THIRTY-SEVEN OLD TIME'S SAKE
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Norman and John B ran until the sun hung low in the sky, drifting towards the horizon with a brazen certainty as the warm afternoon began to turn blue with darkness. They hopped fences, ran through backyards, all kinds of obstacles. It couldn't help but remind Norman of the first time they had run away together -- when that guy had cocked a gun in John B's face and chased them through the neighborhood. Norman wondered whatever happened to those guys. He'd rather deal with them than the police, yet here he was.
"Shit, get down," John B muttered as they passed a fence, the lights of a police car flashing red and blue as the car sped by. The two pressed themselves flat against the grass, waiting for the car to pass. With that, they broke open someone's gate and hid in the side yard. They ran to the other end, hiding behind a bush as another car passed. "Shit."
"Where can we go from here?" Norman asked quietly, his hand gripping the back of John B's faded red hoodie like his life depended on it.
"See that garage door that's open across the street?" John B pointed once the car had passed, "While we're clear, let's make a run for it."
Norman nodded, "Okay, let's go."
They sprinted across the road, hopefully avoiding the eyes of any onlookers as they made it to the open garage door of someone's home. They were on the figure eight now, which would probably mean more security which wouldn't bode well for them. Either way, they were safe for just the hair of a moment as John B turned off the light and closed the garage door. There was no car in the garage or driveway, so Norman hoped that would mean that no one was home. The two boys hid under what looked like a workbench as they took the opportunity to catch their breath.
John B's eyes met his, "You didn't have to do this, you know. You could have stayed with the others."
Immediately, Norman shook his head, "I know it's stupid, but after leaving you at the tarmac and what happened after we left I-I can't leave you again. Not because I think you can't handle yourself, because I know you can, I mean, you escaped without Ward or Rafe trying to kill you, too. I just... I don't want to not be in the loop when it comes to you. Running away with JJ, Pope, and Kie while not knowing what was going to happen to you was way harder than I thought it was going to be. You have such an... affect on me. I don't know what to do but stand by your side."
"Norman..." John B began, but he was cut off by the sound of a dog barking and they watched as the garage door began to shake with the feeling of someone banging against it. "Shit, we gotta move."
John B grabbed Norman's hand, pulling him out from under the workbench as the two moved as quietly as possible. Being 6'5," subtlety was not really Norman's strong suit. Taking quick, but quiet steps, the two opened the door that led into the house and disappeared through it and hopefully away from the police outside. Well, he was fairly sure it was the police, at least. Waiting by the door, they didn't hear any more noise coming from the garage. They both breathed sighs of relief, but Norman knew their troubles had yet to cease. Walking through the house, John B stopped dead in his tracks with Norman crashing into him from behind, not ready for the sudden pause. Of course, they had to run into Kelce. Of course, this would end up being Kelce's house.
"John B? Rocky?" the boy asked, speaking oddly casually as he stood up from his seat.
"Hey man," John B spoke shakily, holding up his hands. Norman stayed silent behind him, not knowing what to say. "Just listen to me for a second, relax."
"Man, what are you guys doing here?" the dark-skinned boy spoke, his voice suspicious. "Rocky? What are you doing all up in this?"
"Not important," Norman spoke up, "C'mon, Kelce, we've always been cool, right?"
The boy nodded, "Yeah, yeah, but... I-I know what you did, John B. Hell, you still got some blood on your hands."
"Please listen to me," the boy begged, his voice cracking with desperation. "I didn't do it. Just listen."
"Get out of my house!" Kelce exclaimed furiously, shaking his head with a terrified fervor, "Don't talk to me! I know what you did! Rocky, I don't know what he told you, but... but he's a murderer!"
Norman shook his head, "No, trust me! One Kook to another, dude, why would I defend some deadbeat Pogue if I didn't know the truth? C'mon, man! We've known each other since Kindergarten! You won't trust me now?"
"Something about this whole thing is fucked, you shouldn't be messing around with no Pogues, Rocky," the boy continued to argue and Norman prayed he wouldn't reach for the phone and dial 911. That was the last thing they needed right now. "Get outta my house! Both of you?"
"Deadbeat Pogue?" John B muttered.
"Just go with it," Norman whispered before speaking louder so Kelce could hear him, "Why would I lie? What do I gain, Kelce?"
The boy shook his head, reaching into the knife block and pulling one of them out. Immediately, John B stepped back, pulling Norman with him as he exclaimed, "Woah, put the knife down!"
"Nah, you invaded the homeland, bro!" Kelce yelled as he began to step towards them, "I'm warning you! You need to get the hell out of my house right now. Hey!"
The boys took off running, their feet sliding on the hardwood floors, but that didn't slow them down as Kelce chased them. John B turned into the first open door as he slammed the door and locked it, pushing their frames against the door to keep it shut. Kelce rattled the doorknob, but after that, there was silence.
Curiously, John B called out, "Kelce? Hey, man, hey! Shit, I think he closed us in here, even if I unlock the door, the handle won't turn."
"Shit, shit, shit!" Norman exclaimed as he eyed their surroundings. Of course, the room they had to be stuck in was a laundry room with no discernable way out.
Kelce spoke through the door, saying, "You're in the house of pain now, bro. You hear that? Rocky, I didn't take you as the type to turn towards the dark side, but y'all are both in for it now. I got you, man. I got you both."
"Fuck," John B mumbled as the two boys paced around the room. They heard Kelce return so John B went back against the door to say, "Hey! Hey, Kelce, buddy!"
"Come on, Kelce, we can work this out!" Norman exclaimed through the door.
