Chapter 10 – Fugitive
Interrogation Room…
Josh sits in a dark room, one light beamed on him with a table in front of him. He's restraint with handcuffs on his wrists with a chain to the chair. Josh tries to remain calm knowing that everything around him is made out of metal. So the slightest anger he gets a shock of electricity will shoot out of him. Josh looks up at the light above his head and closes his eyes. Then suddenly Nathan Winter enters the room. Josh watches as he sits down, puts a cup of coffee to the side and sets down records of Josh.
"Would you like anything? Coffee? Soda?"
Josh doesn't say anything. Nathan takes notice.
"I guess not."
Josh still doesn't say anything. Nathan opens the files and writes on a few pages. Josh notices them and diverts his eyes back up at Nathan.
"What is that?', Nathan continues to write, 'Hey! What is that?"
Nathan stops writing and looks up at Josh.
"Please be quiet, I'm only several inches from you. So, just talk like I am."
Josh remains calm and spins around his head.
"What is that you're writing on?"
"Oh this? This right here is, well, you."
Josh narrows his eyes.
"Me?"
"Yes. Right here, is your whole life."
Josh gulps seeing how thick it is.
"It's…pretty big."
"Well yes it is Mr. Litwak. After all you've done, it's no wonder why it's so big."
Josh continues to look confused.
"What I've 'done'?"
"Playing that card now are we?"
Josh shakes his head.
"Whatever it says in there, it's all a lie."
"Oh really? Then why was it sent to me by my Chief?"
"I don't know. I don't run things in the Bureau Mr.?"
"Winter. Special Agent Nathan Winter, F.B.I."
"Special Agent Winter? Really?"
"I don't need to hear any wise cracks about my name Mr. Litwak. I've heard them all."
Josh nods looking dumb.
"Oh, oh right. I can only imagine your co-workers at the water cooler talking about Winter in the middle of Spring."
Nathan looks annoyed and continues on working. Josh just smiles and Nathan opens another file.
"A strange flu going around huh?"
Josh narrows his eyes.
"Flu?"
"Yeah, lots of children are sick."
Josh gulps.
"I wouldn't know anything about that."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, the only sickness I'm aware of is all this B slash S going around. I'm pretty sick to it; excuse me, 'fake sneezes really loud, Nathan rubs his ear, 'Sorry. There it goes again."
"So far, there are several hundred kids with the same like symptoms in different hospitals all over the state. I'm surprised this academic hasn't spread out farther yet."
Josh shakes his head.
"I understand that Winter. I really do. I feel sorry for these kids. But I'm telling you, I'm not…"
"Wait, I thought you said you didn't know about this."
Josh bites his lip and thinks really quickly.
"I've been to the hospital recently and had a checkup. I fainted at my families Arcade."
"You had a checkup huh?" Nathan asks looking at a file
Josh looks nervous.
"Uh, yeah, you know. To make sure everything's tip top shape."
"I see. According to your Doctor, you had the same thing.', Josh closes his eyes, 'But that was the day before you went back in for your 'checkup' and were surprisingly, cured."
Josh smiles nervously.
"Miracles can happen."
"Not in this world Mr. Litwak. The only way you can be cured of this unknown virus is that you developed it and accidentally got infected yourself', Josh shakes his head hearing this theory from Nathan, 'And to cover your tracks you had to run in for a checkup is that it?"
"No Nathan, that's not it."
Nathan gets a little annoyed by hearing Josh calling him by his first name.
"That's Special Agent Winter to you Mr. Litwak."
"Okay Spring." Josh says looking around
Nathan gets more annoyed. He stands up.
"Oh, and there's also the other 'checkup' made by your Doctor.', Josh gulps to hearing that, 'Somehow he's filed a law suit against you since you attacked him."
"I didn't attack him, it's called self-defense. Doesn't anyone know what that means anymore?"
"Self-defense doesn't go as far as sedated your Doctor Mr. Litwak." Nathan explains stopping near Josh
Josh looks up.
"I told him something he thought was crazy and he tried to put me in a strait jacket. Sorry, but I don't look good in white."
Nathan shakes his head and walks on. He rolls his eyes and sits back down.
"Hope you look good in orange." Nathan whispers
"Excuse me?"
Nathan sighs.
"You're in big trouble Mr. Litwak. There's a lot here that'll put you away for good for a very, very long time."
"I'm telling you I'm innocent. All that crap there your reading is false."
"Is that right?"
"Yes it is."
"How could it be?"
"When did you receive that report?"
Nathan thinks for a moment.
"This morning."
Josh nods.
"Right. 'This morning'. Would you say that those files right there would make me a top priority to capture and arrest?"
Nathan nods.
"Of course."
Josh smirks and leans forward.
"Now Winter, think very carefully right now', Nathan listens in and Josh looks serious, 'Wouldn't you think, if I've done all this stuff, you would have heard of me before this morning?', Nathan realizes and looks around with his eyes, 'For being such a 'top priority' only hearing about me after this morning, sorry Winter, but you're a little slow on the job."
Nathan looks serious and gets up. Josh looks up.
"Well it doesn't matter now. I caught you and it's over for you."
"It's not over Winter until I say it is."
"From where I'm standing, it looks like it is Mr. Litwak."
