Chapter 4
Carly woke up the next morning mad at the world. She had to stop being Carly for
one day! She put on her black slacks, black shirt, and leather jacket. She put
her stuff in her backpack which wasn't a lot… a lip-gloss, her bracelets, her
small earrings, her gloves the had the fingers cut off, a picture of Kevin and
Paige, and a few outfits she had. She put the backpack on and opened her bedroom
door. She was going to walk out but heard Michael's music playing upstairs.
Carly whispered to herself, "Dang it." She had agreed to take Michael to school
today. Carly went upstairs to see Michael loading his books into his backpack.
Carly went with Michael to the car and started to rev the engine. As they headed
to Michael's school Carly felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as they
did most of the time, "Geez… Michael do you ever feel like your being watched?"
Michael looked back and saw the a following from far behind. Michael cleared his
throat, "Um… Carly I forgot to tell you… I really don't know how to say this but
dad use to be part of the mob so they have us under surveillance. Sorry about
that."
Carly pulled the car over quickly making Michael grip the dashboard, "What?!"
"I'm sorry to have to tell you about that. They've been watching you pretty
closely since you've been back. They just want to make sure your safe. Dad's
just making sure your ok." Michael sighed awkwardly.
"I can take care of myself." Carly stated and bit her lower lip, "Tell you what,
Michael. You help me lose the guards and I'll take you with me."
Michael was a little hurt, "You’re leaving? Why? What did we do?"
"No! Michael it's only for today. I mean I have to stop acting like I'm not
myself. I am who I am and I want to act like it so will you help me lose them?"
Carly asked.
"I don't know if it’s such a good idea Carly. I mean dad might get mad." Michael
warned.
"Michael, I could care less what your dad gets mad about. He doesn't run me now
you could come or not. Either way I have to get away for the day." Carly could
remember everything about last night.
Michael sighed, "All right, I'll help but where are we going?"
Carly smiled, "I can't tell you."
Michael looked back and saw the car was still at a distance behind them, "Ok,
here's what you do."
After the plan was initiated, Carly walked Michael to the schools front doors.
The guards watching from across the street. Carly pretended to be saying goodbye
to Michael in the by walked him there. Michael let his eyes travel to the guards
across the street, "Now!" He said suddenly. He and Carly made a sudden break and
the guards turned back to see they were gone. Carly and Michael ran through an
alley on the side of the school when exiting out of the opposite side Michael
looked around, "So where do you want to go? Think fast because the guards should
be close behind." Michael rushed Carly.
Carly grabbed Michael hand and pulled him while hopping onto a nearby bus that
was just departing. Michael and Carly laughed as the bus sped away and the
guards looked blankly around searching for Carly and Michael. Michael enjoyed
the pure rush of everything they were doing. Michael couldn't remember a time
that he had felt so alive and hadn't seen the guards close by him. They had
followed him for so long he forgot what it was like to just be by himself
although he wasn't really by his self he was with Carly.
Carly pulled Michael up by his hand and smiled, "Come on." They had rode the bus
to the nearest Greyhound station and Carly paid for two tickets that would take
them to the next town. As they boarded the bus and sat Carly saw that Michael
was staring at her, "What?"
"How did you get money?" Michael questioned Carly.
"Believe it or not I had money when I met you and Jason for the first time. I
just didn't have a car that's why I was hitch hiking."
"How do you know whether to get into a car or not?" Michael was worried about
her recklessness.
Carly laughed, "You get an eye for it. You have this feeling in your gut too. If
I don't think it's safe to get in the car I don't."
"Where is it that you were going, Carly?"
"Meeting with my friends, Michael."
"Friends?"
"Yes, Michael, I do have friends." Carly grinned, "I just hope they’re there
today." Carly looked out at the plains they were passing hoped Jason wouldn't
get mad at Michael for what he helped Carly do. It took a couple of hours before
they reached their destination. When they reached their destination they hopped
off the bus and Michael followed Carly the best he could but Carly walked faster
and faster. Turning a few corners and running down some alleys until finally
reaching a secluded area that had a small ditch like place with tons of skate
boarders and different people mingling. Carly's smile had gotten the biggest he
had ever seen it. Michael looked around seeing a red headed woman smoking a
cigarette and talk to a group of people the woman lit up when she saw Carly,
"Babs!!!" She exclaimed.
