39 The Guard Pos (1/2)

Taru hung from Kyrie's back as they watched the last of the students leave for the shelter. Kyrie turned to his left and asked James, ”How are we getting to the guard post?”

James glanced at the others and rubbed the back of his neck. ”Well, I've got a car. But it's only meant for five. And we've got twelve.”

Kyrie shrugged. ”I can run.” Runs are nice. Way nicer than the calc homework he'd been doing before this.

James wasn't fond of the idea. That would be a lot of running. He turned to face the rest of the group. ”Anyone else got a car?”

”I got a cycle over break.” Andray's keys hung from his hand. ”I can take Syra with me.”

James nodded and said, ”Okay, everyone else is with me.” We'll make it work, somehow.

Caleb growled, ”Nobody's sitting on my lap,” as the group headed for the tiny underground garage.

♢ ♢ ♢

James popped his trunk and said, ”So who wants to get in the trunk?”

”Me,” Ren said as she glanced at Amity. Having someone sit on her lap or sitting on someone else's would be very awkward.

”I'll run.”

James sighed and rolled his eyes at Kyrie. ”Set Taru up to be touched and stick her in the trunk. Then Ren can get in.”

Kyrie watched James stubbornly.

”Seriously Ky! If you run, we'll be there at least an hour before you. Your riding on someone's lap.”

Kyrie glanced at the trunk. For a moment he was tempted but then he shuddered. There was no way he could ridein there. Kyrie channeled his aura into Taru than placed her in James' trunk.

Ren climbed in and took the other's weapons. She carefully stored the weapons so shewould have less chance of being injured during the drive.

James closed the trunk and looked at the remaining nine people. ”Well I'm driving, so how about we start with the three biggest in the back?”

DJ shrugged and climbed in, he was followed by Ana in the middle and Rick at the other door.

Caleb climbed into the passenger seat in the front. The only thing worse than being in the dark was sitting on someone's lap. After Caleb got in the front, Malisa and Amity looked at each other and climbed in the back. Neither of them wanted to sit on Caleb's lap.

Casey wandered off to change forms behind a support column. When she returned, she was in her fluffy wolf form and claimed her spot.

James anxiously waited next to Kyrie. He wasn't going to let his cousin escape.

Kyrie glanced at James, sighed, and climbed into the front. Sometimes being small sucked.

Caleb tensed as Kyrie sat on his lap awkwardly. ”Don't do anything.”

Kyrie scoffed with his arms crossed. ”Like I'd want to do anything with you.”

Caleb turned to stare out the window. He bit his lip and met Ricks gaze in the reflection. It would be a very long ride.

James opened the driver's door and started the car. It wasn't that great of a car and it was a lot heavier than normal.He put his foot on the gas pedal and his car lurched forward.

Kyrie's palm hit the dashboard as he tried to keep his seat. ”James.”

”Sorry.”

Caleb grumbled inaudibly and wrapped his arms around Kyrie's waist. It would be better to keep Kyrie from moving so much.

”Do you want some help getting this thing moving?” Kyrie asked as he grudgingly leaned against Caleb.

”Let's save that for later.”

♢ ♢ ♢

They'd seen a few Tries during their drive, but the creatures couldn't keep up with the car. It was a tense and awkward ride to the southern interior gate.

The car had just rounded the last corner in front of the southern guard post when the passenger door opened and Kyrie dived out of the speeding vehicle.

Caleb grabbed the door and closed it. ”Finally.”

James rolled his eyes at Kyrie's antics. He'd already guessed this would happen. For some reason, his cousin wasn't a fan of most forms of travel. He'd use them when he had to but if he didn't have to Kyrie would walk.

James pulled to a stop and hit the trunk release. Thankfully, it was summer. His trunk release was a bit seasonal. DJ had offered to help James fix it. But James didn't use his trunk much, so he wasn't all that inclined to do so.

Ren and the others climbed out of the car. They had just finished unloading it when Kyrie and a member of the guard showed up, from different directions.

”I better not see that many people coming out of your car again young man.” The guard's arms were crossed as he sternly watched James.

”You won't,” growled Caleb. He hated the idea, but he might as well get something out of it. His chest tightened with panic and self-loathing. A car would be helpful, just maybe not worth it.

Caleb's hands trembled. He couldn't believe the thought had crossed his mind. He watched Rick with a sickness churning in his guts. He could really use help from his best friend right now. But Rick was distracted by chatting up Melissa.

Caleb shuddered he could never do such a thing.