Hounded

39. first aid

Josh walked for what seemed like forever before he came across a highway. He headed out to the side of it as cars drove by trying to get one to stop. It took a while but eventually one did pull over, asking him if everything was alright.

"Yeah, yeah I just- do you have a phone?" He asked. The lady that was in the passenger seat nodded and pulled hers out. "Can I use it please? I just need to make a call that's it." He said. "Yeah of course." The lady said handing it to him. He quickly thanked her and dialed his mothers number and ran a hand through his hair.

"Hello?" His mothers voice answered after a few rings. "Hey! Mom I need you to get your first aid kit and get in your car right now." He said. "Josh?  what?- what are you talking about? Is everything okay?" She asked. "Mom please you need to hurry." Josh said. "Okay okay where are you?" She asked getting up and going to the bathroom to find the first aid kit.

Josh looked around not finding any road signs. "Uhhhh.... where are we?" He asked the couple that had pulled over. "Highway 803?" The lady replied. "Highway 803." Josh repeated. "Okay I'm on my way." His mom replied. "Hurry." Josh said. "I am. I'll be there soon. I love you." She said. "I love you too, I'll wait on the side of the road, bye." Josh said before hanging up and handing the lady her phone back.

"Thank you so much." He said. "Um.. did you need a ride anywhere or help with anything?? Like is everything okay?" She asked. "Yeah yeah you guys can keep on driving I just needed to make that call." Josh said. "Are you sure?" She asked. Josh nodded. "Yeah I promise." He said. She nodded hesitantly but they started to drive away. Josh waved to them with a soft smile and waited for his mom.

It took her a good twenty minutes or so to get to where Josh was at but when she seen him she quickly pulled over and shut the car off. She got out and ran over to him, inspecting him for injuries. "What's going on? Are you okay? How'd you get out here? Wheres tyler? Is he safe?" She asked. "Just get your first aid kit and follow me." Josh said.

"Josh you need to tell me what's going on." She said. "I'll explain on the way but we need to go we dont have a lot of time." He said. She sighed but nodded and got the first aid kit out of the car before locking the doors and following Josh into the trees. They talked as they walked, josh explained to his mom what happened the last few days.

Everything from Tyler's bad headache that sent them to the hospital in the first place to how dix came into their lives and how they just escaped from low point. His mother was a bit confused especially on the whole dix front but kept following Josh until they came across a figure on the ground.

It was starting to get dark now but josh new it was Tyler and dix and he quickly ran over. Dix had fallen asleep with his head resting under Tyler's chin and Tyler was still unconscious, blood dried to his face.

Momma Dun gasped at the sight of Tyler and ran over while Josh gently shook dix awake. Dix growled at first, startled but quickly calmed down when he realized it was Josh. Momma Dun started trying to clean up the blood on Tyler's face but Josh stopped her.

"Do dix first. We can deal with Tyler later." He said. "What? What's wrong with dix?" She asked. "Theres a tracking chip in the back of his neck, I need you to get it out." Josh said. "Josh I dont-" she started. "Please." Josh begged. She sighed but nodded.

She sat down on the ground and let Josh lay the boy down so his head was in her lap. She gently moved dixs shirt and found the scar. She bit her lip and looked up at Josh. "Maybe we should wait for him to go back to sleep." She said. "We dont have time for that they're probably already looking for us." Josh said.

She nodded. "Okay okay." She said opening her first aid kit. She took out some wet wipes and a scalpel. "Okay dix I need you to take a deep breath for me okay?" She asked as she cleaned the spot over the old scar. He made a soft noise. "Okay one.. two.. three." She said before starting to reopen the scar.

Dix yelped and tried to push away but Josh held him down. "Shhh shhh I know." Momma Dun whispered as the boy whimpered. Once she finished the incision she gently ran her hand through dixs hair to soothe him. "I need to pull the chip out okay? Just relax for me and take another deep breathe sweetheart." She spoke pulling some tweezers out of her first aid kit.

Dix took another deep breath it cutting off to a whimper when momma Dun started trying to get the chip out. "Shh shh I know I know hunny were almost done." She said. Carefully she removed the chip and placed it on the ground. She grabbed some gauze to wipe away some of the blood. "You're doing so good dix." She said, giving him a minute.

He sniffled softly and rubbed his cheek against momma Duns thigh. "I'm gonna stitch it up okay? Then were gonna be done." She whispered. Dix whimpered softly. She glanced up at Josh who licked his lips. The sky was cast in a reddish pink as the sun was setting.

Momma Dun went about stitching up the incision, cringing whenever dix made a noise, knowing he was in pain. When she finished she taped some gauze over it and pet him. "Shhh shh good job you were so brave. It's all done now" she said.

Dix whimpered, letting momma Dun hug him, deciding he liked the comfort and cuddling further into her hold. She rubbed his back gently. "Shh you're okay." She said. Josh packed up the first aid kit, making sure to leave the tracking chip on the ground. "Dix can you walk?" He asked. Dix shrugged. "Come on and try." Josh said helping him stand.

"Okay?" Josh asked. Dix nodded so Josh helped his mom up before scooping Tyler up in his arms. "Mom can we come to your house until this all blows over? They know where I live and probably have it under surveillance." Josh said. Momma Dun nodded. "Of course and once we get there I'm taking a look at Tyler." She said. Josh nodded as they began walking back to where momma Duns car was parked at the side of the highway.