Hit the road and don’t come back

“This is stupid, Dan. We gotta go back. They’re taking too long.”

Dan shot a quick look at Zacky. “Shads was pretty clear we had to leave.”

Matt nodded. “He knows what he’s doing.”

“I’m more worried about the Rev,” the mechanic admitted as he stared out the window of the moving vehicle. Brian and Johnny exchanged looks from the back seat.

Dan sighed. “So, what do you suggest we do? Go back?” The incredulity in his tone was obvious.

Zacky sucked at his piercings before replying in a pained tone. “Yes. We go back.”

The others all scrambled to make comments about why that was a bad idea, but Zacky just glowered at Dan who sighed again, shaking his head.

“I don’t know, V…”

“Please. Fuck…I just have a very bad feeling about all this… and I’d feel a lot better knowing that they’re okay.” Zacky didn’t like the pleading tone to his voice, but his mind was in turmoil as it went over everything that could possibly go wrong.

Dan rubbed at the bridge of his nose as he gripped the steering wheel tight with his other hand. This current debate had been going on for the last hour and a half and it was beginning to wear him down. However, there was massive risk in following through with his friend’s heated request. They could all be caught…but…

“You’re right,” he reluctantly conceded. “I’d sleep better too.”

Zacky blinked as Brian leaned forward and grabbed the back of his seat, hard. “We’re going back?”

“Against my better judgement,” Dan said grimly. “This is utter madness. But…” He didn't finish the statement just made a sharp U-turn on the road, tyres squealing in protest as he gunned the engine and headed back for town.

Johnny grabbed the side of his seat; Matt grunted as he got mashed up against Brian who was laughing at the absurdity of it all.

“Dad’ll throw a fit if he hears about this…”

“You’re not telling him?” Zacky exclaimed from the front seat, glowering back at his friend. Brian just laughed some more and waved a hand at the mechanic.

“My lips are sealed, man. I’m not stupid.”

Zacky grumbled at that and stared out the windscreen, eyes fixed on the rapidly approaching welcome to New Huntington sign as they headed back into town. Where he hoped they would find both Matthew and Jimmy…though something inside him was deeply disturbed…

* * * * *

“Val, come on! There’s no time!”

Valary was clinging to Matthew’s shirt reluctant to leave. Her sister held their bags and kept looking toward the cab that was parked in the driveway.

“We really gotta go.”

Matthew gently removed her grasp from his shirt, kissing the tips of her fingers. “I promise I’ll come for you when things calm down. But, you need to go with Chelle.”

Val swallowed hard, shaking her head vehemently. “I can’t…”

“You can’t stay here,” her husband’s tone hardened.

She grabbed at his shirt again. “I could go with you.”

“No.” He firmly moved her back from him. “It’s not safe.” He glanced over at Michelle, speaking directly to her. “My parents are in L.A. I want you to go stay with them.” He returned his gaze to his wife, expression tight. “You need to stay with them.”

Val sucked on the inside of her cheek. “They’ll have a lot of questions.”

Matthew nodded, rubbing at his face. “They will.”

“What do we tell them?”

Michelle raised her eyebrows, evidently wondering the same as her twin.

“The truth,” Matthew answered, quietly. His brow furrowed. “All of it.” He touched her cheek gently, running his finger along the soft skin. “It’s the best thing to do, I think.”

Val, nodding, leaned into his touch then stepped back, looking across at her sister, then back at him. “I love you…” her voice trembled on the words. He took her head gently between his hands and kissed her slowly on the mouth. She pressed close for a moment, kissing back, feeling the desperation in his embrace. He was the one to stop it, though and he set her back again, smiling tightly.

“Love you too.” The words seemed to be an unnecessary add-on to the emotions that were running thick in the atmosphere. But, Val held on to the words as if they were a lifeline.

Matthew glanced at his watch. “You need to go.” His eyes flickering back toward the house. “I’ll lock up here.”

