“Holy hell, Mateo, is that you man? Did Elijah sweet talk you into joining The Wannabes too?” Jace had completely ignored Elijah upon Mateo’s appearance, his hand carelessly pointing at the boy who’s fury still filled the street. “Wow Elijah you have quite the lovers quarrel set up here” Jace flashed a big smile towards the leader of the makeshift gang. Mateo at one time was one of the twins best friends, they were all bounced around through foster care and bonded over that similarity. The enthusiasm that Jace had for seeing the boy was genuine. It seemed as if it was only yesterday the three musketeers were exploring New York City, riding the subway and narrating the lives of the people that surrounded them. Only 5 years ago, they were all just laughing at some guy in a funny hat.
“That guy with the hat looks like the dude always trying to hunt the rabbit on Cartoon Network” Mateo was stifling a laugh pointing towards an older man with white hair that laid over his forehead pushed down by a red and black plaid hunters cap. The ears of the hat were tied up by a knot that laid square on his head.
“You mean Elmer Fudd? Man, how do you not know that legend’s name?” Dax asked the young Mexican boy who looked at the brother with a gaping mouth.
“What the hell do you mean? Elmer Fudd is in no way memorable. Y’all white people have some stupid ass names especially for your kids.” Jace laughed.
“Look who is calling the kettle black! Hispanic names are way more difficult like Jorge being pronounced hor-hay. That looks like George on paper!” Mateo’s eyebrows drew together.
“Maybe you’re right but regardless you white folks aren’t any different. You name your kids off things you hunted and ate last week like Buck and Gator.” Now it was all their turns to laugh tears rolling down their faces while they rode the Broadway Line. It had been a long time since the three had shared that laughter. Now the boys were facing off against each other.
“Jeffrey just get the hell out of here man you have done enough. Don’t you have some medication to take or something you looney toon puta?” Dax through all the excitement of the confrontation somehow forgot about the medicine bottle which resided back in the shelter. Mateo, as much as he was taunting Jace, was also warning the brothers to tread carefully, he knew the importance of the routine. He was one of the few high schoolers who reached out to Jace and Dax when he heard of his mental condition. A true friend until the end.
“Jace, we better get going, the shelter will close up soon if we don’t get home” Dax commanded, grabbing Jace’s orange Mets sweatshirt pulling him away from the boys.
“Alright, alright Dax I hear ya, have a good night wannabes! Remember to lube up really nice, it makes things easier”. Dax’s sigh was audible. Jace always had to get the last word, no matter what. Jace winked at Elijah whose head had dropped, his chin resting on his chest. His fists were balled and he was twitching, his restrain fraying at the edges. Mateo and the rest of the boys silently watched the twins cross the street. The park was only three blocks away, the tree silhouettes enveloping the bunker. They were so close to safety, their home or the one they called home for now. They had only taken a couple of steps when Elijah erupted.
“No wonder your parents gave you up, you pathetic psychopath. Dax, I can't believe you stick your neck out for him. He is probably the reason you all were given up!” Elijah’s voice was deafening and echoed off the walls of the surrounding twins. They had their backs to Elijah but Dax could tell he had boiled over. The comment did not offend the boys, not really. They stopped caring about their parents the moment they dropped them off at a nonprofits front door. Maybe it was because he had not taken his meds or because he was in a foul mood. Regardless, Jace stopped dead in his tracks. Elijah had struck some sort of chord. Seeing the effectiveness of the insult, he continued his hands clenched into fists, “No parent wants damaged goods and that's all you are Jace a broken carton of fucking eggs!” he pointed at Jace who was giving a side glance in his direction. “If you weren't alive I bet Dax would be living his best life but instead you had to mess it all up!”. Elijah’s voice was hoarse and he shook violently. In unison, The Wannabes cringed at the desperate rage that was consuming their leader. Jace had won, it was apparent but regardless, the petty onslaught continued.
Dax shoved Jace with all his strength but his efforts were equivalent to trying to get an atheist to Sunday school, “Keep on moving you stubborn bastard you know it isn’t true so just keep going.” Dax begged trying to usher the brother farther. He flashed an easy smile at Dax.
“Relax, I just noticed my shoes were untied that's all” Dax glanced down at muddy New Balances with stitching sticking out from the toes. The frayed laces of his right shoe were untied and being dragged along the cracked sidewalk, a minefield of fragmented concrete laid scattered around the twins.
“ I think they get the picture, let's just get going man I hear the Hilton square is abandoned. Let's go get a slice of white paradise.” Mateo approached Elijah slowly, like a zookeeper with a wild beast. He swatted him away, hard. Mateo’s jaw popped and his hand curled into a fist but he only stepped away.
