Post by Alex Vipond on Jul 2, 2013 21:22:56 GMT -8
InkedPr1ncess: The Charger of Bren's was a powerful beast, she had found that out on more than one occasion but not a chance in hell she would outrun Alex. Though it would be fun to try, paddle boating wouldn't be any fun if she was in a body cast. And she was pretty sure Alex prided himself on being too pretty to mess up his face. So she behaved as she followed him to the boat rental place and she hoped that others would show up and be asses with them. :::
Alex Vipond: It was a moral imperative. One had to be a complete idiot, in a safe and fun way, at least once in a while. It was what kept Alex young at heart, a fact his contemporaries couldn't grasp. He was the one that kept up with the times, rather than allowing himself to remain locked in the past. It kept him sane. Otherwise he would have succumbed to the sleep, long, long ago. Pulling into the lot, Alex slid out. And though, Bren's car was fly as hell, Alex's put out 621 horses at 4,800 rpms. He could take cars on the local circuit in the quarter mile and leave them in the dust.
InkedPr1ncess: "That is a sweet ride. But yeah, if I were you, I wouldn't let me drive it either. We'd have to rumble because I wouldn't wanna give it back. Then you could have Castiel turn me into a kitten that was declawed," she told him finally once she had gotten out of the car and locked it up. Least she was hopeful no one would find a way to bang it again because she didn't want to have to take it back to Mars' garage like she did when she came back to Seattle. "Let's get this show on the road." :::
MacabreSaVant: It was like a blip. Faint, but there, Thrumming in the distances. Once it hadnt been felt, couldn't be seen or noted, and suddenly, like a small spark. A throb, dull response and it was calling. Not close, Alex would be the first to feel it. After all, he was bonded with Marsten. And like that, Alex could see the distance, the miles, and view through the wolf's eyes, breathe in the scent he had come through the nostrils. The wall that had blocked the Wolves from Alex and the pack had shattered. Alex would know where to find them now. –d
Alex Vipond: "Stock, the car is borderline dangerous to anyone but a pro driver. And it's been modified." So yeah. Alex started across the lot at the boat rental shop, keys slid into his pocket, phone slipped into his hip pocket and then he stopped in his tracks, head canted, that utter stillness coming over him. The only movement was the breeze tousling his hair. Were it not for that, he may as well have been carved from marble.
InkedPr1ncess: They were talking about the car one minute and then she noticed that her very good friend and boss had turned into a statue in the parking lot. Too still, and that bothered her. "Alex...what is it? Somebody out there?" That even put her on alert, her eyes and ears were scanning around them and she had put her shields up nice and tight but still she knew something was amiss. "Talk to me." :::
Alex Vipond: Alex drew in a deep breath, drawing in the scent of grease-wood, desert sage and sea. Letting the breath out slowly, his eyes slowly turned toward the south. "Bren... I have to go." He started back pedaling, toward the car, eyes still on the distance. "Call Ryder, Sasha, Mason... Tell them I know where he is." He turned his head to look at her. "I gotta go." Turning, he headed back to the car, pulling his phone as he went. Meghan was his first call. He had to let her know he was leaving, and why. He also had to pick up his passport and at least a backpack with a change of clothes. Flying commercial, he couldn't afford to take any liquid nourishment with him. He'd have to do take out.
InkedPr1ncess: The he Alex spoke of was clear, it wouldn't take her longer than half a second to realize it and she put in those calls right away to tell them what was going on. Nothing more than she knew, but she passed along the message before she got into her own car and took off. :::
Alex Vipond: He laid the phone on the console, the car's Bluetooth picking up the call as he turned the car over and swiftly backed out. Putting it into drive, he headed home to grab his passport and a bag. As soon as the call rolled to Voice, Alex was leaving a message. "Baby, I'm on my way home. I gotta pick up my passport, I know where Mars is. I gotta go get him. Once I'm down there, I may well need an exit strategy. Get with the pack and see what can be done. I'm going to Mexico..." he paused as he merged into traffic, then continued. "I love you, I'll call as soon as I can."
