It was a normal day. America and I were going to a new sports store he'd told me about.
"They have hockey sticks and pucks as far as the eye can see! Even a second floor! Up there they have a fudge store and a batting cage! It's huge!"
"That sounds great, Al. I wonder if they have maple flavored fudge, eh?"
We traveled down highway after countless highway until I finally had to bite.
"Where is this supposed sports store anyway? I thought you said it was close."
"Relax Mattie! We're almost there. Just another couple minutes…" America trailed off, looking into the distance. "Hey, do you mind if I stop at a Mickey D's? I'm starving!" My brother the pig.
"Yeah, I guess we can." A smile broke across my face. This was the perfect opportunity to bring the past up. "Just remember not to give the poor window person a heart attack by screaming into the order window."
A blank look, trying to recall that fateful day, then a slow grin. "If that girl did have a heart attack, I would have saved her. After all, I am the hero!"
I playfully hit his shoulder. "Then don't crash us, 'hero'! The drive-in's right here."
We pulled in and got Alfred his food; a big mac, no surprise there. But then he did surprise me; he got a cup of oatmeal.
"Never thought you were a fan of…" I paused, reading the label. "Fruit and maple oatmeal?"
He pushed it over to me saying, "It's not for me. I got it for you."
"M-me?" Odd lunch choice, no doubt. But, whatever. "Why oatmeal though?"
"Hmm? Oh, it said 'maple' on it and thought you might like it."
"O-okay…" I took a bite. It wasn't half bad.
We left the drive through and kept traveling west. We were already on the edge of California, where else could we go?
My question was quickly answered as we pulled into a parking lot filled with cars of ever size, color, and price. A black hummer, a bright yellow Beetle, and people swarming the doors of the store. Perfect way to spend a Tuesday. Sarcasm, sarcasm, sarcasm.
We jostled past the crowd to get in, and once we were I realized my brother was right. It was unbelievably huge! To my right were baseball gear or anyone and everyone; I'd make sure to stay away from that area. On the left were footballs and helmets. Seemed like this entire store was made for others to get hurt. I cringed as I remembered all the tackles, all the balls thrown at my face and other areas, all the sports.
Thankfully, Al pulled me away from the memories and towards what I'd originally come for: the hockey equipment. We made our way upstairs and around the entire store looking for it. We couldn't find it at first, so we stopped at the fudge store.
"What? No maple?" America wrapped his arm around my shoulder while almost yelling at the store clerk. "I was told there was maple flavored fudge here!"
The clerk looked new and frightened at the strange man yelling at her, so I tried to help her out.
"Hey, bro, its fine, really! I don't need anything to be maple!" I pushed him off my arms and pointed at the display case. "I'll just take original chocolate, please."
The girl shakily got a piece out and handed it to me. Too terrified to talk, she simply looked at Alfred; her way of asking, "What would you like, sir?"
Blue eyes scanned the glass for what seemed like forever and a day. The clerk was actually sweating in anticipation. Finally, the eyes stopped roaming and landed on a piece of dark chocolate expresso fudge. A finger was pointed at it, money was exchanged, and we were on our way again. My little piece had been gone for sometime, America on the other hand seemed to think it sacred, eating only small bites.
We attempted to make our way to the hockey equipment once more but had to refer to a map to find our way. Once there, I almost squeaked with so much glee. I tried out almost every hockey stick, tried on most of their pads, and was disappointed how they didn't have any jerseys for Canadian teams, just American ones.
For a while, al left me saying he was going to the batting cage. I let him, knowing he'd just want to play 'catch' with me later. I went back to my happy place and let all my worries just wash away.
The strange sensation of I was being watched crept over my shoulder. I ignored it, thinking it to be a store clerk or another customer looking over me to see everything. I just couldn't shake it though.
I looked behind me, unable to bear it any longer. There stood America, back again. A stone cold look was sprayed across his face.
I was confused. "Hey bro. I thought you said you'd be over at the batting cage. And what's with the look, eh?" I lightly poked his face. "You look like you just came from a funeral or something!" The man in question latched out at my arm and caught it, holding it in a death grip. A cringe of pain waved across my face.
"Hey, ease up will you? What's the matter?" I tried to back up, but found my back flat up against the wall. I was trapped.
"I… I'm so sorry Mattie. Really, I am. But we all gotta do what we gotta do…" Tears welled up in my brothers eyes as he took our a rag from his pocket, along with a length of rope and a blindfold.
I knew what was going to happen. I'd seen it in movies. But for it to happen in real life was both frightening and exhilarating. How could Alfred do this? Why? He was my brother for God's sake!
Before I knew it, the rope was around my wrists and ankles, and the rag was almost shoved into my nose. My world went blurry, then pitch black as whatever was on it started to work. I could feel myself growing weaker by the second as my heartbeat slowed dramatically. Barely conscious, I could tell that America was picking me up and taking me somewhere. I couldn't tell where though, as my brain finally shut down and all consciousness was lost.