Josh sighs.
"So matter what I tell you, you won't believe me huh?"
"What could you possible say to make me believe you; you had nothing to do with any of this?" Nathan asks tapping on Josh's files
Josh shrugs.
"I know who did this to me."
"Oh really? What's his name?"
"Cyrus', Nathan blinks and Josh looks up at him, 'Cyrus, the Virus."
Josh looks very hard at Nathan and clenches his fist. Suddenly the light bulb in the room begins to flicker and Nathan notice. Josh blinks seeing what he's doing and let's go of his fist. The light bulb goes back to normal and Nathan shakes his head.
"You're going to be transported to a maximum security prison."
"Maximum? Is that all?"
"You don't like it? Too bad. Have a nice life Mr. Litwak."
Josh bites his lip and struggles.
I can't attack…if I do…I'm just going to make things worse for myself…
Nathan picks up the files and leaves. Several armed guards come in and take Josh away. Josh is put through the works, with screening, finger printing and even having his face taken front ways and sideways. Josh is placed in an armored bus being transported to the prison he's being taken to…
United States Penitentiary Atlanta…
After many hours of traveling, locked in a cage in the center of the bus, Josh looks out his caged bars and sees the prison he's being taken to.
"United States Penitentiary of Atlanta?', Josh looks down at the cuffs he's wearing, 'I'm a long way from home."
The bus pulls in and Josh arrives at the prison.
Inside the Penitentiary…
Josh is guarded by several armed men, in case Josh tries to do anything. He puts through the process of being an inmate to the Penitentiary. He's forced to change clothes and wear an orange jumpsuit. Josh looks down and looks up at the guards.
"No offense, but can I have a different colored jumpsuit. Orange and I don't exactly fit well together."
The Guard just looks down hard at Josh and he sees it.
"Give me some credit for trying."
Josh swallows his pride and changes into the orange jumpsuit. Further inside the Penitentiary, Josh is escorted to his cell. He's welcomed by the other inmates yelling and cheering. Josh ignores them as he's guided to his cell. The guards stand side by side of the door as Josh stands in the middle staring at his cell door.
"Open Cell Door 2-0-1!" Guard yells
Josh watches as the door slides by. He's then pushed in by the guards and the door closes up. Josh looks around at the small cell he's got and sets down the stuff he was given.
"Home sweet home…I guess."
Josh sits down on the bed and feels how uncomfortable it is. He shakes his head and rubs his eyes.
"This is sucks so much."
Suddenly the light in the cell turns off. Josh looks at the light bulb and just stares at it.
Following morning…
Josh sleeps soundly on the bed and all of a sudden an alarm goes off. He slowly opens his eyes and hears the sound of the cell door open up. Josh lifts his head and sees a guard standing out it.
"Get up boy. Breakfast is ready."
Josh blinks and does what the Guard tells him.
Penitentiary Cafeteria…
Josh stands in line with the other inmates getting their breakfast. Several inmates take notice at how young Josh is for being on the inside. Josh grabs a tray and moves down the line. He watches as the prison's food is thrown on his plate. Josh just gulps seeing how…disgusting and half-assed cooked it all is. He keeps his stomach cool from throwing up.
Josh walks out in the Cafeteria and just feels the hundreds of eyes just watching him looking for a table to sit at. He finds a table all by itself and sits alone. As Josh sits down, he looks at the food in front of him and looks around. Josh sees several inmates just looking at him and eyeing him. He shakes his head and ignores them. Josh picks up the spork and digs in to his breakfast. He sniffs the food before he puts it in his mouth.
"Uhh!"
Josh puts the spork back down and decides not to eat his breakfast. He puts his hands to his face and just waits until the breakfast time is over with. Some inmates take notice and see Josh not eating; they get up and walk to Josh. Josh sighs slowly and takes his hands off his face to only see several strong inmate men around him.
"Not eating boy?" Inmate asks
Josh just blinks and looks at the other inmates behind him.
"Rule is you got to finish everything on your plate."
Josh looks down at the food and back up at the Inmate.
"Eat your plate boy."
Josh narrows his eyes and shakes his head.
"No."
"No?"
"You deaf?"
The Inmates around Josh start to look serious. The Inmate before Josh looks pissed and leans forward. Josh doesn't even flinch. The Inmate picks up the food in front of Josh with his bare hands and puts it to Josh's face.
"EAT!"
Josh slaps the food out of his hand and pushes the other two away. A small riot ensues and Josh clenches his fists ready for a fight. The two Inmates behind Josh get ready as the Inmate in front of Josh pulls out a small shiv.
"You should've eaten your food boy."
Josh holds his fists tighter as small currents of electricity ensue. He looks down and at his hands, lookalike brass knuckles form from his hands in the form of the electricity he has in him. The Inmate doesn't see and Josh slowly looks up.
"Walk away now and I promise you I won't send you to the infirmary."
The Inmate looks serious and holds his shiv firmly. Josh gets ready and suddenly protected armed guards storm the Cafeteria. The Inmate hides the shiv and Josh's electric brass knuckles go away. The guards come in and storm the place. They order for the inmates to get on the ground and so does Josh.
