2. Driving
I was sitting on the grass, in the center of the Coates driveway. Caine was standing above me, calling orders to the kids who were driving around, around, and around again. He was trying to train them to drive and was not having much success.
"I think they're doing better." He said, nodding slightly.
"You're right. That kid Ben has only crashed three or four times. I'd say that's a big improvement."
"We need to be able to move Diana. We need to get to Perdido Beach before someone else takes over. So either hop in a car yourself or help pick out the best drivers."
"Are you really willing to risk your neck climbing into a car with these bozos?"
"I am willing to risk it if it means we are going to get to Perdido Beach faster."
"Are you willing to risk my neck by letting me into a car with one of these bozos?"
Caine blushed and chewed on his thumb nail. "I guess not."
Just then there was a loud screeching noise and a cry of pain. It appeared that one of the young driver's had accidentally hit Drake. "You know it's really too bad they weren't driving faster." I said.
Drake picked himself up off the ground and furiously yanked the kid out of the car. He raised his hand over his head repeatedly and brought it down with shocking violence on the boy's head.
"Oh boy." Caine groaned. "Drake I need that kid conscious. He's one of the better drivers!"
"If he's one of the good ones then I am staying far away from the bad ones!"
"Drake go stand next to McKenzie!" I called. McKenzie had repeatedly crashed, dented, and nearly blown up her vehicle several times.
"Go to hell Ladris!"
"See you there." I replied, waving him off.
"Call Jack," Caine said, "See if he can figure out how to hot wire one of these cars."
"I can't, my phone doesn't work."
"What do you mean it doesn't work?"
"I mean that since the adults disappeared all of the phones have been down."
"Don't be ridiculous. I called you right after my teacher disappeared and it worked fine."
"Well when I tried to call Jack, like thirty seconds later, it didn't work."
Caine fished his phone out of his pocket and hit one of his contacts. When it didn't work he lowered it from his ear and threw it against one of the nearby fountains.
"Way to be melodramatic Caine." He spun around a irate look on his face. "Take a chill pill. I'm sure Jack can figure out a way to fix it."
"He won't be able to fix it, if we have no way to contact him, to tell him that it needs fixing!"
"You know there's this new thing people use when they need someone. It's called walking. I find that it's very affective."
"Well than, why don't you walk up to his room and walk him back down here. Now!"
"Why don't you go stick your fat head underwater, and stay there until I count to a million."
He closed his eyes and massaged his temples. "Get. Jack. Now."
"Fine. Jack!!!!!!" I yelled as loud as I could.
Caine looked annoyed, "What happened to your walking plan, huh?"
"I thought this would annoy you more. Jack!!!!!!"
Computer Jack scurried out of the building and came to an abrupt halt in front of us. "Jack we need you to fix the phones." Caine said.
"Your welcome," I muttered.
Jack nodded rapidly. "Yeah, sure Caine. Whatever you want. I'll need lot's of equipment though. A decent router system, a-"
"Yeah, I don't care. Just do whatever you need to do to get my cell working."
"Well technique yours won't work even if he does get the phones working. If you recall the incident when you chucked yours at a fountain, I think you'll know why."
"Thank you, Diana." He said, obviously resigned.
There was another long screech of tires, and suddenly I was hoisted off the ground. I hovered in the air as a Prius passed directly underneath me and crashed into a tree. I looked at Caine, who's hand was stretched out towards me. He let me drop, and I landed hard on my butt. Caine extended his hand and helped me up.
"Thanks," I said quietly. The care that had nearly killed me was on fire and the driver was struggling to get out.
Caine looked from the car, to me, and back again. "We have work to do."