"This is never gonna work." Kyle whispered. He shuffled nervously in his seat, eyes jumping from Eric's face, to the dashboard.
"It has to." Eric mumbled back. He was chewing his lower lip, so much that it bled. His tongue flickered out across the small wound and he cringed at the coppery taste. It churned his stomach, which was already jumping around as if a frog had crawled inside of it.
"It won't." Kyle shook his head. "I don't even know why we're doing this. If I die, you can go back and say that...I don't know." He sighed and leaned back into his seat, thin arms folding over his chest. "It's just not going to work."
"It has to." Eric repeated. He wasn't usually one to get nervous about lying, about deceit. Generally, the only thing that rode on his lies was a quick buck. This time though...It wasn't money. What would be lost if he fucked this up, if he failed this time, wasn't anything material. If this didn't work, Kyle would die.
Everything they'd done in the past – shit, had it really been that long? – three weeks would be for nothing. If he failed, Kyle would die, and he would go to jail. He'd be charged with kidnapping, two accounts of murder. If they ever found out about Ike, the little Canuck would be put in a juvenile detention centre. He'd ruin everyone's lives.
Kyle watched as Eric's hand gripped the steering wheel tighter. He knew that his negativity wasn't helping anyone, but it was better than hoping. If he wished that the plan worked, and it failed, the disappointment would only be greater. But still...Eric had done so much for him the past while. Saving him, lying for him. After all they'd been through, the least he could do was a put a little faith in his companion.
He felt as though he didn't have control of his body as his hand rose. He watched it as it reached out, settling against Eric's massive bicep. The larger boy swivelled his head in Kyle's direction, eyes dark and full of questions.
Kyle tried to let his smile be reassuring as they pulled into the parking lot of the local hospital. "It'll work."
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Eric asked gruffly. He turned his eyes back to the front window as he slowed the car to a stop.
"As much as I'm going to hate having to say this, especially if this whole thing has just been another one of your giant, stupid hoaxes..." Kyle took a deep breath before continuing. "I trust you."
Eric bit his lower lip once more, blood pouring into his mouth. He trembled inside, unsure of what was happening. Kyle...trusted him? It didn't make any sense, even after everything. Years of arguments and torment flashed before his eyes.
Who would have thought that two people who hated each other so much would be willing to risk everything, just to keep each other safe. He cast a sideways glance at his small, black haired companion, and forced a smile. "Good. Because it's going to work."
Kyle's green eyes focused on Eric's dark brown ones. They were silent for a long moment. Both boys could feel the tension in the car. A smile crept along Kyle's face, this one entirely sincere. The intensity of his gaze startled Eric.
"I believe you."
Eric took a deep breath and tore his gaze away, heart beating wildly in his chest. He swallowed and nodded, turning the car off. He opened his door slowly, and as he stepped out, he turned back to Kyle. "Let's do this."
Kyle stepped out of his side, tying his black hair back as he kicked the door shut. "I'm ready."