XI
The trip was mostly full of sleeping and little talking. When the two of them did talk it was about the events that had happened thus far. Kyle tried hard to keep the voice of Knockout in check, listening to it as it grew louder and quieter along the trip. The closer they got to Jasper, the quieter the voice got. Kyle even managed a smile when he saw the sign indicating only a few miles to go.
"I…I don't know you're uncle do I?" whispered Kyle, turning to Mary.
"Uncle Wayne? Nope, never met him. I might've mentioned you to him but I don't talk too much about him. He's a little…crazy, if you ask me," Mary nodded. "He'll be excited to see you though."
"Will the feeling be mutual?" hummed Kyle.
Mary didn't answer. It made Kyle jitter. He turned back out the window, as is his habit. He'd seen the scenery change across state lines. The closer they got to Jasper, the blander it became. Eventually, buildings appeared, popping out of nowhere it seemed. Soon there were people too. A school, houses and stores. Kyle smiled a little, watching the town come into view. It felt strangely familiar and homey.
"Here we are," Mary hummed, pulling into a driveway.
Kyle peered out the windshield, taking in the house. It wasn't much, just a simple, one-story house with blue paint. Overall, it was a nondescript house that blended right into the scenery. Mary got out of the car. Kyle figured he'd follow, stepping out and following her to the front door. She knocked three times, waiting until it was opened.
"Mary, sweetie! I didn't think you'd be here so soon," cheered the man who opened it.
"Uncle," Mary hummed, offering the man a hug. She pulled out, grabbing Kyle by the arm. "This is my good friend, Kyle."
"I see," the uncle hummed, looking Kyle over. "He propose yet?"
Kyle froze, losing all feeling in his limbs. Mary smiled, watching Kyle drain in color and slowly slip away from reality. She shook her head to her uncle. The man nodded, looking around. He offered the inside of the house. Mary shook her head again.
"I figured we'd go and stretch our legs," Mary hummed, pulling Kyle around. "I saw a store on the way in with those candies I like."
"Keep that boy close," the uncle warned. "He doesn't seem all there."
"That's not his fault," she smiled. "You caught the poor boy off guard."
Mary led Kyle into town. They based several stores and buildings on the way in, including a school building. Kyle noticed a large mountain-like structure off to the side, with a road leading straight to it. Oddly familiar still.
"Want to come in?" hummed Mary, stopping by the window.
"No, I don't feel like being inside anywhere anytime soon," shrugged Kyle, leaning on the shop window.
"I'll be right out," Mary nodded, entering.
Kyle waited patiently, looking around. He pulled away from the store window, looking at what the store actually sold. He faintly heard people walking around and talking. He didn't seem to hear the approaching footsteps and laughter that wound up knocking him over. He collapsed, all with the two others that had been following him.
The voice flooded back almost overwhelmingly. He shut his eyes tight, trying to avoid what he knew was coming. A blackout. Knockout. He heard the two kids get back to their feet, quickly stepped over toward him but didn't touch him. He opened his eyes quickly. Two boy with four kids behind them. They stepped back at Kyle opened his eyes. One glance in the store window made what he suspected true. His eyes were red.
"We're…uh…" one of the boy mumbled.
"Back off," snarled Kyle, preparing to stand.
"Kyle!"
Mary rushed out of the store, dropping her back and addressing Kyle. The flash of anger faded quickly. She helped Kyle to his feet, while one of the kids quickly began spouting apologizes from the lot of them. Kyle shrugged, trying hard not to get angry.
"It's fine."
"We weren't paying attention," mumbled one of the boys who ran him down, "We were just trying to get home."
"It's fine, right Kyle?" hummed Mary, whispering in Kyle's ear. "You're fine, right?"
"I'm good," Kyle sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He took up Mary's bag, putting a few objects back in. "Can we just go back to your uncle's?"
"You're visiting?" one of the kids asked.
"Yes," Mary smiled. "Wayne Perkings, down the road."
"I know him!" cheered the boy who'd run Kyle down.
"I'm glad," Mary nodded. "It was nice meeting you…"
"Raf."
The boy who'd been apologizing pulled Raf back. Another kid pulled back Raf's friend. Something sunk painfully into Kyle's chest as the six of them began leaving. Raf waved, along with a young girl with pigtails. The others were more concerned with leaving.
"That was weird," mumbled Kyle, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Weird?" questioned Mary, taking the bag from him.
"Felt like I should've known one of them," shrugged Kyle. "Oh well, doesn't matter. Let's go home."