“Go to Yellowstone you white trash freak see if that will stop the voices! What a fucking dream you rejects have. To spend the rest of your lives in a shit park surrounded by stupid fucking rednecks” Elijah turned to The Wannabes and forced a crooked smile. “ It’s just like him, it's God’s mist-”. Elijah did not have time to finish his sentence, his head snapped backwards a cry of pain leaving his lips. He fell to the ground, blood protruding from his right temple near his piercing that was now coated in crimson. Dax turned towards Jace whose left hand was past his right hip, his eyebrows sloped downwards covering his eyes. Jace had picked up a piece of the cracked cement and thrown it at Elijah. His strength was unparalleled and the throw had all his pent up emotions behind it. The rest of The Wannabes turned to Elijah in shock by the act of defiance. They quickly closed their gaping mouths and hunkered near the ground.
“You ok Elijah?” Arthur said his southern Frank Sinatra voice bellowing out. He knelt near Elijah’s head slowly moving his head to the side to look at the wound.
“Damn he got Elijah good, I think he may need some stitches,” Mateo scanned the boy’s injury, scratching his head as he looked the boy up and down. Elijah’s eyes remained shut. “He’s knocked the hell out. Stupid cabron was asking for it” Dax looked at Jace and smacked him over the head.
“What the hell were you thinking Jace! How are we going to get to Wyoming if we have to pay for medical bills?” Jace remained frozen, staring absently into the distance, past Elijah and past The Wannabes.
“He pushed too damn far Dax. No one talks shit about our dream” Elijah’s body twitched and the boy's eyes flickered open.
“Do you even hear yourself Jace? It's a national park not your fucking girlfriend, let's just get the hell out of here ok?” He pushed Jace hard, begging him to move quickly. This would not end well and he was desperate to create distance, fast.
Jace nodded, still staring intently at the boy. Even putting all his weight into Jace, the movements were sluggish each step taking longer than the last. Please do not be in a fugue state just get moving.
“Aw man you ain’t- you ain’t getting away with this.” Dax’s head swiveled around to Elijah who was now sitting upright, blood trickling down the side of his face, his eyebrow soaking up the steady stream of blood. He touched the wound and bared his teeth at the crimson puddle that appeared on his fingertips. “No one makes me bleed and gets away with it!”
“Just keep moving,” Dax whispered to Jace, who quickly turned his head away from Elijah. Their steps picked up pace but not by much. Keep moving Jace and keep calm Dax looked at his brother with fierce determination to force his thoughts into Jace’s thick skull. If twin telepathy was a thing, I really need it to turn on right about now. The boy's feet shuffled along, the murmured voices of The Wannabes trying to counsel the fallen boy. They had almost reached the end of the block when The Wannabe's murmurs fell silent.
“Stop or I will shoot you both right where you fucking stand!” Dax and Jace stopped and looked at each other, questioning if they had heard his words correctly. Shoot us? The stream of blood that had been soaked up in Elijah’s eyebrow was now running down over the scar on his jaw. Light drops of blood hit his black letterman jacket and splattered on his soiled retro Air Jordans. Elijah was standing with an unwavering hand outstretched, any signs of the trembling rage replaced with a lethal calm. A pistol was aimed at Jace. Ice coated Dax’s flesh and all sounds, feelings, disappeared at the sight of the weapon. Mateo inched forward, his hands up in submission.
“I think you are going a little far now, just put the gun down and let's get going”. He reached towards Elijah’s shoulder pulling him away from facing the boys. Elijah shrugged off his hand, his eyes fixated on the target ahead.
“He- Hey Elijah, I think Mateo is right, th- this is going a little too far” Devon’s eyes were wide and kept darting between the gun and Jace. Arthur didn’t speak up but was nervously rubbing his hand up and down his arm.
“Shut the hell up! Both of you! I did not give you permission to speak! This is between me and that fucking lunatic!” Devon cowered away at the loud outburst but Mateo’s eyebrows shot up in surprise and defiance at the command. Elijah continued. “You…” He grabbed his face, smearing the blood across his hands. Elijah began to laugh. “Man oh man. You’re dead.” Dax looked at Jace, his gaze and facial expressions unwavering at the threat. Dax combed his mind for an answer, a solution to get them out of this situation. Could we run around the corner? No, no we couldn’t make it. Disarming him is an option, he may approach us. If only The Wannabes weren’t right there, they outnumber us. Then it hit Dax, he took a slow step forward and raised his hands submissively.
