Thanks to everyone who read my story. Sorry its long in the making between chapters.
At first, it was only a few splattered sprinkles on the windshield. Just enough to be ignoring because the wipes didn't go that slow. I would wait until the windshield was filled with little glisten droplets, and then swoosh the wipers on. That was eight miles back, now it is a downpour and I am really working my wiping blades now. I usually have the music turned up loud until I can feel the beat under my feet as I drove when I am alone. Tonight I was not alone, tonight I had a passenger. Although I mind as well be alone since he was sleeping in the back seat. Instead of listening to my favourite song of the month, I choose to listen to the putter platter of the rain bouncing off the roof. I rolled down my window; I love it as it splash on my face, the rusty smell of the rain. Its fresh, it is clean, it's what camping is all about.
Yeah, well that was the first hour. Now it's three hours of driving in the rain, the fog and I am tired. However, I am almost there. Where is there? It's where everyone else is! Waiting for us. I have planned this trip and anyone who doesn't show up better hope they are dead or I will find them, I will hunt them down and I'll make sure they wish they had been murder. I will not let them get away with not showing up! I need my friends to gather around me. I feel as though I am losing connections with them. Just because our paths are leading else where, doesn't mean they can't cross each other once in awhile. Right?
"Are we there yet?" my passenger mumbled in his sleep.
"Not yet, Blondie." I looked up at my review mirror to watch my friend show some kind of life. He sat up, rubbed his brilliant blue eyes then caught my own eyes in the mirror reflections.
"Hey Tai?"
"What's up?" I asked.
"This is not the way to my house," The boy looked out the window and started to shake his head. "I think you missed a turn."
"You think so?" I asked innocently.
"Yeah I do…you know what else?"
"Huh?"
"I think you should had release it when we started to run into so many trees!" Matt hissed.
"Well, its been raining and the fog…the dark…" I trailed off.
"You kidnapped me!" Matt's eyes grew large.
"Not really! I mean, you may act childish but I can't really say you fit the bill as being a kid!" I said was sweetly as I could.
"Pull over."
"Not in this life time buddy," I shook my head. I smiled, glancing up at the mirror at the boy in the back seat. I slammed on my breaks, "Hell no! Not in my car!" I raced out of my car to help Matt out of his side so he could be sick in the bushes. Waiting, looking up at the sky and letting the rain-wash down my face I took a deep breath, Matt hacked behind my back. "Can you smell that Matt?" More gagging noises, "You know what that is?"
"Puke?" Matt muttered, then cough some more.
"I call it freedom."
"You can call it freedom if you want but it's advertised at a Happy Meal." Matt mumbled, I'm guessing he was addressing his lunch that is now on the ground.
"Happy meals and Happy hours don't mix my friend!" I spun around on my heels and titled my head. "Are you going to be okay?"
"I need to go home Tai," Matt sighed, wiping his mouth on his sleeve.
"Why?"
"I have things I have to do!" Matt told me, "Don't think I don't know where you are taking me! I told you I didn't have time for a damn camping trip!"
"I told you to make time for one!"
"I can't do this stuff on whim!"
"Why not? You're the man!" I used his old phrase.
"Tai," Matt leaned against my car, as me, he was completely soaked. He put his hands over his face and took some deep breaths.
"Can't you feel it? You love camping, smell the forest! If you listen, you can hear the river! Hell, you can smell the water! Matt, this is what you need! This is what we all need!"
"Just because you want something doesn't mean we need it Tai!" Matt shouted at me but at least he winced.
"Who's the leader? Is it you?"
"Tai, you can't take that route!"
"Why not? I had your dad cancel everything for two weeks…." I walked around the other side of the car, out of his reach.
"YOU WHAT!" Matt spun towards me, a little too fast for someone with a hang over. He held on my car for dear life.
"I told your dad to cancel. You're wrong if you don't think he knows what kind of life you are living, what kind of life you are heading for."
"What are you talking about?"
"This is your fourth time drunk this week alone!"
"I have to make an appearance at these parties, Tai." Matt rolled his head.
"You don't have to drink!" I watched him shake his head, "I'm not trying to be a saint. I am not saying you can't drink, I do it too when I'm at a party but Matt, four days in one week where you passed out. Four days this week where I had to go and pick you up and put you to bed. Do you know how many times I saved you from bedding some groupie? You don't want to lose Sora do you? I'm your friend and I will gladly pick you up when ever you call but I'll be damn if I can't try and do something about it!"
"There is more to it then you think you understand!" Matt turned on me.
"Maybe, maybe not….two weeks Matt. What is going to happen in two weeks?" I asked.
Did I tell you how much I hated silence and Matt could give anyone a silent treatment that last for years. It took him four years just to say hi to his mum! It was a shaky plan…I mean I knew he would get drunk on Friday night. I had everyone meet at the campsite that day, told them that Matt and I would be late. So I forgot to tell them that I planned to kidnap him. How else would they all show up? I suspect it to be nasty for a while but he will thank me for this later. They all will thank me for this….