InkedPr1ncess: Bren's first call had been to Ryder, it seemed right enough since he was the Ulfric of the pack, speaking to him just quickly enough for him to get the other pack members ready in case. He could get to them faster than she could and he would know the right things to tell them but while she was driving, she had to call Sasha. Having to leave a voice-mail since her friend was at work. "Sasha, it's Bren, Alex just got word of Mars' location. He's going to get him. Will make sure you know everything as soon as possible. If you need me, call back. Bye." It was hectic but at least they finally knew. ::::
Alex Vipond: Alex made sure Gus had food and water, not that Meghan wouldn't when she got home, but it was habit. He gave the behemoth of a dog a few brief hugs and pets and then he was grabbing his passport and a back pack, shoving a change of clothes into it. He took one credit card, and what he estimated would be enough cash to get them through, and then started back out, pausing long enough to down, swiftly, a couple of bottles. Cold.... Bleh. No time to heat it though and he wasn't sure when he would be able to feed again. Odds were he would end up having to tap a vein or two along the way. One simply couldn't go around looking to score a dozen bags of A pos. He also couldn't take any with him. And this was why spur of the moment trips, sucked ass. Leaving the house he headed for SeaTac, parking in long term, because he really had no clue how long he would be. Could be hours, could be days.
Alex had taken two jets, one twin prop and what could only be loosely described as a bus to get to the coast near Tiburon Island, in the Sea of Cortez from Hermosillo. Stepping off the death trap, he slung his back pack over his shoulder and made his way through the crowd. The trip that had started on Tuesday had rolled into Wednesday. Alex had been forced to feed from a busmate who was left dozing contentedly, if a little paler than when he'd boarded. The hat he wore, and dark shades, would hopefully keep him unrecognized by anyone other than Mars. Green eyes from behind those dark sunglasses, took in those around him as he hiked along the road, looking for his furry brother.
MacabreSaVant: It wouldn't be too hard for Alex to find that strand that was left invisibly to follow. It was lively, chickens squawked loudly, roosters crowed and their wings flapped anxiously. The other beasts of burden, donkeys, mules.. and dogs tied up off to the left seemed nervous and agitated. It was a small hacienda, the walls were cracked and the windows were covered up. There were a few people milling around. Alex could smell the brothers nearby. In the hut, when he opened that door, he would find both brothers, looking all kinds of sinew and gaunt. They had been through the ringer. Hair was longer, straggly, and they were dirty as fuck. Alex could smell the thick poison of that drug that tainted the Jones brothers. –d
Alex Vipond: Alex moved toward the place, eyes cast about, looking for any sign of resistance, but in finding none, he entered the place, shades slipped from his eyes and propped on top of his head. "Jesus, fuck...." They looked like hell, pure and simple. He slipped that back pack from his shoulder and opened it up, a bottle of water for each pulled and offered out, before the food he carried was also offered out. "What the fuck, dude?"
MacabreSaVant: Reaching out to take the bottle, Leland was still passed out, Mars sat up slowly, slumping a bit as he took that a sip of it. Hoarse voice before he spoke. " Bastards..." All he could say.." Take us home.. bro..." He reached out to touch Alex. It strengthened him to get that bond once more. –d
Alex Vipond: Alex crouched down in front of him, arm grasping Mars' to both steady him and lend him his strength. He nodded, then looked over to Leland. "We can talk about it on the way back. First things first. where are they?" If they were in the area, Alex would, simply put, kill them. They were a risk and Alex wasn't going to take any chances.
MacabreSaVant: He coughed. Falling over to his side, he motioned out the back. There was a old woman, looking at Alex very intensely, she moved the blanket that was shrouding the back room and in there was a pile of them, dead, and three still alive, but tied up to the dead for the time being. There were shifters, the silver held them in place. –d
Alex Vipond: Well it was good to know that sickening stench wasn't coming from Mars and Leland. Not completely anyway. "They did this?" Or were they more victims? The gaze of the woman was returned, and Alex dug into her head to find answers, now rather than wait for them to be spoken in a language he didn't know more than a few words of anyway.
MacabreSaVant: Alex would see the images. Like a silent movie. He'd see from the old crones eyes the shifters with caged brothers. The fights. The deaths of many, til the Jones brothers managed their escape with a few of the humans who were used as bait, food. –d
Alex Vipond: With the woman's thoughts in his head, he nodded and rose, moving to the other room. Those who had preyed upon the Jones boys and the hapless humans were swiftly dispatched, a simple snapping of the neck. Alex wasted no time in doing so. He turned to the old woman, instructed her, through thought to build a large fire out back. The woman nodded and turned to do as bade, as Alex moved back to Mars. "How bad is he?" he glanced toward Leland who was still unconscious.
