So Long and G'night

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The tear streaks are horrendous on Carl's face as I wake up from a short nap. I check my watch to find the time is 6:50 PM, at the same time we pass a sign. The sign is covered with blood, but I can just make out the words 'North.' I swivel around in my seat to find the rest of the gang sleeping. “Hey Carl,” I whisper. “How are you doing?”

“Don't ask me that; it just makes things worse.” His grip tightens on the steering wheel, and then he sighs. “I'm sorry, Kenny... I just... don't know what to think anymore. It's like how you felt when your mom died.” Ouch. I'll let it slide for him. “How do you go on living, when the person you love the most is dead?”

“You loved her?”

“Well... yeah, I did.” My jaw drops open slightly. “You heard those last words she said too, right? I never even got to say them back.” He sniffs a bit to stuff the tears back in his eyes, all while still driving.

“You're strong, Carl; I'll help you get through this,” my mouth somehow spits out. He stops the car for a second to squeeze me into a hug around the shoulders, and then he continues driving. “We all loved Ritsu too, you know.”

“I know, but...”

“But you love her exceptionally, I get it.” He smiles and wipes away what's remaining of newborn tears. He thanks me through a choke, and stares at the road intensely. I chuckle to myself as I shout to everyone in the back seat, “Wake up guys! It's time you've opened your eyes and lived a bit!”

“I'm too lazy to live...” Shane grunts, his shaggy hair covering his eyes.” “How about you go do some lively stuff and I just rest my eyes for a bit more?” He then gets stabbed in the ribs by Danielle's elbow, and starts coughing insanely. “Okay fine, I'll get up!” They finally get their own seat since there's one... extra... forget it, Kenny.

I watch Ally wake up, her head once leaning against one of the few windows that's not broken. That must've been an annoying position to sleep in... poor girl. She yawns a bit before completing her daily routine: kicking Carl in the back of his seat. But this time, he doesn't retaliate back at her with a growl. Or anything at all, for that matter. “Carl...” she whispers, but then stops when water droplets on his face are seen through the rear-view mirror. She nudges Danielle on the arm and implores, “We have to do something.”

And then that's when Danielle starts kicking Carl's seat. And then Ally. And then Danielle again. They repeat this several times before they stop, as there is no response. So what do they do? Kick harder. Idiots. The girls exchange turns in their harassment until Carl finally slams on the breaks, steam practically rising from his ears. “What the hell...” he scowls, before yelling in all-out loudness: “DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!”

The two girls pause for a second because laughing their assess off, leaving the redhead to rant even more at them. Sooner or later Shane is joining in by singing old pop songs like Firework by Katy Perry. And very off-key, I might add.

As they all sing and rant and laugh, I prop my arm on the window pane and—just like I did at the Dottens' house—rest my cheek on my hand and stare off into the distance. It's funny how laughter really is the best medicine sometimes. And yet sometimes it can be the worst. Ritsu saved Carl's life... but sacrificed her own in the doing. She probably knew only one of them would make it out alive in that predicament, and she chose it to be him. I guess that means she really did love him. I sigh and watch the scenery of North Carolina stand still in the dark night. Times like this in the winter, pitch black surrounds everything and everyone, like a blanket covering everywhere. It's nice if you need time to relax. What about Shane and Danielle; where are they going? Does Danielle even remember the proposal? And... where are Ally and I in all of this? Wait, what am I saying?!