In the Pursuit of Mr. Reeves

Chapter 11: Omaha Throwdown

Enjoy!

In the very early morning, the troop was getting ready to leave. The groups decided to rotate, with Harker and Peyton now in the truck. Harker sat in the back while Peyton was going up to John. She quickly asked something then nodded, heading to the back and sitting down. They didn't say anything about the previous night, but Peyton knew she couldn't be too careful. She turned to the young man,who was writing in his book.

"Hark," she said softly," Can we not tell anyone about the move? Just for now? I want this trip to be about you guys and I don't want anything ruining that."

"Of course!" he nodded, though he felt like he was getting choked up.

"Thank you."

She gave him a smile and pulled out her phone. There was a lot of flights from California back to North Bixbay. In all honesty, she wanted the first flight she could get her hands on. Haker, meanwhile, scribbled in his book, his heart racing as he tried to fill his thoughts down on the paper. After all, he had little time to finish up.

Through stops for gas, snacks and Utah almost hitting a deep head on, the group finally managed to crowd into a bar and grill in Omaha. The rough crowds and music blasting scared very few of the characters, but Jack and Utah felt like they were at home.

"This is the life," Utah groaned and stretched in the booth near the end of their meal," I bet there's a lot of action here."

"The kind that you don't get?" Jack questioned and earned several laughs.

"Shut it, Jack," Utah looked up at the two across from him," Ted, Harker, why don't play a song on the jukebox?"

Utah tossed a quarter and they walked off. Neo, Wick and Constantine kept a close eye on the two. Deep down, the three of them knew how...soft those two were. Tougher guys were looking over and whispering but nothing was done. Ted could tell that his friend was oddly silent as they flipped through the songs. Ted tried to pick a song but he couldn't find one that fit the mood.

"What do you think we should pick?" the youngest member asked, watching his friend," Jon, are you okay?"

"This setting seems extremely dangerous!" he whispered," This isn't like the bars I've been used to."

"I've never been used to one," Ted said as he went back to flipping.

"Hey, 1980s," a guy in shades and a jean jacket walked up and pushed Ted out of the way, the boy dropping the quarter," Why don't you stop chatting with your boyfriend and pick a damn song?"

"Sorry, dude," Ted mumbed as he picked up his quarter.

"We were just trying to pick a song-"

"Well, I don't have to wait here for you two to figure it out!"

The older Keanus glared over at the man. They were getting ready to fight but they still were seated. Rupert, Peyton and Johnny kept their eyes over at the jukebox, hoping their friends would walk away. Harker was the type, in their mind, that would flee to Mr. Wick or Costantine when things went wrong. However, when he noticed the eyes on him, he thought they were telling him that he should stand up to the man. Harker gave an angered look as he tapped on the guy's shoulder.

"What?" he glared.

"I believe you owe my friend an apology."

"Oh God," Mr. Wick groaned, ready to punch the guy for Harker.

"Oh yeah?" the guy shifted over and towered over Harker," What are you gonna do about it?"

Harker watched as the man walked towards him. Without thinking, Harker pushed the other man down. The family was in shock as the guy fell into a couple, at which the woman grabbed the fallen guy by the hair, while the other girl had him in a headlock. Harker was in shock as he watched the guy get up and away from the girls. He punched the poor boy in the face. When the young man moved out of the way, the guy fell into Mr. Wick, who swooped a quick punch in. With that, a bar fight began and Ted finally played The Sweet's Ballroom Blitz. Punches were thrown and bottles were broken. Rupert, Ted and Peyton were in shock at how quickly things had escalated. Utah and Jack were joining in the fun, but they were soon dragged away by Constantine and Johnny.

"What the fuck?" Utah swatted his friend's hand away.

"We're getting out of here," Johnny grumbled," Fucking idiots."

Mr Wick threw a bunch of money onto one of the tables and they ran. Harker was holding onto Peyton and Ted, who couldn't believe what had happened. They went into the van with Rupert, Constantine and Mr. Wick. As they drove out, the crew expressed how they were impressed with Harker. He smiled at each of his friends, but he felt nervous. Mr Wick was the only one that hadn't spoken. When the car was at a stoplight, Mr. Wick looked to the back. The whole crew grew quiet, waiting for a lecture. Instead, Mr. Wick gave a laugh.

"I didn't know you had that in you. I'm proud of you, Harker."

The four in the back grew excited and highfived each other.

"And when you took that punch...Harker, dude, you're wild!"

The four had gotten a room together and all they wanted to do was talk about what happened at the bar. Harker was desperately trying to sleep, ice on his eye. He felt deep pride as they all complimented him. Peyton removed the ice to check on the bruise and find that his eye was swollen.

"Oh, Hark," she smiled," I'm proud that you stood up for yourself."

"And for Ted," he yawned," We should all be getting sleep."

The four agreed and bid each other a goodnight. Peyton went to lie down as she looked out the window. She couldn't believe that, going into one of the rooms, was the same guy that she had seen just a day ago...or so she thought she saw. She wished she could see the guy, but he went into one of the rooms. She had a feeling that he was following them and she grew worried as she laid down, staring at the door before they fell asleep.