Vic hummed to himself as he gazed out the window into the night's sky. His brother was asleep, using his lap as a pillow. The mutant just rubbed his hair back as he watched the movement of nocturnal animals.
As time drew on he noticed something in the distance. A carriage on the road. Pretty late for a drive.
It inched itself closer to the barn, the wind picking up. An aroma carried by if right to Victor's nose, sending a chill down his back.
"Jimmy, wake up! Wake up!" he shook his little brother before jumping up and tossing all their stuff in the baskets.
"What!?" the younger of the two gasped awake, "What's happening!?
"Put your clothes on and move fast," Vic tossed him a pair of pants and slid into his own.
Unsure of what was going on and still half asleep Logan quickly did what he was told and grabbed a basket, following his brother as they ran out into the woods.
They ran for two hours before finally stopping.
"What are we running for!?" Logan looked at his brother.
"Just keep running!"
"What are we running from!?" he grabbed his brother as he started to climb the hill, "There's nothing here!"
Between a few pants of breath Victor explained that he had seen Barqee coming towards the barn.
"Are...are you sure?"
"I know that stench anywhere."
"Determined son of a gun," Logan looked about, where are we going now?"
"Aw, heck if I know Jimmy. See about the next town over. Hop another train."
At least they had been able to spend a couple days at the barn before being forced to flee.
X
"These rocks aren't exceptionally comfortable," Logan grumbled as his brother helped him out of the wet diaper.
"Don't look like they are," he wrung a towel out and wiped his brother's groin, causing him to instantly tense up and pull away.
"What are you doing!?" he covered himself with a wide eyed look to his guardian.
"You don't want to smell like piss, do ya? It's not like we can bath in that." he pointed to a small, very small creak beside them. It was just enough to soak the towel and clothes in. After getting some water to drink from it of course.
"Well, no. But next time warn me before you run a towel over my tallywacker," he blushed.
Vic just rolled his eyes before yanking his trousers up, "Ready to move?"
X
The whole walk to town Victor could hear his brother's stomach growling.
"Jimmy," he started, "I know you're hungry. When we stop in town please eat."
"I'm just fine," Logan shrugged.
Victor glared, "You're not fine."
"I'll eat when you eat," Logan glared back.
"Why are you doing this to me?!"
"Because, like it or not, I do care about your ss!"
"Why!? Why the h3ll do you care so much about me?" he stamped.
"Why do you care about me? Huh?" there was no retort Victor could give to that question except a tight lipped glower and a crossing of the arms, "You got your butt handed to you defending me. And you always try to make me comfortable, even when you hate me."
The elder just huffed and took his basket, walking ahead, "I've never hated you."
"You did when I hadn't told you I was wetting the bed," he mentioned, "And when I got us held captive by the German."
"I was exceptionally angry with you. I never hated you," he shook his head, "I could never hate you."
"You're my brother." he yanked him by his shoulder to turn and look at his face, "I love you."
X
After nearly four hours they finally made it to another town. First thing they did was find a place to eat and Logan was beyond happy. He competed with his brother's stubbornness and won.
"How are your crackers?" Logan asked between slurps. The elder bit one in half, giving his brother the finger, "classy."
Victor glared at him as he ate, "You're a d mn brat."
"And you're a bullheaded jerk, so I say we're even," he sucked down the chilli.
Vic couldn't help but smile as he ate his food. His punk brother was something else, "Maybe we can find some work here for a while."
"Jobs and a home."
"I'm thinking."
"Don't say it."
"We would save money if we held off on a place," he told him, nodding at his brother's groan, "I know, I know."
"How are we going to save food? It's a warm here. No milk, Victor. So not a ton of baking. And no milk for drinking."
"Not a ton of baking without a stove. Asides we'll bury it," he raised a finger, "And don't forget open fire cooking. Smoked flavor." he smiled.
"Between us both how much money do we have?"
Vic did the math in his head, "between us two," he bit his lip, "$53."
"That's enough for about three weeks, with no food," the younger sighed, "So we have no choice."
"Not really."
He sipped the last of his water, "Guess we better start looking for work."
X
"This town is useless," Victor grumbled. There was nothing there. They ended up needing to walk to another town.
"At least this one has a railroad," Logan dragged himself along, "How much further?"
"another mile is what the woman said."
"Grand."
X
Finally they arrived to the next town. It was actually bigger, so there was more chance of them getting work.
"Alright, housewife, I'll look for a job first. You look for a home."
"Yes dear," Victor smirked, taking the basket and strutting into the surrounding forest.
X
Isaac sighed as he prepared to feed the animals.
"Your breakfast will be cold," his wife told him, "Whatever happened to those young men?
"I suppose they had to go. It's fine, couldn't have afforded to keep them employed long." he shook his head, "Best workers I've had in years."