Don't Leave Me - Dreamnotfound [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter 7

~NICK POV~

The 4 boys sat in the moving car, not saying a word to each other. Having an unfamiliar human being along their side was very new to them, and they weren't even sure they could trust Dave. He just came out of nowhere, and Nick was already growing skeptical of the mysterious man.

An hour or so passed since they first started heading back and Nick was getting tenser by the second. He was incredibly uncomfortable being in the same car with a complete stranger that he didn't know if he could even trust. He gripped onto the steering wheel tighter and put the slightest more pressure on the gas pedal with his foot. Somehow, Clay could tell his uneasiness and reached to his side to pat Nick on the shoulder in an attempt to reassure him.

Nick slowly relaxed his shoulders and breathed heavily. He could somewhat make out the crowded forest that led to the small town they were staying in and attempted to comfort himself with the thought that they were almost home.

We're almost home, it's fine. I'm sure we'll be safe with this guy, he tried to convince himself. 

Immediately after that thought, Nick heard shuffling from the backseat of the van. He didn't mind it at first, but as time went on the noise became progressively louder and Nick was getting annoyed. Just as Nick was about to shut up the person who was making the noise, George had already beaten him at talking first and he closed his mouth to listen to the first conversation that was going to happen in the silent van.

"Dave, what are you doing?" George asked suspiciously. Clay bent over to look at the backseat while Nick tried to focus on driving. So it was Dave, he thought, his stomach slowly starting to hurt.

Dave stalled on giving an answer and continued to fiddle with whatever was in his hands at the moment. George stared at him for a while, expecting a response from the stranger. Finally, after what felt like forever, Dave mumbled a response in a deep, monotone voice.

"I'm setting up my guns," he spoke quietly, his eyes furrowed together in concentration.

Guns?

"Where did you get all these guns from? Why do you have so many?" George asked, becoming even more skeptical. Nick slightly tilted his head so he was able to see what was happening in the back.

"Don't ask about it," he spoke in a grave voice. That statement left the other three boys in the car very puzzled, but the tone of his voice convinced them to stop questioning any further. They sat in an awkward silence once again and didn't say a word until they got back to the town.

Nick stopped the car and switched off the engine. He twisted the metal key out of the keyhole and opened the door to step out. Clay and George swiftly did the same and came up to Nick to talk with him privately, leaving Dave behind.

"Are you okay? You seemed upset the whole ride," Clay asked, concerned for his friend.
"I'm fine. I'm just a little anxious about letting a new person in our group," the brunette admitted, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.
"Are you sure if we can even trust him?" Nick asked aggressively, his survival instincts kicking in.
Nick had always been hesitant on inviting new people to their group, so having Dave around was a struggle for him.
George joined the conversation and attempted to compromise with him. "Even if he's not the best person so far, he could help us. Who knows, maybe he could actually be a great guy," he reasoned, hoping Nick would understand.  Nick ran a hand through his hair and exhaled a breath of defeat. I'm praying to God that George isn't wrong. 

The three of them looked back at Dave to see him eavesdropping on their conversation. He immediately turned away and started to head towards the cozy town that they called home, at least for now. Nick rolled his eyes and speed-walked towards the Victorian home they were staying in.