When I woke up, we were entering Utah. Vic was still awake and he didn't seem to be sleepy. It was 2 in the morning and I wondered why he hadn't been tired yet. He had been driving for over 13 straight hours and he has yet to fall asleep.
I looked around the car and saw he had cans of Monster lying around. This must be how he's managing to stay awaken. I looked at him and he was saying something, I couldn't hear it because I still had my music playing. I took my headphones out to listen to him.
"You must be really tired, you slept for 6 hours." Did I really? It must be my lack of sleep, I haven't had a goodnights sleep in a while.
"Yeah, kind of." I laid back and watched the road ahead of us. It was dark, but the stoplights lit the way for us. "What are we doing in Utah?"
He smiled and ignored me. "You hungry?"
"Yeah, but what are we doing in Utah?" I asked again.
"I'll stop at next exit and we can get something. I'll have to wake Mike up in a bit anyways." He still ignored my question, so I dropped it.
"Are you not tired?" I tried to make conversation.
"Nope, sometimes I stay up longer than this." He confessed.
I nodded in understanding and looked back out the window. I played with the scarf that was still on my wrist. I missed my mom more and more each day. I put my headphones back in and played some music to take my mind off things.
I listened to my playlist I played whenever I was in the car with her.
Therapy by All Time Low
Ritual by Black Veil Brides
Lauren's song by Breathe Carolina
And The Snakes Start To Sing by Bring Me The Horizon
Picture Perfect by Escape The Fate
Hurt by Get Scared
Underneath Every Smile by I See Stars
Stingray Affliction by Issues
Disappear by Issues
You be the anchor by Mayday Parade
Windows In Heaven by We Are The In Crowd
Amnesia by 5 Seconds of Summer
Me and her would drive around for hours, with no destination, we would just listen to music. I didn't think that I would ever have to be without her. I always thought I would die before she did, the career I chose put my life in danger a lot. I always thought I would be shot on the job or something, I never imagined that she would be the first to die. I was tapped on the shoulder and I took out my headphones and faced Vic.
"I'm sorry for your loss." He didn't take his eyes off the road.
"Thanks." I forced a smile.
"I never really got the chance to tell you." He looked hurt.
"It's okay." I stared down at my hands. "So is that why you came to me house?" I asked.
He sighed and nodded. "Yeah, we didn't have anywhere else to go. I'm sorry that we just took over and all." He started to mumble things under his breath.
"It's okay." We drove in silence for a few more minutes. "Does he ever hit you?" I wanted to know but I didn't know if he wanted to tell me or not.
"Yeah." He admitted.
"Was it as bad as what he did with Mike?" I got scared for their safety.
"You ask a lot of questions." He said once again. "But no, not nearly as bad as that. Mike is always home and so it's worst for him. When I'm home I just get beat. He's been hit with things." He took in a deep breath. "He even pulled a knife out on him."
The words hurt even me, how could a father do that to his children? I watched Vic tense up and his grip dig into the steering wheel. I didn't know what else to say.
"Thank you for letting us stay with you, even if you didn't want us to." He spat out.
"It's no problem. I'm glad that you guys came to avoid that." I was happy that I, at least, helped them stay away from their father.
"Thanks." He went back to steering and then something popped into my head.
"So does that mean, that when I was home all those times that he was messing with you guys?" He nodded. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. If I would have known I would have let you guys stayed over regardless." I started to cry.
"No, it's okay. You didn't know. We were fine, it was just the one day." I kind of figured he was lying. He had a bruise on his jaw.
"Okay." I plainly said.
He continued to drive and I just stared at my surroundings. I didn't want to listen to music that much anymore. We were coming up to an exit and Vic turned into eat. He pulled up to a Sonic and ordered him and Mike a Sonicburger with Strawberry milkshakes. I ordered some chicken strips with a Dr. Pepper. Vic offered to pay, but I declined his offer. After we paid, and got our food, he drove to get some more gas. He went in to pay and grabbed some more Monsters.
When we were back on the road, I had finished my food and was getting sleepy. I put my trash by my feet and laid on the window. I watched the road and yellow lines that ran along it. I wanted to stay up with Vic a while longer, I felt bad he was driving while me and Mike slept. I would have offered, but I doubt that I could stay awake. I was right, I ended up drifting off to sleep.
**Vic's P.O.V**
Kellin just went to sleep again and I mentally cursed myself. I told him what my dad did, he'll probably just judge and feel sorry for me. I don't want his sympathy. I look over at him, he's sleeping and still cuddled up with his mom's scarf.
There's only at least 30 more miles or so until we get there. I've been waiting for this. Maybe Kellin will see that I'm a really nice guy. I take out my phone and decide to text them.
'We're nearly there 30 more miles.'
'Good. I'm still awake. Can't wait.'
That's good. Now all I have to do is stay awake for a few more minutes. I reach into the cup holder and pull out one of my Monsters. I can only drink 3 in 24 hours, this will be my 3rd.
As we get closer and closer the more anxious I am to get there. We're 15 minutes from the house and I can't wait. I take out my phone and call for directions.
"Hey, so I'm on the highway by a Mazzio's."
'Okay, now take a left and then a right on Cherry Street.'
I do as he says.
"I'm on Cherry Street."
'There should be a 4-way stop. Turn on the one that says Wilson Lane.'
I turned down Wilson Lane and keep driving.
"Now what?"
'I'm outside waiting.'
I look around and see him. I hang up and pull up in the driveway. He comes over to the door and I open it.
"Hey." I put out my hand to shake his, but he hugs me instead. I hesitated before hugging back and then pulling away.
"I'm sorry. I'm just excited it's been soo long. I'm glad you guys came. Come on in the house." He ushered for me to come.
I pick up Kellin and bring him in, laying him on the couch and going back to get Mike. I laid Mike on another couch so Kellin wouldn't hurt him. I looked over at him and he was smiling and couldn't keep still.
"He's going to be super excited. I can't wait. Now come on, I'll show you to your rooms." He grabbed my hand and pulled me up the stairs.
"You have an awesome big house."
"Thank you." He smiled back at me. "This is your room, or your brother's whichever. Kellin can sleep in the room with me, I have bunk beds. And there's another room for you or your brother." He led me into the rooms, they were vaguely big.
"Thanks." I went downstairs and carried Mike to one of the rooms. Next I went down for Kellin but he stopped me.
"Let's let him stay down here. He'll probably freak out in the morning and we can watch." He had an evil smirk.
"Good idea." We went back up the stairs.
I stayed up all night talking to him, he didn't seem to be sleepy and I wasn't either. I had 3 Monsters and I was perfectly fine, except that my bladder was now constantly full. I went to the bathroom at least 20 times within the hour. He laughed everytime I had to go, I would roll my eyes and hit him playfully on the arm.
"We have a huge day ahead of us, I'm not even tired. I'm just ready to start the day." He said when I came back.
The sun was beginning to rise and he was jumping up and down on his knees. He was sitting in the middle of his bed and I was sitting on the floor. We had been talking for most of the night. It was 4 in the morning when we got here, now it was nearly 7.
"I know, this is going to be awesome. I can't wait either." He smiled and jumped more on the bed. "Do you mind if I ask you something?"
"Not at all, go ahead." He urged.
"Do you know how I can win over Kellin?"