Josh's Cell…
Josh waits patiently just staring up at the ceiling. Time seems to be going on forever to what Josh is going through. The light begins to flicker and Josh takes notice. He looks at his hand and points it at the light bulb. A small bolt hits the light and it stays officially on. Josh sighs and looks back up at the ceiling, and then suddenly Josh's cell door opens. He looks up at it.
"Get up, you have visitors."
Josh slowly stands up.
"Visitors?"
"Yeah, your cousin and sister."
Josh narrows his eyes.
"My 'cousin' and 'sister'?"
Penitentiary Visitor Center…
Josh walks in the Visitor Center and sees glass walls everywhere and phones. He looks around for this 'cousin' and 'sister' of his who's visiting him. He walks to the booth he was ordered to and sits down. Suddenly, Calhoun and Vanellope walk up and Josh sees them.
"Calhoun? Vanellope?"
Josh quickly grabs the phone and he shows Calhoun to pick up her phone. Calhoun does and places it between her and Vanellope.
"I was wondering when you two were going to visit."
"How are you Josh?" Vanellope asks
"I'm in jail Vanellope, it's like your fungeon. But a lot worse. By the way', the two listen in, 'Which one of you is my so called 'cousin' and my 'sister'?"
"That would be me. I'm your sister." Vanellope says
"Really? So you're my cousin Calhoun?"
"That was all that was available. I can't pass as your older sister can I?"
Josh shakes his head.
"No. Your far too old.', Calhoun narrows her eyes, Josh then realizes, 'Wait, how did you two find me?"
"We didn't. It was all E.D.I." Vanellope explains
Josh nods to that idea.
"Of course. She knows how to find people that's for sure. Where's Ralph and Felix?"
"Close by. We have a…', Calhoun looks back and sees if anyone's watching, 'we have a plan in progress of getting you…you know." Calhoun says
Josh blinks and moves closer.
"You serious?', Calhoun nods, 'Hold on a second', Josh looks around and grabs the phone's wire, a small shock gets zapped in the phone wire and the guard listening to the conversation only hears static, Josh lets go and back at Calhoun and Vanellope, 'All right, it's safe to talk. Let's do this quick before it gets suspicious."
"We have a plan on getting you out of here Josh." Vanellope explains
"Really?"
"Well, its E.D.I.'s idea', Josh nods knowing that she had to come up with it, 'But you can see she's limited to access to the real world Josh."
"Ha, ha. What's the plan?"
"They plan on transferring you out of here tomorrow night." Calhoun states
"Again? Where?"
"Some type of supermax prison." Calhoun answers
Josh shakes his head and puts it down.
"Of course. Why am I not surprised?"
"Well here's the fun part of it Josh." Vanellope says
"How's any of this fun Vanellope?"
"Because this it he part where you're going to escape."
"How? I'm going to be in a locked bus. A heavily armored bus."
"We got that covered Josh. When you see flashing lights, brace yourself." Calhoun explains
"Are you serious?"
"Do I look serious?"
"Why am I going to have to brace myself?"
"Because Ralph's going to take care of the rest." Calhoun states
Josh nods.
"Oh, I see. I know something is going to happen. And when it involves Ralph, it's going to probably hurt."
"Josh, just leave everything to us and will get you back home."
"I don't know Calhoun. Escaping is just going to make me look more guilty."
"Do you want to stay in here for the rest of your life while Cyrus is out here?"
Josh nods and looks serious.
"Of course."
"Just try and make it another day in here Josh. Will be back home before you know it." Vanellope explains
Josh sort of smiles at Vanellope and suddenly a guard comes by and takes Josh away.
"Time's up." Guard says
Josh gets lifted up and pushed out of the Visitor's Center. Calhoun and Vanellope watch as Josh is taken back into the prison.
Later, Josh's Cell…
Josh lies completely still on the bed just staring up at the ceiling. The light is off and Josh looks up at it. Josh looks serious up at it and turns his hand into a gun and throws down his thumb. A strong bolt hits the light bulb and it explodes off the ceiling. Josh looks down at his hand and just sees the electricity is shooting around his hand without his knowing.
It's building up inside me…If I don't let some of it out soon…it's just going to come out whether I like it or not…
Following Day…
Josh stands tall in his cell looking out through the small window in the cell. The door opens and a guard stands out telling Josh breakfast is ready.
"Breakfast time. Get out', Josh doesn't move and the guard grabs his taser, 'Get out now."
Josh slowly turns and sees the taser in the guard's hand. He softly smiles and steps out.
Penitentiary Cafeteria…
Josh waits in line like he did yesterday. He gets his food and goes to a table and sits alone all by himself. The Inmates from yesterday see Josh again sitting alone. Josh stares at the food on his tray and looks across the room and spots the Inmates from yesterday. They watch furiously, Josh just looks down at his food, picks up his spork and pushes the tray ahead. The Inmates look at each other and get up. Josh sees them walking and he gets ready.
Holding the spork in his hand, the current of electricity sticks to it making it electrified. The Inmates get closer and Josh grabs the tray. The head Inmate from yesterday with the shiv walks in front and to Josh. The other two go around Josh. Then all of a sudden, Josh throws his tray into the main Inmate. While he's distracted, Josh gets up and sticks the Inmate on his left with the spork so it stays in him. The other Inmate attacks and Josh touches him, paralyzing him.
