Chapter Four
Robin placed a folded piece of paper on the living room table and placed an old photograph on top before going upstairs. Entering Carl's bedroom, Robin saw that Alex was dead asleep on his cousin's bed. Robin gently lifted him from the bed and left the bedroom, going downstairs and left the house, awkwardly shutting the door behind her. Placing her son down in the cab of the pickup, Robin got in the drivers side and started the truck, adjusting Alex so that he was laid down, resting his head on her thigh.
Robin pulled the truck away from her brother's house, running her fingers through Alex's dark copper hair.
After half an hour, the red Ford pickup slowed to a stop. The highway way completely backed up. The sound of people beeping their horns woke Alex and he looked about confused.
'Where are we?' he asked tiredly, rubbing his eyes.
'Highway to Atlanta.' Robin replied, gazing out of the window.
Alex sat up and yawned 'Just like you told Lori and Shane. They are probably around somewhere. Can I go have a look around for Carl?' he asked, looking to his mother.
Robin thought for a second 'Did you pack your buck knife?' she asked
'Its in the truck-bed. Best birthday present ever!' he replied, grinning.
A small laugh escaped Robin before she looked at Alex seriously 'Things have changed now. I need you to follow everything I say. One wrong move and its over. You understand?' she asked softly
With a firm nod from Alex they both exited from the truck and rounded to the truck-bed. Pulling the black tarp back slightly, they reached for some bags.
Stuffing his small backpack with some comic books and a bottle of water, Alex turned to look at his mother.
Robin found Alex's buck knife and its sheath and attached it to the belt of his jeans. As Alex turned to search for his cousin, Robin called after him 'Be careful. Remember everything' with another firm nod from her son, Robin watched as he walked between the many cars and the people that were wandering about aimlessly.
Robin turned back to the truck-bed and started pulling certain things from it. Her own bowie knife, a Glock 19 with and extra full clip and a pair of small binoculars. Looping the binos around her neck, Robin made to turn away but her eyes caught the several heavy duty cases at the far back of the truck-bed, behind the cab of the truck. Pursing her lips, Robin covered the truck-bed and tied the tarp tightly. Walking to the front of the truck, she quickly leapt up onto the hood and onto the roof of the truck.
Her actions caught the attention of many people nearby but she paid them no attention. Bringing the binoculars to her eyes, she squinted into them, quickly finding Alex making his way to two young children talking. One of the was her nephew and the other was a small blonde girl. Alex called out to Carl. The younger boy turned and quickly ran over to Alex, hugging him.
With Alex safely located, Robin turned the binoculars towards the direction of the city and the sky. Everything seemed quiet for now. And that was something that didn't sit well with Robin.
Robin heard her name being called and she looked in its direction. She saw Carl running through the cars and past the people, waving his arms about.
'I need to teach that kid how to be subtle' she said quietly to herself as she expertly slid down the side of the truck.
'Hey, Carl.' she greeted, patting his back as he ran into her, hugging her waist.
'I didn't think I was going to see you again' Carl said, tears falling from his eyes.
Robin knelt down in front of the 12 yr old and wiped the tears from his eyes. 'Why you cryin', Carl?' Robin asked.
'Mom told me that Dad's dead.' he sobbed, wrapping his arms around her neck. Robin sighed and rubbed his back soothingly.
Robin stood up with Carl wrapped around her like a monkey. It was a few years since she had held a child like this. Robin walked through the cars, still rubbing her nephew's back. After several minutes, Carl had gone relaxed, the hectic day having been too much for the boy and he had fallen asleep.
Robin approached Alex talking to the little girl that was with Carl. Alex seemed to be reading The Hobbit to her. Robin stroked Alex's hair to get his attention. He looked behind him and smiled 'Mom, this is Sophia.' He introduced the small girl. Robin smiled at the shy girl, who uttered a quiet 'hello' back.
'My son! Where's my son! Carl!' a voice shouted, causing people to start fussing.
