A Long Way From Home

Chapter 2

When I got to the office, I knew something was wrong. My mom wasn't standing there, looking like a cunt, and neither was Alex. Instead, it was a guy I'd never seen before.

He looked to be in his early twenties, and had a black man-bun that made him quite attractive.

"Hey, Aris!" He said when I opened the office door.

The receptionist looked confused. "He says he's your brother, but I can't remember Alex with such long hair," she said.

Much to the guy's surprise, I said, "Yep, that's him. It's grown quite a bit since he's graduated."

I walked out the door with the stranger at my side. 

"So," I said, "Who are you and where are we going?" 

He looked shocked. "Just c'mon," he said, leading me to an old, pale blue mini van. 

"What's this? Your mom's car?" I snickered.

He shot me a look. "Do you even have a car?" he growled.

"No, but that's because my mom doesn't love me," I replied nonchalantly.

"His name is Edmund," he said.

"Who?" I asked. He pointed at the car. "You named your car?"

"Not me," he replied.

"Okay Mr Mystery," I responded. The door opened, and someone pulled me in.

"Will someone tell me what's going on?" I asked, looking at the three guys in the van. 

"Hush up, will you," yelled the guy who'd pretended to be my brother, climbing into the passenger seat.

"I'm Matthew," said the guy next to me, "there's snacks and a blanket in the back if you want." He pointed to the further row of seats behind us. I saw two Walmart bags atop a blue fleece blanket.

"Awesome!" I climbed into the back and took off my shoes and socks, then dug through the plastic bag in search for something tasty. I grinned when I found crackers and easy cheese. 

"Hell yeah!" I exclaimed. Maybe getting in the car with strangers isn't such a bad idea after all, I thought, spraying easy cheese into my mouth. 

"Having fun?" snickered Matthew, turning around to watch me.

"Oh yes," I replied, quite genuine. 

"So," I asked, "How is it you guys know my name? And why did you come get me?"

"Well-" Matthew began, but was cut off by the guy driving. The only guy I hadn't heard speak.

"Matt," he said. 

Matthew stopped talking and looked down at his feet. "I suppose I'm not the one to tell you that."

"Then who is? You guys can't just show up at my school without telling me who you are and put me in your car. That's kidnapping!" I exclaimed.

"Actually, you got in the car willingly. You told the receptionist I was your brother. You're eighteen. This is completely legal," the guy with the man-bun said.

"Then let me go. I want out!" I yelled. Why was I here in the first place? Why did I even chose to get in the car? 

"Now it's kidnapping," said Man-Bun.

"You told me no one was getting kidnapped!" Matthew said his voice getting higher with panic, "I only agreed to this because you said no one was getting kidnapped! Now I'm a kidnapper!"

"Calm down, Matt!" the driver yelled, "She'll change her mind soon enough."

"The hell I will!" I yelled back.

"Shut the fuck up!" yelled Man-Bun, silencing us all, "Everyone just shut up." 

And we did.