Chapter three! And...a glimpse at what Nattie's been doing with himself since the 50's. XD

He never felt fear.

At least, that's what he always told himself before a show. Afterward, he'd lie in bed for an hour or two, repeatedly admitting how terrified he'd been of accidentally crossing that oh-so-fine line of Life or Death just a few hours prior. But he couldn't let that emotion get in the way of his performance, so he buried it until after his feet were safely back on the ground, and the arena was a good ten blocks behind him. So for now, as he sat behind the ominous black curtain, his bike rumbling almost anxiously beneath him, Nathan buried his fear.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the D.C. Stunt Show!" The announcers voice sounded muffled and distant, despite the speakers just beyond the heavy curtain. "Please, keep your arms and legs inside the railing at all times, for your own safety. These stunts are preformed by professionals," Nathan rolled his eyes sarcastically. Professional? Him? That was new. "So do NOT try this at home!"

The music began to crescendo, and lights began to flash, skirting beneath the bottom of the curtain to cast an odd light show against the front tire and windshield of Nathan's bike. He raised the kickstand and revved the engine, rolling forward a few feet as an arena employe moved to unhook the curtain's edge and pulled it to one side. "Please give a warm D.C. welcome to our first rider, Nathan Cameron!" He let go of the brake and surged forward, barreling down the tunnel in the stands before bursting into the open dirt-floor arena.

All he could hear was the roar of the crowd, the snarl of his bike; Nathan took a slow, deep breath. This is why he spent ten hours, four days a week taking orders and hauling dishes - all for this. This was his was where he beloved.

In that moment, Nathan felt that nothing could go wrong.

He came back to consciousness about two hours later, under blinding lights, and with someone gently rapping on his skull. "…-tie…Nat-….-ie….." A concerned voice slowly phased back into place. "Nattie, can you hear me? Come on, kid - say something!"

"Don't tap the glass…." Nathan groaned. "It's making my head ring…." His manager stopped tapping his head and drew back with a frustrated sigh.

"Jesus Christ…"

"Owes me five bucks." Nathan giggled. His manager leaned back and shared a muted conversation with two more people - when had they gotten there? - crouched beside him. Nathan frowned. That wasn't nice - why couldn't they include him in their conversation? He was right there anyway…..oh my gosh, were they talking about him? How…preteen!

The two new people moved to either side of Nathan, and bent down to pick something up. A gurney? Nathan wondered when he was suddenly lifted up off the ground. Had he been lying on that the whole time? The two people - paramedics - began to roll the young man out of the arena, and a little of Nathan's clarity began to return.

His rear tire had lost traction near the end of his run. He'd been attempting his last trick - a bar trick called the 'cliff hanger', in which he hung from the handlebars by his feet, while riding the bike in a wheelie past the normal point of balance. As a direct result, the bike had toppled backwards. Right onto him. Admittedly, 50 mph was probably must too fast to safely attempt a 'cliff hanger'.

Nathan rolled his head back as the bright lights were cut off, noting with a sort of distant surprise that his helmet had been removed. Or smashed. Either was possible. "What'd I break this time…?" He mumbled, his tongue tripping over the words. "….did I wreck th' bike…?"

"Yes, yes you did." His manager frowned, following the paramedics through the covered entrance tunnel. "You'll be lucky if you won't have to rebuild it from scratch. As for what you broke….for sure? Your arm, your leg, foot, hand, several ribs, and possibly your spine."

"…..ow."

"Yes Nathan. Ow." The paramedics rolled Nathan out of the arena through a back door, and toward an ambulance waiting in the parking lot beyond. Already, a path had to be cleared by security guards, to keep rubbernecking show-goers at bay.

"Are we going to the hospital…?"

"Yes Nathan," His manager sighed as he climbed into the ambulance behind the injured rider and the paramedics. The boy had no other known family to notify, and needed someone with him at the hospital. "Bloody stunter…"

A day or so later, Alfred showed up at his twin's hotel room, clutching a surprise and armed with what he thought was an irrefutable offer for some brotherly bonding.

"No."

"But-"

"No."

"Mattie-"

"Alfred, no!" Matthew Williams stamped his foot resolutely, though the action had little impression on his twin. "I'm not going!"

"Aww, come on!" Alfred F. Jones whined. "I only get the discount on this thing if I have two people!" He waved the colorful coupon in his hand. "Besides, you'll love this place - Nattie works there!" Matthew made a face.

"Alfred, I have paperwork to finish for my boss. I can't put this off."

"You can do paperwork anytime!" Alfred whined. "How often do you get to bond with your favorite brother?"

"…you're my only brother."

"Exactly! So we're going!" Alfred grabbed Matthew's arm and dragged him out of the hotel room before he could protest. Matthew yelped.

"Bu-but Al! What about Kumaku-"

"Ah, he'll be fine!" Alfred smiled brightly. "We'll only be gone an hour or so, and he sleeps all day, anyway! Hurry up, or we'll get stuck in the lunch rush!" Matthew sighed inwardly as his twin dragged him to the elevators, and kicked the button with his foot.

"You couldn't just press the button?" Alfred turned to him with a wide grin.

"It makes me feel like a ninja." He rationalized. The elevator dinged as it arrived, and after a moment's pause, the doors slid open. Alfred pulled Matthew inside and hammered the lobby button. Then he draped an arm across his twin's shoulders as the doors closed. "Cheer up, Mattie! You'll love this place!" Matthew gave his twin a withering look, which was ignored.

"Let me guess...McDonald's?"

"...whoa, Mattie! Are you a mind reader?" Matthew sighed heavily. "Quick! What'm I thinking of right now?"

"Hamburgers..." Matthew growled quietly, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Oh my gosh, that's right!" Alfred gasped, eyes sparkling in awe. Matthew banged his head on the elevator wall in frustration. "You gotta teach me that trick!"

"Sure, Al..."

...well. XD Thanks to everyone for the positive reinforcement! Remember, if you have any suggestions, just let me know!