'Carl!' now that was Shane's voice and it was getting closer.
Knowing the shit storm that was about to happen, Robin turned around and saw Shane zig-zagging between cars, calling for Carl.
With the murmuring of the people getting louder, Robin sighed and let out an ear piercing whistle, gaining the attention of everybody around. It also startled Carl awake. Shane's head snapped towards the sound. Robin could see the anger cloud over Shane's eyes.
The surrounding people seemed to part as Shane made his way towards Robin.
'What the Hell are you doin' here?!' He hollered.
Carl gripped tighter to Robin, scared.
'You seem to ask me that a lot.' Robin commented, Alex moving to stand beside her.
An old man wearing a bucket hat stepped in front of Shane, raising his hands in a placating manner.
'Now, what's going on here?' he asked, glancing between the irate man in a Deputy Sheriff's uniform and the young woman holding a small boy.
'Oh, no worries here sir. The Deputy hasn't had his daily steroids today.' she replied sardonically.
A loud guffaw of laughter sounded about the highway and everyone turned to see the source. A tall redneck with short grey hair and a cigarette was standing beside an old truck with a motorcycle in the bed. A younger redneck was standing beside him with light brown hair, also with a cigarette. The younger of the two seemed uninterested in the scene before him.
'Well, ain't you full of piss and vinegar, sweetheart.' the man said, strutting forward.
'This ain't got nothin' to do with ya' Shane said to the redneck. The redneck smirked in return.
'Carl!' Lori shouted as she appeared through the crowd. A glare made its way on her face and she stormed forward and grabbed Carl's arm and pulled him off and away from Robin, ignoring her son's protests.
'You need to stay away from us' Lori ordered, stepping behind Shane slightly.
'He came after me' Robin said, bored, gazing up at the sky.
'Miss, I think you should, maybe, keep away from this lady and her family.' the old man said, trying to keep the peace
Robin looked at the old man 'the boy is my nephew. And the overgrown jock ain't their family.' she explained, a sharpness to her tone.
Shane strode forward and raised his hand to shove her back, but Robin caught his wrist and twisted it behind him, felling Shane to his knees.
Lori began to shriek at Robin.
Seeing a fight about to break out, Alex stepped forward 'mom, its getting dark and people are scared. Its gonna get cold soon.' he said, playing the voice of reason.
Robin looked at her son before letting go of Shane's wrist, letting him up. Shane and Lori stormed away with Carl.
The old man walked over to Robin and Alex 'I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. I'm Dale.' he introduced himself holding out his hand.
Alex stepped up and shook Dale's hand 'My name is Alex Grimes. This is my mom, Robin. It's good to meet you, sir.'
Dale couldn't help but smile at the boy 'You are a fine young man, Alex.' he commented, causing Alex to grin.
People had started to move along from the drama, muttering to themselves and shooting nervous looks towards Robin.
Alex followed after Dale, talking the old man's ear off.
Robin turned her gaze to the sky again, not paying attention to the redneck that was still standing nearby.
'I think you owe me, sweetcheeks' the redneck said, poking her shoulder with his finger.
'Merle, leave her.' the younger redneck muttered gruffly.
Without looking away from the sky, Robin threw a pack of cigarettes at Merle. He barely caught them and clicked his tongue at the half empty pack
'Don' strike me as a smoker, sweetheart' he chuckled
'I'm not. When Shane came me, I picked his pocket.' Robin said absently. Merle let out another guffaw.
'Can I borrow the roof of your truck?' she asked suddenly, finally looking at them.
'What are you, stupid?' the younger redneck said with a scoff, squinting at her.
She ignored him and moved over to their truck, climbing onto the roof and raised her binoculars to her eyes.
'Who are you, sweetheart?' Merle asked standing beside his truck.
'Robin Grimes' was the short response.
'Nice ta' meet ya, Robin Grimes.' Merle said.
'What the hell you lookin' at?' Merle's brother asked, squinting up at Robin.
Only silence answered him.