I know this is another short chapter, but I promise that I will bring more awesomeness in the nest one :)

for now, here's this chapter! enjoy!

QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ

A sharp pain snapped me awake and I yelped, my eyes flying open. Sunlight was streaming through the trees and the rain had finally stopped. I tried to move my arms but cried out in pain as my broken wrist jerked against the makeshift sling.

"Gus?" I whispered, my memory of the last 24 hours returning. "Gus!"

"Shawn?"

I relaxed a little when I felt a hand touch my arm.

"I'm right here, Buddy," Gus said. "How do you feel?"

I let out a raspy laugh. "Like roadkill."

Gus laughed with me. "Me too."

I turned my head so I could see Gus, wincing at the pain that movement brought. Gus was damp and covered in mud and there were scrapes and cuts all over his face and arms. Like me, he was shivereing a little in the cool morning air.

"Think anybody's looking for us?" Gus turned to look at me.

I leaned my head back against the rough bark of the tree. "I bet Juliet's wondering why I never came hom last night. And Lassie's gonna know that something's up when we don't turn up at the station."

Gus nodded. "Wern't you supposed to help your dad clean out his garage today?"

"Yeah," I said, smirking. "He'll be ticked off. But maybe he'll try to hunt me down. Normally, I'd hate that, but right now I could use it."

We were silent for a few minutes after that. I could hear birds singing and leaves rustling on their branches in the cool morning breeze and cars speading along the highway...

I sat up straight - and immediately regretted it when pain shot through almost every part of me.

"Shawn, you okay?" Gus turned sharply to look at me.

"Gus, we're right next to the highway!" I said. "I can hear it!"

Gus paused, listening.

"Hey, you're right!" He said after a moment. "If we can flag down a car, we'll be rescued!"

"Come on, let's go," I whispered, gritting my teeth as I struggled to push myself to my feet. Gus helped me up and we leaned on each other for support.

"Are you sure you can do this?" Gus asked.

"Can you?"

Gus nodded, but I knew we were both just faking it.

I took a deep breath, listened for a moment, then pointed with my good hand. "That way."

Without another word, we began hobbling toward the sounds of the highway. Every step was agony and I wasn't sure what part of me hurt worse.