Let's go for a ride. (A collection of short stories)

Darren

I took a drag on the cigarette. I looked at the setting sun before me. I looked at Darren beside me. He was doing the same thing as me. Looking off into the distance as he smoked a cigarette. Darren was my best friend, I trusted him with my life and I he trusted his life with me. We didn't always have to talk to know what each other was thinking. He was taller than me, with this mop of dusty blonde hair, he had these eyes like ice; they never showed emotion and he had long forgotten how to feel. I had known him since I was twelve and since then we've became thick as thieves. His home life was nonexistent he spend most of the time with me and my mom. I know for a fact he doesn't go home when he leaves our house sometimes but I never asked him where he goes. I know he doesn't want to talk about it.

"Hey man we should skip" He said in his low raspy voice.

"No I think I'm going to stay in tonight" I said taking another long drag.

He did the same. I put the cigarette out and walked back into the house. He didn't follow. He pulled out another cigarette. I looked at him. Tough as nails, he had been that way since I met him.

"Mikey I'm home. Can you help me with the groceries?" my mom said coming into the house.

I walked out to the car and helped with the groceries. The street was quite. The occasional car went past. People going home I suppose. I started putting the groceries away and Darren walked back into the house.

"I think I'll be on my way now" Darren said closing the back door.

"Oh I was just about to start dinner" my mom said.

"I would to stay but I promised I would meet someone in ten minutes. So I have to be on my way" He said

I didn't know who he had to meet. He never told me much about what he does when he's not here or at school. I mean I wondered but he was tight lipped so I let it go. I heard him speeding away.

"I wonder what that was all about" She said looking at me expecting an answer.

"I don't know" I said

"Seriously you can tell me. I would like to know if I'm letting a criminal in my house" She laughed a little

"I seriously don't know" I said with emphasis on seriously

She gave a look. One of those 'okay' kinds of looks. I wish I had an answer for her but Darren was quite about stuff that he did.

My mom looked at me as I was helping her with dinner.

"Will he be back?" She asked

"I'm pretty sure he will. He practically lives here anyway. He has to come home" I joked

"Hey I'm serious." She said "You haven't noticed it but he's becoming distant. He used to stay over weeks at a time but now it's only a couple of days. I'm worried I know he doesn't come from the most righteous part of town. I'm worried" She said

I didn't know what to say to her. She seemed so sad and worried. The truth was I had noticed but never asked him why. I just thought maybe things at home were getting better. I was lying to myself but I was scared of the truth.

We finished making dinner. It was oddly quite. I know my mom had a million different things she was thinking about. I didn't say much. After what she said now I was worried about Darren. I mean where did he go?

After dinner my mom and I took a walk. I don't know why. We never do this kind of thing but we both thought it would be nice. It was quite as usual. It was something I didn't mind at all but sometimes you wondered did people even live in those houses until you heard cars zooming down the street. It was a beautiful night and even then there was no one to wave to or say hello to. The blinds were closed and there was no movement. It was scary. It started getting pitch and we decided we should go home. On the way back I saw someone putting their garbage on the curb.

"Hello" We said in unison

The person smiled. That was more than I was expecting so I was glad. There was life on this street. After the walk I went into my room and turned on some music. Some noise was nice. I ended up drifting off to sleep. I was shaken awake.

"The fuck man" I whispered

"Come on where going out" Darren said

"No I'm sleep" I said rolling over. "And how the hell did you get in my house" I asked

"God you aren't that stupid are you" He laughed

"Hey your blankets and stuff are still there" I said yawning

"Naw get up where going out"

"Fine you fucking prick" I said yawning and getting out of bed.

I got in his car. I was still practically half sleep. He started blasting music. It woke me up.

"Where are we going" I asked

"Just wait and see"

I was pissed. Why would he wake me out my sleep just so we com go somewhere that I don't know. Also I'm scared. Where is he taking me? Does this have anything to do with why he's been gone all this time? I kept my mouth shut and went along for the ride.

We stopped at his house. I recognized it from the few times I had been there. He got out the car quick. I hurried as fast as I could in my sleepy state. He looked angry and I reached out and grabbed him.

"No man not today man" I said without hesitation.

"I'm just making a pit stop to pick up a few things relax, get back in the car" He said

I did as I was told but I didn't know what he had planned to do. It wouldn't be the first time he lied to me. He came out not soon after smoking a cigarette with a gun in hand. I practically jumped out the car when I saw it.

"Whoa there. Go put that back. You don't need that" I said quietly

"Get back in the car" He said

I didn't do it. "Put the gun back in the house you don't need the gun man" I said

"Get back in the car" He said this time pointing the gun at me

I was scared but I let it go. "You don't need that gun"

"I'm not afraid to use this. Now get back in the car"
I pretended to get back in the car as I approached the car I made a dash. I started running like my life depended on it. I heard the car start up when I half way down the block. I caught up to me. Pointing the gun in my face he said.

"Get in this goddamn car now" He said just below a yell

I kept running. I ran but I heard the car right behind me. I kept running. I was scared but I didn't know what to do. I couldn't just sit there in that car and wait for him to kill me.

After a while I didn't hear anything behind me. I looked he was gone. I had chills all over my body. Truth was I was scared what had he planned to do with that gun? Whose gun was it anyway? I made it home and got dressed for the day.

"Hey sweetie you want some breakfast" my mom asked,

I was still too shaken to eat.

"No thank you" I said rushing out of the house.

I got in my car and drove off. I was looking all around for his car but I could not find it at all. I start to calm down more.

As I was pulling up to the house I saw my mom's car and police cars there. Panic struck through me. I ran into the house.

"Ah there he is" my mom said with tears in her eyes.

"Your friend Daren is in police custody, he robbed a bank but one of the hostages was killed. I have a few questions to ask." He said

I looked at my mother. My heart sank to the floor. How can this happen? Why did he do this? Did he want me to do with him? Did he want me to rob that bank with him? Tears stated rolling down my face. Darren was gone for good.