“Elijah look if you lower the gun Jace and I have a savings built up. We can give you the money and forget this ever happened. You don’t want to do this, none of us want you to do this.” Dax continued with a steady voice that was the opposite of his raging heart. His arm was roughly tugged backwards.
“Dax, we are not giving him the money. That is our dream.” He turned his head to look at Jace whose face had dropped, his eyes pleading, a very sudden shift from the expressionlessness that existed moments before. “We can’t give this up, we are so close.” Jace’s body was slumped and his voice was quiet.
Good, he is still with us. “Jace read the room!” he ushered his hand towards Elijah. “He has a gun, you ruined our dream the moment you picked up that fucking rock!” Jace started to pick at his fingers his gaze focusing towards the ground at the arsenal of concrete below him. Dax knew that the idea of not going to Yellowstone hurt Jace but it was the only option to get out of this mess. He took another step towards Elijah. “How does that sound Elijah? Come on man just let us go.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“I don’t need your money.” he scoffed. “No, you need to know your place Jeffrey.” Elijah’s gaze had not left Jace and neither had the gun. A cold sweat rolled down Dax’s back.
“Co-come on man, everyone needs some money.” Dax’s nerves were fraying and he was desperate for help. His eyes shifted to Mateo but he only shook his head. “We are only three blocks away, let me just run over and grab it.” The Wannabes stared on, waiting for their leader to make the next move.
“That's an interesting proposal.” Elijah said with a sneer that paralyzed Dax. His body trembled in anticipation and he awaited the boy's decision. He lowered his gun, contemplating. Seconds dragged on into what felt like years. Elijah’s grin was unfettered, the whole situation in his control. Finally he lifted his gaze and nodded his head. “I think I would much prefer blood for blood.” Elijah quickly lifted the gun and aimed it at Jace’s stomach. Before anyone could move or make another plea, his finger wrapped around the trigger and pulled. A dull click like the sound of a stapler resonated from the barrel filling the quiet street. For the briefest of moments, Dax was unsure what had happened. Time had slowed and he was glued to the ground. The realization hit him and so did time. The gun had jammed.
“Run Jace!” he grabbed Jace who was similarly locked into place. Much like the others, Jace was in shock of the decision Elijah had made to pull the trigger. Fortunately, Dax shook the shock first and before The Wannabes could move, they were turning the corner of the street leaving a dumbfounded Elijah standing idly in place. Dax could faintly hear the boy loudly curse moments later.
“What are you doing? Get them!” Elijah bellowed. Footsteps sounded on concrete while they ran in the direction of the shelter.
Before they turned the corner, Dax had glanced at The Wannabes. Saw the look of relief illuminate their faces knowing the gun had not gone off. Jace and Dax had made some distance running up the street past blurred buildings and fallout sirens, their footsteps echoed down the street. Exasperated breaths followed from The Wannabes who were falling further behind. Dax looked towards Jace whose breathing had intensified.
“Don’t...don’t slow down Jace!” Dax yelled through long drawn out breaths. Adrenaline coursed through his veins and any exhaustion from the earlier run had disappeared. Jace looked at Dax with wide eyes, sweat dripping down his face. He was exhausted, the run through the park was too much for him. It didn’t matter, he had to keep going, there was no choice. The boys turned left down another street, a sign flashed by that read 54th street. In the distance, Dax could see the park and most importantly, the shelter. A floodlight lit up the large steel door that belonged to a grotesque concrete slab embedded in what used to be an old basketball court. The light was a beacon of hope beckoning the boys to enter its safe embrace. 400 meters away. If Jace could just go a little farther, they could make it. 300 meters.
“You are done Jeffrey, you hear me!” Elijah screamed past The Wannabes leading the pack alongside Mateo. Devon and Arthur seemed to be reserved and their movements were not sharp or motivated. Elijah, on the other hand, was on a mission with Mateo hot on his tail. 200 meters. Jace and Dax passed a brick building with gold lettering that read, The President Show. Suddenly, on top of the dark awning a white emergency beacon started flashing. Moments later, a cacophony of screaming sirens rebounded off the surrounding buildings. The worst to come had arrived. Bombs were being dropped. Ice filled his veins and his steps faltered at the sudden realization that they were doomed. Why do they have to go off now? Dax turned, Arthur and Devon stopped in their tracks, their wide eyes portraying a world of emotion, Elijah and Mateo maintained their sprint, undeterred. They had to get to the shelter, there wasn’t a choice. It may not provide the best protection but it was a lot safer than being on the open street.
