Drop
Author's Note: Thank you to all those who've reviewed! It feeds my soul, and inspires me to write more.
Chapter 2: Speed
The two brothers don't slow down until they reach Jack's car, four blocks away. This is also when Jack finally lets go of Shawn's wrist, after steering him toward the passenger door. Catching their breaths, they both collapse into their seats and slam their doors shut.
Jack starts the engine and hits the gas, "Do you think the running was a little too conspicuous?"
"Not as conspicuous as you holding my hand."
Jack looks slightly embarrassed, "Sorry about that…I just wanted to make sure you were with me."
Shawn nods understandably, "Whatever this is, it's got you really scared."
"Yeah."
Shawn sighs, "That was your cue, Man."
"Huh?"
"We're in the car now. Can you tell me what's going on?"
"Now?"
"Yes, now."
"Shawn, we're in a hurry here."
"And we made it to the car, didn't we?"
Minutes go by, and Jack doesn't respond.
"Jack, talking will not slow us down. Just sitting here, I'm going" Shawn glances down at the dashboard, then returns his stare to his brother, "forty-five miles per hour. I can't go any faster."
Jack slowly shakes his head back a forth.
"Jack!"
"Just-Just give me some time, all right?"
"You've had plenty of time. You dragged me out of my home in the middle of the night; I want some answers!"
"Fine! I pissed somebody off," Jack rolls his eyes, "besides you."
At any other time, Shawn might have laughed at the awkward joke. Now, he simply presses, "How?"
"I…owe him some money…"
Shawn's jaw drops, and it takes him a few moments before he can form the words, "Is…it…?"
"Yeah, it's Johnny."
Shawn lets out a disappointed sigh, "Your bookie? Jack, I thought you were done with that."
"So did I."
"Then, how-"
"It was just supposed to be one night!"
Shawn shuts his eyes and bangs his head against the headrest, "How much?"
Jack doesn't answer.
"How much?" Shawn enunciates, not moving from his position.
"…Seventeen…"
"Seventeen thousand dollars!? How the hell are you going to pay that back?"
"I can't! Why do you think we're running?"
"We…" realization dawns on Shawn like an anvil, "Oh my god, they're after me now. They can't hurt you, or you might not be able to work enough to pay them back, so they're after me…"
Jack takes in a shaky breath, "Shawn, I'm so sorry…" Jack stares intently at the road before him, refusing to break down right now.
A few minutes of silence go by as Shawn mimics his brother, watching the road rush beneath the car. He then rips his eyes away from the mesmerizing gray and fixes them on Jack's profile, "Where are we going?"
"Southwest" is the lamest answer possible, but Jack gives it like it's all Shawn could ever need to know.
"To?" Shawn prompts.
"Someplace far away, okay?"
"Jack, I have a life here. I can't just leave-"
"Would you rather die?!"
"Jack, we can't hide forever…"
Jack sighs, "I…I know…Just, give me some time, okay?"
Shawn pinches the bridge of his nose in thought, "How long?"
Jack thinks for a minute, then throws out with a shrug, "A week."
"Okay, a week. I think I can get that time off-"
"No! Don't call your work. No one can know where you are."
"Jack, it's the UN. They're not going to tell anyone-"
"Trust me. Johnny has guys at the UN."
"I can't just ditch my job."
"They'll be fine without your translating for one week."
"I'm the only one there that can translate between Mandarin and French, and there are two delegates who want to discuss trade from Hong Kong and Paris coming on Tuesday."
"Like you said: it's the UN. They'll find someone. Do you even remember that people want to kill you?"
That shuts Shawn up. Jack secretly hopes it will shut him up until they reach the Mexican border.