In Their Eyes

-36-

    Coach Barnes stumble back from the truck. He falls on the asphalt. He staggers to his feet. Alex next to him.
   Coach Hanna and Betty jump from their seats, mounting panic from everyone.
      Barnes moves off quickly onto the shoulder of the road, crossing out of the headlights as he doubles over.

"Jesus christ!", Coach Hanna says. More boys crowding forward.

"Alright, everyone back in their seats. Everyone sit down and shut up!", Coach Hanna hisses.

Hanna stares back out. They cant even see Barnes and Alex now. No one can. The Coach hops down the bus steps.

"Wait a minute. Take some flares for the road.", Betty says.

A loud bang is hear. Coach Barnes falls against the the bus doors. Breathless with Alex behind him. Palms out.

They startle everyone. Both stare in at them. A pale face of terror.
The doors open and he falls up the steps, reaching out for Hanna.
"Highway Patrol!", Barnes says. "What the hells is the matter?", Coach Hanna asks.

Barnes points to the truck. Hes about to spill what he saw but then he sees all the faces of the kids watching him.

He leans in to whisper to Hanna. What Hanna hears gives him a look of utter disbelief.

Barnes doesnt care if he believes or not. "Get the Highway Patrol out here, Betty!", Barnes hisses.

"With what? I cant squeeze a fart outta this thing!", Betty says.

Scott, Double D, and Kimball are even closer now.

"Everyone stays on the bus. That means everyone. Scott sit down.", Coach Hanna says.
Hanna nods to Jake. "Jakey, run point at the back of the bus.
Drop a couple flares and keep an eye out for headlights. Everyone else sit tight.", Hanna says.

Hanna gets off the bus quickly. Barnes follows. Alex gets back on the bus and sits within the first few seats up front.

"Jakey, could you come out and ill kiss your ass a little bit more. My little Coach's Pet...", Scott says.

Behind his back, Jake gives Scott the finger as he steps the the aisle.

Betty flips open the emergency road kit and tosses Jake another flashlight. A flare too.

Betty and Jake step onto the shoulder. Barnes pops his head back in the bus.

He looks at Bucky. "Close these doors.", Barnes hisses. Buck just stares at him. "Close 'em!", Barnes hisses.
Coach Barnes joins the others on the shoulder as Bucky grabs the handle and closes the doors.

He looks back at the team.

The 3 adults move towards the old truck and Jake to the rear of the bus.

That old tune echoes across the fields. Jake looks in the distance.

Just a moonlit road as far as the eye can see. A sudden banging on the rear window of the bus.

Jake flicks on the flashlight. Scott, Jonny, and Dante flipping him off.

At the truck, Betty goes to get behind the wheel.

   "Dont Betty. Better let me or Charlie.", Coach Barnes says. "Gimme the flashlight.", Betty says.
   "Betty, i mean it.", Coach Barnes warns. Betty snatches the flashlight away from Barnes.

   She cautiously peers inside with Coach Hanna.

    Bodies wrapped and roped in bloody sheets. Seven at least. More hanging from hooks on either side. One hook still empty.