“The search continues for the five missing members of the popular singing group, The Backstreet Boys… who went missing a couple of days ago. The remains of their bus were discovered last night, destroyed in an apparent explosion in the wee hours of Thursday morning. No bodies have been recovered, but their bus driver Hank Mahoney was found at a gas station down the road from the crash site. The two incidents are being investigated by the police and any information related to this incident should be relayed immediately.”
Jason Sawyer watched the news bulletin with interest as he sipped on his coffee that morning in the diner he stopped to eat breakfast at. He'd been in the search for his brother Russell and had to take a break at his father's insistence.
“Can't search on an empty stomach.” he muttered with a chuckle. He thought of his father who was the chief of police….and of his troublemaking little brother. Their family had been having tension since Russell had gone to jail. Mrs. Sawyer, his mother disagreed with their treatment of their youngest son. The older Sawyer men pressured Russell often to straighten his act but he'd kept rebelling. He went back to his coffee, tearing his eyes away from the news to enjoy the rest of his breakfast when his phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hey Jason, it's Manny.”
“What's new? I haven't heard from you in ages.” Jason said. He took a bite of his waffle and licked his lips.
“Look, I didn't want to bother you because I didn't really want to get involved but Russ has been working with me and I felt you should know.” Manny said. He was their cousin, from their mother's side. Manny worked as a roadie for the Backstreet Boys and often didn't come out to family functions due to working months at a time, but he was still in touch. Jason was surprised to hear this information.
“Did I hear this correctly? Manny, why didn't you say anything sooner...did you know he escaped from prison?” Jason whispered so the diner patrons didn't hear. He paid for his food and went outside so he could continue the conversation.
“Dude, I had no idea. He just asked me if I could get him a job with me to get back on his feet. I thought he was let out. He's been on the road with us for a while now…”
Jason ran to his car, his heart pounding. Remembering the news bulletin he just watched, his brain started putting two and two together. Russell had caused the bus crash. He was after one of them. Chloe had dated one for them but he didn't remember which one it was.
“Manny, I'm going to be in touch. Don't tell anyone else what you just told me about Russ.”
He couldn't wait to get to tell his father the news that could possibly solve the case.
**********************
The boys were getting tired as they'd spent a good portion of the day running.
"Come on, Kevin. You have to get up....we have to move." Howie pleaded. They were still near the river and it was starting to get dark once more. All of them were so tired and all Howie wanted at this point was to get everyone to safety. His own head still hurt, possibly from a concussion but he shook it off and tried helping Kevin up anyway. He knew they couldn't waste any more time, Russell would be back.
Back when the group first began, Howie felt closest to AJ...but he and Kevin bonded because they were close in age. They tended to do more together, and when things had gotten bad he found himself really connecting with him. Howie felt like he owed it to him to look out for him like he always did.
"I don't think I can, Howie." Kevin said in a defeated tone. He had strained his leg enough trying to protect Nick and now the pain was shooting through him again.
"Maybe I can carry you," Howie suggested, but as he really thought about it....he wasn't sure if he was able to.
"You need to get Nick away from here. That guy really has it out for him. Don't worry about me." Kevin said. Howie shook his head because he knew what he was doing. As the oldest, Kevin was always the one putting everyone else before himself. He was always trying to make sure the other guys had what they needed on the road, playing his role as the watchful big brother. Sometimes Howie wished Kevin wouldn't do that but he liked that at the same time, and he admired him for it. The two of them were the elders as Nick at one time put it so eloquently, “the old men” of the group.
"I can't do that knowing you are hurt." Howie said finally, trying to figure out the best way to help him.
"Maybe we can both lift him?" AJ said, appearing next to him. This surprised Howie. AJ was normally not one to offer to help with anything, he was so wrapped up in his partying lifestyle that he didn't bother. Since the accident he had really stepped up and saved their lives more than once.
"What are you staring at me like that for?"
"Don't mind him, AJ. He's just tired. We all are. Now how do you propose we carry me when we don't know where we are going? We haven't seen any people in a whole day. What makes you think there's a way out?” Kevin said. He knew Howie was thinking the same as him, AJ had never acted so bravely before, it wasn't like him.
It reminded Kevin of Nick's 21st birthday, when the kid locked himself in the bathroom and had wouldn't come out, spending most of the evening crying. Kevin and Brian had called overdramatics but AJ thought otherwise.
"Just let me talk to him. Please." AJ had begged. Kevin let him and pretty soon they were all at dinner together, laughing like nothing had happened. He wondered if he would ever find out why Nick was so troubled. It seemed to escalate the last few years ago and most if the guys knew it was due to his family problems at home. None of them thought otherwise, and now knew they should have delved into it sooner.
Eventually AJ managed to lift Kevin and lean him against his back, his arms wrapped around his neck. He showed little strain.
"Come on, let's get the hell out of these God damn woods." AJ said, not flinching at all. In that moment, Kevin felt like maybe things were finally turning around. He actually felt a little hopeful that it would be okay. After walking a few moments downstream, the three of them met up with Nick and Brian who weren't far down the river. Nick was sitting down, soaked to the bone and shivering and coughing. Brian patted him on the back and kept a watchful eye.
“You found them…is everyone okay?” Brian asked, noticing them. He smiled and they greeted one another.
“Is Nick okay?”
“For the most part.” Nick replied, as Brian patted him on the back again. Howie smiled and he just put his head down.
"It's gonna be dark soon, we need shelter." he pointed out, looking up at the sky. Nick stay focused on the water, not saying anything...just staring at it. He felt dizzy. He didn't want to endanger the guys any more, he just wanted to run and lead Russell away from them.
"I wish we had somewhere to go, but we don't even know where we are." Howie added. AJ grunted and hoisted Kevin up once more.
"You think anyone is looking for us?" Brian wondered out loud. It seemed weird that there hadn't been any people around for quite some time, although Brian figured maybe it was just that area of California. There was no sign of civilization anywhere since the bus crashed.
"Maybe for you..." Nick said softly before falling silent again. The others looked at him but nobody spoke up. They managed to talk Nick into getting on the his feet and once again they were walking, trying to ignore how hungry they were. The river seemed clean so they all took a long drink and felt somewhat better.
"Man I cannot wait to get onto solid ground again. This hiking shit is for the birds."
Kevin chuckled, that sounded like the old AJ....the one before all the partying and drugs....before everything.
"Well you shouldn't have worn those boots." Kevin said.
"Like I planned to be hiking through the woods Kevin.....sheesh." AJ laughed. They both laughed and felt a little better about the situation. Kevin noticed every so often Nick would glance backwards, as if he felt they were being followed. Russell had to be dead. Drowned hopefully.
"You okay, Nick?" Howie asked again. Nick was trembling and jumped at the touch of his hand. All he did was apologize and nod, not in the mood for talking. Howie was about to say something when Brian shouted.
"Look over there.....it's a campground!" he said, waving his arms.
"Thank fucking god." AJ said, his back starting to hurt from carrying Kevin.
It looked promising enough, there was a tent pitched by some picnic tables. AJ set Kevin down and sat next to him, rubbing his back.
"Okay, so where is everyone?" Howie whispered.
"Well, we can't just go up to the tent and ring a bell, D. Go over and see if they can help us." AJ scoffed.
Howie walked up to the tent, smiling. Finally things were looking up.
"Um, excuse me....hello?" he said brightly. Nobody answered so he called again, stepping closer. Howie turned to talk to Brian but was met with a gun barrel, his eyes wide. He could only think of one thing to say.
"Fuck."
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's a new chapter. Hope it answers some questions you've all been asking. Thanks for all the feedback!
