Runaways – Chapter 19

By MyNameIsCAL

-Angel's POV-

We rarely got out of the car over the next few days. Fang and Max took turns driving as we headed towards Yellowstone. They were running on fast food and cheap coffee. The more time we all spent cramped together, the more I felt we were all getting, I can't think of the word, I guess depressed, maybe. And Fang seemed to be hiding something that only Max knew about. Late at night, when we finally stopped, pulled over at some rest stop or wherever, you could hear Max trying to comfort him about something, but I couldn't figure out what.

"Hey, turn that up!" Iggy suddenly interrupted.

Fang leaned over, turning the knob for the radio volume.

There was white noise and then a reporter could be heard, "Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths were buried today, after a long month. The local community paid for the funeral and services. Burial was pushed back several days in hopes that their son might be able to return, but after a long debate, it was decided they would be put to rest. The Griffiths' son, James, is still missing along with the daughter of the local vet, Max, and three other children including the son and daughter of the murderers. Authorities recently discovered that the two children were going to be sold for money. The Griffiths' funeral was attended by many in the town, including many students from the local high school, Max's mother, Dr. Martinez, and other people who feel strongly that human trafficking and drug dealing through the border is becoming a large problem…"

Fang shut it off.

"Hey!" Iggy protested.

But Fang turned to face us. "We don't need to hear any of that."

"I should have been there," Iggy muttered. "What's a funeral without any family there?"

"Iggy," Fang let out a sigh. "I'm sorry."

Iggy grumbled something and leaned against the window. I watched as Nudge slipped her hand into his, squeezing it.

"Ig, I wish we could have been there too," Gazzy said quietly.

"I don't want your sympathy," Iggy suddenly snarled.

Gazzy looked hurt. He really looked up to Iggy and now that it was because of our parents that Iggy's parents were dead, Gazzy just felt lost. Iggy hadn't said much to us ever since we got on the road. He just needed space, but Gazzy was convinced Iggy was blaming him.

And then, Iggy lowered his voice, speaking again, "It's my fault they're dead."

"No," Gazzy stated, his voice firm. "They're dead because of me. If you hadn't helped us…."

But Iggy waved his hand in the air, dismissing what Gazzy was trying to say. "It's not your fault, Gaz. I wouldn't have let you get taken anyway."

Gazzy blinked a few times. "Even if you knew letting us get taken saved your parents?"

But like I said, Iggy was never mad at Gazzy or me. He was just angry at himself. "Yes, even if I had to watch my parents get killed to save you."

My brother stared at Iggy as silence filled the car. That was exactly what Gazzy needed to hear.

-Nudge's POV-

Iggy wasn't really up for talking. Ever since he heard the news, he had fallen silent. Still, he had his arm around me, his long fingers entwined with mine. I watched the darkness go by. You couldn't see anything but the road signs as Fang drove now, sipping his coffee every now and then. Angel and Gazzy were asleep in the back already.

"Give them a blanket," Iggy had said quietly. "They think I'm mad at them because it was their parents that killed mine, but they had nothing to do with it. I'd be stupid to be mad at them."

I picked up the blanket and draped it around them. When I turned back to Iggy, he had picked the other blanket off the floor.

"Here, you should sleep," he insisted, holding out the blanket to me. "I mean, you said it's dark. There's nothing to see."

I took the blanket and pulled it around us, resting against him. Under the blanket, his arms came around me.

"Goodnight," he whispered.

"Goodnight, Ig."

It was hard sleeping in the car though, so I found myself awake a few hours later. We had finally stopped driving. Max and Fang sat on the hood of the car. I couldn't make out what they were saying, but he sounded upset.

"Ig," I nudged him. "Ig, hey, wake up."

He stirred, mumbling, and then he realized it was me. "What's wrong?"

I pointed to the front of the car, and then felt stupid for forgetting he couldn't see, but he cocked his ear towards that direction anyway, still understanding. Looking towards the back, I realized Angel and Gazzy were awake too.

"Is…Is he crying?" Gazzy asked, sounding doubtful.

Iggy nodded.

I watched as Max pulled Fang into a hug and he shook against her.

"What're they saying?"

Iggy shook his head. "Go back to sleep."

Perhaps it's time for Fang to come clean about what really happened to him. Guess we'll see in the next chapter! Now that they've adjusted to being on the move, they've got more time to think. And I'm sure you know that sometimes thinking isn't a good thing at all.

Thanks for reading! New chapter heading your way soon!