Michael frowned and turned to Carly. Carly walked to his side, "It's just a
stupid nickname let it go." Carly leaned over and whispered then putting a wide
grin on her face she approached the woman, "Hey Red." (The woman's nickname.)
Michael felt awkward just standing there not knowing who these people were and
how Carly knew them. Red pulled back from the hug and smiled at Michael, "And
who's this little guy."
Carly bit her lower lip and looked back at Michael, "Oh him. He's… Kid. I call
him, Kid."
Red looked again at the little boy, "Why hello there." She said leaning down
with a grin and slid a finger across his cheek, "You’re a real cutie. I
especially like the red hair looks like we have something in common."
Michael ran his hand through his reddish hair and sighed. He hated his hair. But
Bobbie told him within a few years it would change color. It was already
lightening at the moment. That was a another thing that didn't score him too
many points with the girls, imagine a shy guy with now fading red hair it wasn't
that great. Michael smiled anyway by her compliment, "Thanks."
Red looked at Carly, "You haven't been to see us lately. Something up?"
Carly shook her head, "A lot's happened but nothing really bad. I'm fine."
Red nodded, "You want to talk to us about it?"
"Sure, Red, I'll tell you. Give me a minute though, ok?" Carly held her finger
up and walked back to Michael. Michael stood feeling lost. Carly knelt to him,
"I'll be back ok? I am just going to be right over there, ok? I won't be far and
if anybody offends you. Tell me." Carly instructed and began to walk away.
But Michael stopped her by grabbing her wrist, "No!"
Carly slightly giggled as she was pulled back, "What?"
"You can't leave me." Michael made Carly follow his look, "There are a lot of
girls around." Michael made a nervous look.
Carly smiled, "And you’re scared, why?"
Michael shoved his hands in his pockets, "I'm not nervous."
"Ok, then have fun." Carly got up again but Michael pulled her back again.
"Ok! I'm nervous all right!" Michael yelled and most of the girls looked at him.
Carly snickered at Michael and then knelt to him again, "Why?"
"I never know what to say. I am an idiot!" Michael whispered.
"I got an idea. Stay right here." Carly ordered and went away for a moment.
Michael looked around him and he blushed at the girls’ looks. They looked
impressed and not amused. Michael felt like such a dork when he saw Carly
walking back to him with a beautiful brunette blue eyed girl who was smiling at
him. Michael's eyes widened. The girl was wearing a small white shirt and bright
blue pants. Her hair was in a ponytail and her lips were a perfect pink. Michael
was stunned and taken back by her beauty. He opened his mouth but nothing came
out. The girl seemed to be equally smitten with Michael. But this girl was not
shy. Carly cleared her throat, "Maddy this is Michael. Michael this is Maddy."
Carly introduced them gestured to them while doing it. She had a huge grin on
her face as she said softly into Michael's ear, "Play nice." Carly bit her lower
lip and walked back to Red. When she reached Red she looked back at Michael and
smiled. Red put an arm around Carly, "So what's up, Babs?! We all missed you!"
Red gestured to a couple other girls behind herself.
Michael saw Carly laughing and telling him to go for it. Michael swallowed
deeply, "H…i." Michael finally got out.
Maddy made a teasing smile, "Don't worry, Michael I won't bite." She walked by
him and whispered, "Unless you want me too." She purred and walked past him.
Michael's heart beat a million times faster than it should of as he walked as he
followed Maddy to an abandoned corner. They sat and Michael started to untense
as they spoke.
Carly smiled and turned to Red.
Red held out her hands, "Well?"
Carly laughed, "I'm suppose to be dead."
Red's eyes grew, "What?!"
The girls next to Red were just as curious. Carly explained the story. They were
shocked by how everything Michael and Jason played out what Carly knew and
remembered. Jason and Michael had filled in all the holes but no one knew all
the facts. And Carly being the only one who knew didn't remember. Red felt bad
listening to this and knowing something that would really upset Carly. Red
looked down at the ground. Carly noticed her look, "Red, what's wrong? I know
it's a weird and odd situation but it'll work out ok…hopefully."
