Awakening Sheeple

~ Chapter 7 ~

I looked around at all the familiar homes, the lovely old trees and beautiful gardens. There were families out walking along the streets, kids and dogs playing. It was colorful, clean, safe and home. Kaysen held my hand over the console and squeezed it gently. "So Love, we are almost home but it seems we are going to need to take a bit of a detour first." The car sped up suddenly my head jerked back against the head rest. We skidded around the corner, tires screeching, out of the corner of my eye I saw uniformed soldiers running between the houses. They were moving so fast I had to look harder to be sure of what I was seeing. Kaysen took off down a long quiet street picking up speed. I looked over my shoulder to see the soldiers losing ground.

We took a corner way too fast and I swallowed my scream, threw my arms over my face and squeezed my eyes shut. I swear I felt the tires lift off the pavement. Then he slammed on the breaks and jumped out of the Hummer. My door flew open before I had my bearings enough to open my eyes. Kaysen must have undone my seat belt before he got out because he pulled me from the vehicle so fast my head was spinning.

There was another car waiting on the street in front of us and we jumped in the back seat and took off. I searched around in pure panic, no soldiers and it was Mr. McKeown driving now. "Hello Avery, it's good to have you back." He didn't seem upset at all, friendly and calm, very nonchalant actually. The Hummer blew by us just then.

"Awww, thanks?" my mind was a blender filled with surreal events and colorful emotions, making sludge.

Kaysen piped in as the car came to a normal pace and we seemed to be heading back to the house. "So Angel, we are going to get cozy for a few minutes. Not to worry they aren't looking for us. Drew is driving around in the Hummer and having a little fun with the soldiers." He lowered half of the back seat and motioned for me to climb into the trunk. I couldn't speak or think at this point so we both snuggled into the back and Mr. McKeown flipped the seat up. Cloaked in total darkness I felt strangely safe wrapped in Kaysens arms, even with the impending danger we were driving straight into.

The car slowed and I figured we were home, but it was just a stop sign. I could hear the window lower and Mr. McKeown shouted, "good day fellas! Keeping the community safe I see. Keep up the good work." In my minds eye I could see him wave at a soldier receiving a nod in return. A minute later we pulled into the gated driveway. Kaysen whispered in my ear, "home safe Love. " He laughed, "the round about way," and kissed my head.

"That all happened so fast! I was totally dazed, completely taken off guard actually!" The car came to a halt and the trunk popped open. A large maple tree filtered the bright sunlight and fresh air coated us with welcome coolness. Kaysen jumped out and scooped me up into his strong arms and carried me into the main house.

Mrs. McKeown was holding open the front door with a plate of fresh baked cookies. A woman after my own heart. She hugged us both with her free hand and I took a cookie gratefully. I thought Kaysen would stop to visit but he just kept on walking with me in his arms straight through the house and out the back door. "I can walk!"

"Nope, I have you back now and your are not getting away from me so easy." He smirked in satisfaction and kissed my head. I just wrapped my arms around his neck, "I don't want to be anywhere else, ever."

We arrived at our own home moments later and he carried me over the threshold. "Let's start over Mrs. McKeown." He set me down on my feet and held me in his arms until I felt stable. His ands were warm on my cheeks as he kissed me. My knees went weak and I almost collapsed but he steadied me. Then escorted me into the bedroom. My pjs were still on the bed right were I had left them, only they were neatly folded and clean. I sat on the side of the bed for a minute taking it all in before I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and slipped into my favorite pajamas. I could hardly wait to slip under the heavy cool covers of our soft, cozy bed. Kaysen laid beside me on top of the blankets until I fell asleep.