MacabreSaVant: "He will be out for a few days. " Responding. " He will heal when we get to the pack house and with the rest of the pack. " –d
Alex Vipond: "There's no fucking way we can get either of you onto a plane. You look more than half dead. We'll have to get a car and drive up, walk across the border and have someone pick us up on the other side."
MacabreSaVant: "Alright.." Mars really didnt know what else to say. His eyes had that yellow tinge, almost as if he had jaundice. It was the malnourishment and probably from being stuck in their wolf form too long. His voice held that distinguished sound of a animalistic growl. Not on purpose, just how it was now. Rest, lots of rest they needed it. He pushed up to stand, he was without a shirt, his jeans were ripped at the legs, and the bottom hems were completely gone, and he was barefoot. The same was for Leland. He waivered in his stance. " I ..just want to get home..."
Alex Vipond: Alex nodded, leaving the back pack with the supplies with Mars. There was more water, and food within. He moved past the old woman and started rummaging through the pockets of the dead. Everything pulled from them was piled up, and then each body was carried out to the fire the woman had built at his direction. Each was consigned to the flames, and then Alex headed back in. Going through the wallets, he emptied the cash, handing that over to the woman. The wallets with ID and any cards would be disposed of elsewhere. Preferably down a sewer. He did wipe them down before putting them in a cloth sack the woman had gathered for him. Weighting it with stones, he tied it shut, then moved back to check on Leland and Mars. "I have to get us a car. You're good here for a few?"
MacabreSaVant: He managed to get one of those makeshift chairs and collaposed onto it for the moment as Alex went about taking care of business like a Mob boss. A nod. " Yeah.." -d
Alex Vipond: Alex had some experience in disposing of the dead. He stepped out and headed up the road, and no he didn't stroll. He moved in a blur, and when he found a place that actually had a car, he slowed. Walking up to any place in the dead of night was never a good thing, a stranger, a white man, doing so, in this area, he may as well have taped a sign to his chest that said victim here. Under normal circumstances. If he were anyone else. Anything else. He approached the two men outside, and no he didn't speak Spanish for shit, but between what little he did know and some good old fashioned compulsion, he drove away, a couple hundred bucks lighter, back to the little hut where Mars and Leland waited in the POS Jeep gained from the pair of locals.
MacabreSaVant: It wouldnt take them all too long to be able to be piled into the jeep. Leland in the back, where he could be laid out. Mars in the front, shotgun. Alex would be driving. It was going to take them a w hile but surely, they be home in no time. All Mars could think of was going home to the pack. To Sasha and Kaly. –d
Alex Vipond: Once they were loaded up, the old woman gave them some food for the road and Alex thanked her effusively. With the Jones boys loaded and sleeping, Alex set off for Mexicali, calling Meghan as he drove. Listening as it rang, he willed her to pick up.
Meghan Vipond: Megan had gotten the first vm earlier and of course was going to worry. Sasha was occupied with work she assumed, since no answer and she didn't have anyone else's number. Getting up with the pack, was proving to be a little more difficult than she thought. But she did get things prepared for a exit and had several others on stand by. When the cell rang, she answered. "Hello? Alex? Are you okay? What happened?" A stream of questions poured out and she was worried as hell. [d]
Alex Vipond: "I'm fine, Baby, it's all good. I'm with Mars and Leland and we're heading north from Hermosillo, to Mexicali. What I need you to do, is jump on a plane, and fly to San Diego. Once there I need you to rent a car and drive east on Highway 8. Take the turn off for Route 98 south to Calexico. We'll meet you there."
Meghan Vipond: Well, he did answer a few of her questions. So as he began to give a list of instructions, she was jotting them down and then was moving off to gather up her stuff. Coat, purse, keys, phone. She'd sweat the small stuff later. "Okay. Got it. Plane. San Diego. Car. Highway 8, east. Route 98 South to Calexico." she repeated. She hopped into the Benz and was headed to the airport. Her next call? Private plane. If that was a no go, she'd just have to go to plan b. [d
Alex Vipond: "I love you...." And then she was gone, and he smiled, then cast a look at the gaunt figures of the Jones boys. They looked like hell and smelled like it too. He wasn't sure what all had been done to them, but what he had gleaned he wasn't happy with. As the sun climbed the sky, the temps rose and Alex squirmed, despite the ring on his finger. Face it, it was fucking hot. He had to stop for gas, twice, and he bought bottled water for the boys both times, figuring they'd need it. He himself drank some of it, and yes, he left the gas station clerks at both places a little paler than when he'd arrived. Necessity was a mother.
