Life stepping ahead

They say your life flashes by in the moment of death. Scud found it to be different. In fact, it moon-walked with the speed of a snail on crutches. Like a ray of light captured by a prism, sparkling each memory into a different direction, all at the same time. The intensity made him squint, the bright light hurting his eyes, causing the urge to sneeze. Which was ridiculous in this situation.

Made him almost laugh. It was hard to focus on just one because the pain darting through his body distracted him almost to much. But just almost. In the blink of an eye, he found himself back where it all had started. Once upon a time. Back in the day. When the dead see was still alive and gumboots still made from wood. Three years before he ended up in this bloody mess.

"Jooooosh! Time to gooooooohooooo!" The cheerful, girly voice from outside startled him that much that he tripped and fell while trying to put his baggy pants on. Luckily, he fell right back into the bed he had just scooped himself out of. Yeah, he was late as always. A pillow in his face, he managed to get his pants on and closed, put some shoes on and grabbed the car keys. Lacey stood next to his car, waiting. "Josh, hurry. I don't wanna be late for school again" His eyes barely open, a coffee short of being anything less than a vampire, he climbed behind the wheel. Traffic was ok-ish this morning so he managed to get Lacey to school 5 minutes before the first bell rang. "Josh, did you hear me?" Slap!

"Hey! What did I say 'bout slappin' my head like that?!" She grinned cheekily "You're half asleep" her tone was playfully mocking. "What else is new?" "I said Mom and Dad expect you to come over today." Trying to hide is displeasure, he got a cigarette out of his pocket and put it into his mouth but didn't light it up "Sure. Gonna get there after work" "Ok. Good. Mom is worried about you, you know. And so am I." Smiling, he leaned over and hugged his baby sister "No need to be. All good" "I hope. Thanks for the lift. And remember, if they ask, i've been at Miranda's this night" "Uh-hu. Hope that dude treated you right or i'll come find him and rip his guts out" Facing him, Lacey smiled a radiant smile and Josh knew he didn't have to worry. But he still did. 16 or not, this was his little sister and even if he was a total punk, no men would treat any women bad when he was around. Especially not Lacey. The school bell broke the tender moment and she ran to be on time.

Of course he'd lie to her to his parents. Wasn't like they didn't expect him to do that. Now finally putting a lighter to his drug of choice, he put the car in gear. Time to work. Driving on autopilot, he mentally mapped out the work he had to do today. There was this old Chevy, coughing everytime you tried the ignition before she flooded. Easy, probably was the cylinder head casket or simply a spark plug. A little more difficult was the red Queen that had come in yesterday. A real treasure, a pin-up girl under all the models. An old Shelby GT500. Ever since the movie "Gone in 60 seconds", those beauties had a real revival, even got a new series built but there was no comparison to the original. And like a ladies of class, this sin wouldn't give up her secrets to easy. Josh was sure about that. So when he parked at the garage, he was determined to get into that pants, so to speak.

"Morning, Scud!" his boss called from the office. Leaning in the door frame, Scud stopped, rolling up his sleeves "Mornin' boss. Gonna get to the two busty ladies today. Or got anything else?" "Yeah. Go and help Nicky. Got a Charger in and the dude owning it is kinda scary. Want that done ASAP." "Got it" With a nod, Scud went to his friend who got him the job here. Went without saying that he'd give him two hands whenever needed. It was nothing for Nicky but for Scud having this job was a god-sent gift. "Yo, Nick. Whatcha want me to do?" "Yo, dog" Nick called from underneath the car. "Injection's kinda fucked and the turbo charger system gives me headaches. Mind checking the latter?" "Done"

Nicky had been his only friend during high school and after Scud had involuntary dropped out of said school, amongst other things, Nick had provided shelter and this job. A life-safer as it had turned out. With his natural talent of fixing things, the boss had come to like Scud really fast, willing to deal with his sporadic escapades. The garage had the reputation to be able to fix anything and everything and Scud fit in perfectly. That stable job and the feeling to be needed provided the stability Scud had missed almost his entire life. The money was good and so his stay on Nick's couch had been a brief one. All in all, life was good. If only he didn't have too..."Scud. You stoned already? Whatcha starin' holes into the air?" Nick stood next to him, an eyebrow up. "Sorry, man. Lace told me to get over to my parents today. Got a bad feelin' about that" Nodding knowingly, Nick grabbed another tool and disappeared underneath the car again while Scud all but dived into the engine. The muffled voice still reached Scud's ear just fine. "Did she say what they want?" "No clue. Don't mind seeing Mom but..." the sentence got lost in nothingness and Nick didn't bother to ask. He knew all about it and felt sad for his friend.

Josh Frohmeyer had been a smart but incredibly bored student. Totally unchallenged by the tasks given in his classes, he rebelled like the teenager he was. At heart, he was a good guy, doing the homework for Nicky on the fly but his own he never did. Disappearing during school time, he hung out with scapegraces around town, getting busted for smoking pot. He'd been lucky to get away with a warning from the police. But the police was the lesser of two evils. It didn't take a psychology major to know the reasons behind his behavior, as Nick's mom had one pointed out. Scud was a regular guest at the Walsh's house and Mrs Walsh was anything but blind. She noticed how he jerked when she touched him on his shoulder. And his excuses for all the black and blue marks he didn't bother to hide where just that: excuses.

One night, when Scud had come knocking on the door once again, sporting a nice new shiner, Mister and Misses Walsh had silently discussed the possibilities of brining the authorities in without getting the boy into more trouble. And they had tried. The outcome was bad. CPS had paid the Frohmeyers a visit but evidently found nothing. Or Mr Frohmeyer had found away to talk himself out of the charges. One way or another, Scud hadn't been seen in school or around town for over a week and that was the final step into being kicked outta school. Shame because it had only been weeks before the finals. Some time after, a wet and tired looking Scud had stood infront the door once again, this time with a backpack full of clothes and Mrs Walsh had done what's been right.

Ever since that time, Scud had been by himself. Turned out being thrown out was a good thing. At least for his sister. With him gone, Dad had calmed down a lot. Not that he ever hurt the ladies in the house, just screaming at them when he was drunk. But having seen his wife scared to death after Scud had run away, Daddy Frohmeyer apparently had thought his behavior over and got better. A little. This had happened almost ten years ago.

Scud and Nick managed to get the Charger done at lunchtime. "Gonna get some food, boss!" Scud called and walked outside. Just down the street was a little diner. His collagues went along with him but instead of going inside with them, Scud stopped outside to finish his cigarette. Seemingly random, he walked up and down before the diner and no one but Nick knew the truth. Mentally facing what would wash over him this night, Scud stepped behind the diner. Greeting the dealer with a slight nod, he held his hand out as if wanting to shake the other mans, he passed on the money. No word was spoken and in a fluent movement, Scud walked by and the man gave him what appeared to be a playful nudge in his side. The pot in his pocket, Scud went for food.