The other Inmates in the room go nuts and another riot breaks out. An alarm sounds and guards storm in the room. Josh grabs the other Inmate and throws him on the other with the spork stuck on him. The two get electrocuted and just pass out on each other. Josh looks at the last Inmate and wipes his face off from the food. The Inmate sees Josh standing before him looking hard at him.
"Your dead kid!"
The Inmate pulls out his shiv and Josh doesn't even flinch. He runs at Josh and Josh just points his hand at him. A powerful bolt of lightning shoots out of Josh's hand and hits the metal shiv in the Inmates hand. The Inmate feels the powerful bolt of electricity running through his body and Josh walks calmly to him. The Inmate suffers more of the attack the second Josh touches him and all the electricity goes back into Josh. The Inmate slowly looks up at Josh, shaking to death.
"What…are you?"
Josh narrows his eyes and pushes the Inmate back with his hand.
"Your worst nightmare."
The Inmate falls back and Josh claps his hands. As Josh turns around, he sees he's surrounded by the prison's guards, all dressed up in riot gear. Josh crosses his arms and just stares at them all looking hard at him.
"Get down on the ground, now!" Guard orders
Josh doesn't even flinch. The Guard looks at his fellow men and instructs one of them to move ahead and subdue Josh. The Guard agrees and walks ahead. He pulls out his taser gun and points it at Josh. Josh sees it and shakes his head with a small smile.
"Get on the ground, now!" Guard orders
Josh looks hard at the Guard and he shoots the taser at Josh. The spikes fly and hit Josh. Josh feels the effects of the taser but soon, starts absorbing the energy from it. The Guard pushes more juice into Josh expecting him to fall on his knees, but instead Josh grabs the spikes that have pushed hard onto his chest and absorbs more energy from the taser. The Guard struggles as Josh yanks the taser out of his hand and pushes more energy from the taser into him.
"AHHHHH!" Josh yells
The energy from the taser runs out and Josh forcefully pulls the spikes out of his chest and throws the taser down on the ground. The Guards look awkwardly at Josh and he just raises his hands.
"Anyone else want to shoot me? More energy the better."
The Guards look at each other and Josh looks up at several of the lights up on the ceiling. Josh clenches his fists and suddenly they all start to flicker. The Guards see and Josh closes his eyes. Suddenly each light fixture explodes and sparks go everywhere. The Inmates and Guards take cover and Josh just spins around exploding all the lights in the room. He opens his eyes and slowly sits down.
"I feel so much better."
The Guards see and the coast is clear. They grab Josh and put him down in the Hole.
Later, Inside the Hole…
Josh sits in the corner with his legs crossed waiting to get out. Suddenly the door opens and the Warden walks in. Josh turns his head and keeps his hands together from the cuffs still on him.
"Well, well. Good evening Mr. Litwak." Warden says
Josh gulps and remains still.
"Quite the show you threw on down in my cafeteria."
"I am to please."
"So, you did have something to do with the lights exploding?"
"I cannot either confirm or deny that accusation."
"Well, whether you did it or not, you're in much bigger trouble young man.', Josh sighs and shows that he doesn't care what the Warden says, 'You placed three inmates in the infirmary."
"They attacked me first."
"We have footage that they did no such thing."
"Then look at yesterday's taps. I defended myself."
"Defending yourself doesn't go as far putting three men with seizures in the hospital."
"I didn't give them seizures. They'll just have minor brain damage up in their heads. Nothing they can't handle. But don't worry; they'll live long enough to carry out their sentences for the rest of their lives."
"Did you enjoy your stay here Mr. Litwak?"
"Honest answer?"
"Why not."
"Terrible. I've stayed at worse."
"Well don't get to comfortable. By the F.B.I., your being transferred over to a supermax tonight', Josh sort of smiles hiding that he's doing that, remembering what Calhoun and Vanellope told him about the transfer, 'So tonight, your no longer going to be here in my prison causing harm to my inmates."
"You think I'm that dangerous?"
"Anyone who comes in here or gets transferred to a supermax is either a criminal or a monster. Don't you agree Mr. Litwak?"
Josh gulps and looks down. The Warden turns around and fixes his glasses.
"See you in another life Mr. Litwak."
Josh clenches his fist and suddenly the electric lock malfunctions. The Warden types the passcode in and sees that it's not working.
"Huh. That's odd."
Josh looks up at the Warden and stares from behind. His eyes glow bright blue and suddenly the electric lock breaks apart shooting out electricity.
"Whoa!"
The Warden watches as the lock malfunction's like crazy. Josh sighs and let's go of his fist. The door clicks and it opens. The Warden fixes his glasses and turns around at Josh just seeing him sit there thinking that maybe, he was somewhat responsible for doing that.
Later that night…
Outside the Penitentiary…
Josh is cuffed and shackled being transported to the armored bus. Inside, he's pushed inside the cage in the middle and several armed guards sit around. The bus pulls out of the prison and down the dark road ahead. Behind, a dark Chevrolet Avalanche pickup truck follows from behind with Ralph in the bed.
Back with the Armored Truck…
The bus drives nice and easy transferring Josh. Josh just sits patiently inside the small cage he's in and looks out the windows. One of the guards spots Josh looking out the window and sort of smiles.
