Page 13 of Pit Stop

Ten

Tillman

As I sit outside waiting for a reply, I realize how dumb I’m being. Coming here definitely wasn’t the right decision. I pull away from the house and rush down the street. Thankfully it’s dark and there is barely any traffic. The last thing I need is the police pulling me over right now. I look like a murder scene. Hell, it was a murder scene... my mind hasn’t had time to process anything. My phone rings causing me to swerve. The nerves in my body are getting the best of me. I pull over before looking at the screen. “What’s going on man?” Axell asks, his voice gruff with sleep.

I stare at the dark street, trying to figure out my next step. A part of me wants to do this on my own. I know it’d be safer for everyone but right now I need some help. Sighing, I reply, “I need some help. Meet me in the park?”

Axell clears his throat, and I can hear him moving around. “I’ll be right there. How bad is it, Tillman?”

Pulling a deep breath into my lungs, I hold it before releasing it. “The worst.”

“Shit. Give me a few. I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Axell replies before disconnecting the call. We had a code growing up. SOS meant we needed help immediately. The worst referred to something so unthinkable that we couldn’t even put it into words. Neither of us ever thought Axell would use the code words. It was more for my benefit. I was the one shuffled from place to place with people that didn’t give a crap what happened to me. If anything unthinkable and unmentionable was going to happen... it’d be to me. I pull back onto the street and make my way to the park.

When I pull up, I take in the eerie feeling of a darkened playground in the dark of night. I used to sleep here. This place used to be like a home. Groups of trees line three sides of the park. Various benches are positioned throughout. A building with bathrooms and drinking fountains are on the other side from where I parked. The middle is a large sandbox with worn equipment. A lopsided merry-go-round, one of those all-metal slides that would burn the skin off your legs in the summertime, monkey bars that were missing half of the bars, a see-saw that honestly I would be afraid of getting Tetanus from. This place was my safe haven, and now... well it looks barely used. Even if the kids wanted to come here, what would they do?

I get out of my car and make my way to the trees, the ones that used to keep me hidden from the world, offering protection when I had none. I take a seat on the ground in front of what used to be my favorite tree. At least it still seems the same. In a world where everything seems to have gone crazy, at least one thing remains. Headlights flood through the branches. A few moments later my phone vibrates.

Axell: I’m here.

Tillman: I’m in the trees to the right.

The sounds of a car door closing and footsteps fill the quiet night. Axell appears and steps into the protection of the trees. “What’s going on?” He takes in my appearance as I get to my feet. “What the hell?” Axell drops something to the ground with a quiet thud and rushes towards me. He takes my arms, holding them out and examining me. “Are you hurt?”

I look down and realize the dried blood is what has him in a panic. My head bobs. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s not my blood.”

He drops my arms and takes a step back. “If it’s not your blood, then whose is it?”

“The less you know the better,” I reply. I pinch the bridge of my nose in an attempt to fight off the blooming headache I feel at the base of my neck. “I just wanted you to know I’m leaving.”

“Who’s blood, Tillman?”

I meet his eyes as he glares at me. Silently we have a stare off, neither of us wanting to give in. Finally, I shrug. “Boris. He’s the leader of the SK.”

Axell’s eyes go wide. “Did...Did you kill...him?” I watch as he stutters, and if my entire life wasn’t on the line I’d probably laugh at his reaction. Axell James has never been one to stutter. He has always been the self-assured one with no loss for words.

“No, I didn’t but he was killed. I don’t need to be telling you this,” I mutter as I run dirty hands through my dirty hair. Everything about me now feels tarnished and tainted.

“Tillman, we’re brothers. Where you go, I go. What you know, I know. Tell me what happened.” I go on to explain the entire situation to Axell. How Emmet died and Boris took over. The way Boris rules with greed and not a single care. How so many of the guys are getting killed running Boris’ drugs to Mexico. The fact that Boris sent me with Roberto to collect when I hadn’t done that in a while. I explain that Boris pulled a gun on Roberto and killed him then turned it on me. Then I tell him how Decker saved my life but that he needs the SK more, so now I have to run. When I’m done, I’m breathing heavily and jumping at every little noise. I guess it’s safe to say paranoia comes with my life’s state at the moment. Axell’s eyes are wide. “When you said the worst, I had no idea it was this damn bad.”

“Yeah, that seems to be the theme of my life. I just wanted to say goodbye.”

Axell shakes his head. “No, not yet. Did you bring anything with you?”

Now that I think about it...no. There hadn’t been time for me to go to my room and get my clothes or money. I’m leaving without anything. I don’t even know if I have enough gas in my car to get out of town. Panic ebbs its way into my body. “No, but I’ll be alright.”

“I didn’t think you did so I packed some of my clothes for you as well as food that won’t spoil and there’s cash in here,” Axell explains as he bends down and grabs the black duffel bag I didn’t notice before. “We should get you cleaned up, come on.” He turns to leave, and I know I shouldn't follow him, but I do. He’s always had my back so I got to make sure I have his until I’m gone. When we reach the cars, I head towards mine. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I guess I’m following you.” His question confuses me.

“Think again... you’re riding with me.” Axell motions for me to come to the passenger side of his car as he tosses the duffel bag in the back seat.

I run my hand through my hair. “This isn’t a good idea. All this blood... it could flake off in your car.”

“And how many cops are looking for me in connections to a murder from the SK? Get in the car, Tillman.” He has a fatherly voice, and I can’t help but laugh at it.

My senses come to me. “That’s not a good idea. If I’m seen with you, they could put it together.”

He huffs out air and scoffs. “My windows have a dark tint, it’s night and it’s actually more likely for us to be spotted out here talking than in my car. Now, get in the damn car.” Axell climbs inside and shuts the door with a note of finality.

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