Alex Vipond: It was a moral imperative. One had to be a complete idiot, in a safe and fun way, at least once in a while. It was what kept Alex young at heart, a fact his contemporaries couldn't grasp. He was the one that kept up with the times, rather than allowing himself to remain locked in the past. It kept him sane. Otherwise he would have succumbed to the sleep, long, long ago. Pulling into the lot, Alex slid out. And though, Bren's car was fly as hell, Alex's put out 621 horses at 4,800 rpms. He could take cars on the local circuit in the quarter mile and leave them in the dust.
InkedPr1ncess: "That is a sweet ride. But yeah, if I were you, I wouldn't let me drive it either. We'd have to rumble because I wouldn't wanna give it back. Then you could have Castiel turn me into a kitten that was declawed," she told him finally once she had gotten out of the car and locked it up. Least she was hopeful no one would find a way to bang it again because she didn't want to have to take it back to Mars' garage like she did when she came back to Seattle. "Let's get this show on the road." :::
MacabreSaVant: It was like a blip. Faint, but there, Thrumming in the distances. Once it hadnt been felt, couldn't be seen or noted, and suddenly, like a small spark. A throb, dull response and it was calling. Not close, Alex would be the first to feel it. After all, he was bonded with Marsten. And like that, Alex could see the distance, the miles, and view through the wolf's eyes, breathe in the scent he had come through the nostrils. The wall that had blocked the Wolves from Alex and the pack had shattered. Alex would know where to find them now. –d
Alex Vipond: "Stock, the car is borderline dangerous to anyone but a pro driver. And it's been modified." So yeah. Alex started across the lot at the boat rental shop, keys slid into his pocket, phone slipped into his hip pocket and then he stopped in his tracks, head canted, that utter stillness coming over him. The only movement was the breeze tousling his hair. Were it not for that, he may as well have been carved from marble.
InkedPr1ncess: They were talking about the car one minute and then she noticed that her very good friend and boss had turned into a statue in the parking lot. Too still, and that bothered her. "Alex...what is it? Somebody out there?" That even put her on alert, her eyes and ears were scanning around them and she had put her shields up nice and tight but still she knew something was amiss. "Talk to me." :::
Alex Vipond: Alex drew in a deep breath, drawing in the scent of grease-wood, desert sage and sea. Letting the breath out slowly, his eyes slowly turned toward the south. "Bren... I have to go." He started back pedaling, toward the car, eyes still on the distance. "Call Ryder, Sasha, Mason... Tell them I know where he is." He turned his head to look at her. "I gotta go." Turning, he headed back to the car, pulling his phone as he went. Meghan was his first call. He had to let her know he was leaving, and why. He also had to pick up his passport and at least a backpack with a change of clothes. Flying commercial, he couldn't afford to take any liquid nourishment with him. He'd have to do take out.
InkedPr1ncess: The he Alex spoke of was clear, it wouldn't take her longer than half a second to realize it and she put in those calls right away to tell them what was going on. Nothing more than she knew, but she passed along the message before she got into her own car and took off. :::
Alex Vipond: He laid the phone on the console, the car's Bluetooth picking up the call as he turned the car over and swiftly backed out. Putting it into drive, he headed home to grab his passport and a bag. As soon as the call rolled to Voice, Alex was leaving a message. "Baby, I'm on my way home. I gotta pick up my passport, I know where Mars is. I gotta go get him. Once I'm down there, I may well need an exit strategy. Get with the pack and see what can be done. I'm going to Mexico..." he paused as he merged into traffic, then continued. "I love you, I'll call as soon as I can."
