Who Corey Was

46

We took turns driving through the night, stopping in a small town for supplies the next day. Alice and Sarah stayed in the car, Alice sleeping after her driving shift and Sarah keeping watch. The boys and I slipped on our hoods to disguise ourselves in the morning light. Together we entered a small supermarket with the last of our meager savings.

What should have been a quick in and out trip for breakfast quickly devolved into another classic Dylan versus Xander fight.

"I'm jut saying why waste the money when I could just get them to give us whatever we want," Xander repeated nonchalantly.

Dylan was turning red in his effort to maintain his composure. I squeezed his hand reassuringly. He took a deep breath and kissed my head, visibly relaxing. I glanced up and caught Xander watching our interaction. I could see something brewing behind his eyes.

I shot him a warning look. "Leave him alone, Xander."

Xander smirked cruelly. "Don't worry, Corey. I'm done with him." I watched as he calmly sauntered over to the lady at the register, hood lowered, and made a show of making direct eye contact. Suddenly her face went slack, eyes glazed.

Dylan dropped my hand and charged over, seizing Xander's shoulder and yanking him away from the poor girl. Xander shoved Dylan in response. As the shoving escalated, I brushed past them with a noise of disgust, continuing right out of the store.

I charged towards the car across the street as they called out to me. Finally, I rounded. "Until you two can sort your shit out, I'm done with both of you. You're worse than children!"

"Corey!" Xander cried. This was a different sound. Desperation. Despair. Warning.

A horn.

My brain slowed. Oh. In my fury, I'd stopped in the middle of the street, and as I watched the truck barreling towards me, all I could think was how ironic it was going to be that I was going to die from something so stupid all while berating my boys on their stupidity.

And then I was beside our car, safely out of the road and nowhere near where I'd just been standing. Xander was frozen in front of the supermarket, a full two lanes and a sidewalk away. And Dylan...

Dylan stood beside me, holding me safely against the car. Impossible. I checked the distance again, trying to break it down in my head. Impossible.

Xander made his way over to us while I was stuck speechless. "Well," he said casually, as if he hadn't just been rendered completely motionless, "I guess Track Star can run."