"Enjoy the view while it lasts', Josh looks over at the guard, 'Because where your heading, it's going to be dark all the time."
Josh rolls his eyes and looks back down at his hands. The same Guard looks over and picks up Josh's staff and examines it.
"Now…what would a cold hard criminal be doing with a cane, hm?"
Josh looks up and sees the Guard playing around with his staff. He closes his eyes, looks very annoyed and tilts his head.
"A staff…it's…a…STAFF."
"Whatever you want to call it, it looks like a cane to me."
Josh sighs really hard.
"Of course it does, you'll be needing one later in life right?"
The Guard gets a little annoyed and gets up. He walks to Josh and stands right outside his cage.
"You think your funny don't you?"
Josh shrugs.
"I'm here all the way to the supermax right?"
"Smart ass."
"As my father always said when I was little."
The Guard gets a little bit annoyed. He looks up and sees the water sprinklers inside the bus on the ceiling.
"Saw some footage of what you did inside the cafeteria…', Josh leans back inside the cage, 'You seemed to get off on electricity huh?"
Josh sort of smirks and looks up at the Guard with his eyes.
"You have no idea."
"Well listen in Shocky…', Josh rolls his eyes by that nickname, 'This bus is equipped with its own sprinkler system.', Josh looks up past the cage and sees the sprinklers for himself, 'One hit of the switch, I don't think water and electricity mix well together…don't you agree?"
Josh nods with a dumb look on his face. The Guard smiles happily spinning Josh's staff around. Josh leans forward and looks serious.
"Just so you know…when the water hits my body…and if the sprinkler system goes off throughout the whole bus….you, every other guard and the driver will get shocked too…', the Guard's smile slowly goes away realizing that, 'I thought I just let you know. So brace yourself when you're ready to push that button."
The Guard looks somewhat worried and goes back down to sit down. Josh shakes his head seeing how stupid the Guard is looking. He leans back in the chair and sighs softly. Outside the bus, the truck speeds on ahead of the bus flashing its lights.
"What the hell?" Bus Driver asks
Josh looks over and hears honking and a truck flashing its lights. He blinks slowly and fastens his seatbelt. The truck speeds ahead and the Bus Driver gets comfortable again.
"Damn kids these days; don't know how to drive worth of shit."
Josh clears his throat and sits back. A mile up down the road from the bus, several sections of the road seemed to be smashed in by giant fists. The Bus Driver comes up to it and the whole entire bus shakes.
"What, the, hell!?" Guard shouts
"There's holes in the entire road!" Bus Driver yells controlling the bus
Josh gulps and fastens the seatbelt tighter. Further down the road, the Chevrolet Avalanche pickup truck remains parked on the side of the road waiting for the bus to come. Vanellope rolls down the window and looks back. In the backseat, Felix spins around his hammer and looks out back through the back window. Calhoun, kneeling down in the bed looks down the road and sees the lights of the bus coming.
"Get ready, it's coming."
Ralph walks out behind the pickup truck and cracks his knuckles.
"It's wrecking time."
Back on the bus, Josh looks around wondering when this 'escape' is going to happen. So he continues to sit tight. The bus gets closer and closer to where Ralph, Felix, Calhoun and Vanellope are at. The Bus Driver looks closer and sees a strange figure in the distance.
"What the hell is that?" Bus Driver asks
Josh prepares as the bus gets closer and Ralph walks out.
"I'M GONNA WRECK IT!"
Ralph punches the front of the bus and the Bus Driver swerves.
"WHOA!" Bus Driver yells
The Bus swerves and falls off the side of the road. Ralph sees.
"Whoops…"
The four rush to the side and see the bus roll down the hill. Inside the bus, the Guards and Josh keep rolling around as the bus continues to flip up and down over and over again. Josh on the other hand has it easy but the cage is just so close around him he bobbles up and down and slams his head hard into the side. The bus continues to roll and finally it lands down on some even ground below.
The bus is a total mess. Its frame is bent sideways, the windows are all cracked and the cage Josh is in is cracked and bent out of shape. Josh sees it and climbs out of it. He falls on the ground and sees the guards from the bus barely alive. They've sustained serious injuries of the crash. Josh stands up and sits up straight. One Guard rubs his head and looks to the side, he sees his friend with a piece of metal sticking out of his side.
"Oh Christ!" The Guard yells
The Guard rushes to his friend and looks to the side and sees Josh out rubbing his head.
"Hey! HEY KID!', Josh looks and sees the Guard calling for him, 'Give me hand! My buddies hurt!"
Josh looks and sees the injured Guard. He looks down at his cuffs and restraints.
"Give me the keys', the Guard looks funny at Josh and he looks more serious, 'You want my help? GIVE ME THE KEYS!"
The Guard reaches down in his pocket and pulls out the key, he tosses them to Josh and he catches him. The Guard attends to his friends wounds.
"Don't worry; you're going to be okay."
Josh takes the cuffs and shackles off. As Josh gets up and walks to help the guards, a train horn is heard and Josh stops. Josh looks around and out the bus's window. Far down away from the bus, an oncoming train comes directly into view of the bus. As the bus rolled, it landed on top of a set of train tracks.
"What the hell is that noise?" Guard asks
Josh points.
