Page 14 of Pit Stop

I hurry over and climb into the passenger seat. Axell backs out of the parking spot in one quick, smooth movement and moves us through town. “Where are we going? I can’t go to your house. That’s too risky for all of you.”

“We’re going to JamesTown. You can use the bathrooms to clean up and get changed.” We don’t say another word. Axell pulls along the side of the building. JamesTown is a car garage and bar. One side is an affordable car garage that Ronald James, Axell’s dad, bought from Carl years ago. The other half is a bar. It’s not a bad place. No one causes any trouble because they know better than to do that. Where we’re parked is mostly hidden and I’m thankful for that. The side door faces an alley-like road, and some trees separate the two. I climb out and follow behind Axell. He holds the door open and I pass through. He shoves the duffel bag into my hands and marches across the shop to the office. I don’t need directions. I know this place like the back of my hand.

Considering this place is full of guys the majority of the time, I’m impressed with the cleanliness of the bathrooms. One look in the mirror and I cringe. Dried blood and dirt cling to my skin, smeared on my face, neck and hands. My shirt is ripped in one area, dirty and stained with blood. I strip down and work on cleaning my skin with the hand soap and sink water. I scrub until my skin is raw. I’ve done a lot of questionable things during my time with the SK, but I’ve never killed anyone; and until Boris’ reign of terror I had never seen anyone be killed either. Back when I was just collecting for the SK, the worst I had ever seen was someone taking a beating... that was bad enough. I’m not sure how or if you can come back from what I witnessed tonight. Once my skin is clear I pull out fresh clothes from the duffel bag Axell brought me. After I’m dressed, I slip on a baseball cap and head back out into the shop. Axell is leaning against the hood of a car. “I’m glad they fit.”

“Me too. Thank you for all of this. You didn’t have to do all of this, but I appreciate it.”

Axell’s broad shoulders shrug. “You would have done the same for me.”

“Do you think I can buy some gas from you? I’m not sure how much my car has in it.” I hate to ask for this. I’ll have to pay him with his own money now but as soon as I’m settled somewhere else, I’ll mail him every last penny back.

He smiles. “I can do better than that. Come on,” he tells me as he heads through the shop. When we step outside, he hands me the keys to his car. They dangle in his hand between us. My eyes widen. “Take it.”

I shake my head. “No, that’s your car.”

“It’s a car but I'll have a lot more. Besides, my dream car is out back. Found it at the junkyard and I’m going to start fixing her up soon. You need this car more than I do. I’ll collect yours and strip the parts, make it look like it was robbed.”

“Axell…”

Axell takes my free hand and forces the keys into my hand. “You’re my brother. You’re more important than some car. Now, get out of here.” He pushes me towards the car. Reluctantly, I go. My heart sinks. As bad as Los Angeles had been to me at times, it was still home. I open the car door. “Keep in touch if you can,” Axell requests.

I glance back over my shoulder and give him one stiff nod. We both know I can’t. It’s too dangerous, but I’ll get his money back to him. This will be the last time we see each other. Something about that makes me sad. My first best friend. My chosen brother. The person I could always count on. I climb into the car and start the engine. As I back out of the parking space I don’t look back. It will only make the necessary harder. My life as I knew it is gone. I guess the ending could have been worse.

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