Renegade Runaways :: Chapter One

Steve Johnson struggled to support the almost lifeless body of Bo Brady. With the man being close to unconscious, he was basically dead weight in Steve's arms. Steve pulled Bo out of the stolen van they'd hijacked from an impound lot a couple states over. Bo groaned weakly.

"Come on man," Steve grunted as he forced Bo to stand on his own two feet, "You can do it. We're almost to the house."

Bo mumbled incoherently. Steve slammed the passenger side door of the van and pulled Bo's arm around his neck to rest on his shoulders. The walk from the driveway to the front door wasn't far. They'd both walked it a million times before, but this time Bo was basically worthless.

Steve felt a thin line of perspiration forming on his forehead. He tore the black ski mask completely off of his head, and shoved it in the pocket of his leather jacket. He took three steps, one at a time, dragging Bo sideways before each new step. He stopped. His breathing was labored. Bo's face was contorted in a mask of pain under the black fuzzy material that covered it. Bo was struggling just as much for each breath as Steve, but he wasn't contributing to the work. Steve watched Bo slip out of consciousness. He caught him before Bo could make a hard fall to the concrete they were both standing on.

"Dammit, BoBo…" Steve sighed and gave up. He struggled, but managed to throw Bo over his shoulder and wobble as quickly as he could to the front door of the Brady house. It was dark. It looked like no one was home. As they were nearing the door, Bo began to struggle on Steve's shoulder as he regained consciousness.

"Bo, take it easy." Steve ordered, "It's just me."

A little too disoriented, Bo continued to thrash, causing Steve to lose his balance. They both tumbled forward and crashed into the solid doorframe with a thud. Bo coughed and gasped for air as he allowed his body to slide down the sturdy door to the less than welcoming concrete stoop.

"God, Bo…" Steve sputtered, "What the hell is wrong with you man?"

Bo winced. Everything throbbed. He squinted through blurry eyes back at Steve sitting on the ground next to him.

"Seriously." Steve sighed, trying to catch his breath, "I'm gonna kick your ass."

Bo raised his own ski mask, exposing his face, but not his head, and half smiled, "Did we make it?"

Steve nodded and slowly stood. He brushed himself off and glanced at the house, "I don't think she's home."

"Break… the… window…." Bo's words came slowly through labored breaths.

"You mean you forgot your keys somewhere in that God forsaken hell hole?" Steve joked. He tried the door knob. The house was locked. Bo was right. The window had to go. They couldn't afford to wait on the front steps for an unknown amount of time. They needed a hiding spot, and Bo needed a doctor stat. "I'll be back."

Bo watched Steve limp away. He wanted his bed. He wanted his bed and a scalding hot shower. He couldn't remember the last time simple amenities such as food, water, and a bathroom with running water were accessible to him. The shattering of glass brought his thoughts back to the present. So much pain screamed from his insides.

From inside the house, Steve fumbled with the lights. He was careful not to turn on too many. The familiarity of the house sent chills up his spine. 'Focus,' Steve reminded himself, and he hurried to unlock the front door. As he swung it open, Bo fell backwards into the house.

"Home." Bo smiled through the pain as his head slammed into the floor. Steve grabbed him under the armpits and dragged him into the living room. There was no way he could get Bo on the couch, so he settled for a nice flat spot in front of the fire place. He grabbed a couple of throw pillows and propped Bo's head up.

"Hope." Bo whispered. He could feel her in the walls of the home they'd made. Memories of her flooded him as the faint smell of her perfume reached his nostrils. She hadn't been gone long. His eyes struggled to focus on his home. He tried to stare at the family pictures that scattered the room, but he couldn't. Black spots threatened his vision.

"Okay," Steve searched the room for the landline, "Bo, stay with me. You can't go to sleep. Wake up."

Steve dialed one of the few numbers he knew by heart. Bo was fading fast, and this was the next best thing to 911 he had.

"Come on…" Steve begged, "Answer… Please answer…."