Chapter 18

Brian sat up in his hospital bed, a million thoughts racing through his mind. He had woken up earlier then normal. His nights became more and more restless as the stress and exhaustion of their situation bored down on him like a ton of bricks on top of his shoulders. The only way to rid of the burden would be to have the knowledge that Rob and his partners were gone forever. Then, maybe he could move on with his life and focus on recovering. It wasn’t easy; however, when he had to constantly look over his shoulder even when he stepped out of is room to get a drink of water from the fountain. Everything had suddenly went from bad to worse. One phone call had changed their whole perspective. Brian grabbed the remote on the nightstand, willing to do anything to distract his weary mind. Leighanne had come for a while. She was staying with Kristen and Kevin. Brian didn’t want her to stay anywhere alone. His parents flew back home for a little while. Brian convinced them, afraid that the stress was too much for them.

“Hey Bri,” Howie said, entering his room and interrupting Brian’s thoughts.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Nothing, just thought that I’d come visit ya. Nick and Jay told me about the phone call,” Howie replied solemnly. “I’m real sorry Rok, that you have to be here alone night after night. It’s got to be scary…ya know?”

“Yeah, I know,” Brian said softly, gazing out the window.

“You okay,” Howie asked, worry etched in his voice. Brian seemed very aloof. “Cause AJ was telling me about these nightmares he’s having and everything…”

“Do you think that he’s coming back,” Brian asked callously.

“What?” Howie asked, shocked at Brian’s blunt question. “Bri-you’ve got guards watchin’ your doors, and we’ve got our bodyguards…”

“Yeah, but Howie, how long is this gonna go on for? How long are we going to have to look over our shoulders for? Cause I don’t wanna live like that D. Really, I don’t.”

“None of us do Brian. But, we are just going to have to make the best of it until they are found. And…”

He was interrupted when Kevin, Nick, and AJ walked in.

“Hey Bri,” Nick said sitting next to him. Kevin stood over by Howie and AJ took a seat on the other side of Brian.

“How are you man,” Kevin asked, smiling down at his cousin.

“I’m okay. How are you guys?”

“We’re good, and really, really glad that you’re getting out of here soon man.”

“Believe me Kev, I am too. I’m so sick and tired of this place.”

“I bet,” AJ said.

“Maybe, we could go out and do something,” AJ suggested.

Brian glanced down at his hands. He didn’t want to be left alone for the rest of the day.

“You to Rok,” AJ added with a grin.

“Me? How on earth can I go? If you haven’t noticed I’m—”

“We know,” Howie stated. “But…maybe we can convince ‘em to let you have an hour or so out.”

“Yeah Brian, Leighanne went out with Kristen shopping. They’ve got a bodyguard, so they’ll be fine. We should get out and do something. Just the five of us,” Kevin stated.

“That’d be great. But will they let me out?”

“I’ll go ask,” Kevin said darting out of the room.

“It’s only noon though, where are we going to be able to go,” Nick asked.

“Nick, we weren’t planning on going bar hopping anyway. We just want to get out of here and leave our worries behind for a little bit,” Howie replied.

“What about out to eat? McDonalds? Please?”

“Shut up AJ,” Nick started playfully. “We should let Brian decide where he wants to eat. I mean this hospital food is nasty.”

“Ok Bri, where do ya wanna go?”

“Lets make sure I’m allowed first.”

Kevin returned. “He said that we can take Brian out for no longer then three hours. He said that Brian’s doing fine, and he hasn’t been out in a while, so it’ll be okay.”

Brian’s face lit up for the first time in a long time.

“Do I have any clothes?”

“Yeah, you’ve got a suit case,” Brian’s nurse said walking in.

Brian changed quickly and they headed out to Kevin’s Jeep Cherokee.

“It’s so nice to get out,” Brian said, taking in a deep breath of fresh air.

Nick smiled. “Yep.”

“Ready guys?” Kevin asked.

“Yeah Kev, lets go.”

“Oh my God you guys,” Nick said in a serious tone, causing all guys to stare at him.

“What?”

“I saw this real hot chick today, when we stopped at the grocery store. Man was she hot.”

All four of them sighed in relief.

“Nick, you’re a moron,” Brian stated.

Howie laughed at the two of them and glanced out the window. “Oh my God.”

“What, you see a hottie too Howie,” Nick asked.

“That truck behind us. That guy…I swear.”

“I know,” Kevin responded. “He’s been riding me for five minutes. Swerving all over the road. Does everyone have their seatbelts on?”

“No,” they all replied in unison. They all reached for their seatbelts, but didn’t get the chance to buckle them. In one quick swift turn, the slammed into their jeep.

“Oh my God, Kevin! Do something!” Nick screamed his eyes wide in fear.

The truck continued to slam into them. “Does anyone have a cell?”

“Somewhere,” Howie yelled.

“HURRY! He’s gonna knock us off the road!” AJ screamed in panic.

“I’M TRYING!”

The truck rammed roughly into their jeep and Kevin no longer had control. It swerved and crashed into a ditch.