InkedPr1ncess: Bren's first call had been to Ryder, it seemed right enough since he was the Ulfric of the pack, speaking to him just quickly enough for him to get the other pack members ready in case. He could get to them faster than she could and he would know the right things to tell them but while she was driving, she had to call Sasha. Having to leave a voice-mail since her friend was at work. "Sasha, it's Bren, Alex just got word of Mars' location. He's going to get him. Will make sure you know everything as soon as possible. If you need me, call back. Bye." It was hectic but at least they finally knew. ::::
Alex Vipond: Alex made sure Gus had food and water, not that Meghan wouldn't when she got home, but it was habit. He gave the behemoth of a dog a few brief hugs and pets and then he was grabbing his passport and a back pack, shoving a change of clothes into it. He took one credit card, and what he estimated would be enough cash to get them through, and then started back out, pausing long enough to down, swiftly, a couple of bottles. Cold.... Bleh. No time to heat it though and he wasn't sure when he would be able to feed again. Odds were he would end up having to tap a vein or two along the way. One simply couldn't go around looking to score a dozen bags of A pos. He also couldn't take any with him. And this was why spur of the moment trips, sucked ass. Leaving the house he headed for SeaTac, parking in long term, because he really had no clue how long he would be. Could be hours, could be days.
Alex had taken two jets, one twin prop and what could only be loosely described as a bus to get to the coast near Tiburon Island, in the Sea of Cortez from Hermosillo. Stepping off the death trap, he slung his back pack over his shoulder and made his way through the crowd. The trip that had started on Tuesday had rolled into Wednesday. Alex had been forced to feed from a busmate who was left dozing contentedly, if a little paler than when he'd boarded. The hat he wore, and dark shades, would hopefully keep him unrecognized by anyone other than Mars. Green eyes from behind those dark sunglasses, took in those around him as he hiked along the road, looking for his furry brother.
MacabreSaVant: It wouldn't be too hard for Alex to find that strand that was left invisibly to follow. It was lively, chickens squawked loudly, roosters crowed and their wings flapped anxiously. The other beasts of burden, donkeys, mules.. and dogs tied up off to the left seemed nervous and agitated. It was a small hacienda, the walls were cracked and the windows were covered up. There were a few people milling around. Alex could smell the brothers nearby. In the hut, when he opened that door, he would find both brothers, looking all kinds of sinew and gaunt. They had been through the ringer. Hair was longer, straggly, and they were dirty as fuck. Alex could smell the thick poison of that drug that tainted the Jones brothers. –d
Alex Vipond: Alex moved toward the place, eyes cast about, looking for any sign of resistance, but in finding none, he entered the place, shades slipped from his eyes and propped on top of his head. "Jesus, fuck...." They looked like hell, pure and simple. He slipped that back pack from his shoulder and opened it up, a bottle of water for each pulled and offered out, before the food he carried was also offered out. "What the fuck, dude?"
MacabreSaVant: Reaching out to take the bottle, Leland was still passed out, Mars sat up slowly, slumping a bit as he took that a sip of it. Hoarse voice before he spoke. " Bastards..." All he could say.." Take us home.. bro..." He reached out to touch Alex. It strengthened him to get that bond once more. –d
Alex Vipond: Alex crouched down in front of him, arm grasping Mars' to both steady him and lend him his strength. He nodded, then looked over to Leland. "We can talk about it on the way back. First things first. where are they?" If they were in the area, Alex would, simply put, kill them. They were a risk and Alex wasn't going to take any chances.
MacabreSaVant: He coughed. Falling over to his side, he motioned out the back. There was a old woman, looking at Alex very intensely, she moved the blanket that was shrouding the back room and in there was a pile of them, dead, and three still alive, but tied up to the dead for the time being. There were shifters, the silver held them in place. –d
Alex Vipond: Well it was good to know that sickening stench wasn't coming from Mars and Leland. Not completely anyway. "They did this?" Or were they more victims? The gaze of the woman was returned, and Alex dug into her head to find answers, now rather than wait for them to be spoken in a language he didn't know more than a few words of anyway.
MacabreSaVant: Alex would see the images. Like a silent movie. He'd see from the old crones eyes the shifters with caged brothers. The fights. The deaths of many, til the Jones brothers managed their escape with a few of the humans who were used as bait, food. –d
Alex Vipond: With the woman's thoughts in his head, he nodded and rose, moving to the other room. Those who had preyed upon the Jones boys and the hapless humans were swiftly dispatched, a simple snapping of the neck. Alex wasted no time in doing so. He turned to the old woman, instructed her, through thought to build a large fire out back. The woman nodded and turned to do as bade, as Alex moved back to Mars. "How bad is he?" he glanced toward Leland who was still unconscious.
MacabreSaVant: "He will be out for a few days. " Responding. " He will heal when we get to the pack house and with the rest of the pack. " –d
Alex Vipond: "There's no fucking way we can get either of you onto a plane. You look more than half dead. We'll have to get a car and drive up, walk across the border and have someone pick us up on the other side."