“Keep going damn it!” Elijah screamed not turning back to face the petrified wannabes and hesitantly, they continued their pursuit. Dax turned facing forward and increased his speed.
“Jace do not st-!” Dax looked to his left, a horrified realization taking over. Jace was no longer with him. Through the confusion and death siren, Dax had not seen Jace stop in his tracks to face The Wannabes. His hands had turned into fists and he faced the oncoming threat head on. 130 meters.
“Jace!” Dax tried to compete with the deafening sirens that echoed through the lifeless city. It was pointless, Jace was in a fugue state. The stress of the situation paired with being unmedicated had made him snap. Images of a shattered mirror and water lapping at Dax's feet flashed before his eyes. This can’t happen again. Elijah got to Jace first going in for a low tackle, his eyes focused on Jace’s waist. He sidestepped and used the momentum to launch his knee into Elijah’s stomach. A silent gasp left his lips and he doubled over from the blow, the pistol loosening in his grasp. Before Jace could turn to face the other Wannabes, Arthur and Devon grabbed Jace’s arms, pulling him away from a battered Elijah. Mateo ran past the group with a concerned look on his face yelling an inaudible sentence to Dax. It did not matter, he had to get to Jace. Before he could second guess himself, Dax sprinted back to his brother. 150 meters.
Mateo met Dax halfway of where Jace had fallen, the inaudible message becoming clear. “Run Dax! We have to get to safety, man!”
Dax kept running, safety didn’t matter, only Jace did. He moved past Mateo, his eyes fixated on his brother who was being restrained by Arthur and Devon. Jace had a wild look in his eye, an animal backed into a corner. Jace’s muscular arms and chest were straining against them both. Devon and Arthur gritted their teeth and their control over Jace was faltering. Before he could get closer, Dax felt his feet pulled out from underneath him. He tried bracing himself but his wrist took the brunt of the fall. Cracked glass sounded underneath him and pain laced through his hand where the glass from a shattered store front dug into his palm. Blood ran down his forearm over his watch which had a cracked glass dial.
“Stay down fool! I am trying to save you man!” Dax turned on his back looking at a frightened Mateo who still had a grasp on his legs. Dax wrestled from Mateo’s grip and launched his foot wildly. Bone crunched and Mateo cursed.
“Let go, I need to get to Jace!” He started to get up but collapsed from the weight of Mateo falling on him. His forearm wrapped around his throat. Dax threw an elbow at Mateo, his gaze locked on Jace who had knocked Arthur on his back, Devon was wrapping his body around Jace’s torso in an ill attempt to restrain the boy. Elijah finally caught his breath and slowly stood. They were only 150 meters away.
“Get the hell off me man!” Dax yelled, his hands propped in front of him trying to escape the boy’s vice grip. “Get up Jace!” It was no use, Dax did not have the upper body strength and Mateo had tightened his grip around Dax's throat. He was struggling to breathe. Elijah walked over to Jace, his nostrils flared, glaring at Jace who had been brought to his knees. Jace was smiling at Elijah, his eyes still that of a rabid dog ready to pounce at the perfect opportunity. Mateo was yelling something but he couldn’t hear it over the pounding of his heart and the raging sound of the wailing sirens. Elijah flared out his leather jacket and pulled the pistol from the back of his pants. He pointed it in the sky, the muzzle of the pistol producing two quick and successive blasts of light. The shots were silent, masked by the sound of the siren. Tears welled in Dax's eyes, his throat burning from Mateo’s steadfast grip. Jace was going to die. His little brother was going to die.
“Please no.” Dax’s voice was a whimper. Mateo’s grip relaxed while Elijah rested the gun on Jace’s temple, his mouth moved silently uttering inaudible last words. Jace’s eyes regained their light and turned from Elijah directly towards Dax. Clarity and recognition replaced the threatening glare he had only moments ago. His mouth moved slowly so his brother could read his last words. Dax's vision blurred and a torrent of tears began to fall; Jace’s voice echoing in his head. He flashed one more politician's smile at his brother.
“Enjoy Yellowstone for me.” Elijah cocked back the pistol, Jace’s stare was fixated on Dax, memorizing every detail of his older brother. The sun had finally faded over the horizon and a dark starless night enveloped the sleeping city. Please don’t go Jace. Dax thought, trying to will the possibility into existence. I can’t do this without you. He closed his eyes, not willing to see his brother’s blood paint the sidewalk. Everything had turned silent. Dax waited in anticipation for the sound of the gun going off. It didn’t come. The inside of his eyelids suddenly turned red, a flash of light. The tears fell faster and Dax refused to open his eyes.
