Chapter 2 : The Funeral Home
After both Randy and Seth put their jacket on, Kane grabbed his car keys and loaded the boys inside his Mustang. He was lucky Stephanie had forgotten to ban the car that night because usually , when she grounded him, she would keep the car keys and only let Kane use the car for school trip only.
"Remember what I told both of you? " Kane asked as he switched the engine on.
"No telling Mom or Dad," Randy and Seth said in unison.
" And? " He asked again.
"No fighting at the funeral house." The kids answered meekly. Randy didn't know if he could survive the rules for the night , but he longed to see the viper pet that Mark's brother kept, so he promised himself to keep off his little brother tonight, or else Kane would cancel the trip.
"And we have to be home before midnight." Kane added. He guessed Stephanie and Hunter would be leaving Mr. Michael's house around half past midnight, so there would be enough time for him to hide his crime. Breaking grounded duty was one thing, but taking his brothers to the place like a funeral house would be enough to drive his parents into the wall.
The drive to Mark's funeral home was only twenty minutes away, and Randy and Seth shrieked excitedly as they arrived there. The large, creepy building located near the city graveyard did not bother them a slightest, instead they always thrive for such exceptional experience. Despite being among the richest kids in the city, they were not afraid to explore different environmental aside from their regular luxurious lifestyle.
"Yo Kane, "Mark emerged after Kane pounded on his door several times. "I thought you are being grounded? "
"I did. I broke it anyway," Kane grinned, "Do you mind these two tagging along? I could not have a moment of peace with them in the house. No wonder my dad and mom getting more and more wrinkles every year ," He said, indicating both of Seth and Randy who were standing on each of his sides.
"Nah, " Mark smiled, "Paul and Glenn gonna love them. Seth and Randy, right?" He shook hands with both of the kids, who nodded their small heads for confirmation.
"Hi Mark, I'm Seth, " Seth looked up to the tall guy shyly. He was almost as big as his brother and Mark looked like a rock star with long hair and classic attire of ripped jeans and sleeveless shirt with words American Badass written on the front. Which was one of the reasons why Daddy and Mommy did not quite like the fact that he was his brother's best friend, of all the rich kids in the city, but Seth thought Mark actually seemed nice to him.
"Hello little guy, " Mark smiled. "Come in, " He invited, closing the door behind him as soon as his guests stepped inside.
Seth and Randy looked around the funeral house as Mark led them to the office where his father and brother were working. They were looking to be busy in the middle of doing paperwork, but immediately turned to see Kane padded in with his two little brothers.
"Hey Mr. Bearer, Hey Glenn, " Kane greeted.
'Hey Kane, " Mr. Paul Bearer said. He was a fat, short old guy and he wore glasses. He wasn't really Mark and Glenn's real father. Mark's real parents had died in a fire accident during his childhood, so Paul, who had been working with them adopted the boys and had been taking care of them and the funeral business since then.
"Hey Kane, that your kids? " Glenn, Mark's younger brother asked as he stared at Randy and Seth.
"Fuck you Glenn, " Kane laughed, signaling Randy and Seth to approach Mr. Bearer and Glenn.
"Hey, language man. Where's your rich kids manners? " Mark scowled.
"To hell with the manners, " Kane said, "Seth, Randy , say hi to Mr. Bearer and Glenn," He asked.
"Hi Mr. Bearer, Hi Glenn. " Seth and Randy did as they were told. They were curious at the fat, short, slightly weird man, but he seemed so friendly like Mark.
"Hello kids," Mr. Bearer beamed, " It was really pleasure to meet both of you, " He said, clapping on Randy and Seth's shoulders as he approached them.
"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Bearer, " Randy said, shaking the older man's hands, and followed by his brother. Then they shifted their attention to Glenn.
Glenn was a younger version of Mark ,but he was built bigger and he looked more intimidating. Randy looked up to him curiously.
"Do you keep a viper? " He asked bravely.
"As a matter of fact, I did, " Glenn grinned, "Would you like to meet him? "
"Yes," Randy nodded eagerly.
"And what about you little man? " Glenn bent over so he could touch Seth's nose.
" I'm afraid of snakes," Seth confessed shyly. Randy was tempted to laugh but when he notice Kane was staring at him, he remained silent.
"Uhuh, don't worry, Bradshaw doesn't bite people, " He assured with a grin.
"You named your pet snake Bradshaw? What kind of name was that ? " Kane laughed.
"Shut up, big red monster, " Glenn said, " It sounded libertarian to me, "
"Glenn was into politics. He like that sort of thing, " Mark said.
"Like Republican and Democrat? " Randy chimed in.
"Mommy and daddy are republicans, " Seth said. He did not really understand the terms, but Mommy said once that she and daddy were supporters of Republican Party.
"What a smart guy, " Glenn complimented in amaze, "I'm a Libertarian, though. One day, I promise to bring freedom into this free land. And to get rid of the stupid taxes too, "
"That sounds awesome! " Randy exclaimed. " Libertarian sounds like a superhero, " He giggled.
"Alright enough of your libertarian shit Glenn, " Mark growled, " Save your speech for your graduation day, " He yawned.
"Yeah , thanks for the reminder, " Glenn said, "Kane, are you sure I can take them to Bradshaw? Little Seth here not gonna freak out, ain't he? "
"Yep, " Kane nodded, " Randy likes snakes. He wanted to keep one but our parents would not allow that. And yeah, don't worry about Seth, he's a badass, he's not going to get intimidated by a reptile, right Seth? " He patted Seth's head, making the little boy giggled.
"Of course!" Seth replied with enthusiasm, "Can we play at the cemetery? " He asked.
"Its freezing cold Seth outside Seth, " Mr. Bearer shook his head, "You might not want him to catch cold, " He turned to Kane.
"Yeah Seth, " Kane nodded, "Mommy will know you played outside at night if you get a cold, " He said, knowing Stephanie never allowed Seth to play outside at night during cold temperature. She would suspect immediately if Seth fall sick.
"Okay then, I guess Bradshaw is cool, " Seth giggled again.
"You sure he won't break out of his cage or something, Glenn? " Kane asked, slightly concerned.
"Don't worry, he won't. Besides I made a trap door for him should he try to attempt escape. Though I will lead him to Mark first if he ever get out, " Glenn chuckled.
Mark glared at him. " Well if he ever dare to trespass my yard I'll make him famous," He threatened, rolling his eyes at his brother.
"Is that the best you can do? " Kane grunted.
"Come on man, " Mark shrugged, "That's the catchphrase of the American Badass," He said, but Kane clearly was unimpressed.
"Alright, are you boys ready for the adventure in the jungle? " Glenn challenged.
"Yes!" Randy and Seth replied in unison.