MacabreSaVant: "Alright.." Mars really didnt know what else to say. His eyes had that yellow tinge, almost as if he had jaundice. It was the malnourishment and probably from being stuck in their wolf form too long. His voice held that distinguished sound of a animalistic growl. Not on purpose, just how it was now. Rest, lots of rest they needed it. He pushed up to stand, he was without a shirt, his jeans were ripped at the legs, and the bottom hems were completely gone, and he was barefoot. The same was for Leland. He waivered in his stance. " I ..just want to get home..."
Alex Vipond: Alex nodded, leaving the back pack with the supplies with Mars. There was more water, and food within. He moved past the old woman and started rummaging through the pockets of the dead. Everything pulled from them was piled up, and then each body was carried out to the fire the woman had built at his direction. Each was consigned to the flames, and then Alex headed back in. Going through the wallets, he emptied the cash, handing that over to the woman. The wallets with ID and any cards would be disposed of elsewhere. Preferably down a sewer. He did wipe them down before putting them in a cloth sack the woman had gathered for him. Weighting it with stones, he tied it shut, then moved back to check on Leland and Mars. "I have to get us a car. You're good here for a few?"
MacabreSaVant: He managed to get one of those makeshift chairs and collaposed onto it for the moment as Alex went about taking care of business like a Mob boss. A nod. " Yeah.." -d
Alex Vipond: Alex had some experience in disposing of the dead. He stepped out and headed up the road, and no he didn't stroll. He moved in a blur, and when he found a place that actually had a car, he slowed. Walking up to any place in the dead of night was never a good thing, a stranger, a white man, doing so, in this area, he may as well have taped a sign to his chest that said victim here. Under normal circumstances. If he were anyone else. Anything else. He approached the two men outside, and no he didn't speak Spanish for shit, but between what little he did know and some good old fashioned compulsion, he drove away, a couple hundred bucks lighter, back to the little hut where Mars and Leland waited in the POS Jeep gained from the pair of locals.
MacabreSaVant: It wouldnt take them all too long to be able to be piled into the jeep. Leland in the back, where he could be laid out. Mars in the front, shotgun. Alex would be driving. It was going to take them a w hile but surely, they be home in no time. All Mars could think of was going home to the pack. To Sasha and Kaly. –d
Alex Vipond: Once they were loaded up, the old woman gave them some food for the road and Alex thanked her effusively. With the Jones boys loaded and sleeping, Alex set off for Mexicali, calling Meghan as he drove. Listening as it rang, he willed her to pick up.
Meghan Vipond: Megan had gotten the first vm earlier and of course was going to worry. Sasha was occupied with work she assumed, since no answer and she didn't have anyone else's number. Getting up with the pack, was proving to be a little more difficult than she thought. But she did get things prepared for a exit and had several others on stand by. When the cell rang, she answered. "Hello? Alex? Are you okay? What happened?" A stream of questions poured out and she was worried as hell. [d]
Alex Vipond: "I'm fine, Baby, it's all good. I'm with Mars and Leland and we're heading north from Hermosillo, to Mexicali. What I need you to do, is jump on a plane, and fly to San Diego. Once there I need you to rent a car and drive east on Highway 8. Take the turn off for Route 98 south to Calexico. We'll meet you there."
Meghan Vipond: Well, he did answer a few of her questions. So as he began to give a list of instructions, she was jotting them down and then was moving off to gather up her stuff. Coat, purse, keys, phone. She'd sweat the small stuff later. "Okay. Got it. Plane. San Diego. Car. Highway 8, east. Route 98 South to Calexico." she repeated. She hopped into the Benz and was headed to the airport. Her next call? Private plane. If that was a no go, she'd just have to go to plan b. [d
Alex Vipond: "I love you...." And then she was gone, and he smiled, then cast a look at the gaunt figures of the Jones boys. They looked like hell and smelled like it too. He wasn't sure what all had been done to them, but what he had gleaned he wasn't happy with. As the sun climbed the sky, the temps rose and Alex squirmed, despite the ring on his finger. Face it, it was fucking hot. He had to stop for gas, twice, and he bought bottled water for the boys both times, figuring they'd need it. He himself drank some of it, and yes, he left the gas station clerks at both places a little paler than when he'd arrived. Necessity was a mother.