Say Hello to the Stars

Chapter Eleven

Finding people is harder than you would've imagined. It's even harder having an idiotic, psycho-manic, money driven boy with you as your escort.

As we race down the highway, and get swatted in the face with millions of flies, I think it's safe to say that I've lost my appetite. Actually, I'm pretty sure some of it got left back at Burt's Bugs Emporium.

My stomach churns as Baxter swivels and turns, almost nearly flipping the car. The wind smacks my hair in my face. I yell over the madness. "Do you think you could drive anymore, oh I don't know, careful?"

He looks about as disoriented as I am. He glances over at me, his face full of confusion. "What?"

I make a small hand signal to him: Forget it.

My eyes try to relax as I attempt to stop my life from flashing before my eyes. Pain shoots through my fingers as I grip the handles. Hopefully if we crash, the airbag will save the both of us. Then I'll be able to kill Baxter as revenge for this god awful ride. But, he's my best shot at finding my brother. Plus, it's comforting having someone by my side, even if they did break into my house.

I clutch the money in my hands. God, the things I wouldn't give to be in my room right now. The only thing I thought would cause drama in my life is the play. Pretty ironic, if you think about it.

Final auditions are this Friday, which is four days from now. If I can get my brother back within that short amount of time, I have no clue. If Friday comes and I don't have Andy back yet, then forget auditions. Forget everything. I'll pack and leave. He needs to be found, and fast.

I tap my hand against the dashboard as we pass down the highway. My eyes dart towards the time; half past five. Two days since Andy's been missing.

Why does this have to happen to me? Again, of all people, me?

"So exactly how long is it until we reach this place?" I ask, staring out the window. The trees are zipping by so fast, creating one big, green blur. My breakfast is threatening to make a reappearance, and I'm not sure I'll be able to restrain it if we lurch forward again.

"If we keep going at this rate, we should be there by tomorrow morning. Getting scared, sweetheart?"

I turn and narrow my eyes at him. "Now why in the world would I be scared of you? You're just another kid, trying to make something of himself."

A laugh rises in his throat, only to be cut by his voice. "I'm not trying to make something of myself. I already have, you just haven't seen it."

"Yet you chose to go down this path? Baxter, it's not going to help you; it's only going to devour you."

I feel the car slow down slightly as he eases off the gas. Thank god.

"You wouldn't understand what I've done," he lowers his voice down to a whisper, "they've given me something that no one ever has; a chance."

A chance.

"If someone has given you another chance, use it for the greater good. Don't go bad just because they want you to."

He locks eyes with me, giving me a silent plea of help. "But what if I want to please them?"

My voice catches in my throat. "Then you're already gone."

-

Thoughts about my brother and the play mix into one; creating one insanely huge, messed up dream.

Andy is all alone, tied up in one of those stereotypical chair gimmicks. A gag falls loose around his neck, allowing him to scream until his voice gives way. His interrogator snaps at him to can it, following a long list of some very colourful language.