Keep Running

I feel the heat soak through my shirt. I begin to drift to sleep when I hear approaching footsteps. “Jessica, where’s Scarlet?” he asks. “Scarlet left… a long time ago. She’ll be back.” I reply. “Hilarious, Jessica, where is your mother?” he says, more stern this time. “I’m twelve. How the hell am I supposed to know, Doctor?” I say as I sit up sharply. Doctor gives me a quick pat on the side of my head. “Watch your language, missy. We got a car load of Killjoys comin’ in soon; get to packing the power ups.” I slide off the hood of the car with a moan and grumble, “Yes sir, Dr. Death Defying.”
I walk outside and toss down the twenty-eighth box of power ups when I hear the hum of an engine. I wipe the sweat off my forehead and cup my hand to block the sun. I see the car that belongs obviously to the one and only Killjoys. There is a spider with a lightning bolt across its abdomen painted on the hood. It stops right in front of our station and four boys scramble out of the back seat. A tall man wearing a Dead Pegasus Oil jacket steps out of the driver’s seat. He walks over to me and shakes my hand roughly. He stares at me with a straight face for a moment before we break into laughter. He embraces me in a hug. “Look alive, sunshine, I’m home.” This man, Thomas McCarthy, has been like a father to me. Doctor is great and all, but he’s more like my uncle anyway. “Scarlet, I’m getting the power ups!” he calls as he goes inside. I turn my attention back to the power ups when I realize half of the boxes are gone. I start frantically searching all around me. I hear snickers and miscellaneous giggling behind me. I see two of the four boys shoving the boxes into Mr. McCarthy’s car. The other two were sitting at the base of the shelter under the shade. “I hope you know if dad sees you guys messin’ with her like that, he’ll throw a hissy fit. He loves her better than life itself.” Says the one with red hair really snarky. His brother, the blonde one, punches him in the arm. The red head’s name is Gerard. The blonde kid is the youngest, Mikey. The other two, one with black hair and one with a brunette afro, are Frank and Ray. I look over to see what the other two are doing now and I see Frank searching for something on the floorboard. He pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one. “Dude, you’re only fourteen.” I say. “Yeah, you’re only thirteen.” He pauses to take a puff and I say twelve. “Whatever. I don’t mean to be rude, do you want one?” I shake my head no. “Damn it, Frank! What the hell is wrong with you!?” Mr. McCarthy says as he walks out with my mom and Doctor. “A little overdue, I’m sure. But, better late than never, right?” Gerard says as he walks up to me. “What?” I ask. He comes over and hugs me. He is thirteen, Mikey is twelve, Frank is fourteen, and so is Ray; Ray is the oldest. I am the youngest. I hug Gerard back and we seem to stand here forever, but I don’t mind. Gerard quickly lets go and pats my arm. He goes to the car and Mikey comes to me now, too. He hugs me as Gerard has but not for nearly as long.
Show Pony finally makes it with us; he is the Doctor’s assistant. Scarlet, Thomas, Doctor, Ray, Frank, Mikey, Gerard, Show Pony and I are now all together. I hear a soft hum but can’t tell where it’s coming from but I can tell I’m not the only one that hears it. The other Killjoys begin to search for it too. Suddenly, Doctor begins to herd everyone inside. Mr. McCarthy takes off his jacket and leaves but not before kissing Gerard, Mikey, and me on the head. Scarlet kisses me, too. They each grab a gun and bolt for the door. The six of us inside run to the window to watch what’s happening. “Oh my god, it is BLI!” I shout. We all watch in horror as the draculoids take my mom and shoot their dad. Doctor holds us back until he’s sure Korse and his draculoids are gone. The five of us kids run outside in a fit of terror and panic.
Thomas McCarthy is lying on the ground. “My boys, Mikey, life is good. Live it, learn it, and love it. Gerard, you can do it son.” Thomas sets down his hand and sighs. “Jessica, you are a riot. Maybe even a parade. I love you… all of you. No matter what, fight for what you believe in. Art is the weapon against life as a symptom. Defend yourself, the aftermath is secondary.” He stutters. He closes his eyes and sighs again. Frank and Ray begin to let Gerard and Mikey with their dad. The remaining two hug him and stay only momentarily. Mikey walks away, gasping for air between sobs. “Gerard, it’s all in the jacket.” Mr. McCarthy whispers. He begins to talk to the both of us. “I love you guys. Take care of the others. Keep running and never… let them… take you… alive.”
I… I don’t understand. The worst part is, I don’t think I ever will.