A/N I'm still alive and kicking. So sorry guys life got crazy, new job and school started again, so bear with me. This chapter fought me tooth and nail in its writing but here it is, finally.

Follow the Lights Home

Chapter 9 Guiding Light

"May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out."

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Vin was scared. He'd been scared since his car crashed and his dad wouldn't wake up. But this morning started a different kind of terror. Men came and took him and hurt Buck. He tried to get away but the men were too big. Jerking off his burrowed sling they tied his hands up, causing him to cry out in pain. They drove away with him on a snowmobile. He tried to wake Buck up or get Chris to save them by yelling but the man holding him stuffed a gloved hand over his mouth. The long ride lasted for hours with his captor tightening his grip painfully anytime he moved or made a sound.

They finally came to an old house and parked outside of it. His fingers had lost feeling and were turning a purple color; while his wrist throbbed making him tear up. His face and ears were numb from cold. As they set him down his stiff legs wobbled not supporting his weight. The one he rode with gripped his shoulder painfully saving him from falling into the snow.

Vin was lead forcibly into the old farmhouse. Once inside they released his wrists. With a quiet whimper of pain he tucked his left arm protectively towards his body. A new man with long stringy dark hair came and knelt before him. Grabbing his chin and forcing the boy to look into his dark eyes.

"Vin your daddy took something of mine. You know stealing's bad. You're here because your daddy is bad and needs to be punished. But a real punishment is taking away something loved. You're daddy sure loves you boy." Vin wasn't stupid. He began to tremble, not from the cold, and tears gathered in his eyes. He sniffled refusing to let them fall and looked the man straight in the eye.

"My dad's good. You're the bad one," he spoke quietly but defiantly, "He's gonna kick your ass."

"You think so do ya?" Vin didn't like his new predatory smile as the man lead him to another room.

"DAD!" Vin yelled running to the battered form tied to a chair. Throwing his arms around his dad Vin let out a sob, haltingly telling his dad all that had happened since their car crashed. Clinging harder as he felt arms try to tear him away. He heard his dad yelling as they were finally forced apart, "Damnit! Joe I'm going to kill you!"

"Now Tanner is that anyway to talk in front of your boy," the man identified as Joe yanked Vin's head back by his hair. Vin tried to be strong and stop his tears and whimpers but it proved too difficult.

His dad's blue eyes looked deeply into his, "Vin, Bud, everything will be okay."

He tried not to think about the last moments with his dad. The shooting had started as his dad got loose and went after one of their captors. His dad had gotten the gun and told him to run, so he had run. Looking back over his shoulder as he opened the door he saw his dad fall. Running blindly as a gun pointed towards him he ran into Buck. Blinking back the tears he focused once more on the starry night, taking comfort from the older boy beside him.

"Hey guys, I'm J.D. I work with Chris," the young man lifted his arms placating as he approached slowly.

"I've seen you around town. You have a dang awful hat," Buck grinned in relief stumbling to his feet, "Sweet on Miss Casey too."

The young man blushed, opened his mouth then seeming to think better of it snapped it shut again. "It's a classic," he muttered loudly enough to be heard before crouching next to them and taking in their enemy's positions. Determining that they were safe for the moment he turned once more to the two boys who were now his responsibility. "You guys okay?"

"Vin's a little beat up mostly from last night though," Buck answered for his quiet friend, shifting slightly on his feet trying to relieve pressure on his ankle. J.D. eyed Buck questionly. Buck sighed sitting back down carefully, "I twisted my ankle on some rocks getting up here."

J.D. examined it keeping up a steady banter with Buck about headwear and the fairer sex. Turning to Vin he reached towards the slumped figure. The boy had his knees drawn up and his arms clutched his legs. He startled badly at J.D.'s hand connecting with his shoulder. J.D. again raised his hands and backed away soothing the scared boy who had stood up looking close to bolting down the trail. He settled for a visual exam, once Vin's breathing slowed, giving the quiet boy a reassuring smile. Offering a hand to the dark haired boy he lifted Buck to his feet carefully.

Glancing down the ridge J.D. stiffened in dread. Buck went down hard as J.D. pushed him out of the way. The ankle he favored impeded his movement, leaving him nowhere to go but down. J.D. went down also catching a bullet in the shoulder. Vin ran to Buck's horse as the shots were fired. Grabbing the reins of the startled animal he stopped its frenzied fleeing.

Vin tied off the horse securely before snatching up Buck rifle. Looking towards the others he went to J.D. side as the officer laid down some return fire. Once the quiet was regained they hurried over to Buck. J.D. kneeled at his side. "Vin, keep an eye on them," J.D. glanced behind them before pulling the dazed teenager to his feet, "I need to move Buck."

J.D. struggled and bled but was able to move the teenager down the path. The younger boy kept watch behind them and stopped to lead the horse with them. Once down the trail a ways they stopped to catch their breath. Vin sent a weary look back the way they came before turning back to the hurt pair. J.D. carefully lowered Buck down to a sitting position against one of the trees lining the path. Wincing he clutched his bleeding shoulder as the adrenaline started to fade. Vin picked up the tattered blanket from the saddle before walking over to his companions. Looking from the bleeding adult to boy who was still quite out of it he borrowed Buck's knife cutting strips out of the blanket. Binding the cloth as tightly around J.D.'s shoulder as his hurt wrist would allow.

J.D patiently allowed the silent boy to wrap his wound smiling down gratefully. Noise was heard once more from the way they came. The boys needed to get to safety. One armed and with Vin's help J.D. was able to get the dazed Buck onto his horse. Vin mounted behind silently, after stowing the teen's rifle, steadying the dark haired boy. Handing the reins to the lighter haired boy J.D. gave his order, "Vin, down this trail is Chris' property but don't turn off. You won't be able to find it in the dark. Just keep heading straight till you come to the highway. It leads to town but just stop okay. We should be by to get you by then. Don't get off the path."

J.D. looked into the blue eyes for a second longer trying to get the boy to understand the importance of what he was saying. Once the boy nodded he let go off the reins. Watching the boys ride off he let out a sigh before checking his ammo and facing the oncoming threat. If they wanted the boys they would have to go through him.

Keeping up a steady pace down the dirt road; Vin tightened his hold on Buck as he heard more shots fired. He was trying to keep it together and get Buck and himself to a safe location. He wished that the older boy could still be in charge. That Chris or J.D. was here taking care of them. That his dad was here and they were just hiking to the top of a hill to watch the sunrise. Vin sniffled and used one hand to wipe away any escaped tears. He looked around the path trying to stay strong. Vin knew this road he'd been on it the night before; a time that seemed so long ago. Looking around at the familiar he almost laughed aloud. He knew where he was and he knew where he wanted to go. Turning the horse off the trail he headed down. As the rode once in awhile a feeling of despair would come making him doubt. He then would then see a familiar sign and he was encouraged again. The stars watched from overhead. A light in the distance brighter than the celestial ones shone through the trees. With a grin Vin shock the older boys shoulder. With a groan he looked to Vin in confusion.

Vin pointed to the light before whispering hoarsely, "home."