"That."
The Guard looks and sees the train coming from down the track. The Guard slowly backs up, the Guard on the ground with the piece of metal sticking out of him; he pulls it out and yells in pain.
"AHHH! SHIT!"
The Guard standing up slowly moves back and away. Josh goes to the injured Guard and kneels down next to him.
"Help me with your friend.', Josh looks and sees the Guard leaving, 'HEY! HELP ME!"
"Like hell I will!"
The guard kicks out the windshield of the bus and jumps out. Josh looks back and sees another guard that made it jump out the back of the bus.
"HEY! Your friend!"
"See you in hell boy!" Guard yells jumping out the back
Josh looks down at the injured Guard and helps him up.
"Just hold on, hang onto me!"
Josh helps the Guard up and gets him to the front of the bus. Down the track, the train gets closer and closer. As Josh pushes the gate away so the two get to the front. The man grunts hard from the pain and Josh sees.
"Just hang on!"
"My side! It hurts!"
Josh sees the piece of metal and grabs it.
"Sorry about this."
Josh starts to pull on it and the Guard grunts hard. As Josh pulls it out, the electricity inside him shoots out and around the pull. The Guard gasps as Josh pulls out the metal piece from him. The Guard passes out and Josh sees.
"Whoops…"
The train gets closer and closer. Josh leans the Guard out the window and…pushes him out.
"Sorry about that!"
The Guard falls down and rolls down the small hill away from the bus. Josh climbs out the window as well. Down the tracks, the train takes sight of what's in front of it. It blares its horn and Josh sees, but right before he jumps, he sees his staff glowing right behind him. Josh sees the train and looks back at his staff. He quickly tries to reach for it as the train draws closer and closer. Josh sees his staff only an inch away from his grasp.
"COME ON!"
The train slams on its brakes as its only yards away. Josh finally manages to grab his staff and looks down the tracks and sees the train's lights flashing on his face.
"WHOA!"
Josh jumps and the train hits the bus. He lands on the ground as the train smashes into the bus yards down the track. Josh quickly stands up and sees the bus yards away from him down the track.
"That was to close…"
Josh kicks up his staff and starts to walk as the train continues to stop. As Josh walks, his leg reveals to have a cut on it and Josh grabs it.
"Ow!"
Josh looks down and sees the cut. He starts to walk ahead and limps. But back behind Josh, pieces off the bus remain below on the track as the train passes over them. The force from the train knocks up a piece right onto the track. Several cars behind the front engine jump the track and are on a one way track towards Josh. Josh looks back and sees a train engine following right behind him.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
Josh runs but limps hard. The train chases behind Josh and Josh quickly tries to stay ahead of it without getting killed. Up ahead, he sees a small bridge with a big enough gap below it. Josh runs to it as the train catches up. The train gets right behind Josh and finally he jumps down into the gap as the train flies across the hole. It crashes hard in the dirt and Josh climbs below the bridge for cover. The train crashes and the cars that it was pulling goes all over the place.
The destruction goes on for a little bit longer and suddenly, it's all quiet. Josh slowly raises his hands off his head and hears everything is quiet. He sees everything is quiet and not moving. Josh gulps and pushes himself up. He uses his staff as a cane and makes a face about it.
"However you see it, it's still a staff people."
Josh reaches the hill that the bus rolled down of and starts climbing it. It's a little hard for him so he digs his hands into the dirt and climbs. Josh looks back and sees the destruction of the train and bus. As Josh turns, he sees a hand in front of him and jumps.
"WHOA!"
"Take my hand." Felix says
Josh shakes his head and sees Felix being roped down by Ralph and Calhoun to reach Josh. He slowly grabs it and Felix nods.
"Pull!"
Ralph pulls the three up and they make it back to the road. Josh walks slowly and his vision is kind of off. Calhoun walks up to him.
"Anything broken?" Calhoun asks
Josh almost says something but suddenly he drops.
"Hey!"
Calhoun catches him and helps him stand up.
"Let's get him into the car. Move!" Calhoun orders
Vanellope hops into the driver's seat and Calhoun places Josh in the backseat with Felix. Calhoun takes the passenger seat next to Vanellope and Ralph jumps into the bed in back.
"Go Vanellope." Calhoun says
Vanellope turns the wheel around and drives away from the accident. In the backseat, Josh is half way out of it and holds his leg tightly.
"Ah!"
Calhoun looks back and sees the cut on Josh's leg.
"Felix, can you do something about that?"
Felix lifts up his hat and sees the wound on Josh. He grabs his hammer and looks at it.
"I can try."
Felix looks at the wound of Josh and softly bangs his hammer on it. As Felix does this, the cut and Josh's ripped pants go away and return back to normal. Felix sees this and gets happy.
"It worked! My hammer works!"
"Vanellope, can you get us back to Josh's place?" Calhoun asks
"I can try; I think I know where it is."
"'Pretend' it's the finish line."
Vanellope shakes her head nervously and Calhoun sees.
"Vanellope', Vanellope turns and looks at Calhoun, 'Josh is going to be alright."