Val’s eyes were fixed on his face, lingering for a moment then she turned to join her sister, who was already heading for the cab. Matthew didn’t watch them go, instead striding for the house, and ducking around the side to check all the doors. Then he came back around to the truck that was parked on the lawn.

Brian’s old girl was not much to look at, but it was driveable and that was all that mattered. It also had untraceable plates, which meant Matthew was willing to use it as a getaway vehicle. No clue how his friend had managed that little coup, but whatever. It was what he needed in the moment. He jimmied the lock and got in.

Minutes later, with the engine hot-wired, windows rolled down, and his gun in reach, he was on the road heading for the outskirts of town…

* * * * *

Frowning, Matthew hit the brakes, dust flying up as he spun the wheel. Tyres squealing, he hit the dirt on the side of the road as he recognised the Bentley. It was sitting by the side of the road doors flung open. Zacky leaned out the passenger door as casually as you please, an almost relieved expression on his face.

“Fuck…” Matthew growled as he pulled up next to other vehicle. “What The Hell are you doing here? I told you to get out!” He didn’t bother getting out of the truck as he yelled at the mechanic.

Zacky just rolled his eyes as he got out and approached him. The others were watching from the windows, apprehension on their faces. Matthew glowered at his friend.

“You should be well on the way to Long Beach.”

Zacky shook his head. “Needed to know you were ok…” He peered into the truck. “Where’s Jimmy?”

Matthew’s expression darkened considerably. Zacky stared at him dawning horror filling his eyes.

“Shads…”

The bigger male shook his head, speaking gruffly, “Get back in the car. There’s no time to explain.”

“Where is he?” the question was harsh, insistent. Matthew continued shaking his head. Zacky’s brow crashed down over his eyes. “Okay then…what about Val?”

Lips tightening in a thin line, Matthew just pointed back at the other truck.

“No time, V. We gotta go.”

Zacky clamped a hand on the rolled down window. “Not until you at least tell me if she’s okay.”

Matthew sighed, sensing that his friend wasn’t going to let it rest. “Yes. She’s okay.”

Expression easing, Zacky nodded and went back to the Bentley. Matthew didn’t bother waiting for him; he floored the pedal, bumping back onto the road.

They made good time, speeding out of New Huntington and hitting the main highway. Darkness was falling and the few stars that could still be seen were bright spots in the rapidly deepening night. Zacky glanced back every second minute to make sure Matthew was still following them. Brian’s truck was a dim shadow in the low light thrown by the moon.

“He still there, V? Or has he fallen off a cliff?” The slightly mocking edge to Dan’s voice caused Zacky to look witheringly at him. The soldier lifted a hand. “Sorry…”

Zacky just shook his head and looked back at his friends. Brian was frowning at his notepad. Johnny was asleep, again, snoring softly. Matt had his radio out, fiddling with the dial.

“Looking for something?”

Matt let the radio answer for him. “…Tal Cooperman is with us in the studio, what can you tell us about recent events concerning The Creed?”

“It’s a bit chaotic. I don’t think they know what they’re doing.”

“I heard reports that your friend, The Rev, is imprisoned at the barracks.”

“This is true. He’s a crazy bastard. Turning himself in.”

“Mhm…there are also reports that they plan to make an example of him.”

“This is also true…a date hasn’t been set, though.”

Zacky grimaced. “What the fuck’re they talking about?” Even though that was probably ‘stupid question of the year’. Matt shook his head.

“What do you think, V?”

Shaking his head, the mechanic kept his gaze fixed on the horizon. The answer to that question wasn’t something he wanted to even think on, let alone put words to. Knowing what Matthew hadn’t wanted to reveal…it was shocking, but at the same time it was just so…Jimmy.

“Trust him…” Zacky sighed, wearily. “They’ll kill him. Won’t they?” His question was flat, no inflection in his tone. He was past shock. Past worry. Past everything. Thinking the worst seemed to be the order of the day…

Silence was the response to his question. He let it rest. The answer made no difference; regardless they could do nothing; just keep going.

On to Long Beach.