me and put in into the lock until it clicked.

"Now tell me." I demanded, because I knew no other way in this situation.

He rubbed his beard. I could see his eyes were pink and puffy, he looked dead tired. He coughed to clear his throat.

"Isaiah..." He paused. "Didn't..."

"Didn't what?" I wasn't in the mood to play games.

"He, um..." Another pause. "Didn't make it last night."

My eyes froze on the dashboard. I felt as though my world had stopped spinning completely.

There was no way Tom was telling the truth. I saw Isaiah, he was bleeding but not that bad. Tom must be joking.

"You're just joking right?" I whispered to Tom, my voice cracking with every syllable.

He shook his head. I get it now. I finally get it now.

We're on the run.