Vanellope sort of smiles and looks back at the road. She uses long sticks to reach the pedals while sitting on some books to keep her elevated with the road. As the pickup truck drives down the road, fire engines and ambulances pass the pickup and Vanellope looks back seeing that the cars are going to the crash site. Vanellope looks back at the road and takes everyone back to Josh's Apartment.
Later…
Josh's Apartment…
The five arrive back at Josh's Apartment. Calhoun carries Josh over her shoulder and up to the Apartment. They get off the elevator and Calhoun places Josh on the couch.
"Felix, find something for Josh to drink."
"On it."
"Vanellope, get E.D.I. and ask her to help us with Josh's condition."
"Okay."
"Ralph."
"Yeah?"
"Just stand there and don't wreck anything else all right?"
Ralph sighs. Felix comes back with a bottle of water for Josh to drink. Calhoun takes it and opens it up. Vanellope turns on E.D.I. and she responds.
"I take it that the mission was a success?"
"More or less E.D.I. Ralph punched the bus so hard that it rolled down a hill."
"I didn't hit it that hard Calhoun."
"Then why did it roll down a hill on a set of train tracks which a train was riding on?"
"The train part is not my fault. Whoever was driving, that's their fault. I punched it hard enough so it would stop."
"You still punched it to hard Ralph." Felix states
"You too Felix?"
"Shh! Everyone. Josh? Josh, can you hear me?" Calhoun asks
Josh is still out of it. Calhoun opens the bottle up and pours some down his throat. Josh starts to wake up and spits out some of the water.
"There we go." Calhoun says
Josh coughs and looks around the room, halfway out of it.
"Josh?" Calhoun asks
"Huh?"
"If you may Calhoun, stand aside. I will run a scan on his body to find out what's wrong."
Calhoun stands aside and E.D.I. runs her scan. Josh slowly starts to wake up and E.D.I. completes the scan.
"According to my scan, Josh has suffered a minor head injury. A concussion may have appeared but he seems to be coming out of it."
Vanellope jumps on the couch and walks to Josh.
"Josh?"
Josh blinks a couple times seeing Ralph, Felix and Calhoun in front of him.
"Guys…?" Josh whispers
The three look relaxed and Josh turns his head seeing Vanellope.
"Vanellope?"
"You alive?"
Josh gulps and looks up at the ceiling.
"If Calhoun's here, I must be dead."
Vanellope smiles and covers her mouth. Calhoun shakes her head and Ralph and Felix ease up. Josh leans forward and coughs a little.
"Okay…I just have one…very important question to ask all of you."
"What is it?" Vanellope asks
"Did Ralph punch the bus?"
Ralph spins around and everyone looks at him. Calhoun looks back at Josh.
"Yeah, he was the one."
Josh nods.
"I knew it. Thanks Ralph."
"Uhh…no problem Josh."
"Next time though, go a bit easier."
"I'll, I'll try."
Josh gets comfortable.
"Good."
Josh feels his leg and notices his cut is gone.
"What happened to my leg? I had a cut there."
"I fixed it for you." Felix says spinning his hammer around
Josh looks at Felix and smiles.
"Nice to know your hammer's working again."
"What else can I fix? I can fix anything."
Josh puts his hands up.
"Not now Felix. Right now, I need to rest." Josh says leaning back
The four stand by for anything Josh might need. He sighs slowly and closes his eyes.
Back at the crash site…
Everyone's at work trying to clean up the disaster. Back by the roads near the crash site, F.B.I. SUV's pull in and stop by the disaster. Among the many of them, Nathan steps out and sees the train disaster in person.
"My, oh my look at all this."
Nathan walks ahead as the county sheriff questions one of the survived guards about the inmate.
"Tell us exactly what happened now." Sheriff asks
"Well, it happened so fast it's hard to recall."
"Take your time."
Nathan makes it to the scene and just watches.
"Well, my friend over there had a piece of metal sticking out of him. I couldn't leave him behind so I picked him up and got him out of the bus before the train crashed into it."
"That's a brave thing you did. You're a hero."
"He would have done the same thing for you. I know that for sure."
Nathan narrows his eyes listening to the story.
"And what about the inmate you were transferring, did he make it?"
The Guard hesitates to the question and just shakes.
"Well I don't know, it happened way to fast. I don't think he survived."
"Okay, thank you for your statement."
"Umm, excuse me; I have a few questions I like to ask you sir."
The Sheriff sees Nathan.
"And who are you?"
"Special Agent Nathan Winter, F.B.I. I was in charge of the prisoner's arrest. I just came down when I heard the bus crashed."
"Well sorry Special Agent Winter, it seems like you came all the way down here for nothing."
Nathan looks funny at the Sheriff.
"I don't know Sheriff, maybe I did, and maybe I didn't. I'm a glass half full kind of guy.', sits down next to the Guard, 'So tell me, you think he's dead?"
"Ah…I think so."
"You 'think' so. It's either a yes or no."
"Excuse me?"
"I'll ask you again, is he dead, yes or no?"
The Guard hesitates and gulps.
"I don't know."
"Then he's alive?"
"Maybe."
"Then he's dead."
"I don't know."
"Quit wasting my time and tell me if he's dead or alive."
"I'm telling you Fed I don't know."
Suddenly one of the cleanup crew brings up the cuffs and shackles that were around Josh at the time of the accident. Everyone sees it and Nathan grabs those.
