Best Friends, Remember?

The golden heart

The day before

Jared pulled his navy blue cap on his head, put his denim jacket on and grabbed the bag, leant against the wooden and dirty barn wall. His breath was shallow, his hands were shaking and he had difficulties with calming himself down. Frightened and unsure about his future, he ran away as the sun started to rise. He wanted to escape as soon as he could and as far as he could.

The countryside was beautiful in the morning – that was certain. But Jared didn’t notice that. It didn’t matter for him, as his thoughts were dark because of what he has done. He was aware, his every step, move, or word must be thoughtful. There’s no place for a single mistake.

Dreadful moaning was heard coming from the other side of the house. Sooner Jared had noticed them, the faster he left the spot.

He got into his Chevrolet 3100 (an aquamarine one), threw his packed bag on the front seat, turned the keys in the ignition, and when the engine surprised, with a squeak of tyres, Jared drove off the property. He watched his home receding from second to second. He was breakdown, but tried not to show that.

Even though there was no living soul.

A few minutes later, Jared was driving on the main road and realised, it was not quite wise decision. By making this discovery, he decided to change the journey direction and he followed another way. An intimate and independent one, with no branches or even crossing. Going this way, only things he could pass were: phone booths, road signs and occasionally – few houses. The only thing seemed not to have any beginning or ending was the field. Its start had an unknown localisation and the end as well. There laid some grains on it, mainly wheat and on some parts – corn. That was comforting for Jared, because that was impossible to have any witnesses. “No evidence, no crime” he thought; “besides, that was

a self-defence” he added.

By the noon, the sun has moved to the middle of the bright sky. The clouds weren’t worrying, as their size couldn’t announce even a light rain. Not even a single drop could fall from the sky – it was quite cold and the wind was blowing lazily. Even though it was October, Jared hasn’t have

a pleasure of experiencing any rain, yet.

Jared has been driving his Chevrolet for all the day, tough and unbroken. His concentration wasn’t disrupted by tiredness as well. He was only by himself. The evening came, then he felt exhausted. He decided to find

a place to eat something – he didn’t seek for any vacancy to sleep in, as far as he could sleep in his car. Jared started searching a bar or something like that but he knew it bordered on a miracle.

Wish you could see his face, when he surprisingly noticed a small spot at the edge of the civilisation. The lit billboard said: “Food, vacancy, alcohol” Two first things were teasing his body, the last one – his mind. The fastest decision ever made. He parked his car on the backyard and turned of the engine. He took his keys and bag and got into the bar.

The atmosphere inside was quite nice. It was warmer – which could be felt immediately by crossing the threshold – and it smelt really good all around. Jared looked around to make sure he’s also welcome and after he had realised no one was looking strangely at him, he sat at the counter and ordered a hamburger and a bottle of chilled coke. His meal has never been so delicious before. Starvation, exhaustion, fear, loneliness and worries – these bitches have lived in his heart for the whole way at the very beginning of the journey.

After Jared had eaten his meal, he ordered a bottle of beer. The bartender sold it to him for two pounds and then disappeared behind the backstage. Checked his phone and noticed there was no internet connection, where he was situated.

“Crap!” cursed Jared.

The man sitting next to him heard him and got interested in him.

“Bad signal, huh? You won’t get it in here, boy. We’re too far away from any town”

Jared looked at the man politely and saying not even word, humbly nodded his head. He licked his narrow, chapped lips and bit discreetly the bottom one.

“I guess, you’re right, sir. Do you happen to know, where can I find

a perfect place to catch it?” asked Jared.

“In here? Not a chance. But… if you’re going any further, you’re not supposed to drink that” said the man and pointed a bottle that Jared was holding in his hand.

Jared laughed delicately and started playing with the bottle.

“I’m not quite sure, where I’m going, sir” he confessed.

“What do you mean?” asked the man.

“A long story”

“That’s alright, I’m very patient” assured the man.

Jared took a confused look at the man, not sure if he could trust the man.

“I’m sorry, sir but… you’re a stranger to me”

The man nodded his head in an understanding gesture and smiled to Jared.

“I see. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be nosy”

“No, it’s not you, sir. It’s just… complicated… I’m in trouble, that’s all

I can say”

“Oh, don’t worry, that’s enough to say anyway” replied the man and they both were sitting in silence.

Suddenly, everyone in the club heard a noise – some male voices, yelling, (curse words) and bangs. Curious, what was happening, Jared and the

new-met man turned around to find out about the sounds’ reason. Jared got scared as he noticed, that some muscled guys were breaking his – fatigued already – Chevrolet.

“s**t, they found me!” Jared called and hid behind the wall.

“Are these guys a reason, why are you in trouble?” asked the man, accompanying Jared; “what’s going on?”

“Basically… they’re trying to kill me… Not a big deal…” Jared mocked.

The man leant out of the wall to check if guys have already gone.

“Are they gone?” asked Jared.

“I guess so” said the man, but not quite satisfyingly.

Jared also leant out and took a look at the window. He could barely see his car, so that bothered him pretty much.

“I’m out of here!” Jared called and ran into the back door of the bar.

“Wait!”

“What? Sir, I don’t need help, I can do this”

“No, you can’t! And yes – you DO need help! Who do you think you are? James Bond? Face it and don’t fool yourself” the man warned Jared.

Jared rested his hands on his elbows and although impatiently, he tried to listen to the man was trying to tell him.

“If you don’t want to confess – then don’t. I just want to help. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I heard about some kid’s death on TV or on the radio. I would feel bad, that I didn’t help you, when I had this ability. Now, you must listen to me…” as the man started to whisper, Jared got more involved in what he was saying and – what’s more – Jared got super intrigued.

“You, will go, to my house, in Hambleton. It’s not so far away as it seems. Then, wait until the situation is going to stabilise… and then go back home”

Jared was looking at the man with confusion.

“My house will empty anyway, what’s the problem. Take a chance. Isn’t it enough for you that I’m risking by giving you my own house to your disposition?”

“It is, fairly…” Jared admitted.

“Exactly,” said the man; “that’s why you’ll go there, survive and happily come back home. Am I clear?”

As Jared heard that, he swallowed saliva and laced his mouth. In an intention of agreement, he nodded his head gently.

“Thank you, sir. That really means the world to me”

“Come along” called the man and they both (firstly making sure that nobody was waiting for hem) left the bar.

It was dark outside. Millions of stars were shining happily in the black sky. Cold temperature bothered Jared and the man, but not as much as the sight of Jared’s Chevrolet – the lamps were broken, the glass as well, the tyres were flat and in an addition, the hooligans have put an

eye-catching caption, written in red paint – “burn in hell, Williams”.

“Of course…” Jared sighed; “what am I going to do now?”

The man responded: “Have you ever hitch-hiked?”

With a bag on his arm, Jared was ready to go. He gave a man hug to the man and at the end asked: “By the way, what’s your name, sir?”

“My name is Stan. And now go!”

Jared, going away, waved to Stan and then disappeared at the horizon.