Chapter Four

Down The Yellow Brick Road . . . Without Mom's Medication

Dustin scrambled into the backseat, his hands sweeping the floor for any sign of the keys. Then, from behind him, he heard a gagging noise and a scuffling sound, coupled with a laugh and the jingle of car keys.

"Beau?" Dustin whipped around, standing up again. But instead of his brother, there were two rough-looking thugs, one with Beau in a headlock, the other holding the keys tauntingly just out of his brother's reach.

"Looks like the kid really needs those keys for something, ya think?" The one with Beau said, his long hair falling in his eyes. He spat on the ground at Dustin's feet when he didn't reply. "I said - oof!"

Dustin swung an uppercut his way, making the thug tumble down with Beau beside him. The other one grabbed Dustin by the front of his shirt, holding him just above the ground. Dustin made a gagging noise and struggled to get free, his hands prying uselessly at the thug's grip.

Getting up, the other thug rubbed his chin, smiling. Beau was still in his grip, face turning blue. "Some uppercut you have there, punk. You on the wrestling team? Kickboxing? Hey, how 'bout we make a trade? All those meds for the keys and the kid."

Dustin growled, clawing now. "Those are for my mom," he choked out, kicking at the air.

"Boo-hoo. Life isn't fair, kid. Now you either give us the box of meds and get the hell out of here, or the kid gets it right here with my little buddy called Slasher," the one with the keys said, pointing at his neck. Then he took a curved cuthroat sword out from his belt and tossed it to his partner, who held it to Beau's neck.

Dustin sighed with defeat, stopping his struggle. "Put me down and you can have 'em."

The thug dropped Dustin, and he walked over the the hatch and popped it open, handing them the open box of sedatives. Chuckling to themselves, the two thugs dropped

Beau and tossed Dustin the car keys, running off.

Panting, Beau got up and brushed himself off. Then, without hesitation, he lunged at Dustin and started sobbing into his shirt, his arms locked around his older brother's waist.

Patting Beau's blonde head, Dustin tried to console Beau, who was now shaking like a leaf and white as a ghost. "Look, kiddo, it's okay. I wouldn't have let them hurt ya, really now. We'll find another motel in another city, in a more well-lit area. Then we can rest, okay?"

Beau nodded, and Dustin lifted him up by the waist and put him in the passenger's seat, buckling him in like a small child. Beau just stared out the window, his gaze distant, as Dustin rounded the car and got in. Then his cell phone rang.

From: Crumplebottom Mobile # 555-308-5055 - "Angela Coral Pleasant"

To: SimTel # 555-241-4354 - "Dustin Richard Broke"

Subject: Urgent News!!!

hi love, its angie. wanted to let u kno im not mad bout last nite, i knew u were upset + i want u 2 know that my mom was eavesdropping on our convo last nite + she called the police on ur mom for being a psycho. i didnt know she could do that but she did so if u see a cop car drive faster!!! they are after ur mom!!! love, angie.

l Reply l Delete l Save This Message l

Dustin swore to himself and Beau winced, but stayed silent. Pushing the 'Reply' button, Dustin punched in a quick reply.

From: SimTel # 555-241-4354 - "Dustin Richard Broke"

To: Crumplebottom Mobile # 555-308-5055 - "Angela Coral Pleasant"

Subject: RE: Urgent News!!!

hey angie, thanks 4 the tip. will look out 4 the coppers. not like i already am but thanks a lot. keep an eye on things 4 me love cuz i wont be back 4 a whole lot longer. kisses, dustin.

l Send l Save as Draft l Exit l

Sending it, Dustin snapped his phone shut and slumped in his seat, looking back at his unconscious mother. Then he jammed the key in the ignition and started the car, which shuddered to life like the frail old machine it was.

Gunning it out of the parking lot, Dustin was glad to be on the road again, safe and sound.