"Oh, oh, oh, oh! Look at what we got here', the Guard sees them and flinches, 'You know I love magic tricks. Especially the kind that a dangerous terrorist is supposed to be wearing when there's no body in them."
"Uhh…"
"So, is he dead, or alive?"
The Guard gulps and starts to sweat.
"And how did he get the key to the cuffs? I doubt that he just took them when you rescued your friend. Well?"
The Guard looks down ashamed.
"He's alive."
"I knew it." Nathan says with a smirk getting up
"Excuse me?! You said he was dead a second ago!" Sherriff yells
"Everyone! Can I have your attention please! Everyone over here!" Nathan orders
Several people from different law enforcement agencies gather around Nathan as he gets their attention so he can speak.
"As of right now, our fugitive has been free for the past four hours! If he's sustained injures from this crash I want every hospital in a fifty mile radius checked out looking for our fugitive. I want his face up on every kind of transportation out of the state. Bus stations, train stations, airports and even taxi places. I want a hard target search between here and every known law enforcement department in the state. I don't want him thinking he's got away and start a new life all over again. Get everyone on this', Nathan clears his throat and sees everyone looking at him, 'Your terrorists name is Josh Litwak. Find him."
Everyone walks away and Nathan turns around at the disaster. He looks down at the cuffs and shackles and stares hard at them.
Josh's Apartment…
Josh continues to relax on the couch. Everyone sits around just watching TV. Josh yawns and relaxes again. Suddenly E.D.I. comes up on screen.
"Excuse me Josh, I'm sorry to disturb you while you're resting."
"Hmm? What is it E.D.I.?" Josh asks with his eyes still closed
"I found something that you might want to see."
"Can you record it? I'll watch it later."
"I'm sorry, I will not."
Josh opens his eyes seeing E.D.I. not taking by his command.
"Excuse me?"
"You want to see this."
Everyone watches and Josh narrows his eyes. E.D.I. changes the channel and she brings up the news channel of the bus crash.
"Hey look! It's the bus!" Vanellope points out
"I'm not surprised that it's on TV already." Josh says
The scene changes and a news woman is shown on screen.
"What's going on?" Ralph asks
"Everyone be quiet. E.D.I., turn up the TV." Josh orders
E.D.I. turns up the TV and the newswoman speaks.
"Several hours ago, a routine transfer went horrible wrong. Only one causality and several other guards wounded', Josh nods remembering the one he saved, 'The transfer though was transporting a dangerous criminal.', Josh throws his head up at the TV, 'His name: Josh Litwak."
Everyone in the room slowly turn their heads at Josh. Josh just stares blankly up at the TV.
"Josh Litwak was arrested by F.B.I. Agent Nathan Winter the day before. He was incarcerated and escaped when the bus lost control on the road. Josh Litwak is considered highly dangerous and is very confused. A powerful terrorist setting his eyes only one thing, harming others. If seen, please call 9-1-1 as soon as possible."
Josh slowly clenches his fist and everyone sees.
"Josh?" Vanellope asks
As Josh clenches his fist, several lights in the room flicker. Josh even gets more upset when his photograph and camera footage of him doing what he did at the prison and fair are shown on national TV. Suddenly Josh gets up and walks quickly to the Bathroom.
"Josh? Josh!" Vanellope yells
Josh runs into the Bathroom and closes the door. Everyone watches and wonders what Josh is doing in there. In the Bathroom, as Josh walks in the lights turn on without him even hitting the switch. Josh walks right up to the sink and looks straight down at it. He slowly raises his head and stares at himself in the mirror.
Have you ever been called a terrorist? Well I just recently have…
Josh looks down at the corner of the sink and sees a clipper nearby. He looks serious at it and slowly grabs it. As Josh grabs it, the current in his body automatically turns it on. Josh just hears the Zzzz sound coming off of it and looks at his reflection in the mirror. He mainly looks at his long hair on the top of his head.
I have to do it…
If he doesn't change his appearance, people will recognize him off the spot like that. Josh slowly puts the clippers to his head and starts shaving. Chunks of his hair fall off and land in the sink.
A little while later…
Josh opens the door of his Bathroom and the lights turn off. He walks out into the Apartment and sees everyone in the Living Room. Josh walks and his footsteps are heard by everyone. As everyone turns around, they see Josh's new hairstyle. Short hair is now on top of his head. Josh feels his hair and looks at everyone.
"How…How do I look?"
Everyone looks at each other and back at Josh.
"It's…different." Vanellope states
Josh nods.
"Good."
Josh walks to the couch and leans forward. He looks up at the TV and sees his parents being interviewed on TV about his current situation. Josh just lowers his head seeing how everything, his whole life is falling apart…by Cyrus's hand.
End of Chapter 10
Preview of Chapter 11…
There's got to be a reason, right? Why Cyrus is doing this…there's got to be an answer. There's got to be…a PLOT! Any kind of video game has a plot. It has a start and a finish. A beginning and an ending. So there's got to be one for Cyrus the Virus. And that's what Josh has to find out to finally get some answers. And also, Josh has to stay on his toes knowing every kind of law enforcement agency is looking for him. Next time Wreck-It Ralph: Cyrus the Virus, Chapter 11 – A Shocking Story