Leaving them was a struggle.
Hoyt who yelled at you anytime you would slip up and call him 'Charlie', had wanted you gone in many ways, wasn't as MUCH of a struggle. Sure he had tried to hurt you but Momma Luda and her/YOUR boys weren't having it.
You were able to get out the house and now you sit with Tommy and Bubs, in your van. Dangling your legs just off the edge of the back. They wanted to stay with you, AND THEY DID! At least in the state of Texas..
You leaving them really hurt, but they couldn't just pack up and leave their family behind, that'll be wrong!
Watching the clouds you're hit with an ideas scooting over to the boxes in your van you open one full of old stuff. Childhood toys, books, and the one item you were looking for, your old phone. A LG Prada, quickly adding your newer phone number into it, you pass the phone over to them with a smile.
They stare at you in confusion, with a playful chuckle you explain, "You can use this to talk to me while I'm away! Surely you have had a landline of sorts." You turn on the phone, showing them how to text, access apps and such.
You look back at Manny in the front seat and give her a pat, she just wants to get back on the road. Signing you look back up at your boys. "I need to get going." you say plainly. A pain of sadness tugs at your heart.
They have been your world and now you must leave them behind.
Maybe if you leave them quickly, it will hurt less for them? Bubba shakes his head and pushes you into his chest, you try to wiggle out but Tommy locks you in the hug.
With a heavy heart, you gently pry yourself away from their embrace promising to return soon and that they can always call you. They give you the saddest puppy dog eyes and you give in.
Not staying but you give both of them one last lingering hug, whispering words of love and promises into their ears. They get out of your van, you walk out with them, shutting the back doors and walking off to the side.
As you settle into the driver's seat, you take a deep breath. Waving goodbye to your boys and Momma Luda, Mantis howls in her seat as you turn up the radio.
—
The Texas heat wasn't too bad, you were kind of used to it! Driving down an actual concrete road was nice too. Except for the van in front of you, a slight swear while they're driving was kind of scary to be behind.
So, to keep yourself and your dog safe, you ride to the front of them. As you drive by you could hear yelling in their own van, something about wanting ice cream?? Specifically yelling 'Tutti-fucking-Frutti' to a very aggravated man.
((Sid Haig - Captain Spaulding
Sherri Moon Zombie - Baby Firefly
Bill Mosley - Otis Driftwood
This is the start of tiny cameos since I couldn't figure out an actual pot line for these movies.))
—
The air was sick with the scent of nature and the distance sound of chirping birds filled your ears. The hustle and bustle the city seemed like a distant memory as you and Manny find yourself surrounded by vast stretches of green fields.
As you drive along the dirt road you couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over you. As you drive along another dirt road, you can't help but feel sense of peace wash over you, the stress of worries of everyday life seem to melt away replaced by a sense of calm.
The road keeps itself straight, till it's physically blocked. A set of wooden blockades and signs force you to turn.
A loud ringing breaks you out of your confused little bubble.
Answering the call curiously. Stu's voice crackles through the line, you're not exactly paying attention but his voice was enough to keep you calm driving down the non-blocked road. "-and he jumps in front the bit-!" "Okayokay, great story hun but I'm so nervous right, I can't listen."
He chuckles, you can feel yourself getting angsty for sitting so long, even Manny was pacing in the back wanting to stretch her legs and breathe fresh air. "I gotta go, Mantis needs to walk." He hums and let's you leave, AFTER you promise to call him back right away.
Bringing yourself to a stop, stepping out, cracking your back, then moving straight to Manny before she throws a fit. You didn't walk too far away, but it was apparently enough for someone to stop and check on you.
A dog in the truck's bed and Manny have a friendly stare down! ... till it jumps out and dashes right for her.
They tumble and a soft sneeze from the blacka and white pup signaling she's just playing.
A chuckle from behind catches you off guard, you face the source of the noise, a scruffy looking man. He's dressing in a dirty wife beater, tucked into his belted pants, which is covered by a chestnut colored flannel. All is topped off with a green, possibly knitted, hat and a dog tag necklace.
"Sorry! Didn't mean to scare ya!" He smiles and points to the black and white pup "I was just following her!" You return the man's smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over you as his friendly demeanor puts you at ease. "So, she's yours?" you ask unsure of how else to start up a conversation.
"Yep! Jonesy been 'round a long when. They seem to like each other!" He chuckles, "Yeah," you laugh, "My girl, Mantis. She hasn't seen other dogs in a long while either." You tell the man who you didn't know all about your big journey. Keeping out certain parts and people, he just listens to you, adding his thoughts every now and then.
Both mantis and jonesy all tuckered out lay down in the grass panting after running around and playing together for so long you know any motels I could stay at he pauses for a moment, hesitant, he speaks. "Ther' should be one in Ambrose, only a couple miles up the road." you two start walking back to your vehicles, "I can take you up there if you like." you pause, thinking, "Yeah, that sounds nice!"
—
"What's going on?" You shout from your van's window. "I gotta flip hubs into four-wheel." "Need any help?" He pauses and looks up at you with a smile, "That would be great." You hop out your van and rush over to help Lester.
Finishing up, you step back with your hands on your hips, "When's the last time you were here?" You ask, gazing at the trees and dirt road ahead.
Lester looks at you was surprised "You don't believe me?" he asks "I forgot this way ins washed out, that's all. It's just around that bend." He explains with a smile, "Of course I believe you, Cricket!" Lester's smile widens as he walks over to his truck, clearly amused by the new nickname you've given him.
You follow after him, "Just one more question!" You think over your words, and just straight up ask. "What was this place like? My grandparents used to live around here but I never heard about any towns this hidden." He stares at you, "Uh, Ambrose used to be a pretty nice town, before the interstate came in." You nod, content with this answer.
"I was just curious!" You shout over before hopping back into your own vehicle, following him over the rocks and water. You look around at the small town as you drive behind Lester, posters of the beauty pageant Miss Amber' plastered onto the side of a building. 'How fun, wonder how many teeth you have to have to win that' you snicker at your own joke and continue looking around.
Lester comes to a stop, causing you to stop too. A house sits in front of you, gloomy and beautiful, much like Mr. Bates own home, but this is no motel. You walk out to Lester, confused. "I thought you were taking me to a motel." he faces you, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Just figured you wouldn't want to go through registration." "Uh huh." You nod nervously; he was sweet for doing this, but it's still werid that he brought you to his home without asking. Not only that but someone else was definitely home, your theory is confirmed with a Chevrolet K-30 sitting in the driveway.
Coming to grab your backpack of essentials and Mantis; you walk behind Lester throughout his home. He stops at a bedroom door, "You can stay here for the night!" he whispers trying to stay as quiet as he possibly could be. t
"Thanks Cricket!" you match his tone of voice, he leaves you alone to settle in.
Mantis jumps on the bed, Jonesy curling up with with her. "What? You staying in here for the night?" she grumbles and pushes herself closer to Manny.
You crawl under the covers, Mantis and Jonesy sprawled out, taking off the bed. You drift off into a comfy slumber with a calming presence of two dogs beside you.
~
((IT'S TIMMEEEE~ I love this movie no matter how many people say it sucks<333 I think it's gonna be my longest part of the story so far!))