"Please, please, just let us out," the other boy tried, but it was useless.
"I don't think so, bitch," Kelce shouted, "Word on the street is that you've got a bounty on your head, John B. 25K cash money, dead or alive. Isn't that right, John B?"
They heard Kelce discussing something with someone else that was outside and Norman was pretty sure he heard the word 'cops' which meant they were supremely screwed. If the cops got there before they could find a way out of this mess, it was over for them. The two began ransacking the room looking for anything that could get them out, but there was nothing. John B found something to tie around the doorknob, but Norman wasn't sure what that was going to do.
"Look, Kelce, just let us out, man," John B begged one more time, but it was no use.
"Yeah, Kelce isn't here, bro, it's Topper," a new voice spoke and both the boys' eyes widened as they made eye contact with each other.
"Shit, he hates me," Norman muttered.
John B sighed, "He hates me more. Either way, we're screwed."
"Yeah, surprise," the boy outside said.
The boy ran his fingers through his hair, sending a desperate look to Norman who could only shrug, "Yeah, hey Top. It's John B, Norman's in here with me, too."
"Oh, Rocky's made an appearance tonight? Interesting, I didn't take him as a running with the rats type of guy," Topper teased through the door and Norman would punch him if he could.
"Top, shut the fuck up," he exclaimed before he could stop himself, muttering, "Sorry, sorry."
"Oh, you guys wanna try and talk your way out?" Topper laughed, "Nice one. Just cut the bullshit, all right? Like-- the chicken's are roostin' brother. Like it -- it is over. You're in some deep shit, now."
John B pounded against the door to get his attention, shouting, "Listen to me! I didn't kill the sheriff."
"You didn't shoot the sheriff?"
"No, I didn't!" he explained, "It was Rafe. All right? Sarah was there, she saw the whole thing."
"Oh, it was Rafe, okay, my bad," Topper scoffed.
He sighed, shooting another saddened look to Norman as he continued to speak through the door. His hand reached out and tangled their fingers together, still finding a way to comfort each other. "Look, I get it, you don't believe me. Honestly, I probably wouldn't believe myself, either, but... look. I know you hate me because of Sarah. But dude, you literally witnessed her dumping me. Come on."
"Yeah, but you know her and I were boyfriend and girlfriend right? Just because she dumped your ass doesn't mean everything is suddenly gonna be all nice and perfect between me and you," the boy argued through the door, "Piece of shit. And um, I got another question."
John B sighed, "Go for it man."
"Did you fuck her, hm?"
"Dude, you are so barking up the wrong tree," Norman cut in with a scoff.
"I never even touched Sarah," John B shouted, "Okay? You're worried about the wrong person right now, dude. If you have beef, you might wanna ask Sarah's girlfriend. Not me."
Topper was silent for a moment, before he pounded on the door, scaring the shit out of both of them. "Shut the fuck up! You don't even know what you're talking about! Sarah's not a fucking dyke."
"Oh, boy, there's a lot she's not telling you, buddy," Norman said with a laugh, "God, I always knew you were an asshole, but homophobic really? You know I'm gay, right? And way fucking richer than you, so suck on that."
"Yeah!" John B hyped him up, "Also, no wonder she dumped you if you talk about her like that. I wouldn't want you as my boyfriend, either."
Topper scoffed through the door, "Oh, I cannot fucking wait for the cops to get here. Did... did you ever love her?"
"No," John Bs spoke with no hesitation, "No. I love someone else, you don't have to worry about me anymore. But uh, I'm in love, man. I'm not your problem anymore."
Norman smiled, knowing exactly who John B was talking about. If all else failed, at least he'd go down knowing that John B loved him.
"I hate you," Norman muttered, for old time's sake. "So, so much."
"No, you don't."
Norman shook his head, a small smile teasing at his features, "No, no, I don't. I love you, John B."
"Ew, are you guys having a moment in there?" Topper exclaimed, interrupting the two's conversation. "Ugh, it's over for you, guys. The cops are almost here. Hope you enjoyed it."
"I did," John B muttered, mainly to Norman than Topper.
They didn't wait for much longer before they realized the police had surrounded the house. It was probably over for them, but Norman had a hell of a lawyer so maybe things would work out. He wasn't too worried about himself, right now, though, he was more concerned about John B.
"All right, John B," they heard someone speaking on a megaphone outside, "It's Shoupe out here. We know you're in there and that you've taken Norman Rockwell as a hostage. We got you surrounded, we don't want any more bloodshed."
"Hostage," Norman mocked with a sour laugh. "Rich people are delusional."
"We're coming in," they heard Shoupe announce.
"What a misunderstanding, bro, like, everyone thinks it's you," Topper spoke through the door, but neither of them were really paying attention.
"I didn't do it," John B muttered, "Bro, just let me out."
Norman noticed something out of the corner of his eye, getting his boyfriend's attention, he whispered, "John B, John B, look."
There was a small vent in the wall that had been covered by a laundry basket. It was fairly small, but if they tore at the boarding along the sides, they would be able to widen the opening and get through. Together, they tore out the grate, Norman's fingers feeling raw as he pulled at the boards, loosening them enough. John B crawled out first as they heard footsteps getting nearer. Just as they heard Shoupe outside, Norman pushed through with help from John B on the other side. Once they were outside, they ran and hopped the fence under the cover of darkness.
Norman was practically giddy, adrenaline pumping through his veins as he realized they had actually managed to escape. They were free, for now at least. As long as they kept running. So, that's what they did. They ran like hell.
this is the longest chapter I've had in a while but oh well, how y'all feeling about there only being three chapters left after this? we excited?