It was all over, the days in the national parks, the bickering and fighting, 18 years together, all about to end within seconds. How could this have happened? The Wannabes weren’t a real gang, they were punk kids who felt disenfranchised. Not thugs wielding weapons. They had underestimated Elijah and now, they were paying the price. Dax’s heart cracked. Jace was his brother, his twin. The bond they shared was incomparable. Every living second of their lives included one another. For it to be ripped away, it was too much to handle.
A strong gust of hot air hit Dax, his eyelids still red from the muzzle flash. Too long. The light was lasting too long. Dax dared to open his eyes, slowly lifting them looking for the puddle of crimson that should be flowing on the street. Instead, he saw Elijah, his hand fallen limp to his side. The gun was resting on the ground and his mouth was ajar. Elijah’s gaze was no longer on Jace but towards the city skyline. Arnold and Devon’s mouth were also ajar tears streaming down their faces. And then there was Jace. Near Elijah’s gun the twin was on his knees, his dirty face cleared by a steady connecting river of tears, his gaze directly on Dax.
“Ay Dios mio.” Dax heard Mateo whisper a sudden realization that the boy's hand had completely relaxed, freeing Dax from his grip. He clambered up onto his feet on unsteady legs and looked towards the city and gasped. A mushroom cloud filled the air, illuminating the night and pushing the darkness to the corners of the abandoned buildings. A moment later, the floor beneath him started to violently shake, and the sound of a thunderbolt followed along with the roar of an invisible beast.
They had actually done it, the bombs had been dropped. It was the end of the world. Movement to the right caught Dax's eye. Mateo had turned back towards Elijah but his gaze rested towards the sky. Dax followed his line of focus. Another mushroom cloud could be seen in the distance rising above a sleek steel glass Courtyard Hotel that loomed in the background. Specs of glittering snow fell from the tower. Glass from the shockwave rained on the streets and the building teetered forward. Slowly, the building fell forward, its foundation pried from the ground. It was all over, not for Jace but Dax too. Only one thought came to Dax’s mind while he watched the hotel crash on the floor, a gust of dust quickly coming their way. I have to get to Jace. Dax turned to run towards Jace, to be with him one more time. Another aftershock and a second gust of wind knocked Dax backwards before he could get closer. His head hit the ground hard and blotches of darkness started to cloud his vision. Mustering some strength, he looked towards the hotel which was blocked out by a cloud of maroon dust that had enveloped the tower.
The maroon cloud sped towards the group Jace jumped up to run towards Dax. If the aftershock had an effect on the boy’s movement, he didn’t let it show. He took five steps, his mouth working, yelling a silent plea and then hit the ground. Behind him, the maroon smoke shot down the street flowing in every entryway, alley, and crevice. Devon was the first to be taken, his eyes full of tears, his body slamming the ground as soon as the fog touched his legs. The unseen monster clambered up the boy until nothing was left besides a bright orb of light that was emitted in the fog racing alongside the maroon mist. Arthur was next, his face full of horror from watching his friend’s fate. Just like Devon, Arthur fell to the ground as soon as the smoke hit his Nikes, an inaudible scream leaving his lips, another ghostly orb illuminated the fog.
Elijah didn’t even look back at The Wannabes, his gaze rested on Jace. Rage and blood lust bypassed the original shock caused by the blasts. He slowly crawled over to Jace who was knocked prone by the aftershock of the blast. Elijah grabbed his leg and uttered a final message that turned Jace’s haze filled eyes with murderous rage. Elijah leaned away from Jace and laughed with his hands open, embracing his demise. None of it mattered, only Jace.
Dax’s mind was cluttered, words and thoughts couldn’t come together. He looked at his brother with blurred vision from a fresh spring of tears that erupted. If saying goodbye was hard the first time, it was nearly impossible a second. Dax blinked away tears and forced a smile to form. Jace’s hazel eyes lit up, smiling back, the rage dissipating. At least they were going together. The maroon smoke crashed over Elijah and Jace in a wave. This time, the illuminated light he thought he saw did not light up the fog. Instead, the maroon cloud raced towards him. Before it could hit, Dax felt a hand cup his shoulder. He turned to Mateo, his facial expressions warped into a look of grief and regret that he had only seen once on the boy.
“I’m sorry Dax.” Mateo whimpered. Before he could reply the fog hit them both and Dax's body went limp, the energy was sucked out of him. Mateo’s eyes were locked on his own and pain was etched across his face. His body fragmented, torn apart like ash and blown away. The only thing left was the mysterious luminous orb that moved slowly to Dax. It hovered above him and then the world went black.