Red looked up at Carly and pulled something out of her back pocket, "This came
for you. Um… the person wasn't sure how to find you so they came here and asked
us to give it to you when you got back."
Carly took the object and it turned out to be a letter. She read it and she put
a hand over her mouth and tears fell over her hands. Red put a hand on Carly's
shoulder to show support. Carly's spirits died down more and more as her eyes
crossed each word.
Meanwhile…
Michael stared at Maddy, "That all happened to you?" Michael sighed, "And I
thought I had it bad."
Maddy nodded, "Kids usually do think they got it bad until they hear me." Maddy
said and wiped her pants as she got up. Michael stood too. Maddy looked at Carly
who had her hand over her mouth and Maddy noticed she looked really hurt. Maddy
finally asked, "How do you know Babs?"
Michael looked at her worried, "She's my mom." Michael took Maddy's hand and
they both felt a little nervous by it but they walked over to Carly. Michael
looked at Carly, "Are you ok?"
Carly shook her head and clenched the letter, "When did this come, Red?"
"A couple days ago, Babs. We can take care of the kid while you do what you have
to. If you want." Red offered.
"No. I'll take him home and then I'll take care of it." Carly told Red.
"You might not have enough time! We don't know how serious this is! We just know
it's dangerous!" Red argued. Every turned and saw a car pulling up.
Carly laughed pathetically, "I definitely don't need this!" Carly shouted as the
passengers stepped out of their car. Michael looked at Carly's angry look and
got scared. Three men stepped out of the car and the man who seemed to be the
leader approached Carly. As he stepped to Carly she pushed Michael gently behind
her.
The man grinned at Carly, "Babs, haven't seen you lately." He tried to touch her
but she slapped his hand away. He lifted his hands in the air and laughed, "A
bit of an attitude don't you think?"
"What the hell do you want?" Carly snapped. Michael saw the man's look. He felt
his anger rise as the guy looked Carly from head to toe. 'This is my mother.'
Michael thought.
"I missed you that's all." The man replied.
Carly squinted at him, "Do I look like an idiot?" Carly looked at herself and
then back at him, "Because I must if you expect me to believe that crap!"
The man just loved her anger, "Why who's the kid?" He said peeking around
Carly's shoulder.
Carly stepped in front of Michael again, "Leave him alone." She warned.
"Ooooh. I am loving this protective bit. "He seemed to be trying to be calling
her bluff, "But you know what?" He leaned over to her ear, "I know you can't
take care of yourself. You always needed someone else to take care of you." He
whispered.
Michael watched in horror as Carly grabbed the man by the collar and rammed him
into his car. Red held Michael back ad they all watched including the man's
friend. The friends knew the girls would kill them if they interrupted and the
same went for the girls. Carly slammed the guy down on the hood, "Nobody touches
me!" She screamed and the man laughed.
"You’re just mad because someone all ready did." He smiled.
Carly reached into her pocket and pulled something out of her pocket. Michael
felt his stomach turn and the guy looked frightened now as if he wasn't before.
Carly pulled out a switchblade and held it to the man's throat, "Don't you ever
touch me or that kid you got that!" She screamed, "If you do I swear to god I'll
kill you."
The man gulped as Carly shaking hand held the blade to his throat and drew
blood. Michael finally yelled, "Somebody please stop this!" Red still held
Michael back.
Maddy walked behind Carly and put her hands on Carly's shoulders, "It's over.
Babs, let him go." Maddy spoke softly.
Carly stepped back slowly and the guy stared at her in fear of losing his life.
Carly held the knife sternly as she had tears fall and Michael watched scared
for her. What was wrong with her?
The man coughed, "She's crazy! Babs, it was over ten years ago! Let it be over
with!" He said and got back into the car along with the other guys.
Carly lowered the blade and her bottom lip quivered. Red tried to touch Carly
but Carly shrugged her off, "I'll be ok." Carly stated and started to walk away,
"Michael, come on." She called out and Michael caught up. Before he left Michael
gave Maddy his number and address so they could maybe meet up sometime and Maddy
told him she'd be around. Michael tried to be happy since he had met the girl of
his dreams but he was too concerned about Carly.
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