Chapter 13: Only a Little Further.
John stirred, but didn't wake up. After starting the car, Bobby woke John up to make sure everything was ok.
"I'm awake, sort of," John mumbled, closing his eyes.
"Just making sure."
Bobby continued on the road, hopefully making it further than he thought they would. Neither said anything, but both were starving. They hadn't eaten since the day before, but they both knew there was nothing to eat. As they continued, John fell back asleep and Bobby put the radio on low. He knew he had to contact the professor as soon as he could, he just hoped it was soon; John's injuries were more serious than he was led him to believe. The car soon sputtered to a stop, and Bobby knew they were in trouble.
"Car's dead," Bobby said when John opened his eyes.
"Now what?"
"I don't know."
John thought for a moment, then said, "I think there's a general store not too far down the road. I remember passing on the way to the building."
"But we're not sure how far it is. I don't think you'll make it all the way there and I don't want to leave you alone here."
"I'll be ok."
Bobby looked over at John, who returned the gaze. Then he scanned the area for clues as to what he should do.
"I almost lost you once, I'm not taking any chances," Bobby replied, his voice low and serious.
When John didn't answer, Bobby looked back to John and saw that his eyes were open and focused on him.
Old habits die hard, even day old habits, Bobby thought, sighing.
"We can try walking," John suggested.
"We won't get far, not with you in the condition you're in."
"What other choice do we have?"
"We don't, that's the problem."
Bobby slung the backpack over his shoulders and shoved the car keys into his pocket. He went over to John's side, where he saw the door open and John trying to get out of the car on his own.
"Not so fast," Bobby said, swiftly going to help John.
Bobby stood a foot away from John, helping him out of the car. Bobby put John's arm around his shoulders, and placing his own around John's waist so he could support him as best he could. They slowly started to make their way down the road, Bobby supporting John. They made it about a half a mile when John collapsed.
John stirred, but didn't wake up. After starting the car, Bobby woke John up to make sure everything was ok.
"I'm awake, sort of," John mumbled, closing his eyes.
"Just making sure."
Bobby continued on the road, hopefully making it further than he thought they would. Neither said anything, but both were starving. They hadn't eaten since the day before, but they both knew there was nothing to eat. As they continued, John fell back asleep and Bobby put the radio on low. He knew he had to contact the professor as soon as he could, he just hoped it was soon; John's injuries were more serious than he was led him to believe. The car soon sputtered to a stop, and Bobby knew they were in trouble.
"Car's dead," Bobby said when John opened his eyes.
"Now what?"
"I don't know."
John thought for a moment, then said, "I think there's a general store not too far down the road. I remember passing on the way to the building."
"But we're not sure how far it is. I don't think you'll make it all the way there and I don't want to leave you alone here."
"I'll be ok."
Bobby looked over at John, who returned the gaze. Then he scanned the area for clues as to what he should do.
"I almost lost you once, I'm not taking any chances," Bobby replied, his voice low and serious.
When John didn't answer, Bobby looked back to John and saw that his eyes were open and focused on him.
Old habits die hard, even day old habits, Bobby thought, sighing.
"We can try walking," John suggested.
"We won't get far, not with you in the condition you're in."
"What other choice do we have?"
"We don't, that's the problem."
Bobby slung the backpack over his shoulders and shoved the car keys into his pocket. He went over to John's side, where he saw the door open and John trying to get out of the car on his own.
"Not so fast," Bobby said, swiftly going to help John.
Bobby stood a foot away from John, helping him out of the car. Bobby put John's arm around his shoulders, and placing his own around John's waist so he could support him as best he could. They slowly started to make their way down the road, Bobby supporting John. They made it about a half a mile when John collapsed.